Top free agent pickups for Fantasy NBA (week of October 23rd)
The first week of fantasy competition in the NBA is in the books with most teams having three games in the books. While it's too early to tell how good or bad the teams have started the 2017-18 NBA season, one surprise is the reloaded Oklahoma City Thunder starting off the week at 1-2.
In the offseason, OKC landed All-Stars Paul George and Carmello Anthony leading many to believe that they were ready to compete with the likes of San Antonio and Golden State in the West. Though it is not the time to panic with their 1-2 start, it is definitely not the way the Thunder expected to start the season.
While three games is a very small sample size, some players rewarded their fantasy owners with a hot start. According to standard rankings for Yahoo Fantasy Sports, Orlando Magic forward and center Nikola Vucevic ranked #1 among all NBA players averaging 27.7 PPG, 10.7 REB, and 3.0 AST in his first three games.
This article will take a look at those players owned in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues, who had a great start to the season. These guys might be available in your league and worth a pickup to see if they continue their hot start.
Continue on to see five guys that can help your fantasy team immediately, and potentially long-term for this season...
#5 Marco Belinelli - SG / SF - Atlanta Hawks (20% Owned)
The veteran guard for the Atlanta Hawks can have hit and miss games, but he's hit very well on two of his first three. He's currently averaging 14.7 PPG while totaling 8 3-point shots in those contests.
If you're in need of a good 3-point and free throw shooter, Belinelli could be the spark for you. He's currently 10-of-10 at the free throw line this year as well.
It remains to be seen if he can keep up the scoring output of 20 points in his opening game and 19 against Brooklyn on Sunday, but it is worth a shot if you have room to grab him.