As we head into the NBA All-Star break, we get a much-needed break from the daily grind of setting lineups and evaluating our teams before we look to make our final push toward the fantasy basketball postseason. If you are really itching to gain every possible edge on your competition, however, this is the time when you can separate yourself from the pack. While the rest of your league takes a few days off, you can keep researching, taking advantage of this time to find the guys who could help win your league in these final weeks of the season. With that in mind, let’s dive in and identify a handful of these possible impact players, whose stock is very much on the move as we hit the break.
Fantasy Basketball Stock Report
Stock on the Rise
Josh Okogie, SG/SF, Phoenix Suns
With the Phoenix Suns making a huge splash at the trade deadline, it’s only natural that a lot of fantasy basketball player values were affected by the move. Josh Okogie seems to be a big winner here, as he has now seen over 35 minutes per game across his last three contests. In those games, the wing has averaged 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 3.0 threes while shooting 50% or better from the floor in each of them. With Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson gone, and Kevin Durant being sidelined for who knows how much longer, Okogie should continue his strong run past the All-Star break. His stock is sky-high at the moment so take advantage while you can.
Charles Bassey, PF/C, San Antonio Spurs
With Jakob Poeltl shipped off at the trade deadline, Zach Collins has moved into the starting center role for the Spurs, with Charles Bassey taking over the backup big man duties. The 22-year-old out of Western Kentucky makes for an intriguing fantasy basketball prospect, as he has proven in his limited time that he does not need a ton of minutes to make an impact. The second-year man has per-36-minute averages of 13.3 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks, showing his potential to rack up stats if given the opportunity. And with a new four-year contract extension, the Spurs seem to believe Bassey could be part of the team’s future. With nothing to play for but development, the opportunity is certainly there for the big man to become a sneaky fantasy basketball asset down the stretch.
Shaedon Sharpe, SG/SF/PF, Portland Trailblazers
After Josh Hart was traded to the Knicks, a lot of minutes opened up on the wing in Portland, and Shaedon Sharpe seems to be a prime beneficiary. The 7th overall pick in last year’s draft has now topped 21 minutes in five straight, seeing over 25 minutes in each of his last three. In those games, the rookie has put up 13 or more points in four straight, adding career-highs in assists, steals, and blocks along the way, as he works to become a more complete player both for his team and in fantasy basketball. The 19-year-old’s development is a priority for the Blazers, so he should continue to see ample opportunities when we return from the break. This could be the lowest we see his stock for years to come so don’t miss your chance.
Stock on the Decline
Mason Plumlee, C, Los Angeles Clippers
After being traded to the Clippers, Mason Plumlee has seen his fantasy basketball stock take a major hit. The possibility that he would push Ivica Zubac for the starting center job seems lost, at least for now, after seeing 17 minutes in his first game with the team. It seems clear that he will be strictly the backup big for this playoff-bound team, and while he will carry tremendous value for his actual team, that value unfortunately will not translate to the fantasy world. Barring an injury, he is no longer a must-roster player.