Welcome to the last Fantasy Basketball Stock Report of the 2021 calendar year! We approach the new year with a number of NBA teams still decimated by players entering health and safety protocols, and plenty of fantasy rosters ravaged as a result. If your teams look anything like mine, then you have more players out of the lineup than not right now, making it that much more important to capitalize on those whose stock has begun to rise as collateral. Fortunately, there are plenty of players who are finding themselves in this situation, and they are taking advantage of their opportunity to put up some gaudy fantasy numbers. So let’s dive in and take a look at some of these players who are seeing their stock rise during this time of NBA upheaval.
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Fantasy Basketball Stock Report
Stock on the Rise
D.J. Wilson, PF, Toronto Raptors
Making his first two appearances of the 2021-22 season with the Raptors, D.J. Wilson played big minutes when available. He was forced to miss the first half of his second game last night, as he waited to see if he would have to enter health and safety protocols or not, but he was cleared to play in the second half, and he quickly made up for lost time. Even after missing a full half of one of the two games, Wilson still averaged 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.5 stocks (steals + blocks) per contest. He should continue to hold a good amount of short-term value with so many players having to sit out, and there’s a chance that he works his way into a bigger role long-term as well, with the Raptors currently 12th in the east. The former first-round pick is still just 25 years old, and he offers a lot of potential for a team on the verge of a rebuild. Wilson’s stock is on the rise, as this could finally be the opportunity he needed to find his home within the league.
Hamidou Diallo, SG/SF, Detroit Pistons
Another former first-round pick who hasn’t quite panned out thus far but whose stock is quickly on the rise is Hamidou Diallo. The Pistons wing is heating up from the floor for Detroit, putting up double figures in eight of his last nine games, including a 28-point explosion in his most recent performance at San Antonio. As a result of both his hot play as well as increasing covid cases, Diallo has topped 30 minutes in each of his past four games, seeing as many as 39 minutes in his last game. Diallo has flashed his elite defensive potential in this time as well, totaling 10 steals in his last three games. Still just 23 years old, Diallo has a very high ceiling, and the rebuilding Pistons have every reason to feed him minutes and see if he can reach his potential. Diallo’s stock is soaring in both the near and distant future.
Herbert Jones, SG/SF, New Orleans Pelicans
The rookie has been unleashed. After months of teasing us with inconsistent flashes of potential, Herbert Jones exploded for the biggest game of his young professional career. The 23-year-old dropped 26 points to go with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 threes, shooting an efficient 10-for-18 from the floor. This was immediately following a solid 15-point, 6-rebound effort, in which he tacked on a steal, a block, and 2 threes, so it looks like the rookie might be turning the corner. Slated to play major minutes the rest of the season for a terrible Pelicans team that might not get Zion Williamson back at all this season, Jones should see his stock continue to rise as he progresses through his first NBA season.
Omer Yurtseven, C, Miami Heat
If you’ve never heard of Omer Yurtseven, I don’t blame you. But now it’s time you learn the name. The undrafted rookie has made a big splash thanks to the absence of every other big man on Miami’s roster, and he looks like a tremendous value play in fantasy for as long as he stays on the floor. The 7-footer has pulled down 12 or more rebounds in six straight games, recording double-doubles in his past two. He has also added 10 stocks in his past five contests (6 steals, 4 blocks), as he has provided much more value than just boards. With his minutes ranging anywhere from 18 to 33 minutes during this impressive run, Yurtseven has made it clear that he doesn’t need a ton of minutes to do his work, so his value could last a while, assuming he has earned a spot in the rotation even after Miami’s regulars start to return. For now at least, Yurtseven’s stock is sky-high as a major source of boards and defensive stats.
Franz Wagner, SG/SF, Orlando Magic
Franz Wagner has been impressive since the start of the season, but it’s about time we start acknowledging him as the favorite for rookie of the year. Wagner didn’t receive nearly as much hype coming into the season as Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, or his own teammate Jalen Suggs, but he has outplayed all of them to this point in the season, and he is only getting better. Wagner has topped 20 points in three of his last four games, going off for a ridiculous 38 points and 7 boards last night against the Bucks. Adding 7 threes and 9 stocks in those last four games as well, Wagner is producing big-time numbers across the board, and he is making both Magic fans and fantasy managers beyond ecstatic with his nightly performances. With or without guys like Cole Anthony in the lineup, Wagner has become a true focal point of Orlando’s offense, and he is seeing as many minutes as he can handle. The rookie’s stock is at its highest point this season, but he has given us every reason to believe it will continue to rise even higher.
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