Chicago Bulls C Nikola Vucevic surprisingly finished the 2020-21 NBA season as one of the top 10 options on the ESPN Fantasy Player Rater, but many expected his usage, and thus his fantasy basketball value, to decline this season. It has since the Bulls added SG/SF DeMar DeRozan and PG Lonzo Ball in the off-season to go with SG/SF Zach LaVine in a star-studded lineup. Vucevic struggled with his shooting early this season, his scoring and efficiency way down, and fantasy managers were anxious to remind me how my aggressive second-round Vucevic ranking looked silly.
Things do not look so silly now, however, as Vucevic has stepped up and again become a dominant fantasy option. In fact, he finished his January among the top-5 options on the Player Rater over that period, averaging 18.4 PPG, 11.3 RPG and 3.8 APG for the month, hitting nearly 49% of his field goals and more than 90% of his free throws. He also averaged better than a steal, block and 3-pointer per game, the rare unicorn trifecta for anyone, especially centers. Put simply, Vucevic is a prime trade target in fantasy basketball and again a top-20 option.
DeRozan and LaVine average better than 50 PPG between them. They make the highlight plays and garner the All-Star attention, but Vucevic has again become - believe it, or not! - the team's top fantasy option because he does more things. He does everything! Vucevic is the lone Bull averaging more than Ball's 5.4 RPG, so that particular aspect of his game is clearly safe on this team, and he is the lone member of the league's double-digit rebound club (12 players) attempting five 3-pointers per game. His percentage there is down, but his overall usage is up of late.
Fantasy managers likely shied away from Vucevic back on draft day due to fear of him getting lost in Chicago's offense, and early on that may have been the case. The offense did not run through him, as it did with the Orlando Magic, and he forced myriad shots. All is certainly well now. Vucevic dropped 24 points on Portland on Sunday and hit 11 of his 15 field goals, while garnering double-digit defensive rebounds for the fifth time in six games. He is "the rebounder" on this team, even if plays the post on offense, awaiting kick-outs for open 3-pointers, and his assists are up lately as well.
Even if Chicago adds reinforcement prior to the approaching trade deadline, it will likely come in the form of a role player. Defensive-minded SF Derrick Jones Jr. (finger) and PG/SG Alex Caruso (wrist) are currently out. Veteran SG Javonte Green returned from a groin injury last week and played solid minutes as a starter. The Bulls could use more depth, but it will not affect Vucevic. His role is set. Go get this top-20 fantasy option - again! - before it is too late.
It is never too late to move on to latest edition of the Trade Index. We will all hear a lot about real-life trades in the next 10 days, right up to the league's trading deadline, but we have plenty of time in the fantasy world. It is a trick! Do not fall for it! Make your deals now!
Trade for
Gordon Hayward, SF, Charlotte Hornets: Impatient fantasy managers -- really, are there any other kind? -- are dumping Hayward because he has missed a week with a minor foot injury first, and then a trip to the COVID-19 reserve list. I see opportunity! Hayward continues to be an underrated fantasy option, an excellent shooter from the field and the line, versatile in his counting stats, and we must properly value his consistency. Watch Hayward, still among the top 40 on the full-season Player Rater, return to the lineup this week and, produce his same 'ol stats in the shadow of PG LaMelo Ball and breakout SF/PF Miles Bridges.
Jordan Clarkson, SG, Utah Jazz: I generally ignore wild shooters like Clarkson in drafts, but goals can alter halfway through a season, especially in deeper formats if you need scoring and 3-pointers. Clarkson shot 43% from the field in January, which is still not great, but improvement from the prior months, and not the kind of percentage that tanks a fantasy team. He also had five assists in a pair of recent games, and now that SG/SF/PF Joe Ingles (knee) is out, Clarkson should see more minutes. Utah should get C Rudy Gobert (calf) and PG/SG Donovan Mitchell (concussion) back soon, but that would only help Clarkson, frankly.
Trade away
Kevin Durant, SF/PF, Brooklyn Nets: I am convinced the Nets could not care less if they end up as the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed or the No. 6 seed. They want to avoid the play-in round, of course, but when they have their stars, they feel they can beat any other team. Believe them. The point here is that if your fantasy team can win now, then you should see what floating Durant's name can get you because he is not playing in an NBA game in February, not as he recovers from a sprained MCL. How much time do you think is left of this season? The Nets will not push any of their stars during the regular season.
Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs, PG, Orlando Magic: Anthony shot 22% on 3-pointers in January and 33% from the field overall, so I believe his scoring and assists are simply not worth it. Suggs, the lottery rookie from Gonzaga, is back starting after missing a long time with a thumb injury, and he cannot shoot well either. Relying on most rookies is a dangerous game, but Suggs is just not ready to help fantasy managers. The Magic shoot 32% from 3-point land as a team, the fourth-worst mark in the association. On this team, for fantasy, you want their bigs Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter Jr., not their bricklaying guards.
More information needed
Maxi Kleber, PF, Dallas Mavericks: There are minutes and shots to be had here with SG/SF Tim Hardaway (foot) out for a few months, and Kleber stepped up with a few nice games last week. Then he bricked a few 3-pointers late in Sunday's loss at Orlando. SF/PF Dorian Finney-Smith and SG/SF Reggie Bullock should also see an uptick in minutes. Are any of them intriguing now? Perhaps.