Fantasy Basketball: Tyus Jones stand among Week 24 buy and sell trade targets

Fantasy standouts are still emerging in Week 24 of the 2021-22 NBA season. Stars are recovering from injuries and veterans from bad teams are getting shut down, so usually unheralded players are being given a chance to step into the spotlight as the regular season comes to a close. Fantasy managers can bolster their roster ahead of the playoffs  with fill-in starters and bench players and should jump at the chance to do so while desirable targets are readily available. 

So who should managers try to buy or sell ahead of the weekend? Here are five options to consider:

Three to buy

• Tyus Jones: Ja Morant’s fill-in was unusually aggressive on Wednesday and could prove to be just as valuable as De’Anthony Melton in the coming weeks. Jones scored 25 points on 21 shots against the San Antonio Spurs. He doesn’t usually have Melton’s scoring upside, but has averaged 14.3 points, 7.3 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game since Morant’s last outing. His raw numbers aren’t amazing for points leagues, but he can provide plenty of playmaking on short notice for Roto league managers.
• Isaiah Hartenstein: Hartenstein’s 25 percent rostership in CBS leagues is sure to multiple in the coming weeks. The Los Angeles Clippers big man is making Ivica Zubac irrelevant by excelling as a scorer and passer since mid-March. The backup big man has totaled 12 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game over his last five outings. Zubac tallied 6.4 points and 6.2 rebounds during the same stretch. 
• Isaiah Roby: Roby was held scoreless on 0-of-6 shooting five games ago and is still averaging 14.7 points and 8.0 rebounds over his previous six appearances. The Nebraska product is set to serve as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s big man for the rest of the season now that Darius Bazley has been ruled out with an injury and several veterans have been shut down for the year. He’s logged at least 34 minutes in each of his last two contests while averaging 22 points and 8.5 rebounds. Roby might not always post the most impressive numbers, but few readily available players will get as much opportunity as him in the coming weeks. 

Two to sell

• Cameron Payne: Paul returned from his thumb injury early to average 17 points, 11.7 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game in his first three starts in March. Payne has become an after though following the point guard’s resurgence. The Phoenix Suns’ backup floor general has tallied 20 points, 12 assists, and three rebounds over his last three games. Phoenix keeps either Paul or Devin Booker on the floor as often as it can, so Payne’s rostership will likely continue to plummet. 

• Montrezl Harrell: Harrell’s been known as one of the league’s best bench scorers in recent years and appears to be getting phased out in Charlotte. The former Washington Wizard big man has played less than 20 minutes in seven of his last 10 games. Mason Plumlee’s gotten the bulk of the minutes during that stretch while Harrell’s been held to 9.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest. His rostership has dropped below 80 percent ahead of the weekend and will drop more should his exposure remain the same.