Pickups of the Night: Thursday, February 24, 2022
The All-Star break means that some guys will be rusty and some teams will need a few games to spring back into shape, but the late break means that the playoffs are right around the corner. Getting that quick edge, in both fantasy and reality, will be key. Let’s see what the NBA’s resumption had for us tonight.
Standard Leagues
Cameron Johnson, F, Phoenix Suns
Tonight: 31 minutes, 21 points (7-of-12 FG, 3-of-3 FT), four rebounds, five assists, one block, four 3-pointers
There’s no world in which Johnson is not a must-roster player, as he’s been posting top-100 value for over a month now. Casual managers are dragging their feet substantially so you might want to make sure that Johnson is not on any of your waiver wires.
Danilo Gallinari, F, Atlanta Hawks
Tonight: 35 minutes, 26 points (10-of-18 FG, 4-of-6 FT), nine rebounds, two 3-pointers
If Gallinari was dropped by one of your leaguemates over the All-Star break under the impression that John Collins (foot strain) would be ready to rock, make sure you’re reaping the rewards of that quick trigger finger. Gallo’s an easy 12-team value whenever Collins is out and should have at least a couple more games of safe appeal.
Rajon Rondo, G, Cleveland Cavaliers
Tonight: 26 minutes, 12 points (5-of-8 FG, 0-for-2 FT), two rebounds, nine assists, two 3-pointers
Rondo is a safe assists specialist that you can easily lean on whenever Darius Garland (back) is out of the lineup. He’ll have his ups and downs, but if you need dimes it won’t get better than this.
Jonathan Kuminga, F, Golden State Warriors
Tonight: 27 minutes, 17 points (3-of-7 FG, 10-of-12 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, one steal, two blocks, one 3-pointer
Kuminga has ridden some very high highs and very low lows without Draymond Green, but is definitely in the midst of the good times. He’s a top-70 guy in the last two weeks and can once again be deployed as a Green fill-in, though you’ll want to watch out for poor free throws or a dip in play. The Warriors have pulled him way back when his performance slips in the past.
Otto Porter, F, Golden State Warriors
Tonight: 16 minutes, 10 points (4-of-6 FG, 2-of-2 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block
Porter was supposed to be the big winner when Green got hurt but he’s been more the quiet type. He has dropped some duds, and hasn’t really wowed in the box score, but his consistent, versatile games like this have him sitting around the top-100 over the last month. Porter may not be for every head-to-head team, but the value is the value.
Aaron Holiday, G, Phoenix Suns
Tonight: 25 minutes, 12 points (5-of-5 FG), two rebounds, five assists, one steal, two 3-pointers
This is just enough playing time to keep Holiday on the edge of 12-team consideration as a low-end PG specialist, though the impending return of Cam Payne (wrist) will definitely end the party.
Deeper Leagues
Hamidou Diallo, G/F, Detroit Pistons
Tonight: 21 minutes, 21 points (7-of-11 FG, 4-of-4 FT), six rebounds, one assist, two steals, three 3-pointers
Diallo will struggle to play this well consistently with Cade Cunningham in the lineup, but he’s got a nice role carved out and has generally been one of Detroit’s better players over the last couple of months. He’s strong from the field but bad at the line, which definitely helps clarify the picture for fantasy GMs considering an add. Odds are that someone in a 14-team league can use Diallo’s production.
Brandon Goodwin, G, Cleveland Cavaliers
Tonight: 24 minutes, 15 points (6-of-12 FG, 1-of-1 FT), four rebounds, five assists, one steal, two 3-pointers
Goodwin offers more multi-cat upside than Rondo but is a smidge less dependable. You can definitely roll with him in shallow leagues as a short-term guy but we think that most leagues will have enough better options available to kick Goodwin down here.
Marvin Bagley, F/C, Detroit Pistons
Tonight: 27 minutes, 16 points (8-of-13 FG), four rebounds, one block
Bagley, despite coming off the bench, looks like he’ll get more than a fair shake from Detroit. This kind of workload will give him a good shot at late-round value but the overall depth in the frontcourt for the Pistons might keep him short of 12-team add territory until he can string some solid games together.
Malik Beasley, G, Minnesota Timberwolves
Tonight: 18 minutes, 17 points (6-of-9 FG), one rebound, five 3-pointers
Beasley got hot on a night when Anthony Edwards (1-for-11) was off his game, and despite the rickety floor that this playing time provides for a volume scorer, you can always roll the dice on his offensive upside.
Bruce Brown, G/F, Brooklyn Nets
Tonight: 35 minutes, 15 points (5-of-12 FG, 4-of-6 FT), seven rebounds, five assists, three steals, one 3-pointer
It’s sad knowing what Brown is capable of in consistent minutes — the Nets even saw it at times last season. But alas, odds are that Brown falls to the edge of the rotation when Kevin Durant returns, possibly this weekend. And Brown is a surety to become a bit part at best whenever Ben Simmons is ready to go. You might get another game or two like this if you’re lucky, though.
Ziaire Williams, G, Memphis Grizzlies
Tonight: 27 minutes, 21 points (7-of-11 FG, 4-of-4 FT), four rebounds, one assist, one steal, three 3-pointers
Williams tied his career-high in scoring tonight and looks like he’ll hold down a starting spot until Dillon Brooks is back from his ankle injury, which may not be until mid-March. The rookie will be very boom-or-bust but the role gives him a floor that you can trust in 20-teamers, with occasional upside as he puts it all together.
Tre Mann, G, Oklahoma City Thunder
Tonight: 31 minutes, 11 points (5-of-13 FG), five rebounds, six assists, four steals, one 3-pointer
Of course Mann brings a solid fantasy line to the table on the night that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returns and he gets demoted. The steals are doing some heavy lifting here but it definitely looks like Mann will get a chance to play, with occasional upside that could capture your attention in 20-teamers.
JaMychal Green, F, Denver Nuggets
Tonight:15 minutes, 12 points (3-of-4 FG, 4-of-4 FT), three rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, two 3-pointers
Green had a good game against a bad team, but he’s got a sneaky solid stat set under the surface. Denver’s depth limits him to top-250ish value barring crazy hot streaks, however, so this should definitely not be the expectation.
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