We are officially a month into the NBA season and already some players have not lived up to expectations. For a lot of young players, patience is key. The main cause for these struggles is usually poor shooting, and that is something that a player just needs to play through. Each one of these players still has major upside if everything clicks for them. Here are some players to hold in fantasy basketball.
Players to Hold in Fantasy Basketball
Jalen Green
The hype surrounding second overall pick Jalen Green entering this season was astronomical. Many thought he would be averaging 20 plus points right away. Yet, through 15 games Green is averaging only 14.4 points per game. The main issue has been Green’s shooting percentages. He’s currently shooting 36.5 percent from the field and 27.9 percent from three. While this is concerning, now is not the time to bail on Green. Remember, first overall pick Anthony Edwards had similar early-season struggles last season before he broke out. With the Houston Rockets sitting at 1-14, Green will have every opportunity to play through his mistakes and improve as the season drags on. The upside is enormous.
Jalen Suggs
Another rookie that is a good buy-low candidate is Jalen Suggs of the Orlando Magic. Like Jalen Green, Jalen Suggs’ shooting percentages have been brutal so far. He is shooting 33.2 percent from the field and 26 percent from three. Fellow backcourt teammate Cole Anthony has stolen all the headlines to begin the season with his stellar play, yet Suggs should not be forgotten. Suggs shot 50 percent from the field in college and his shooting numbers should eventually improve. On a Magic team that lacks scoring and playmaking, Suggs should be able to turn around his slow start to the season.
Isaiah Stewart
Hyped as a breakout candidate in the preseason, Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons has not lived up to expectations. He is averaging 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in 24 minutes per game as the starting center. While these numbers aren’t great, the opportunity alone that Stewart has makes him worth holding in all leagues. Kelly Olynyk, who Stewart was splitting time with at center, is expected to miss multiple weeks. The Pistons aren’t going anywhere this season and the only other option they have at center is Luka Garza. If Stewart is able to round back into form, he could be a nightly double-double threat.
RJ Barrett
It is safe to say that RJ Barrett has not taken the third-year leap many were expecting. Barrett shot 40 percent from three-point range last season but that number has plummeted to 31.8 percent this season. His field goal percentage has also dropped back down to where it was when Barrett was a rookie (40 percent) after he improved on it (44 percent) last season. This is not an encouraging trend, but Barrett is still too good to consider dropping. With Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier both looking washed up, Barrett has a clear path to being the second scoring option on the Knicks behind Julius Randle. Barrett is 21 years old and has loads of potential if his shot starts falling.
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