Two weeks into the NBA season and some players are clearly floundering and not performing up to their fantasy expectations. While the usual fantasy-studs like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and James Harden are doing their thing; not every fantasy roster can benefit from those elite options. For the most part the elite fantasy guys are performing as one would expect; however, there are some other well-known players who are not.
Given that we are a mere two weeks into the NBA season, one can still unload a player based on name recognition and fantasy potential. If you have identified an underperformer who isn't pulling his fantasy weight on your roster then now is the time to unload him before his value bottoms out. Hanging on to a player for sentiment's sake or with the hope that he will somehow change his game to accommodate a new style of offense is foolhardy and will cost you in the long run.
With this in mind we have provided our list of fantasy duds through the first two weeks of the season. If you are carrying any of these guys then cut your losses and move on. In review of the underperformers it certainly seems like the league’s big men are being well represented. This might be an indicator of the league’s dominant ball-handling forwards and dynamic guards, but whatever the reason behind it, these guys are off to a slow start.
Zach Randolph - Memphis Grizzlies
I like Z-Bo as much as the next guy but from a fantasy perspective his time has come and gone. Any lingering hopes from fantasy owners of him returning to his 20 ppg average must be dismissed. Randolph seems to be showing his age as he enters his 13th season in the Association at the ripe old age of 32.
Randolph is no longer a prolific scorer, although he will still contribute with his 14 ppg. Rebounding has also never been a particularly strong suit for him and his rebounding numbers are also in decline.
Throw in the fact that Randolph gives you zero block shots stats and you are left with a big-name player who's giving you 14 ppg and 8 rpg. There are better values out there so dump Z-Bo now while his name carries some appeal and move on.
Anderson Varejao - Cleveland Cavaliers
Varejao isn’t having a bad start to the season, it just isn’t what many had hoped to see out of him. Mind you the roster additions of Andrew Bynum and Anthony Bennett were sure to take away from Varejao’s stats, but fantasy owners still wanted double-double-like numbers out of him. As it turns out the 31-year old Brazilian is chipping in with 9.4 ppg and 7.0 rpg; numbers which are a far cry from his 2011-12 and 2012-13 season stats. I think too many were hoping for the 14.1 ppg and 14.4 rpg stat lines of 2012-13. The reality is that Varejao is a fringe fantasy play at best now and those hanging on in hopes of his form returning to that of a double-double machine need to let go now before it’s too late.
Tyreke Evans - New Orleans Pelicans
The big offseason acquisition for the Pelicans is struggling to find his place within the organization. It is clear that Jrue Holiday will be the starting point guard and with that Evans is relegated to a reserve role.
Evans appears to be coming around to that role; however, fantasy owners were looking for starter-like minutes. Evans is currently averaging a meagre 8.5 ppg, 3.5 apg and 4.5 rpg which is a far cry from his 15.2 ppg from a year ago.
Evans might eventually integrate himself into his new role, but why show that kind of patience? Move Evans off your roster and try to get a super-sub elsewhere.
Andrew Bogut - Golden State Warriors
This is a bit of a misnomer as Bogut isn’t having a bad start is comparison to last season; however, compared to his career numbers and the lofty expectations, the results thus far are poor. Maybe fantasy owners need to adjust their sights and accept the 5.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg as being the norm not the exception. Health and injuries have obviously taken their tole on Bogut who has only played 44 games over the last two seasons. The days of regular double-doubles are over and Bogut is now more of a risk than a reward.
Kendrick Perkins - Oklahoma City Thunder
Perkins continues to be the starter for the Thunder despite logging only 18.2 minutes per game. The writing is clearly on the wall for Perkins and fantasy owners as the newly drafted Steven Adams is outplaying Perkins at every turn. A starting center in the Association and on your fantasy roster must produce more than 3.4 ppg and 3.8 rpg. Even if you can’t find any willing trade partners, dump Perkins for Adams and doubles those averages. As the season progresses Adam’s value will increase and so will his trade worth.
Kenneth Faried & J.J. Hickson - Denver Nuggets
To put it bluntly the frontcourt for the Denver Nuggets is terrible to start the season. Neither Faried or Hickson are playing up to expectations. The “Manimal” Kenneth Faried is off to a slow start as he is just averaging 7.6 ppg and 7.6 rpg; numbers that are worse than his rookie season in 2011-12. Faried remains a likely trade target for many teams and could very well be moved by the deadline. Perhaps a new setting will restore his confidence, but until then he is hurting not helping your fantasy roster.
Hickson is off to a horrific start as he is averaging a measly 5.6 ppg and 7.4 rpg. This combined with a .353 field goal percentage makes Hickson a fantasy irrelevant. It is tough for owners to swallow given that he averaged a double-double last season of 12.7 ppg and 10.4 rpg with a .562 field goal percentage. Maybe if Faried gets moved and Hickson goes back to a starting role his numbers will improve but until such time he remains a fantasy liability.