The Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III has averaged 49 fantasy points across his last eight games played.
It’s the heart of the fantasy season. The highest-scoring stars and most valuable budget players have had time to separate themselves from a crowded field.
That means there’s plenty to think about for general managers in NBA Fantasy — Salary Cap Edition. But as always, there are multiple paths to getting an edge on your opponents.
Here’s what you need to know entering Week 14:
Last week’s story
The reign of Nikola Jokić is no more. It’s now Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the defending MVP and Finals MVP, who sits in the fantasy throne. He has overtaken Jokić for the most total fantasy points (TFP) in the league and currently boasts 2255 in all.
Saturday marked the fateful day. The eighth-year guard posted 52 fantasy points for the Oklahoma City Thunder (35-8) in a 122-120 loss at the hands of the Miami Heat (22-20). He put up 39 points scored, four rebounds, three assists and one steal en route to dethroning Jokić.
Still, the fact that it took Gilgeous-Alexander 20 days — nearly three weeks — to surpass Jokić recalls how large of a lead the three-time MVP really had. Projected to return from injury at the end of this month, it might not take “The Joker” all that long to reclaim his crown.
Peak performances
Luka Dončić continues to produce at an elite level. His latest masterpiece was 77 fantasy points Monday despite a 124-112 loss for the Los Angeles Lakers (25-16) to the Sacramento Kings (12-31). En route to yet another big number, he assembled 42 points scored, seven rebounds, eight assists and four steals. The five-time All-Star has hit 60 fantasy points in 21 of 33 games played this season — 63.6% of the time — and is up to 64.4 fantasy points per game (FPPG).
A scintillating stretch by Jamal Murray extended into Saturday. His 69 fantasy points buoyed the Denver Nuggets (29-14) in their 121-115 defeat of the Washington Wizards (10-31). The ninth-year guard racked up 42 points scored, three rebounds, six assists, two blocks and two steals to ensure his fourth game with 60-plus fantasy points in his last six played. Murray has now averaged 55 FPPG during Jokić’s knee injury-spurred absence.
It’s neck-and-neck between Scottie Barnes and James Harden for third place on last week’s podium. Each of them tallied 68 fantasy points as the Toronto Raptors (25-19) triumphed over the Indiana Pacers (10-33) by a 115-101 score Wednesday and the LA Clippers (18-23) earned a 117-109 victory over the Charlotte Hornets (16-27) on Monday. Barnes had 26 points scored, seven rebounds, 13 assists, one block and two steals whereas Harden had 32 points scored, four rebounds, 10 assists and four steals.
Transaction tips
It’s been a terrific past few weeks for Trey Murphy III, and that means it’s a terrific time to add the fifth-year forward to your roster. He’s averaged 49 FPPG across his last eight games played — a dramatic improvement on his mark of 40.9 this season as a whole. That stretch includes a pair of 60-point games and two other outings with 50 or more. Murphy continues to offer solid production at a salary of $11.8M, becoming a bright spot on a struggling Pelicans squad.
Russell Westbrook, meanwhile, has embodied steady fantasy scoring as of late. He’s contributed 40-plus points in five straight games en route to an average of 42.3 FPPG across his last nine appearances. The 18th-year guard, now in his first season with the Kings, currently ranks ninth on the fantasy value charts with 1721 TFP on a salary of $9.0M. His consistent involvement in Sacramento’s offense makes him a strong mid-level addition.
Also worthy of your consideration is Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who has been a reliable scorer on a budget. The seventh-year guard has appeared in 33 consecutive games, and in his last nine alone, is accountable for 39.1 FPPG. He may not wow with 60-plus point efforts, but he does have 30 or more in eight of the last nine, and that’s above average at a salary of just $8.1M. With Trae Young now out the door, there’s no doubting Alexander-Walker’s importance to the Hawks.
