NBA Season Analysis: Stock Up, Stock Down
As we step into November, the NBA landscape continues to evolve, allowing us to assess the first two weeks of the season and identify some emerging trends worthy of attention. In this week’s analysis of ‘Stock Up, Stock Down’, we dive into which players are trending upward and which are facing challenges, all amid a backdrop of early-season surprises and concerns. Here’s what we found:
Highlights from the Waiver Wire
One player instantly catching attention is Ryan Rollins of the Milwaukee Bucks. With Kevin Porter Jr. sidelined due to an ankle injury that recently required surgery, Rollins has seized his opportunity. In his six starts since the injury, he has been on fire, consistently scoring in double digits, including two standout performances with over 25 points. Additionally, he has dished out at least seven assists in four of these games, while also hitting 11 three-pointers across his recent outings. As a result, Rollins has emerged as a desirable addition in fantasy leagues, capitalizing on the Bucks’ need at the point guard position.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors is demonstrating significant growth this season. After just two weeks of play, it is clear that his improvement in three-point shooting and rebounding is not a fluke. Kuminga appears more integrated into the Warriors’ system this year, unlike last season. Being one of the youngest players in the rotation, he not only provides fresh energy but also positions himself well amidst the aging core of the team. His journey, which has started on a promising note, is one to watch as the season progresses.
In other notable developments, veteran guard Jrue Holiday, now with the Portland Trail Blazers, has proven critics wrong by reviving his career as a lead guard. Despite veteran concerns following his complementary role in Boston, he has returned to form, establishing personal bests in three-pointers made per game, assists, and scoring averages since his time in Milwaukee prior to his current team’s strong start. As long as he maintains this level of play, Holiday’s value in fantasy circles will remain high.
Challenges and Stock Down
On the downside, Tre Murphy of the New Orleans Pelicans has struggled to meet expectations this season. While recent performances show a slight improvement, his scoring and shooting efficiency reflect career lows thus far. With the Pelicans starting 0-6, the pressure around the organization looms large, making Murphy’s return to form anything but a certainty.
Similarly, Jakob Poeltl from the Toronto Raptors started the season on a rough note, hampered by back-related issues that forced him to miss the last three games. Even before his injury, his productivity was concerning, showing a decline in points and rebounds compared to the previous season. Nevertheless, his status as the starting center still offers hope for improvement, though the lack of recent minutes complicates any straightforward predictions regarding his future performance.
Lastly, Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings faces his own struggles as the Kings start the season with a disappointing 2-5 record. His current stats reflect his lowest point output and assist average since early in his career, despite his continued excellence on the boards. As team dynamics remain under scrutiny, there are legitimate concerns about his capacity to regain former glory without clear solutions from the organization to reverse their course.
With these ongoing developments, fantasy basketball enthusiasts must stay vigilant, keeping an eye on both the rising stars and those battling to reclaim their previous accolades as the season unfolds.
