(Graphic via Andrew Yang)
Welcome to The Intermission Sports’ weekly NBA fantasy forecast, for week 15 of the 2020-2021 NBA Season. This is a weekly series where we break down every week’s top performers and biggest floppers in the league. Who should you pick up? Who should you drop? Who should you keep an eye on? Those are the questions we hope to answer in this new series.
As a quick refresher, we’ll quickly brief you on each category. The Prime Pick-Ups category consists of players who we strongly recommend you pick up if you or your opponents haven’t already. The Definite Drops category consists of players we recommend you drop, scrap, whatever word you want to use. Just get rid of them. The Watch-Out Wins category consists of players that we recommend you keep a keen eye on. Players that we think will thrive due to certain circumstances around the league, or if it looks like this might be the year where they get the ball rolling. With that being said, let’s get to it.
Prime Pick-Ups:
Malachi Flynn - Toronto Raptors
With Fred Vanvleet and Kyle Lowry out due to injury and suspension, Flynn now plays a bigger role in the Raptors backcourt and has revealed himself to be an offensive weapon. So far, he has done a terrific job manning the PG position. Flynn has averaged 14.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.3 APG. 2.6 SPG, and 1.3 BPG. With Flynn excelling in all major statistical categories, you can expect him to give you that boost you never knew he could give you. Expect this kind of production to continue until the return of Vanvleet and/or Lowry.
Bogdan Bogdanovic - Atlanta Hawks
Although Bogy had a slow start to the season, he’s definitely picked it up in the last week. The guard-forward has averaged 21.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1 SPG, and nearly a block per game. Forming a great backcourt with the help of Trae Young and Kevin Huerter, Bogdanovic has strengthened Atlanta’s offence with his high scoring in the last week. Expect this kind of production to continue for Bogdanovic.
Chuma Okeke - Orlando Magic
When the Magic blew up the team at the trade deadline, it gave some of the supporting cast a bigger role in the Magic’s season. Okeke has been a fine example of just that. The Auburn product has been BALLING, averaging 14.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 4 APG, 1.3 SPG and 1.3 BPG. With all-around stats like that, Okeke is sure to grab you 20+ fantasy points a night. He’s still slightly under the radar, so pick him up while you still can.
BONUS: Gary Trent Jr. - Toronto Raptors
Highest single-game +/- in franchise history (second all-time in league history). If that isn’t convincing enough, how does 20.3 PPG and a steal per game sound?
Definite Drops:
Alec Burks - New York Knicks
Despite a hot streak thanks to the absence of Derrick Rose and Reggie Bullock, Burks’ production has come to a screeching halt with the return of Bullock to the lineup. In the last week, Burks has averaged just 9.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 2 APG in the last week. The sharp decline in production is what lands Burks in this week’s Definite Drops.
Khem Birch - Orlando Magic
Unlike his teammate Chuma Okeke, Birch has not made the most out of his increased minutes on the Magic after the trade deadline. There’s not much to say stats-wise, but if you’re planning on holding on to Birch, you need to pray for a miracle to happen.
UPDATE: At the time of this writing, Birch is expected to be waived by the Magic, and is likely to sign with the Raptors. In that case, this makes him an eligible candidate for the Watch-Out Wins category for this week, as Toronto is still looking to upgrade their frontcourt.
Watch-Out Wins:
Jalen Brunson - Dallas Mavericks
Despite being listed as a Definite Drop in a previous list, Brunson is back to his ways of being an efficient scorer for the Mavs. Recovering from a bit of a slump, the 24-year-old has been averaging 17 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 3.5 APG. Not the most spectacular stat line but it’s sure to give your lineup a great player as a backup/third-option guard.
Tomas Satoransky - Chicago Bulls
With Coby White out due to COVID-19, Satoransky has shifted to the starting lineup and has played well as the starting point guard for Chicago. In his last week, Satoransky has averaged 12 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6 APG, and 1.7 SPG. Much like Brunson’s entry in this category, Satoransky provides enough production to act as a third option guard for any fantasy manager’s lineup.
Aleksej Pokusevski - Oklahoma City Thunder
There’s a reason why everyone calls Pokusevski Kristap Porzingis’ mini-me. The rookie has provided on both the offensive and defensive side of the court, averaging 18 PPG, 5 RPG, 3 APG, and a block per game. Although he’s out with a day-to-day (DTD) injury, adding Pokusevski to your lineup wouldn’t be a bad decision, as the rookie has locked in his spot as one of the premium members of the Thunder’s frontcourt.