Victor Wembanyama has been the most productive big in fantasy to start the season.
With over a full week of the NBA season in the books, it’s time for our weekly fantasy awards. Every week we will recap the last seven days of the fantasy season with the most worthy players for each award.
Fantasy Player of the Week: Victor Wembanyama
The past week saw Wembanyama look like his usual self, and it shows in the Spurs’ three-game winning streak. In that stretch, he averaged 29.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, two steals and an absurd 3.7 blocks, good for 62.6 fantasy points in points leagues. On Wednesday, Wembanyama recorded 36 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 stocks in San Antonio’s overtime win against Utah. The 7-foot-4 giant has a stellar impact on both ends of the floor.
Pickup of the Week: Jeremiah Fears
Many dropped Fears after a slow start to the season, having felt they wasted a draft pick on him. With Dejounte Murray out Thursday night for personal reasons, Fears exploded for one of the best fantasy performances of the season. Fears put up 22 points, 8 rebounds, 13 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks (a Thursday-best 74 High Score points) against the Kings. With Murray away due to the birth of his child, Fears took over with the ball in his hands. It remains to be seen when Murray will return, but Fears is a must-start player anytime Murray is out of the lineup.
Rookie of the Week: Yaxel Lendeborg
With a loaded rookie class, there were many candidates for this week’s Rookie of the Week, including big performances from Caleb Wilson and Cameron Boozer, but it’s Yaxel Lendeborg who took home this award. Over the last week Lendeborg averaged 25.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Lendeborg is just the sixth player in NBA history to have 100+ points, 45+ rebounds and 20+ assists in his first five career games. The Warriors desperately need production from wherever they can find it, so there’s no reason to believe Lendeborg’s usage will decrease.
Defensive Player of the Week: Victor Wembanyama
No surprise here. Wembanyama’s floor is so high because of his defense, and over the last three games, it has been on full display. In that stretch, he averaged two steals and a ridiculous 3.7 blocks. The reigning Kia Defensive Player of the Year may have gotten off to a slow start offensively, but averages of 1.4 steals and 3.8 blocks on the season say otherwise on the defensive end.
Most Added Player of the Week: Paul Reed
When Jalen Duren was ruled out with a hamstring strain, astute fantasy managers rushed to their waiver wire and snagged Reed. That pickup has been highly successful, as over the last seven days, Reed is averaging 16.3 points and 8 rebounds in 28.3 minutes per game. The initial diagnosis for Reed was that he would be re-evaluated in two weeks, but hamstrings are tricky and Reed could emerge as a player to hold on your rosters for the foreseeable future.
