Fantasy basketball: What to make of Karl-Anthony Towns, Trey Murphy and six other trending players

Knowing which players are stepping up each week, or going in a different direction, is an important step in making sure you start the best lineup every day. Every Friday, we will scout the league to find players to add or trade.

Value is value, and we want any way we can get it, whether you’re playing in a points or division-based league.

You may notice some minor changes this week, too, as we’re touching on a few players, but we’re taking a deeper dive into each one. Additionally, there is an actionable recommendation at the end of each one, helping you make decisions that can help win your league.

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Risers

Trey Murphy III, SG/SF, New Orleans Pelicans (94% rated in ESPN league)

Over the past two weeks, Murphy has been on a tear and has been the NBA’s most valuable fantasy player in his last six games. He is averaging 31.7 PPG on top of that to go along with 5.3 3PGA, 7.0 RPG, 4.2 APG and 1.3 SPG on 55% shooting from the field and 85% shooting from the free throw line.

This could be your trade mark while his value is at its peak, especially considering the fact that he’s playing for the 10-33 Pelicans, which could start to rest Murphy if a playoff run is out of reach (if it isn’t already). Additionally, Murphy’s injury history is not good. He’s played 62 or fewer games in all but four of his full seasons and while he’s only missed four games so far, I’m very concerned about the Pelicans sitting him out for the rest of the season, even if he’s able to stay healthy.

If you decide to move Murphy, make sure you get a top-10 player, as he was a top-10 player this season. Murphy could continue to play and lead the fantasy managers to a championship, but given his injury history combined with New Orleans being a guessing game after the All-Star break, moving Murphy to the best player on a contending team seems like the best way to handle the situation. Cade Cunningham could be a worthy target in a Murphy trade. Consider moving Murphy while his value is at its peak.

Michael Porter Jr., SF/PF, Brooklyn Nets (96% registered)

Porter has been a top 20 shooter in his last five games, putting up 25.4 PPG to go along with 4.0 3PGA, 7.4 RPG, 3.2 APG and 1.6 SPG on 44% shooting. He is also a perfect 21-of-21 from the free throw line in January.

While he had a breakout season as the most reliable option for the 11-27 Nets, Porter seems almost guaranteed to be traded at the Feb. trade deadline. 5. And no matter where he goes, he will probably hit the numbers as he will not be number 1 in the new team. Add in the fact the history of back injuries and Porter is in the same boat as Murphy.

Moving him before he is traded by the Nets makes sense and even if he is not traded there is a good chance that he will not finish the season in Brooklyn, who have nothing to play for. Consider trading Porter while his value is at its highest.

Naji Marshall, SF/PF, Dallas Mavericks (29% registered)

Unlike Murphy and Porter, Marshall appears to be locked and loaded as a fixture in the Dallas lineup and rotation. He has been hot over his last two games averaging 23.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.0 APG and 1.5 SPG. He didn’t hit a 3-pointer in those games, but averaged 0.9 3PG on the season.

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Naji Marshall gets a bucket and foul

Naji Marshall makes a nice move at the rim and makes the layup fall and foul.

While it is possible that Marshall could be part of a trade before the deadline, it does not appear to be a likely scenario. He played a healthy 31 minutes per game in December and January and was a consistent player throughout the season.

The important thing is that the Mavericks are losing players at a high rate right now (Cooper Flagg, Max Christie, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford and Anthony Davis are all gone), which opens the way for Marshall to continue to play a big role on both ends of the court. His health may be his biggest asset at this point and the Mavericks may have no choice but to continue playing him big minutes until the end of the season. He picked her up.

Brice Sensabaugh, SF, Utah Jazz (8.2% registered)

Sensabaugh has quietly eased into Jazz action and had a game-high 43 points on 15-of-22 shooting with five 3-pointers, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in Wednesday’s loss to Chicago. In eight games in January, Sensabaugh is averaging 17.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.1 SPG and 1.9 3PG on 51% shooting and 88% from the free throw line.

The Jazz could be active at the trade deadline and Sensabaugh’s role could continue to grow as the season progresses. He’s had a solid January, playing 29 minutes per game, and is a player available on multiple waivers that could help fantasy managers right now, as well as going forward. Consider sacking him if you have a player who is not working for your team.

They don’t fall

Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, New York Knicks (100% listed)

Towns had a terrible January, shooting just 42% from the field while posting 16.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 0.5 BPG and 0.8 3PG in six games. He has an extensive injury history, but managed to play in 37 of the Knicks’ 40 games this season.

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Karl-Anthony Towns steps up for a grand slam

Karl-Anthony Towns steps up for a grand slam

He may be in a prime and overall funk right now, but he may also be running out of gas after playing 35 minutes per night in 72 games last season, and 32 minutes per game in his 37 games this season.

The good news is that the Knick are in second place in Mpumalanga and will need KAT to continue to play throughout the season in their quest to win the title. He is a career 52% shooter from the field averaging 23.0 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.2 BPG and 1.7 3PG. Now seems like a good time to try to trade for the Towns before they get hot again.

Stephon Castle, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs (88% registered)

Speaking of shooting slumps, Castle is struggling right now, hitting just 36% of their shots in January to go along with an impressive 3.7 turnovers per game. But he’s also averaging 15.0 PPG to go along with 5.9 RPG, 6.1 APG and 1.4 SPG this month. 32 minutes is good and his stats have been solid all season, with his field goal percentage and turnovers being his biggest concerns.

He hit 49% of his shots in December and is at 46% on the season, so his shot should come back to him soon. And if your league doesn’t count turnovers (or if you don’t care about them), now seems like a good time to try to get him from another manager frustrated with poor shooting and TOs. Try to trade the Castle before his gun starts falling again.

CJ McCollum, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks (77% registered)

McCollum came to the Hawks in the Trae Young trade and now has to compete with Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu for touches in Atlanta.

While he didn’t miss a beat in his first game with the Hawks, his numbers and touches will likely take a hit in Atlanta. He played 27 minutes and scored 25 points with two 3-pointers, three assists and a steal in Tuesday’s loss to the Lakers. But that blowout was a 141-116 blowout and the Hawks may have just gotten a long look at their rookie quarterback in a game they couldn’t win.

Use that goal line in an attempt to move McCollum before his numbers start to slide south on a team with more players who need the ball in their hands. He came off the bench in that game and will likely continue to come off the bench going forward for Atlanta, as long as their key players stay healthy.

Bobby Portis, PF, Milwaukee Bucks (46% registered)

Portis was a hot car when Giannis Antetokounmpo was out with his baby but the numbers didn’t stand out for him and Antetokounmpo is back. On the season, Portis is averaging 13.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.3 APG and 1.9 3PG without having a major factor in terms of steals or blocks.

Myles Turner has been really struggling but Portis hasn’t stepped up to help carry the load. The lack of steals, blocks and rebounds is affecting the big man and I don’t see things changing anytime soon. Chances are there’s a better player on your waiver wire. Consider dropping Portis, especially if your team is short on blocks. He has only three since December 21.