Fantasy fast break: Tyrese Maxey’s strong case for fantasy MVP

As we pass the midpoint of the NBA season, certain teams find their groove while others must adjust on the fly. Injuries are starting to reshape the landscape of the league in ways crucial for fantasy, as much as for the standings.

The Golden State Warriors now find themselves at the forefront of this transformation. Jimmy Butler III’s season-ending torn ACL occurs just as Golden State was gaining ground, having won 12 of their recent 16 matchups, achieving their top plus-minus performance on the court with Butler in a pivotal role. His exit transcends mere scoring, disrupting the team’s structure, affecting crucial late-game choices and defensive reliability.

From a fantasy standpoint, Brandin Podziemski is the one impacted most quickly, taking on a more significant offensive role and witnessing an increase in playing time, usage, and playmaking duties. De’Anthony Melton and Moses Moody appear poised for steadier minutes and clearer shooting opportunities, especially in lineups that demand perimeter defense and additional scoring. Even Quinten Post may gain relevance in deeper leagues as Golden State experiments with its frontcourt pairings.

Jonathan Kuminga‘s case introduces added uncertainty. Should he stay with the team, Butler’s absence could lead to greater usage. If a trade occurs, the subsequent effects would be magnified.

Here are five more observations I’ve made around the league to keep in mind as we move forward.

Tyrese Maxey is accomplishing feats in Philly previously matched only by Allen Iverson

Maxey recently recorded a career-high eight steals against the Indiana Pacers on Monday, becoming the first Philadelphia 76ers player since Allen Iverson (Nov. 7, 2003) to achieve at least 25 points, eight assists, and eight steals in a single game. It perfectly encapsulated his season, which also includes earning All-Star starter honors for the first time in his career.

Maxey is averaging 30.2 PPG, 6.7 APG, and 3.6 3PG alongside incredible defensive output while shooting 47.5% from the floor. Despite initial concerns during drafts about his role with Joel Embiid and Paul George, those fears have proven to be unfounded. Philadelphia’s offense revolves around Maxey, and the only players gathering more fantasy points than him this season are Nikola Jokic (2,235) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2,347).

Managers who selected Maxey in the early second round should feel secure maintaining him for the remainder of the season. With the 76ers fully engaged in the playoff race, concerns of shutdowns from last year don’t apply now.

Peyton Watson‘s January emergence is rooted in defense and is becoming hard to overlook

Watson has been averaging more than 2.3 stocks (steals plus blocks) in January, which highlights why his breakout is for real. Defense has always been his strong suit, and the nickname «Swatson» didn’t come from nowhere, but injuries within Denver’s roster have provided Watson the opportunity to display the full range of his abilities.

This month, Watson has melded outstanding defensive performance with a scoring uptick, averaging 22.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 3.0 APG in 35.8 MPG while hitting 50.6% from the field and 43.8% from long range. This blend has propelled him from a borderline rotation player to a top-15 fantasy asset in January.

Watson has excelled with heightened minutes and utilization, and his defense, scoring, and off-ball movement make it difficult to imagine his role diminishing much when Jokic returns. Owned in only 55.8% of leagues, he’s a valuable addition wherever he’s free.

Tyler Herro sidelined once more, paving the way for Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Herro will not accompany the Heat on their five-game West Coast trip due to a right rib contusion, continuing a troubling trend that has followed him throughout his career. Since entering the league in 2019-20, he has faced considerable time away almost every season and has now missed over 135 regular-season matches, raising durability concerns despite his All-Star caliber output.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. is one of the individuals likely to gain from Herro’s absence, having already excelled in a bench capacity this season. His averages have reached career highs of 15.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 4.8 APG in 28.7 MPG. The Heat have not yet specified a timeline for Herro’s comeback, so fantasy managers in need of assistance in those areas should contemplate adding Jaquez.

Kon Knueppel‘s shooting frequency and effectiveness are setting him apart from other rookies

Knueppel has sunk multiple 3-pointers in 18 out of his last 19 contests, which is why his rookie campaign deserves much more recognition than it’s receiving. Exhibiting such shooting steadiness at this frequency is rare for any player, particularly for a first-year guard, and he has complemented it with outstanding efficiency. During this 19-game span, he’s averaged 20.1 PPG, 3.4 threes, 4.9 RPG, and 3.9 APG while connecting on 52.5% from the field and 46.9% from deep.

The rookie lottery pick has already secured 143 three-pointers across 42 games, positioning him to contend for the rookie record, all while achieving a 61.3% effective field goal rate. He has sustained a high-usage, high-efficiency profile even as Charlotte’s lineup has consolidated around LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.

Knueppel may not amass defensive statistics, but his resilience, shooting volume, and precision provide him with one of the steadiest fantasy baselines among rookies. With the Hornets unlikely to limit him, he’s a clear asset to retain for the rest of the season.

The Thunder are 19-1 without Jalen Williams

The Oklahoma City Thunder have only experienced one loss in 20 games without Williams this season, while maintaining a 17-7 record when he is on the court. Williams is averaging 35.1 fantasy points per game with a 26.1% usage rate this season, yet he is currently dealing with a right hamstring strain—an injury that can persist if not managed appropriately.

He’ll undergo a reevaluation in two weeks, although it would not be unexpected if his absence extends longer given the Thunder’s success without him, as they’ve spread usage more evenly and unveiled larger roles for their supporting players. From a fantasy viewpoint, the primary beneficiaries of Williams’ absence are Ajay Mitchell and Aaron Wiggins.

Isaiah Joe is also experiencing a boost in usage as a shooter, while Chet Holmgren takes on additional offensive duties as a secondary scoring option. The absence of Williams is a setback for individual fantasy rosters, but it opens up temporary opportunities throughout the Thunder lineup. How long this opportunity lasts remains the key question moving forward.