Risers and fallers: Sheppard and Achiuwa warrant roster consideration, but what is the status of Vucevic and DeRozan?

Precious Achiuwa is gaining momentum, Reed Sheppard is stepping up, and Jonathan Kuminga has rejuvenated his career in Atlanta. In contrast, Nikola Vucevic, DeMar DeRozan, and Miles Bridges are encountering difficulties as the season approaches its conclusion.

Let’s analyze the situation in the latest installment of Risers and Fallers.

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Risers

Precious Achiuwa, PF/C, Sacramento Kings (30.0% rostered in ESPN leagues)

Achiuwa has emerged as a beacon of hope for the Kings, who currently hold the worst record in the league. He has been exceptional over his last eight games, accumulating impressive points, rebounds, steals, and blocks, while shooting an impressive 59% from the field. Although his free throw shooting is not ideal (69% during this period), that is the sole flaw in his performance at the moment.

Achiuwa is averaging 17.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game over the past three weeks and has effectively been a first-round fantasy asset since February. With Domantas Sabonis sidelined for the remainder of the season, Maxime Raynaud has garnered most of the attention as his replacement, but Achiuwa has truly been the standout player.

There is no indication that he will not maintain this level of performance moving forward, and astute managers who acquired Achiuwa when he began to excel are enjoying the rewards. Achiuwa should be included in every fantasy league.

Reed Sheppard, PG/SG, Houston Rockets (72.9%)

Sheppard spent a significant portion of the first half of the season disappointing his managers with average performances, but he has really picked up his game following the All-Star break, averaging 18.6 points and 4.3 three-pointers per game over his last eight outings, along with contributing rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks with impressive shooting percentages.

The Rockets are currently positioned as the No. 4 seed in the West and appear to be on track for the playoffs, with Sheppard serving as the driving force behind their success. His three-point shooting is exceptional, and he is playing with newfound confidence.

I had concerns about his ability to establish a significant role on a team that includes Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson, but Sheppard has effectively positioned himself as the third member of Houston’s Big 3. He is likely to continue improving next season. Sheppard should be rostered universally.

Jonathan Kuminga, PF, Atlanta Hawks (55.0%)

Kuminga has been revitalized by the Hawks after being underutilized and undervalued in Golden State for five seasons. He has made an immediate impact in Atlanta, averaging 21.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in his three games with the Hawks.

His performance has been aided by a hip injury to Jalen Johnson, which has allowed Kuminga to receive significant playing time for the Hawks, although Johnson is now healthy, and Kuminga missed his last game due to a knee injury.

If his knee is fine and does not prevent him from participating in more games, Kuminga appears set to secure a solid role in the Hawks’ rotation moving forward. Managers who picked up Kuminga off the waiver wire following his trade to the Hawks are benefiting, and they now just need to hope he is fit enough to compete on Saturday against the Sixers. Kuminga should be rostered in all leagues as long as he is healthy enough to play.

Fallers

Nikola Vucevic, C, Boston Celtics (96.5%)

Vucevic was traded to the Celtics at the break and is struggling to find his rhythm while competing with Neemias Queta for playing time in Boston. Queta is the starter and has effectively relegated Vucevic to a secondary role in fantasy, averaging only 22.5 minutes per game and recording just 10.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 43% shooting.

Vucevic’s statistics have declined across the board, and the situation is likely to worsen when Jayson Tatum makes his season debut on Friday night. With both Queta and Tatum receiving the minutes and touches, Vucevic has become merely a luxury option in fantasy basketball for the first time in 15 years.

If players like Raynaud, Achiuwa, Moussa Diabate, or Donovan Clingan are available, they appear to be more favorable options than Vucevic. At 35 years old, fantasy managers may be better served looking for another center on the waiver wire and moving on from Vucevic.

DeMar DeRozan, SF/PF, Sacramento Kings (95.4%)

DeRozan is playing for the league’s worst team, and while he is still averaging 27 minutes per game, his contributions are limited to scoring 14.4 points per game. He is averaging 4.8 assists, but his other statistics are lacking, and he has shot only 43% over his last eight games.

A deficiency in three-pointers, rebounds, steals, and blocks renders DeRozan’s name far more prominent than his performance, and he may be one of the most overrated fantasy players in the league.

As we approach the “silly season,” there is a strong possibility that DeRozan will begin to receive rest days. Even if he continues to log significant minutes for the Kings, his fantasy output is insufficient. Managers should consider dropping DeRozan for a player with a more comprehensive fantasy stat profile. I would prefer players like Will Riley, Ace Bailey, or even Isaiah Joe at this stage.

Miles Bridges, SF/PF, Charlotte Hornets (91.5%)

The Hornets are surging and making a playoff push in the East, rising to the No. 9 seed with aspirations of catching Miami, Orlando, and Philadelphia in hopes of securing a playoff spot as the No. 6 seed. LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller are carrying the load, and Bridges has become somewhat of an afterthought.

He has averaged only 11.4 points and 4.8 rebounds on 39% shooting in his last five games, despite playing 28 minutes per game. With Coby White now healthy and beginning to find his rhythm with his new team, Bridges may find it even more challenging to get touches.

Bridges has averaged 1.4 steals per game over his last five, but his poor shooting percentage combined with 64% free throw shooting and a lack of overall contributions has made him a fantasy liability. He is not an automatic drop, but if a promising player is available on your league’s waiver wire, making a change may be a wise decision, as Bridges is currently not performing up to expectations.