Fantasy Basketball Mailbag: December 7th

Free agent pick-ups, trades, oh my! This weeks Fantasy Basketball Mailbag addresses many trade possibilities surrounding a few key players. 

Dec 5, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) is blocked by Portland Trail Blazers center Ed Davis (17) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) during the fourth quarter at Target Center. The Trail Blazers defeated the Timberwolves 109-103. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Q. In a points league, do you prefer Zach LaVine or Michael Carter-Williams? – Mike Marteny 

A. Both guards are extremely unique in their own way in both Fantasy Basketball and in real life. LaVine has quietly improved a great deal this year, being far more consistent while shooting better percentages (43% FG and 35% from 3). Carter-Williams on the other hand has been a bit up and down, having some great games contributing in all categories, but also a few duds. His shot is very inconsistent, and he has only been averaging 10 points per game.

If my team was on the line, I’d prefer LaVine to Carter-Williams as a safer bet. While LaVine comes off the bench, he is the Timberwolves primary sixth man and gets plenty of opportunity. Carter-Williams on the other hand is relied on more for getting the offense going rather than shooting the ball. He is also more of an injury risk than LaVine, which is important to note.

Next: To Trade, or not to Trade: A Potential Small Forward Swap

Nov 24, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) grabs a rebound over Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) during the first half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Q. Should I trade Nikola Mirotic for DeMarre Carroll? – Stefan Stanculovic

After the first week or so of the season, this year looked a potential breakout for Nikola Mirotic. Through his first few games, he showed both the scoring touch and boards to be a potentially great fantasy asset. Since then, Mirotic has struggled with his shot, shooting a dreadful 38% from the field. He still has a few big scoring games in him, along with healthy rebound totals, but fails to do it consistently.

For those reasons, I think trading Mirotic for DeMarre Carroll is a sound move. Carroll’s contributions won’t always show up as much from a scoring perspective (averaging 12.2 PPG), but he is a solid contributor in all categories. He is able to rile up some boards and steals, while also shooting the 3-ball at an extremely efficient clip (currently shooting 36% from 3). I’d take the safety of Carroll over the risk of Mirotic.

Next: Waiver Wire Pick-Up Possibilities

Dec 5, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) goes up for a shot as Philadelphia 76ers forward Jerami Grant (39) defends during the first quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

Q. Emmanuel Mudiay is on the waiver wire in my league, is he worth a roster spot? – Wyatt Mac

Mudiay is a very intriguing prospect, as his rookie year has had some extreme high’s and low’s. Mudiay has produced a few games where he shows an ability to really stuff the stat sheet, and has been a solid facilitator for a Nuggets team on the rise. He has been incredibly inefficient however, shooting some dreadful percentages (31% from the field and 25% from 3) while turning the ball over a great deal (4 TOPG).

As a lower end option on a fantasy roster, Mudiay is worth a look in deeper leagues (I’d say ten teams and up). Percentage based leagues should probably look else where, but he still has shown an ability to produce meaningful fantasy numbers. Owners will have to ride his inconsistent streaks, but he could be an extremely valuable asset if he is any more consistent.

Next: Front Court Waiver Options

Dec 5, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng (5) shoots around Portland Trail Blazers center Ed Davis (17) during the fourth quarter at Target Center. The Trail Blazers defeated the Timberwolves 109-103. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Q. Are there any front court finds on the waiver wire for owners in deeper leagues? – Earl 

Both Power Forward and Center are perhaps the most valuable positions in fantasy, especially in points leagues. The good ones offer a for sure contribution nightly, making up for so-so scoring with healthy rebound totals. As far as deeper leagues go, its tougher finding some consistent options on the waiver wire, but there are still a few players to look at.

Two guys in particular I like are ironically teammates. Both Pacers Ian Mahinmi and Jordan Hill are owned in less than 30% of leagues, and offer solid value. Mahinmi will hurt a bit on the charity stripe (a dreadful 44%), but is an incredibly consistent rebounder (averaging 7.1 boards a game). Hill on the other hand is a versatile scorer despite his limited role. He is starting to get more minutes, and if he ever becomes a starter, he will be a steal. Others such as Ed Davis and Gorgui Dieng are owned in more leagues (just over 40% for both), but are valuable if available.

Next: Fantasy Basketball Mailbag: November 30th

Good luck out there, and if you have any questions that you want answered, ask the mailbag! We will give you an immediate answer and publish it with a more in-depth explanation the next week!