Fantasy Basketball Players to Target

We’re through the first quarter of the season.  Enough time has gone by for fantasy owners to notice underperforming studs.  Now is your chance to take advantage of their shortcomings and target the following guys while their value is low:

Luol Deng (F, CHI) 

Deng isn’t meeting the standards he’s set for himself over the past couple of years in which he averaged 18.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists. Currently he’s averaging 13.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. 

In four December games though, he’s up to 18.3 points and 2.8 assists.  His rebounds are down to 4.3 for the month, but his steals and blocks are up. 

Elton Brand (F, PHI)

Brand’s scoring, assists, blocks, and FG% are down to career lows of 16.2 ppg, 1.5 apg, 1.5 bpg, and 44.2 percent.  He’s adjusting to a different team, different conference, as well as trying to work the rust off after playing in just eight games last year.  He’ll be fine.  If you can get him for a song and a dance, you’ll be better for it in April.

Carmelo Anthony (F, DEN) 

His elbow has been bothering him, but that didn’t slow him the other night against the Timberwolves.  Thirty-three in one quarter. Crazy.  That could be enough for his owner to hold onto him, but it’s still worth trying. 

His scoring is down to 20.9, which is the lowest for him since his second year in the league.  His rebounds are at a career high of 8.2, which is a solid number for a Small Forward.  He’s had seven double-doubles in the past month.

Tyson Chandler (C, NO) 

Chandler’s been a disappointment this year with just 8.0 rebounds per game after averaging 12.1 over the past two years.  He had a double-double the last time out, and his upside is worth the risk (if you can swallow his FG%).