Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Since coming to the Boston Celtics in a January trade from the Memphis Grizzlies, Jerryd Bayless has started to develop some nice fantasy value.
In today’s edition of “All Wired Up”, I’ll delve into the fantasy strengths of potential waiver wire gold like Bayless and the Philadelphia 76ers’ Lavoy Allen for deeper leagues.
» Jerryd Bayless, PG/SG, Boston Celtics (0.8 percent owned on ESPN.com)
19 points (7-9 FG, 1-2 FT), 4 three-pointers, 0 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers vs. Kings.
Jerryd Bayless was traded in early January to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Courtney Lee, and in a rare situation, both players have produced much better results in their new locales.
The Celtics — winners of three straight — have really benefited from having a proven scorer like Bayless anchoring their bench unit — something Lee never seemed to be able to do in Beantown.
But it’s fantasy basketball we are looking at here, so how has Bayless fared in that field? Since his return from a toe injury, Bayless has scored in double digits in four of the five contests, also averaging 1.2 steals and 3.4 assists. In addition to those numbers, Bayless has hit 1.4 three-pointers per game.
His value, according to Basketball Monster.com, has him ranked 95th for the past week, and 129th in the last two weeks. Those ranks indicate that he should be owned in all 12-team leagues — and possibly in 10-team leagues — particularly if the injury bug has bitten your team.
Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
»Lavoy Allen, PF, Philadelphia 76ers (0.0 percent owned):
10 points (4-12 FG, 2-2 FT), 0 three-pointers, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover vs. Lakers.
Now, we all know what a fantasy goldmine the Sixers have been for their opposition this season, but they’ve also been getting good value out of their own players. Lavoy Allen isn’t a starter — he’s only started two games all year — but he’s still been able to provide some nice value for players in deeper leagues.
In his last two games, Allen has scored 10 points in both contests as well as pulling down nine and 10 rebounds. In fact, in his past five games, Allen has notched two double-doubles and also had game with 10 points and nine boards.
When looking at his per-36 numbers over those five games, Allen has averaged 13.0 points and 12.7 rebounds, as well as 3.2 assists — great numbers for a power forward.
The reason I mention the per-36 numbers is that the trade deadline is approaching. Spencer Hawes, and to a lesser extent Thaddeus Young, have been actively shopped by the Sixers’ brass all season and no one would be surprised to see them in new uniforms by the end of February. If that does happen, Allen will most likely be thrust into a bigger role and could be a player who averages a double-double down the stretch.
As I said earlier, he’s not someone for every league. But in leagues of 14 teams or deeper, I’d be grabbing and stashing Allen and hoping he turns into a lottery ticket waiting to be cashed in.