Andrew Nembhard, Ausar Thompson, Grayson Allen, Bennedict Mathurin and Keon Johnson

Let’s go over the top-dropped fantasy basketball players at the start of the 14th week of action.

These players were all taken from the most dropped waiver trends section, which can be found on any FantasySP fantasy basketball page.

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Fantasy Outlook

Nembhard has been dropped in 6.6% of leagues, bringing his total mark down to 47%.

Nembhard’s scoring has dropped from 19 to just seven over the past four games, and that dropoff is probably the biggest reason behind his dropoff in fantasy leagues.

On the season, Nembhard is averaging 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and 0.1 blocks across 28.3 minutes in 28 games this season (all starts). He’s shooting 46.1% overall, 32.8% from 3-point land and 74.3% from the free throw line.

Since the start of the new year, Nembhard is averaging 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.7 steals and no blocks across 31.3 minutes and nine games. His scoring is down a bit, but his other averages are mostly up.

I can understand why his own percentage is falling, and think dropping him is justified. Seeing his season averages, I thought his own percentage was a little too high before. With a dropoff in scoring of late, fantasy owners are moving off him in standard leagues and only rostering him in deeper leagues.

I’d keep rostering him in deeper leagues, but also be sure to put him on my watch list in standard leagues. Nembhard could get hot at any point, and then he might be worth streaming for a bit. 

Only roster Nembhard in deeper leagues, but also don’t completely write him off for the season in standard setups.

Fantasy Outlook

Thompson is rostered in 48% of leagues after a recent 5% drop.

Thompson is averaging 7.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.3 blocks across 18.8 minutes in 20 games (nine starts) this season. He’s shooting 49.6% overall, just 25% from deep and 52.9% from the line. Over the past five games (all starts), Thompson is averaging 8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.4 blocks across 20.5 minutes.

Again, his numbers are pretty similar to his season averages, or even a bit better, so his dropoff is a bit confusing. Really, he’s being dropped because he was rostered in too many leagues beforehand.

He fills up the stat sheet fairly well, especially in the amount of minutes he plays, but he’s no more than a deep-league option right now. Of course, Thompson should be rostered in a bunch of dynasty leagues as a 21-year old in his second NBA season.

Thompson is another player you can put on your watch list in standard leagues in case he heats up, but he’s really only likely to be a decent temporary fill-in at best, not someone who is usable for months, or even weeks, at a time.

Now might not be a bad time to check in on his asking price in a trade. If you think his future is even brighter, his fantasy value in any league type is probably a bit lower.

Fantasy Outlook

Allen is down 4.8% and sitting at 47% overall.

After a recent surge in own percentage, Allen is on the way back down. A couple of single-digit scoring outputs over the past three games are probably the biggest reason behind that.

In 32 games and one start this season, Allen is averaging 11.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks across 24.3 minutes. He’s shooting 45% overall, 42.9% from 3-point land and 85.5% from the free throw line.

Even with four single-digit scoring outputs over the past nine games, Allen is still averaging 12.8 points, 3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.2 blocks across 25 minutes a game. Allen is simply a streaky scorer, and his own percentage is going to fluctuate based on how he’s performing of late.

Lately, Allen is struggling to score a bunch, so his own percentage has dropped under 50% again. One big game in his next appearance could push him right back over 50%.

Instead of waiting for results to determine how to approach Allen, I’d suggest using FantasySP’s Team Defensive Rankings page. If Allen has favorable matchups more often than not for a stretch, then maybe it’d be worth adding him for a bit. If Allen’s matchups are average or worse, then maybe swapping him for a player who is in a hot streak is more beneficial to your fantasy team.

This is probably a trend that will continue with Allen all season, unless he’s traded, or the Suns’ roster undergoes some big changes. I’d keep rostering Allen in most deeper leagues, while streaming him during favorable timeframes in standard leagues.

Fantasy Outlook

Mathurin is rostered in 75% of leagues after being dropped in 3.8% of leagues.

In 42 games and 37 starts this season, Mathurin is averaging 16.3 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks across 32.6 minutes. He’s shooting 46.3% overall, 35.8% from 3-point land and 81.9% from the line. He was suspended for a game and then returned and totaled just eight points, seven rebounds, two steals and one assist across nearly 25 minutes in a game on Saturday.

Mathurin is averaging 14.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.3 blocks across 30.5 minutes in January. It’s pretty easy to see why some fantasy owners are dropping Mathurin. 

There’s still enough production in Mathurin’s averages to roster in some standard leagues, but I think it’s justified to look elsewhere in other standard leagues. He’s in a bit of a tough stretch right now, but could also snap out of it in a hurry too.

If Mathurin gets dropped in your league, take a look at the players near the end of your bench to see if Mathurin might be a better option moving forward. I think Mathurin will get back on track soon, and then his own percentage will start rising again. At the very least, get him on your watch list.

Fantasy Outlook

Johnson is down 3.6% and is now owned in 19% of leagues. 

Johnson’s minutes per game have fallen off of late, and despite some decent results on the court, fantasy owners are deciding to move on from him.

For the season, Johnson is averaging 8.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks across 21.6 minutes in 40 games and 21 starts. He’s shooting 36.8% overall, 30.7% from deep and 75% from the free throw line.

After averaging 31.5 minutes between December 21-January 10, Johnson is averaging just 22.8 minutes over the past five contests. He didn’t start the last game in that stretch but is averaging 10.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1 steal.

I understand wanting to move off Johnson as he loses playing time, but he still played 23 minutes off the bench. It’s not a ton of playing time, but it’s enough for those of you in deeper leagues. He’s still putting up solid averages, even though the results are pretty inconsistent.

I’d keep rostering Johnson for at least the next week and then reassess his playing time and role at that point. If his minutes dip below 20 a game, and his averages fall, then it’d be time to move on from him. Right now though, I’d just bench him for a bit, or look for the most favorable matchups to start him in.