With COVID-19 doing a number on several teams across the NBA right now, we'll continue to plow forward in fantasy basketball, albeit with limited healthy options.
Let's try to provide some answers for several questions that were submitted for this week's mailbag column, including a couple from familiar faces from RotoWire.
Better stash: Kyrie Irving or Ben Simmons? - @TrainorDJ
Just when it seemed like it was time to give up on Irving becoming a fantasy option anytime soon, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Monday that there is "renewed optimism" that Irving could rejoin the team at some point this season. Kevin Durant has reportedly been in close contact with him, although there is no indication that Irving has changed his stance on not getting vaccinated.
It is possible that the Nets could let Irving rejoin the team and only play in road games. He could then eventually get vaccinated as the playoffs approach. However, if Irving is going to be a viable fantasy option, he's going to need to get vaccinated so he can play in all games. I think Simmons gets traded before Irving makes his return, so I prefer Simmons. Once he does get dealt, he'll be ready to play both home and road games – or so we think.
Will Nerlens Noel turn things around? - @KenCrites
Sorry, K-Train, but Noel is just too limited to be worth rostering in most leagues. He's started each of his last four games, but he only averaged 2.8 points and 6.3 rebounds across 23 minutes per game. Yes, he can still rack up blocks in bunches. He had three of them across 24 minutes against the Warriors on Tuesday. However, with his limited upside outside of the blocks department, and his checkered injury history, it's tough to count on him.
Would you trade Norman Powell for Chris Duarte? - @WESYAP
Duarte is an intriguing rookie for a Pacers team that is reportedly looking to rebuild as the trade deadline approaches. He provides most of his fantasy value in the scoring department, averaging 12.8 points and 1.8 three-pointers across 29 minutes per game. If the Pacers do trade away someone from the trio of Caris LeVert, Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner, then Duarte could see an expanded role down the stretch – especially if that player is LeVert.
With that being said, best-case scenario for Duarte might be to provide production similar to what Powell is already generating for the Trail Blazers. He's been one of their top secondary scoring options behind Damian Lillard, averaging 17.8 points and 2.0 three-pointers per game. He's also been efficient given that he is on pace to shoot at last 46.6 percent from the field for the fourth straight season. Stick with Powell.
Should I drop Luguentz Dort for Dillon Brooks? - @iceybeal
Talk about two similar players. Dort is averaging 17.0 points, 3.8 rebounds. 0.8 steals and 2.5 three-pointers while shooting 42.3 percent from the field. Brooks is averaging 18.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.6 three-pointers while shooting 41.8 percent from the field.
To me, this comes down to their outlook for the rest of the season. Dort is on a Thunder team that is still in the early stages of a rebuilding process. That means he could receive added rest down the stretch as the Thunder ratchet up their tanking efforts. Meanwhile, Brooks is a key member of a Grizzlies team that has payoff aspirations. Rest days should be fewer and far between for him, so I'll give the nod to Brooks.
Someone offered me Spencer Dinwiddie for Tyus Jones. Sounds obvious, but Dinwiddie has been in a serious slump. What should I do? - @iceybeal
This is a prime example of cashing in on a player while he is hot to acquire someone who has hit a rough patch. Jones has played well filling in for Ja Morant (knee), averaging 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 three-pointers across 10 games as a starter. Other than Morant landing in the health and safety protocols, we haven't received many updates regarding his injured knee. Given how limited the Grizzlies have been with injury updates in the past, it's difficult to project when he will return.
Although the situation with Jones is based on Morant's status, Dinwiddie's role with the Wizards is clear. While he should continue to sit out one game of back-to-back sets as he recovers from a torn ACL last season, he's the Wizards' starting point guard and should continue to play around 30 minutes per game. His 38.7 percent shooting from the field isn't great, but he's still averaging 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 three-pointers per game for the season. Long term, he's the player I'd rather have on my roster.
