We’re back with more lists; NBA week two is in the books and somehow the Bucks are on a five-game losing streak. Who would’ve guessed they’d have fewer wins than the Hornets, Raptors, Pistons, and Wizards through the first two weeks?
We’re shooting the Three Lists of Threes today for your weekly dose of fantasy tips: Buy-lows, sell-highs, and streams.
Here are some buy-lows we can consider.
Buy ’em
Fred VanVleet, PG, Houston Rockets
Steady Freddy hasn’t been so steady to start the 2024-25 season. In fact, he can’t seem to buy a bucket right now, shooting 28.3% from the field. His peripheral numbers are all good, in line with what we expected when we drafted the veteran playmaker, but his current rank of 121 is completely removed from what his true value is. If you drafted him, you likely accounted for some atrocious shooting numbers, but not to this extent. I’d be down to float out some offers for VanVleet while banking on his shooting numbers climbing back up to the low 40’s. Hopefully his assists return, too.
Lauri Markkanen, SF/PF, Utah Jazz
Fantasy is a long game. It’s early in the season and there are likely managers who are frustrated with Markkanen’s unavailability and the Jazz saying the quiet part out loud with being ultra-cautious with Markkanen as they surely look to fade another season. I’m curious what the long-term plan is. They just signed Lauri to a massive five-year, $238 million contract while simultaneously rebuilding and developing young talent. They’ve lost Taylor Hendricks to a horrific leg injury as well. So what now?
Markkanen isn’t going anywhere. His upside is clear as a strong scorer and rebounder with clean percentages. He has a fantasy-friendly game and when he plays, is a stud on the court. I’d look to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding his games played this season and float out an offer to acquire the Jazz star for quarters on the dollar; his value is simply too low right now, particularly to managers who are pessimistic about his playing time this season.
Alperen Sengun, C, Houston Rockets
Sengun obliterated the Hornets in Game one of this season with a massive 25 point, 18 rebound, and five stock game but has since languished in inconsistency. This isn’t completely his fault; Ime Udoka has been known to discipline his players for missing defensive rotations, committing unnecessary fouls, or whatever other offense bothers his strict coaching style. I even understand benching Sengun during crunch time when Houston needs a defensive stop. It’s just interesting that Sengun gets the rookie bench treatment while VanVleet gets to launch with poor accuracy without sideline retribution.
Don’t fret; Sengun is an absolute stud and will decide how far Houston goes this season. Houston just signed him to a five year, $185M deal and has given every inclination that he is the future.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st].
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is thegreatdansby9) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information
