UNDER THE RADAR DYNASTY KEEPERS

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS:

UNDER THE RADAR DYNASTY KEEPERS:

There are several players that toward the end of the year get free rein to accelerate their development. This usually occurs when there is significant swaths of injuries or a team is trying to tank for better draft positioning. These players are often young players, yet we will go over players that appear to be in a position to drastically improve their ADP next year.

ISAIAH STEWART - He went undrafted in most leagues heading into the season. The Pistons had just signed Plumlee to a long-term deal and Stewart's raw abilities were expected to take time to develop. Over the last two weeks, he's been given significantly more playing time as they embrace the tank. In the last two weeks he's averaging 11.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, and 1.3 BPG on 64% shooting. Barring them drafting Evan Mobley, he should be a major gainer in next year's fantasy drafts. Just for upside, he should get drafted in the mid-to-late rounds with top-50 potential if he can maintain solid percentages as a "Gobert-lite". Pistons have a way of mucking up the relationship with their centers, so we'll see how long he remains a figure in this system.

DARIUS BAZLEY - Prior to given extensive minutes, he's shown glimpses of potential. Over the last two weeks he's averaging 19.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.3 3PG. He shooting numbers are average at best, but he could end up being the #2 scorer on this team behind Shai Gilegous-Alexander. Much in the same way as Isaiah Stewart, he could end up getting hurt by the draft if they get a high-usage rookie, and they have a ton of cap space to work with to bring in guys that could theoretically start in front of him. The Thunder have a lot of young guys that they are developing - Pokusevski, Bradley, Moses - so it'll be interesting to see if they play Bazley at the 3 more often to get him minutes. His defense needs some development but he might have shown enough to at least justify a larger role when the team is actually trying to win.

IMMANUEL QUICKLEY - His per-minute production is pretty impressive. He is a lights out scorer that gives me Jordan Clarkson vibes. He prefers to shoot than to pass, but his role should increase drastically next year with Derrick Rose's contract expiring. Over the last two weeks he may only be averaging 10.4 PPG and 2.1 3PG, but his per-36 is 19.6 PPG and basically 4.0 3's per game. The rest of his game will develop over time and as he garners more offensive attention his assist numbers should improve. The game seems to be slowing down for him and he could be a starting 1-guard or 2-guard next year, drastically improving his draft position.

GARY TRENT JR - It is tough to say whether or not Kyle Lowry will return to the Raptors next year, yet even if he does, he is 35 and at some point will regress. Gary Trent has been a solid source of streaming points and 3's, and is underrated in his defensive numbers. With the Raptors fully healthy and desperately clawing to get into this Play-In Tournament, his role might be fluid the rest of this year. That being said, over the last two weeks, he's averaging 18.0 PPG, 1.7 SPG, and 2.8 3PG with minimal turnovers. The Raptors drew a bad hand with COVID, having to play in Tampa all year, but that should hopefully change next season.

DARIUS GARLAND - I didn't want to make this list a bunch of rookies, so I'm picking a guy that was drafted very late in several drafts and has outperformed his position all year. In particular, he's been incredible over the last two weeks. Collin Sexton is still their #1 scorer, yet Garland has averaged 21.0 PPG, 7.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, and 3.0 3PG with 47/84 percentages. A 7:2.6 assist/turnover ratio is very solid and if you compare his numbers to Chris Paul, they're almost indistinguishable. Garland was a top-5 pick and at one point was considered the best prospect in the country, so it should not be any surprise that he has developed into a rising young star.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

KEVIN PORTER JR - Barring any more street fights, he very well could be their starting 2-guard, maybe even point guard, next season. He's not an efficient shooter, but it seems like while the Rockets aren't trying to win, he has the green light to manage the offense. Rockets have 3 firsts this draft, including a top lottery pick, so his role could easily be filled in this loaded draft.

ANTHONY EDWARDS/LAMELO BALL - This goes without saying. We knew going into the draft both of these guys were either going to be incredible stars or complete busts. Both looks very good and LaMelo seems to have the edge for being on a playoff team and being a primary reason why.

ROBERT WILLIAMS III - After the Theis trade, they are basically acknowledging that he is the center of the future. I've talked about him enough so I didn't need to beat a dead horse about it.

MICHAEL PORTER JR - With Jamal Murray very likely to miss most, if not all, of next season, MPJ will attract a larger role. He was probably a reach in many drafts due to his name equity, but he should be a top-50 player next year based on his trajectory.

- Adam Safianow - NBA Analyst - Upsyde Sports [Copyright 2021]

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