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eric moody
We’re a little more than a month into the NBA season, and the early chaos is starting to settle down. Trends are taking shape, rotations are settling and we’re finally learning which early performances were real and which were noise. This column breaks down the league from the big picture to the player trends and fantasy angles you need to know right now.
Nikola Jokic has continued to produce at his level. He already has 10 triple-doubles in 17 games, the second-fastest mark in league history, and he recorded his third 15-assist game of the season. At this point, Jokic doesn’t exceed expectations, he defies them.
Cade Cunningham is already a fantasy superstar, but now he’s becoming more famous on the national stage. He’s on a seven-game double-double streak, has 10 games with 20-point double-doubles, and Detroit’s offense has taken a huge leap forward. Jalen Duren is not far behind, consistently posting double-doubles and elite paint scoring, making him one of the most valuable fantasy pairings in pick-and-roll leagues.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander already has 15 games with at least 30 points in just 18 outings. He’s also riding a 90-game streak of 20-point performances, a run so elite that only Wilt Chamberlain has bettered it. He is producing like an undisputed 1.01 in points formats.
Tyrese Maxey has averaged 33.0 PPG so far this season, second only to Luka Doncic. With Joel Embiid in and out of the lineup, Maxey profiles as a top-tier guard the rest of the way.
Franz Wagner has been quietly thriving without Paolo Banchero and powering Orlando’s offensive surge. With Banchero out for the last five games, Wagner’s usage has increased to 27.2%, and he has responded with averages of 25.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.0 threes over that span.
Here are five other things I noticed during the league that you should know moving forward.
Kel’El Ware is turning into a rebounding machine
Ware has been dominant on the boards over his last eight games and leads the league in rebounds on a per game basis. He’s averaging 15.1 RPG in just 29.2 minutes and is still only making 68.5% of ESPN league shots. This has been the most productive stretch of the Heat center’s young career, as he is also putting up 15.9 ppg, 1.5 bpg and 1.0 spg.
Miami coaches and players say his confidence, effort and physical ability have taken a huge leap forward in Year 2, and he’s only scratching the surface of what he can become. When Ware uses his 7-foot-4 wingspan to his advantage down low, he’s nearly impossible to stop.
De’Aaron Fox growing up in San Antonio
Fox has started in attack for Spurs with Victor Wembanyama sidelined with a calf injury. After a less than ideal first season in San Antonio, Fox is finally showing why the team traded for him. He’s averaging 26.0 PPG on 50.6% shooting and 44.1% from three over his last five games, looking every bit like the second star the Spurs need. His speed, shotmaking and defensive activity have returned, and coaches continue to praise how seamlessly he fits in with San Antonio’s young core.
Ayo Dosunmu is reaching new heights as a scorer
Dosunmu finished with a season-high 28 points on Monday against the New Orleans Pelicans, and for the season he is averaging a career high in ppg (16.4) despite only averaging 26.5 mpg. Dosunmu has averaged 30.1 fantasy points per game over his last eight games. He has accomplished this by averaging just 2.6 rpg and 3.0 apg in that time frame. Dosunmu’s fantasy ceiling could be even higher if he has even a slight edge in those categories.
He has long been one of the Bulls’ most reliable defenders, capable of switching to both guard and wing when needed, but Dosunmu’s offensive growth this season has been eye-opening, particularly his ability to blow past defenders and finish at the rim. Dosunmu has been included in only 17.8% of ESPN leagues, and that number should be higher.
Mikal Bridges is redefining sustainability
Bridges has played 570 consecutive NBA games, one of the longest Ironman streaks in league history and redefining durability in today’s load-management era. But he has been more than available, Bridges has expanded his game, stepping in as a playmaker during Jalen Brunson’s recent absence and continuing in that role even when Brunson returned. He’s also providing career-best defense, better shooting (2.4 3PG) and a career-high 4.7 APG, making him a more complete offensive threat.
Currently ranked 24th in fantasy PPG, Bridges contributes in almost every category. He’s a perfect fit in Mike Brown’s system and is in the midst of a complete redemption season.
Andre Drummond needs to be included everywhere on the roster
Drummond should be included in more leagues. He grabbed an NBA-season-high 24 rebounds against the Miami Heat on Sunday and averaged 12.0 ppg and 14.0 rpg in seven starts with Joel Embiid out. Drummond has recorded six double-doubles in that span and is once again producing like a top-tier rebounder.
Even when Embiid returns, his workload and effectiveness remain major question marks as he has career-low averages in PPG and RPG. With Embiid losing seven games in a row and possibly being cautious moving forward, Drummond is an obvious insurance policy in his own right and a valuable fantasy starter.
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