Fantasy Basketball Pickups: Derrick Jones Jr. shine against the Celtics

Wednesday’s game between the Celtics and the Clippers was very entertaining. Boston required overtime to win despite having Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White in the lineup. The Clippers lost four starters (James Harden, Norman Powell, Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac), but the available players didn’t use that as an excuse.

SF/PF Derrick Jones Jr. (7%), SF/PF Amir Coffey (3%), i PG Kevin Porter Jr. (3%) all had excellent nights in the Clippers’ 117-113 loss, with Jones leading the way. “Airplane Mode” posted season highs in points (29) and triples (four), while also tallying seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and one blocked shot. Porter (26/7/7/3 with two 3-pointers) also posted a season-high point total, scoring his first 20-point game, and was efficient as a scorer and playmaker.

Coffey (24/3/2/1 with a 3-pointer) finished Wednesday’s loss two points shy of a season high, shooting 60 percent from the field (9-of-15) and making all five free throws. Last but not least, PF/C Kobe Brown (< 1%) wasn't on anyone's radar before Wednesday, but he produced a full stat line (4/11/2/1/2) in 38 minutes off the bench. Jones, Coffey, and Porter were all reasonable pass targets due to absences, and all came to fantasy managers. Unfortunately, with the starters expected back for Thursday's game against the Wizards, there won't be much to be gained by streaming Jones, Porter or Coffey for this matchup.

Let’s take a look at some of Wednesday’s other top picks:

SF/PF Jaden McDaniels (37%), Minnesota Timberwolves

McDaniels came up big on a night when Anthony Edwards shot 6-for-19 from the field and Julius Randle went 4-for-13. He played 40 minutes in the Timberwolves’ one-point win over Dallas, scoring 27 points (10-of-18 FG, 6-of-8 FT), eight rebounds, four steals, three blocks and one triple. While most of the attention after Donte DiVincenzo’s injury has been on the guards (Mike Conley played well against Dallas), more fantasy coaches need to look at McDaniels. While the scoring production won’t be as good most nights, what he brings to the defensive table has value.

SG/SF Malik Beasley (36%), Detroit Pistons

In a matchup of two of the league’s most productive reserves, Beasley outscored Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter in the Pistons’ 10-point road win. He shot 7-for-14 from the field, finishing with 19 points, two rebounds, one assist and five three-pointers in 23 minutes. Beasley won’t provide much value on the outside and 3-pointers, and consistency may be an issue. However, it’s worth the risk as long as the Pistons are without Jaden Ivey.

SG/SF Buddy Hield (35%), Golden State Warriors

Hield was one of two new additions to the Warriors’ starting lineup after they were traded by the Celtics on Monday, with Kevon Looney the other. Replacing Dennis Schroder, Hield shot 6-for-12 from the field in Wednesday’s loss to the Kings and had 17 points, three rebounds, one assist, three steals and five 3-pointers in 25 minutes. While many fantasy managers expected Hield to provide late-season value before the season began, he’s been a bit worse. Wednesday represented a step in the right direction, but the Warriors are expected to welcome back Brandin Podziemski on Thursday against the Bulls. So those who didn’t add Hield before Wednesday’s game may want to wait a few days.

PG/SG Cason Wallace (24%), Oklahoma City Thunder

Wallace did not start Wednesday’s game against Utah as Aaron Wiggins was given the starting nod. However, the second-year point guard still played the starting minutes, recording 36 in Oklahoma City’s nine-point win. Shooting 6-for-8 from the field, Wallace had 13 points, four rebounds, one assist, three steals and a 3-pointer. Meanwhile, Wiggins played 23 minutes. Wallace will have no problem getting playing time whether he starts or comes off the bench. And the shooting seems to be coming, as he’s shot 55.2 percent from the field over the past two weeks.

PG/SG Keon Johnson (8%), Brooklyn Nets

Johnson hasn’t provided maximum value since breaking into the starting lineup, but the combination of his role and the Nets going in the tank makes it worth the risk in deep leagues. Shooting 9-for-16 from the field and 1-for-1 from the foul line, Johnson finished Wednesday’s loss to the Suns with 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists, a steal and a 3-pointer in 30 minutes. Of course, Brooklyn was without D’Angelo Russell and Ben Simmons, so that’s something to keep in mind. However, Johnson has started 23 of the 24 games he has appeared in since Dec. 2.

SG Luke Kennard (7%), Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis won an entertaining shootout over Charlotte on Wednesday and Kennard was a factor. In 26 minutes off the bench, he produced 23 points (8-of-12 FG), four rebounds, three assists, two steals and seven triples. The points and 3-pointers were season highs for the Grizzlies guard, who is 15-for-27 on threes in his last four games. And over the past two weeks, Kennard has provided eighth-round value in 9-cat formats, according to Basketball Monster. His fantasy ceiling isn’t great, but Kennard is worth a look for league coaches who need three-pointers while shooting the ball well.