Things change quickly in the NBA and I am here to help you guys with what free agents to add to your fantasy basketball teams for the first week of 2018.
Now that the regular season is over for football it is time for us to focus on the NBA. Fantasy basketball is a grind and to be successful you need to keep an eye on the daily transactions, injuries and how rotations change.
Caris LeVert, Guard/Forward (available in 64 percent of ESPN leagues)
Caris LeVert is quietly having a breakout season for the Brooklyn Nets. Over the last two weeks, he is averaging 15 points, four rebounds, and five assists per game. He fills up the box score and is the type of player that can help you win if you are in a categories league because of his all-around play. He isn’t a flashy type of player but he will get you production nightly.
Ish Smith, Point Guard (available in 73 percent of ESPN leagues)
Ish Smith should see around 30 minutes a night while Reggie Jackson is out. Over the last week, he is averaging 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists a game. He is a favorite of head coach Stan Van Gundy and finding a player who will have the ball in his hands consistently will be hard to find, so add him now. When a point guard is available in your league and he is getting close to 30 minutes a night you should do whatever you can to add them.
Smith isn’t an All-Star but he will give you a good amount of points when he plays. There is a reason that he is a career backup but when a veteran player is given the minutes in the NBA they will give us value in fantasy. Don’t expect him to put up Russell Westbrook-type of numbers but if he scores 15 points and gets five assists a night that is more than enough to help our teams.
Trey Lyles, Forward (available in 76 percent of ESPN leagues)
I mentioned Trey Lyles in my last fantasy basketball article but he is still a solid add. He is getting good minutes (28) and over the last two weeks, he is averaging 15 points and seven rebounds a game. That doesn’t seem like much but when you can plug in a player who you just added off the free agent wire that can give your team a big boost, it’s a good thing. Not every player on your team needs to be an All-Star, but you need a team full of players who will give you production nightly.
Bismack Biyombo (available in 82 percent of ESPN leagues)
Bismack Biyombo does two things well on the basketball court: He grabs rebounds and blocks shots. It’s hard to find a player who can get consistent blocks but if he keeps the starting job he will finish the season top five in the category. He has no offensive touch on the ball but that isn’t the reason why you roster him. He should get close to a double-double every night and for leagues that have a DD bonus, he is a better add.
Shabazz Napier, Point Guard (available in 85 percent of ESPN leagues)
With Damian Lillard dealing with a hamstring injury, Napier has crushed it over the last week. He is averaging 22 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals per game. Not only is he putting up solid numbers but he is playing 35 minutes a night. If you have Lillard on your team, it would be smart to handcuff him with Napier.
