This week's group includes three youngsters aged 23-and-under showing what they can do and two 30-somethings demonstrating they still have something left in the tank.
Patrick Beverley would have been the third 30-something on the list, because he's played really well of late, but a groin issue has kept him out a couple of games, so maybe he's in here next week (and/or, you could consider him a bonus pick for this week because he really has been playing well).
As always, these are players who aren't rostered in many leagues who are producing in a way that could help fantasy basketball teams right now. Let's get into it.
Jarred Vanderbilt, Minnesota Timberwolves (18.2% rostered in ESPN leagues): Vanderbilt has carved out a role as the rugged, defensive-minded big man that does the dirty work on the glass and in the paint next to Karl-Anthony Towns. Vanderbilt has grabbed double-digit boards in four of his last five games, and is coming off a career effort of 21 points, 19 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks in his last outing against the Rockets. The 22-year old has now averaged 11.4 RPG, 1.8 SPG and 0.9 BPG in his last 21 games to clearly establish who he is and what he can do moving forward.
Omer Yurtseven, Miami Heat (17.1%): Yes, Yurtseven was in this space two weeks ago. And yes, Bam Adebayo should be back relatively soon. But, I'm saying. The man has grabbed at least 12 rebounds in 11 games in a row, with five double-doubles during that span. He has 65 rebounds in his last four games. He just shouldn't be available in five out of every six leagues. I'd take a flyer on him, and even if he sits when Adebayo returns he still may be worth holding onto because he's shown us his upside. And at his rebound rate, he might grab double-digit boards even in bench minutes.
Talen Horton-Tucker, Los Angeles Lakers (9.0%): Horton-Tucker has been up-and-down all season for the Lakers, but this week he seems to be settling into a primary scoring sixth man role that is yielding value. In his last three games, THT has averaged 17.7 PPG, 4.0 APG, 2.3 RPG, 1.7 3PG and 1.3 SPG in 27.7 MPG and is worth a pick-up in case this role sticks for a while.
Lance Stephenson, Indiana Pacers (8.4%): I can't believe I'm typing this in 2022, but Stephenson has posted multiple ridiculous stat lines in the past week so I have to at least pay attention to what he's doing. He exploded out of nowhere for a 30-point, 5-assist effort against the Nets, then followed that up with an inexplicable 16-point, 14 assist, 6-rebound, 4-steal masterpiece against the Jazz. He cooled down a bit in his most recent game at the Celtics, but still turned in a respectable 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 3-pointers in 31 minutes. I believe this production burst is tied to the Pacers' absences, and once Malcolm Brogdon, Caris LeVert and Chris Duarte return he'll likely return to obscurity. But, 46 points and 19 assists in two games is 46 points and 19 assists in two games, and worthy of a potential flyer.
P.J. Tucker, Miami Heat (4.0%): Tucker had to sit out between Dec. 19 and Jan. 3 due to the COVID-19 protocols, but don't sleep on the fact that he had been playing very well before the absence and has picked up where he left off since returning. Overall, in the last nine games he's played in, Tucker has averaged 12.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.3 3PG and 0.9 SPG. He's knocking down 3-pointers at a career best 46.9% clip this season, and has sneaky value as long as he's playing like this.