Rotoworld Fantasy Basketball Holiday Roundtable

New York: With the NBA taking a break on Christmas Eve, the Rotoworld crew decided to gather and chat about fantasy basketball. They shared their thoughts on players who have either shined or flopped this season. It’s a fun time to reflect on how things are going as we head into the holiday season.

Nick Schlain kicked things off by naming Malik Beasley as his biggest surprise. Beasley, who many overlooked when he joined the Pistons, is now second in the league for 3-pointers made. He’s averaging a solid 16.4 points per game, which is pretty impressive.

Noah Rubin chimed in with John Collins, who’s having a fantastic season with the Jazz. After being traded from the Hawks, he’s really adapted his game and is putting up career-high numbers in assists and steals. It’s great to see him thriving in a new environment.

Raphielle Johnson mentioned Dyson Daniels, who’s been a standout defensively and has improved his offensive game. His growth this season is reminiscent of Jalen Johnson’s last year, which is a testament to the coaching staff’s efforts.

Zak Hanshew couldn’t help but highlight Karl-Anthony Towns. After a rocky period in Minnesota, he’s found his groove in New York, leading the Knicks in rebounds and scoring. It’s a real turnaround for him.

When it came to disappointments, Schlain pointed to Tyrese Haliburton, whose stats have dipped this season. His home and away performances have been drastically different, which is frustrating for fantasy managers.

Rubin was let down by Brandin Podziemski, who hasn’t lived up to expectations after a promising rookie season. He’s had some good games, but overall, he’s not producing like many hoped.

Johnson brought up Zion Williamson, whose injury history has made him a risky pick. Despite some early promise, he’s been sidelined for too long, leaving fantasy managers in a tough spot.

Hanshew echoed the disappointment with Haliburton, who was expected to be a top player but has fallen short this season.

Looking ahead, the crew discussed players to watch before the trade deadline. Schlain mentioned Jimmy Butler, who could see a boost in value depending on where he lands. Rubin is keeping an eye on Kelly Olynyk, especially if he gets more minutes as the season progresses.

Johnson is curious about Zach LaVine and how a potential trade could impact the Bulls’ young talent. Hanshew is also interested in Kyle Kuzma, who could be a game-changer for a contending team.

As for rookies, Schlain and Rubin both highlighted Jared McCain, who had a strong start before an injury sidelined him. Johnson is impressed with Yves Missi, who’s made a name for himself as a starting center.

When asked about the fantasy MVP, Schlain picked Nikola Jokic, who’s been a triple-double machine. Rubin went with Dyson Daniels, who’s been a late-round steal for many teams.

Finally, the crew shared their excitement for the Christmas Day matchups. Schlain and Hanshew are both looking forward to the Warriors vs. Lakers game, while Rubin is excited about the Timberwolves vs. Mavericks rematch. Johnson, a Knicks fan, is eager to see Victor Wembanyama shine on such a big stage.