Fantasy basketball: Strategies for managing Paul George, Lauri Markkanen, and six additional players on the rise

Identifying players who are improving each week, or those who are declining, is crucial for ensuring optimal lineups on a daily basis. Every Friday, we will assess the league to identify players to retain, release, or acquire.

We are seeking value in any form, whether in points or category-based leagues.

Naji Marshall and Brandin Podziemski are gaining momentum in fantasy as we approach the last week of January, while Paul George and Draymond Green are trending downward. Additionally, Kel’el Ware has reached a low point and remains difficult to assess moving forward, despite possessing an impressive skill set. So, what conclusions can we draw from this?

Here’s what you should consider doing with these players, along with other risers and fallers.

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Risers

Naji Marshall, SF/PF, Dallas Mavericks (39.1% rostered in ESPN leagues)

The Dallas Mavericks are currently in disarray and are in need of an offensive boost not named Cooper Flagg, and Marshall has recently stepped up significantly. I had already planned to feature Marshall in this column before he had a breakout game, tying his season high with 30 points on 10-of-12 shooting Thursday night, along with seven rebounds, nine assists, and two 3-pointers in a victory over Golden State.

Before Thursday’s game, Marshall was averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.8 3-pointers while boasting an impressive 55% shooting percentage. Most of these statistics improved following Thursday’s performance, although he did not record a steal or a block. He has converted 12-of-12 free throws over his last two games and has contributed to the Mavericks winning five of their last six contests.

With Anthony Davis unlikely to play again in Dallas before the trade deadline and Daniel Gafford dealing with ankle issues, Marshall seems poised to log 31 minutes per game for the foreseeable future. A trade involving Davis could complicate this situation if the Mavericks acquire a similar player, but I anticipate that Marshall will continue to perform well as they strive for a playoff spot. Currently, they are less than a game behind the Memphis Grizzlies and the LA Clippers for a play-in opportunity.

He is a must-add player at this stage.

Brandin Podziemski, PG/SG, Golden State Warriors (35.4% rostered)

Jimmy Butler III’s season has concluded after he tore his ACL earlier this week, creating several opportunities for players like Podziemski, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, and De’Anthony Melton. While Hield and Moody were somewhat subdued on Thursday, Podziemski and Melton both performed well. Regardless of Thursday’s statistics, Podziemski and Melton are the two players I favor in Butler’s absence.

Podziemski has been performing admirably, contributing nine points, four rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals on Thursday, although he did not make a 3-pointer and shot just 4-of-13. Prior to that game, he had scored in double figures for five consecutive games, made a 3-pointer in six straight, and has now recorded at least one steal in 10 consecutive games.

Podziemski’s playing time has increased over his last five games, with at least 30 minutes in three of his last four outings. His shooting can be inconsistent, but he should be positioned to score, rebound, assist, steal, and hit 3s for the Warriors until the end of the season. He was challenging to roster when Butler was healthy, but now that Butler is sidelined, the Warriors need Podziemski to log significant minutes and deliver results.

Consider adding him.

Kelly Oubre Jr., SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers (42.4% rostered)

Oubre made his return from a knee injury on Jan. 7 and struggled in his first four games after being sidelined since mid-November. However, he has caught fire over his last three games, culminating on Thursday when he hit 10-of-14 shots (including four 3-pointers) for 26 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a block in 41 minutes during an overtime victory against Houston.

Oubre has averaged 21.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 3.7 3-pointers over his last three games, playing an impressive 37 minutes per game. With Paul George frequently absent from the lineup this season, Oubre possesses a skill set that is highly valuable in fantasy, as he can contribute in multiple areas. He is currently in great form and has returned to game shape, likely playing a significant role for the Sixers moving forward, who are currently the No. 5 seed in the East.

Oubre should be rostered universally.

Jusuf Nurkic, C, Utah Jazz (46.7% rostered)

Nurkic recorded another triple-double on Thursday, marking his second consecutive one, and he became the first Jazz player to achieve triple-doubles in back-to-back games since “Pistol” Pete Maravich in 1975. Nurkic finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high 14 assists, along with a steal, a block, and a 3-pointer on Thursday, following a performance of 16 points, a season-high 18 rebounds, 10 assists, a steal, and a block in Tuesday’s win over Minnesota.

Many anticipated Kyle Filipowski would step up and take over the center role in Utah this season, but Nurkic has had other plans. Following Thursday’s triple-double, Nurkic is averaging 16.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 1.0 3-pointers in January.

With the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaching, it is possible Nurkic could be traded, which would likely diminish his fantasy value. However, if he remains in Utah, he appears to have a firm grip on the starting center position for the remainder of the season, although it is important to note that the Jazz are five games behind for a potential playoff spot. I cannot predict how Nurkic will perform after the trade deadline or the All-Star break, but for now, he is among the hottest centers in fantasy.

Ensure he is not available on your waiver wire.

Fallers

Kel’el Ware, C, Miami Heat (60.1% rostered)

Ware possesses significant talent, and I believe he will eventually become a fantasy favorite. However, he is currently a challenging fantasy option due to his limited minutes, unclear role, and a new injury. He performed adequately early in the season while sharing the court with Bam Adebayo and posting solid fantasy numbers on most nights, but his playing time has diminished, and he is starting to appear on waiver wires in some leagues. This is particularly true after he missed Thursday’s game due to a hamstring injury and is now back in Miami, making him doubtful for Saturday’s game against Utah and Sunday in Phoenix, compounding his challenges.

Prior to the hamstring issue, Ware had not exceeded 18 minutes in six consecutive games, severely impacting his production and fantasy value. I have advised managers to remain patient and wait for the Feb. 5 trade deadline to pass, but the hamstring injury has made that an even more difficult situation than it already was.

At this point, if you need to make a move to salvage your season, I am fine with releasing Ware, but I would prefer to place him in an injured reserve spot and monitor the situation. However, if the Heat do not make a move before the deadline, it could simply be a lost season for Ware. He has an exceptional fantasy skill set with the ability to score, rebound, assist, steal, block, and hit 3-pointers, but he does not seem to fit well in Miami.

He is likely to eventually become a fantasy powerhouse, but it does not appear that this is the season for that to occur. Release him if necessary, but hold onto him if possible, at least until after the All-Star break.

Lauri Markkanen, SF/PF, Utah Jazz (96.1% rostered)

Markkanen has been a top-10 player this season and has excelled for the struggling Jazz, averaging a career-high 27.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.9 3-pointers while shooting 48% from the field and 88% from the line.

However, he has been sidelined for the last six games due to an illness and has not played more than 55 games in five of his eight seasons. He also has a history of not finishing seasons, often being shut down around the All-Star break.

Many fantasy managers (myself included) are hesitant to rely on Markkanen due to his inability to complete seasons, and this situation appears to be heading in a similar direction. Particularly since the 15-30 Jazz currently sit five games out of a playoff spot in the West.

I would suggest trading Markkanen at this juncture. If he remains in Utah, he may lack the motivation to play during the fantasy playoffs, and if he is traded, his role is unlikely to be the same as it is with the Jazz. Disappointing.

Paul George, SF/PF, Philadelphia 76ers (75.1% rostered)

Fantasy managers cannot rely on George to be available every night, and even when he has been in the Sixers’ lineup, his performance has not been impressive.

George has scored at least 20 points only once in his last 14 games. Read that again if you wish, but after scoring 35 points against the Hawks on Dec. 14, he had a 23-point game on Jan. 7. Every other game has resulted in 19 points or fewer, which is astonishing for a player of George’s caliber. However, he is 35 years old, and it seems the end of his career may be approaching.

Adding to the situation, Oubre has returned from his knee injury and is performing very well, making things look bleak for George. If the Sixers were not in a playoff race, there would be almost no hope for George. But even with a solid season, he still appears to be the odd man out on a team featuring Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, and Oubre.

Consider trading George based on his reputation, obtaining what you can, and moving forward. His next missed game is likely imminent.

Draymond Green, PF/C, Golden State Warriors (57.5% rostered)

Green’s fantasy outlook should be improving due to Butler’s injury, but I am not convinced. He recorded just four points, four rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block on 1-of-5 shooting on Thursday night, and his averages for January are not encouraging: 9.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 1.4 3-pointers.

I find it challenging to rely on players who struggle to score, and if Green is not contributing steals and blocks, his fantasy value is significantly diminished. There is a strong possibility that there are more productive players available on your waiver wire. Even with Butler unavailable for the Warriors, it may be time to part ways with Green.

Examine your league’s waiver wire and seek out a more effective player. Some players I would prefer to roster over Green include Marshall, Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, Jay Huff, Moussa Cisse, Ausar Thompson, Grayson Allen, Max Christie, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, and Jaylon Tyson.