Fantasy Basketball Players to Watch
Another week in the NBA is in the books and that means it’s time to take a look at more players to add as we head towards the fantasy basketball playoffs. With the Jamaal Murray injury shaking things up a bit teams could be looking for that replacement player to help provide points for fantasy lineups.
Malachi Flynn, Toronto Raptors
Let’s start things out with a guard here. Flynn has received more and more playing time as the season has gone along and he has taken full advantage.
In his last five games, Flynn has two games eclipsing the 20 point mark with one of those games being a double-double. That came against the Cavaliers where Flynn put up 20 points as well as 11 assists in a Toronto win.
Flynn was the Raptors first round draft pick this year and he has received starting minutes lately with Kyle Lowry having missed four of the last five games.
Flynn is only rostered in 21.6% of ESPN leagues and could be a good pickup down the road.
Jalen McDaniels, Charlotte Hornets
This Hornets team has surprised a lot of people this year and the recent play of McDaniels has been part of the reason why. The second year player has played over 30 minutes in four of his last five games, posting double-digit scoring nights in three of those games.
The forward's best game came against the Thunder where he put up 21 points and 6 rebounds in a Hornets win.
Like Flynn, McDaniels has received playing time due to injuries on the roster and with Gordon Hayward having been out for awhile now, expect McDaniels to continue to get better with more playing time.
Also like Flynn, McDaniels has only been rostered in 21.6% of ESPN leagues and is definitely a player to watch out for.
Monte Morris, Denver Nuggets
It’s still very unclear on what the Nuggets will do at guard, but in terms of what we saw in the first game without him Morris may be the guy going forward. Morris received 26 minutes in the team's last game against the Heat as well as the starting nod at point guard.
To this point, Morris has been a reliable role player throughout his career but he could now be the Nuggets starting point guard without Murray. In that start, Morris only picked up 11 points but he is capable of scoring high numbers.
Morris scored 21 points three games prior to that start against the Spurs.
If you're looking for a Murray replacement in your lineup then Morris may be the best bet. He’s still available in most leagues, only rostered in 15.7% of ESPN leagues.
Logan Bourandas is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lxb5412@psu.edu.
