Fantasy basketball: What to do with Carmelo, Kobe and Dwyane Wade

The structure of the NBA places no value on the middle ground. If you’re not among the elite, you’re optimal finish is last. That annually affects the fantasy landscape as well and you should keep an eye on which direction certain franchises are headed.

Mellow Melo

The Knicks have devolved into a laughing stock at 5-35 on the year. Perhaps the scariest part is that Carmelo Anthony just signed a $124 million contract six months ago and is already battling a nagging knee issue at age 30. The logical move is for Anthony to rest as much as possible, something he’s been doing for the last two weeks. But after he plays in February’s All-Star game in New York, the bigger move is to just shut it down and try to get right for 2015-16. Get whatever you can for Melo once he returns to the court.

Kobe Burgers

Kobe Bryant is one year removed from a knee fracture and is 36-years-old. In that context, it’s pretty impressive that he’s averaging 22.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists. What’s not impressive is the Lakers’ abysmal on-court play and Kobe’s selfish 20.8 shots per game on 36.9 percent shooting. Much like Anthony’s situation, the franchise would be better off if Kobe shut it down – something that could happen after the All-Star break as well. Bryant is going to have some more big games over the next few weeks – dangle him cheaply after one.

Wading toward the bench

Last year, Dwyane Wade sat out 11 of the Heat’s final 15 regular season games. The year before that, it was seven of the last 10. And in 2012-13, he watched seven of the last nine. This year’s King-less Heat team has no chance at winning it all and could very well fall out of the NBA’s playoff race before April hits. Owners in head-head leagues with playoffs need to be aware that Wade is among the players that likely won’t be available at the most important time of the fantasy season. We’re better off riding with young players on bad teams that will essentially be getting an extended tryout down the stretch.

NBA Pickups of the Week

James Johnson, F, Raptors – His ability to consistently contribute in blocks and steals makes Johnson worth owning even when DeMar DeRozan returns.

Hassan Whiteside, C, Heat – Whiteside has joined Rudy Gobert and Jusuf Nurkic in an exciting club of young shot-blockers.

Zaza Pachulia, C, Bucks — There are rumors that the Bucks’ $44 million man, Larry Sanders, doesn’t even want to play ball anymore.

NFL News

Was Sunday’s noodle-armed, embarrassing performance versus the Colts the end of Peyton Manning? Don’t count on it. This is a guy that threw 36 TDs against 11 INTs in the 13 games before his quad injury. Perhaps more importantly, it was before the weather turned and his already weak arm into a huge liability. Owed $19 million, Manning will likely be back to pile up more stats next year – but fantasy owners should know that when the chips are down in December, he’ll likely be at his worst.