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Tre Mann (11% rostered in Yahoo) started Sunday’s game in place of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (bruised left hip), putting up a modest 10 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal in 28 minutes. SGA’s absence may have been a simple precaution in the second half of back-to-back games. Regardless, Mann could find himself starting again vs. the Clippers on Tuesday -- Josh Giddey sprained his right ankle on Sunday and was pulled in the second half. Mann can score in bunches even if he’s coming off OKC’s bench, which makes him the rare pickup who has both opportunistic short-term fantasy appeal, and also rest-of-season upside.
Nick Richards (17% rostered) is also a strong candidate for Pickup of the Day honors after recording a career-high 20 points on 9-of-9 shooting, 11 rebounds, two blocks and one assist in 20 minutes during Sunday’s win vs. Atlanta. The key is that Richards has impressed coach Steve Clifford since training camp, and has unquestionably seized the backup-center job ahead of rookie Mark Williams. That’s more impactful in Charlotte, where veteran starter Mason Plumlee rarely logs more than 24 minutes in a game (he’s averaging 22.3 minutes through three games). Richards came in averaging a tidy 12.5 points (52.9% FGs, 77.8% FTs) and 8.0 boards through Charlotte’s first two games, though he hadn’t recorded any assists, steals or blocks. The swats on Sunday were all he needed to ascend the fantasy-pickup list.
Other pickup candidates after Sunday’s seven-game slate include:
Ousmane Dieng (1%) - Darius Bazley (four minutes) and Aleksej Pokusevski (13 minutes) were both benched on Sunday, while the rookie notched 5/6/3/2/1 in 23 minutes. Anything can happen in OKC.
Walker Kessler (40%) - A lot of fantasy managers must not care about rebounds and blocks.
Onyeka Okongwu (58% rostered) - Okongwu had 10 points (4-of-6 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs) with five boards, two blocks, one assist and one steal on Sunday. He logged 23 minutes off the bench, identical playing time to starter Clint Capela. Okongwu is long gone in most competitive leagues, but it doesn’t hurt to double-check.
Cedi Osman (11%) - Fantasy managers taking their ‘Cedi pills’ are feeling good through the Cavs’ first three games, as Osman has averaged 16.0 points on 56.0% shooting. The cause for skepticism is three-fold. First, his supporting stats are abysmal (1.7 boards, 2.7 dimes, 0.3 steals, 0.0 blocks). Second, he’s a career 42.3% shooter whose efficiency is bound to drop off. Third, his role has been increased by the absence of Darius Garland (eye laceration) and the ineffectiveness of fill-in starter Isaac Okoro. Still, you can do worse than plug Osman into deep leagues or deploy him for DFS.
Trey Murphy (28%) - Still below 30% rostered? Small sample size aside, Murphy has already proven to be a knock-down shooter at the NBA level. Plus, Brandon Ingram entered the concussion protocol after taking a shot to the face in the first half on Sunday. Murphy isn’t as appealing in points-based leagues, but there’s no reason he should be this widely available.
Justise Winslow (3%) - Winslow has flaws in fantasy, including career marks of 41.3% FGs and 63.6% FTs. But he’s serving as the Blazers’ sixth man right now, and has fared well with across-the-board contributions. Worth a look.
