Aday Mara, Brook Lopez and Reed Sheppard are among the players Alex Barutha recommended considering before week four in a fantasy basketball column published by NBA.com. The suggestions use playing roles, statistics and fantasy roster rates available when the article appeared on November 6.
Barutha grouped his choices by scoring format. His projections are fantasy strategy, not an announcement of an NBA transaction or a guarantee of future minutes.
Three category-league options
Oklahoma City's Aday Mara averaged 8.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 23 minutes over the five games in the column's sample. Barutha identified blocks as the main reason fantasy managers might consider him. The article said he was rostered in 42% of the leagues it measured at that point.
The Clippers' Brook Lopez averaged 13.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in the early-season sample. The writer also cited 1.4 made threes per game and 56% field-goal shooting through eight games. Houston's Reed Sheppard averaged 10.7 points, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals while playing about 22 minutes per game.
Points and High Score formats
Barutha also discussed Sacramento's De’Andre Hunter and Milwaukee's Brayden Burries for points leagues. Hunter was averaging 31 minutes in the article; Burries was being monitored after moving into the starting lineup. The writer presented increased minutes for Burries as a possibility rather than a confirmed outcome.
For the High Score format, New Orleans reserve Saddiq Bey was highlighted for his scoring. He averaged 16.4 points in 27 minutes in the source's sample. Statistics and recommendations can change as schedules, health and player roles develop.