1. Cam Thomas, G, BKN- Cam Thomas had a surge last year where he was absolutely electric, and he even broke Fanduel because they did not adjust the lines to account for him. This year he has foundd a stride with this Brooklyn team.l albeit an 0-2 Brooklyn team. Brooklyn was letting Cam take offensive situations while sitting Ben Simmons and the opposite on defense, but this is a step in the right direction for Cam to assert himself into being a more consistent player. I certainly don't think he's going to average 33pts for the rest of the season, but I think he can settle around 19, and for a guy I just picked up off the waiver wire that's pretty good in certain formats.
2. Alperen Şengün, C, HOU- Coming out of the 2021 draft, Şengün was a player who possessed alot of what makes Joker great. In no way shape or form am I calling him the next Jokic, but maybe a diet Jokic, or a seltzer Jokic. He has tremendous offensive feel, has a decent shot, and has that lateral hip movement one step that joker has. Rumors around Houston were even players in camp wanted to see an offense move through Şengün. I mean who else doesn't wanna watch Jalen Green chuck random ass 3s and drive into double coverages for 30+ minutes a game. This also included Kevin Porter Jrs reign as point guard as well. Houston as sort of clouded the main ball carrier role as well with the lucrative signing of Fred Van Vleet, but early returns on Şengün, 19pts, 9 REB, and 6.7 assists are great! Şengün, while being a diet Joker on offense, actually might have a higher ceiling on the defensive boards, possessing a more lateral quickness and a more athletic profile. If anyone is selling high in your leagues with the fear he can't continue this I would entertain some trade talks. Houstons season isn't necessarily destined for greatness, but he can stuff a box score or two on the way to a lottery pick.
3. Dennis Schröder, as previously written in my players to target in your draft column, it appears my premonition has come true, and at a higher clip than even I'll tske credit for. Schröder, is averaging, 15.7PTS, 3REB, and 9ASSISTS?!!?! Not only is he putting up gaudy numbers, but he's passing the eye test. Toronto's core might all be in the trade block apart from Scottie Barnes, who himself is having an absolute banger of a season hinself, but I think this team might try and eek out a playoff spot and not blow it up. If you can get Schröder on waivers, or from some drunk guy in your league pounce on that opportunity now.
4. Tyrese Maxey, G, PHI- In my players to outperform ADP article I had previously mentioned Melton to sort of fill in for the void left by Harden's vacancy. I left Maxey off this list simply because I didn't want to pay the premium for his draft rank, and Melton was being projected as a bench guy but was a starter in preseason. It seems like I should have paid the premium because under Nick Nurse's tutelage Maxey is posting a 30ppg, 6.7 REB, and 6.3 assists statline. This is incredible and way higher then I expected. I never forcasted this as his ceiling, and while it very well might not be, from a fantasy perspective Embiid has not always been an embodiment of perfect health, so Maxey might be playing alot of minutes. Nurse has also been known to play chess while other guys play checkers and is clearly elevating Maxey and Embiid's ceiling.
5. John Collins, PF/C, UTAH- John Collins is one of my favorite basketball players, so with that being said I'll begin my tirade. Collins found himself in a new uniform this year under the isle of misfit toys known as the Utah Jazz. Collins is a averaging 13PTS, 11 REB, but has had his minutes north of 30 minutes a night. Collins was a man to be feared with Trae Young early on in their careers with the pick and pop, and pick and roll. Collins had made some public comments about the lack of fun it was to play with Trae, and can you honestly blame him? From there the Hawks brass seemed to have obviously made it evident that the team was functionally around Trae. Collins on a fresh canvas, and albeit a probably worse supporting cast has seemed to find a good healthy role in this team(much to Walker Kessler owners dismay. To put a nice little bowtie on this I'd like to see Collins defensive numbers go up ever so slightly, and that would certainly help a guy on the bottom of your fantasy depth chart. This is definitely in his wheel house as well, and Walker Kessler might also find himself commanding more minutes, but Collins playstyle can lend for that, as Collins can play the 4 and be a more rover type on defense. All in all Collins is playing well for a team that may not win alot of games, but Collins might win you few fantasy games in the background.
Photo credit Erik Drost (Flickr).
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