Fantasy basketball quick update: Two Kings players to consider keeping before the break

February has emerged as a crucial month in the NBA, characterized by heightened intensity, rising tempers, and the beginning of momentum shaping the playoff landscape.

This was evident on Monday night in Charlotte, where the Detroit Pistons triumphed over the Charlotte Hornets in a match marked by disorder and disputes. Detroit secured a 110-104 victory that included a brawl in the third quarter and four ejections, with Isaiah Stewart receiving his eighth career ejection, the second highest in franchise history since 1997.

In other news, Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic added another achievement to his accolades on Monday, equaling Russell Westbrook for the most home triple-doubles in NBA history. Anthony Edwards continued his rise as one of the league’s most promising young talents, recording the 117th 30-point game of his career, tying Shaquille O’Neal for the 11th-most such performances by a player under 25.

In Oklahoma City, the Thunder highlighted the Los Angeles Lakers’ inconsistency in the absence of Luka Doncic, although LeBron James continued to defy age with another impressive playmaking display, marking his third consecutive game with double-digit assists.

As the season approaches All-Star Weekend and the playoff race intensifies, here are five aspects I will be monitoring going forward.

The Kings’ historic slump is creating fantasy opportunities

The Sacramento Kings have suffered 13 straight losses, matching their longest losing streak since relocating to Sacramento in 1985-86. Analyzing the team’s minutes distribution reveals a growing emphasis on developing younger players, as the playing time of veterans like Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan has been reduced.

Two players that managers might consider stashing ahead of the All-Star break are Nique Clifford (rostered in 6.8% of ESPN leagues) and Maxime Raynaud (3.9%). Clifford has started the last three games for the Kings, averaging 37.3 fantasy points and 36.6 minutes per game during this period. His fantasy value primarily stems from scoring and three-point shooting, but he also adds a mix of assists, steals, and blocks.

Raynaud has shown improvement, particularly over his last six games, averaging 31 fantasy points and 28.5 minutes per game. He has remained part of the rotation even when Sabonis is on the floor, which is promising for the young center’s growth as the All-Star break approaches and beyond.

The Kings face the second-most challenging schedule according to our strength-of-schedule rankings, so consider this if you’re thinking about adding Clifford or Raynaud, as it could lead to increased playing time. Conversely, for managers looking to stream players against Sacramento, the Kings rank among the top five in fantasy points per game allowed to point guards, shooting guards, and centers.

Dillon “the villain” Brooks has transformed into a fantasy asset

Dillon Brooks, the fiercely competitive veteran wing whom the Phoenix Suns insisted the Houston Rockets include in their return from the Kevin Durant trade, has played a significant role in revitalizing the Suns’ season. Surprisingly, he remains available in 39.8% of fantasy leagues.

Brooks is averaging a career-high 21.1 PPG along with 3.6 RPG, 1.8 APG, and 1.1 SPG while shooting a career-best 44.6%. He became the fifth player in franchise history to achieve 800 points and 40 steals in his first 40 games with the Suns, joining the ranks of Stephon Marbury, Walter Davis, Tom Chambers, and Charles Barkley. Brooks also recorded his 1,000th career three-pointer on Feb. 1 against the LA Clippers.

This season, Brooks has averaged 29.5 fantasy points per game and achieved a season-high of 68 fantasy points against the Pistons on Jan. 29. He is a strong option in points leagues and remains valuable in category formats, particularly for managers in need of scoring and three-pointers. With Jalen Green returning to the rotation and Grayson Allen sidelined due to a knee injury, Brooks’ position on the wing remains secure, bolstering his fantasy prospects.

Nikola Jokic’s February fantasy surge continues

Despite dealing with a recent ankle injury, Jokic has averaged an impressive 58.1 fantasy points per game in the six games since his return on Jan. 30 after a 17-game absence due to a knee issue. He leads all players in fantasy points for February.

The All-Star continues to bear a significant workload with Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Peyton Watson (hamstring) out for at least a few more weeks. This lack of frontcourt support has compelled him to take on an even larger offensive role, which is advantageous for fantasy managers who retained him or acquired him.

The absence of Gordon, Watson, and Spencer Jones (concussion) also benefits players like Julian Strawther, who has recorded at least 21 fantasy points in five of his last six games. As a wing, Strawther greatly benefits from playing alongside Jokic, whose elite playmaking consistently generates open three-point opportunities, easy cuts to the basket, higher-efficiency shots, and more favorable matchups.

The Nuggets had one of the easiest schedules in the league during January but will face a more challenging slate in February based on cumulative opponent winning percentage. As competition intensifies, Denver may need to rely on Jokic even more in these critical games.

Jarace Walker’s late-season emergence enhances his fantasy value

Walker is becoming one of the more compelling late-season fantasy options following the Indiana Pacers’ recent roster changes. The trade of Bennedict Mathurin, coupled with Johnny Furphy’s season-ending ACL injury and Indiana’s poor performance, has created opportunities for increased developmental minutes. Consequently, Walker continues to receive consistent chances whether he starts or comes off the bench. He is currently rostered in just 9.9% of leagues.

After a shaky start to the season, Walker has begun to find his rhythm over the last 10 games, demonstrating improved efficiency, confidence, and decision-making while contributing across various categories. During this span, he has averaged 15.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.2 APG, and 1.3 SPG in 27.2 MPG while shooting 50.9% from the field.

With Indiana focusing on player development and veterans occasionally resting, Walker’s role should remain consistent. Even without high-volume scoring, his minutes, versatility, and improving performance make him an appealing option in most formats.

Why Gui Santos is suddenly a must-add in fantasy basketball

Santos has quietly emerged as one of the Golden State Warriors’ most dependable late-season contributors, capitalizing on a roster impacted by injuries and trades. With Jimmy Butler III sidelined for the season and Jonathan Kuminga traded, Golden State required someone to step up on the wing, and Santos has risen to the occasion.

Over his last eight games, he has averaged 33.8 fantasy points while contributing in multiple areas. Santos is scoring efficiently, rebounding, facilitating for teammates, and making defensive plays. More importantly, he is playing with confidence, logging consistent minutes, and earning Steve Kerr’s trust in close contests.

For fantasy managers, this presents an opportunity worth pursuing. Santos is currently playing the best basketball of his season and receiving steady minutes in a rotation that needs him. The only significant concern is what will happen once Kristaps Porzingis is fully available, which could limit minutes in the frontcourt. Until then, Santos appears to be a strong short-term addition with considerable upside, especially given that he is rostered in just 9.5% of leagues.