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He started off the season as a fantasy sleeper, but the Atlanta Hawks’ DeMarre Carroll is now a full-blown fantasy star, except no one owns him!
In today’s edition of “All Wired Up”, I’ll delve into the fantasy strengths of potential waiver wire gold like Carroll and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Wesley Johnson.
» DeMarre Carroll, SF, Atlanta Hawks (45.9 percent owned on ESPN.com)
22 points (8-12 FG, 0-0 FT), 4 three-pointers, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 0 blocks, 1 turnovers vs. Pelicans
Is there a more nondescript top 60 fantasy player than DeMarre Carroll? The Hawks’ starting small forward all season, Carroll has been nothing short of sensational, particularly since center Al Horford went down.
Everyone expected Paul Millsap to elevate his game in the absence of Horford (which he has), but it’s been Carroll who has taken his game to the next level, becoming a much more well-known player now than he was before the season kicked off.
Over the last month, Carroll is Basketball Monster.com’s 18th ranked player, with fantastic averages of 13.8 points, 1.8 three-pointers, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals with shooting percentages of 53.4 percent from the field and 81.8 percent from the charity stripe.
Carroll has scored in double figures in eight of the past nine games in which he has played and he has also managed to nab at least one steal in eight of those nine games as well. Combine that with his penchant for draining multiple three-pointers – in seven of the past nine he has hit at least two three-pointers – and you have the makings of a very solid fantasy contributor.
The way Carroll is playing is reminiscent of the form Kawhi Leonard showed last season, giving the same sort of contributions, but there is nowhere near the hype for him compared with the young Spur. That’s where a winning fantasy owner makes his move, grabbing an unfashionable and unknown name and riding his numbers to fantasy glory.
Swoop fast, as Carroll’s ownership has risen by 38.5 percent in the past week. I don’t think you’ll regret it.
Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
»Wesley Johnson, SF/PF, Los Angeles Lakers (3.3 percent owned):
20 points (8-15 FG, 0-0 FT), 4 three-pointers, 9 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 2 blocks, 0 turnover vs. Cavaliers.
If you were to ask a well-informed NBA fan which one player is averaging one steal, one block and one three-pointer this season, I’m sure you’d get a wide range of answers, but I’m doubtful anyone would hit the nail on the head.
Is it LeBron James? No.
Is it Kevin Durant? No.
Is it Dwyane Wade? No.
Is it Kevin Love? No.
Maybe Josh Smith? No.
Give up? Don’t fret, you’re not alone. Somehow, the Lakers’ Wesley Johnson is the only player in the NBA who is averaging this rare statistical feat and he’s doing it in only 27 minutes per game!
Considered a bust after being drafted at number four overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Johnson was dealt to the Phoenix Suns after only two seasons in Minnesota. He lasted even less time in Phoenix, with the Suns letting him go after his one and only season in the desert.
In one of the better moves in the off-season – particularly for the Lakers – Johnson signed a free agent deal for less than one million dollars and the team is reaping the benefits.
Over the last week, which is pertinent considering the recent injuries to Jodie Meeks and Nick Young, Johnson is ranked 72nd on Basketball Monster.com. He is averaging 12.7 points, 1.7 three-pointers, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in the past three games, while getting almost 34 minutes per game.
Johnson is projected to keep getting lots of run with Meeks and Young out and as I said earlier, there is no-one who will give you a steal, a block and a three-pointer per game. And that right there is why you can’t pass up Wesley Johnson.