Fantasy Basketball Stock Up, Stock Down: Wemby thrives as Jokić takes a hit

Given the difference between the regular season and the playoffs, reading too much into a player’s production when considering his fantasy prospects for the postseason can be a fool’s errand. However, there is room to praise some players and express concern about the fantasy futures of others. Below are some players whose stock improved or decreased based on how they played in the playoffs.

Stock up

C Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs received excellent contributions from multiple players in the first-round series against the Trail Blazers, including De’Aaron Fox. However, the Trail Blazers’ inability to “fix” Wembanyama meant they shot just 40.3 percent from the field in five games.

Announcement

In the four games he appeared in, the 7-foot-4 phenom blocked four shots per game while also averaging 21.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.8 three-pointers and shooting 58.3 percent from the field and 91.3 percent from the foul line. The regular season and playoffs are different deals, but we may be approaching an era where Wembanyama is the undisputed top pick in fantasy drafts.

G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Gilgeous-Alexander will also merit 1.1 pick consideration in some leagues, given his track record of consistently elite fantasy production. In the four games the Thunder played against the Suns, the reigning league MVP averaged 33.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.3 threes, shooting 55.1% from the field and 89.8% from the foul line.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s steal production doesn’t match his regular season average (1.4 points), but he has averaged at least one steal per game in every season of his NBA career except one (2020-21).

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G Ayo Dosunmu, Minnesota Timberwolves

Regardless of how the Timberwolves’ first-round series with Denver ends, Dosunmu’s performance in Game 4 will be talked about for quite some time in the Twin Cities. With Anthony Edwards (knee) e Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) who suffered injuries that sidelined them for the remainder of the series, if not longer, Dosunmu scored a career-high 43 points to give Minnesota a 3-1 lead. Denver won Game 5 to extend the series, but this could be a good showcase for Dosunmu, who will be a free agent this summer.

F Dillon Brooks, Phoenix Suns

Brooks has never been a great fantasy option, especially in class leagues, primarily due to his low field goal percentage and limited overall production. However, he’s coming off a regular season in which he averaged a career-high 20.2 points per game, and Brooks was arguably the only bright spot for the Suns in their streak at the hands of Oklahoma City.

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Averaging 26.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.5 3-pointers per game, the veteran wing shot 45.9 percent from the field and 100 percent from the foul line. There will be some questions next season, especially what happens with a fully healthy player Jalen Green in the ladder. However, Brooks’ play may have increased his fantasy value somewhat, especially in point leagues.

G/F RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors

Scottie BarnesPlay in Games 3 and 4 was a major factor in the Raptors’ ability to even the first-round series with Cleveland at two games apiece. However, Barrett was consistently productive throughout the series. In four games, he averaged 24.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.5 threes, shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 59.1 percent from the foul line.

His free throw and turnover percentage (3.5 per game) leave something to be desired, but Barrett’s play is one of the reasons the Raptors have survived Brandon Ingram’s limited production to this point. Like Brooks, Barrett is usually a better option for points championships than section championships, but his play thus far could positively influence the perception of RJ ahead of drafts in the fall.

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Declining stocks

C Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Yes, Jokić leads all players in rebounds and assists in these playoffs. But he wasn’t his usual efficient self in the Nuggets’ first-round series against the Timberwolves. Aaron Gordon‘s injury was a factor, but so was he Rudy Gobertthe defense. In four games, Jokić is shooting 42.2% from the field and committing nearly four turnovers per game.

Few, if any, fantasy managers will have any doubts about Jokić entering the draft next fall, nor should they. But unlike past seasons, The Joker may not be the first to go first overall in drafts. However, this says more about Wembanyama than it does about Jokić, to be fair to the three-time league MVP.

Announcement

C Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

There is never a good time during the postseason for a player to struggle. But times could be even worse for Duren, who will be a restricted free agent this summer. After earning his first All-Star Game appearance in February, he had a rough time in the Pistons’ first-round series against the Magic.

In four games, Duren averaged 9.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.8 blocks and 3.0 turnovers per game. The decline in production is one reason the Pistons are facing a 3-1 deficit heading into Game 5 on Wednesday. We’ll see how these playoffs affect the asking price in free agency this summer.

C Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers

Clingan is another post player who has struggled after taking a step forward during the regular season. In five games, the Trail Blazers’ pivot averaged 7.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.6 blocks and 1.0 threes, shooting 30.4 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from the foul line. The good news for Clingan next season is that few centers in the NBA can hold a candle to him Victor Wembanyamaand Portland won’t play San Antonio more than four times. However, this was not a good way for the 7-foot-2 center to enter the offseason.

Announcement

G Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Booker has taken a hit in the Suns’ four games at the hands of Oklahoma City. Although he scored at least 22 points in three of four games, Phoenix’s star guard averaged 4.0 turnovers per game while shooting 46 percent from the field and 25 percent from beyond the arc. Booker’s fantasy outlook for next season shouldn’t take much, if any, hit, especially if the Suns are fully healthy come draft time.

G/F Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks

Clingan wasn’t the only player on this list to see his starter status called into question at some point in his team’s first-round series. Bridges, who went scoreless in Game 3, remained in the starting lineup for Games 4 and 5 against the Hawks, but his playing time declined. In five games, Bridges averaged 7.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.8 threes while shooting 43.8 percent from the field.

Announcement

The only thing more frustrating than the production was the lack of aggressiveness on offense, a concern after the All-Star break. While Bridges’ availability has given his fantasy value a boost, that may not be the case come draft time this fall.