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What a relief it must be for an NBA player to be bought out by the worst team in the NBA and sign with the best? That’s exactly what happened for Caron Butler of the Oklahoma City Thunder and he’s returning some surprisingly solid and consistent value for fantasy leagues.
In today’s edition of “All Wired Up”, I’ll delve into the fantasy strengths of potential waiver wire gold like Butler and the Toronto Raptors’ Greivis Vasquez.
» Caron Butler, SF, Oklahoma City Thunder (7.1 percent owned on ESPN.com)
10 points (4-10 FG, 0-0 FT), 2 three-pointers, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 0 turnovers vs Mavericks.
I am in no way in favor of the rotation that coach Scott Brooks is currently employing for the Thunder. Playing Caron Butler and Derek Fisher such big minutes seems counter-productive when you have the likes of Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb sitting on your bench. But I don’t coach the Thunder (obviously) and at the very least, Brooks has been extremely consistent in what he is doing.
That’s what makes Butler an intriguing fantasy option. He has played over 22 minutes in every game since arriving in Oklahoma City and averaged 28.4 minutes per contest. Evidently, Brooks loves him some veterans.
In the last four games, Butler has really turned up the juice, averaging 11.3 points, 2.0 three-pointers, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals. He is shooting a horrible, Brandon Jennings-like 37.5 percent from the field, but aside from that, he’s been super productive.
Over the last week, he is the 68th ranked player on Basketball Monster.com and that makes him viable in a lot of leagues.
When Thabo Sefolosha returns from his injury, Butler may be impacted to some degree, but as he hasn’t played in a Thunder uniform with Sefolosha active, it’s hard to predict the impact the change in the rotation may have.
As Sefolosha isn’t expected back for a while though, Butler is a decent add if you are struggling for three-pointers and steals. Butler has hit a three-pointer in his last eight games, so the consistency is there as well.
Be sure to check out my podcast, where I discuss things all things fantasy basketball. You can subscribe here or on iTunes here.
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
» Greivis Vasquez, PG, Toronto Raptors (38.6 percent owned)
16 points (4-13 FG, 4-4 FT), 4 three-pointers, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 turnover vs Cavaliers.
When I looked at Vasquez’s ownership percentage, I was shocked. Not because it was to low. Quite the opposite in fact.
Name value means a lot in fantasy basketball, and I imagine a lot of owners held onto Vasquez due to his big season in 2012-13. It’s only now, that he is starting to turn things around.
Since Vasquez was traded to Toronto, his fantasy value took a massive dive from where it was in Sacramento. He is the clear back-up to Kyle Lowry, but is only now settling in to a role s the third guard. And that’s where fantasy owners can start to take advantage.
Over his last four games, Vasquez is averaging 15.8 points, 2.3 three-pointers, 3.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists, shooting an impressive 50 percent from the field and 90.9 percent from the line. That is good enough to rank him 64th on Basketball Monster.com.
With Dwayne Casey stating that he’s like to start reducing the workload on DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry as the Raptors approach their first playoff appearance since 2008, Vasquez could see his minutes rise and with it, his fantasy value.
In the fantasy playoffs, it’s all about capitalizing on the hot player, and Vasquez is on a nice little run, worthy of having him owned in most leagues.