NBA Market Share Report: Getting Excited About Yet Another Sixers Rookie

Welcome back to another edition of the NBA Market Share Report. It’s been awhile since we last met thanks to the All-Star break, but be sure to check out the last installment where we discuss the absence of Kevin Love, Aaron Gordon, and the recent play of Blake Griffin.

This week, we’ll take a quick look at a few names we’ve yet to mention through the first half of the season, including a tank named Frank, a blossoming rookie in Philly who actually isn’t hurt, Eric Bledsoe, and even a Brandon Jennings sighting.

Let us hoop!

Francis Stanley Kaminsky III

With the big men in Charlotte having found themselves on shaky legs as of late with Cody Zeller dealing with a quad injury and Miles Plumlee a calf, a larger role has opened up for Frank Kaminsky and he’s done well taking advantage of the opportunity.

Even with Zeller working his way back into form, there’s plenty of work for Kaminsky. Not only should Plumlee miss at least another week, but Frank the Tank has put up some pretty solid production as of late, averaging better than 33 FanDuel points per game during the month of February and reaching at least 6x value in 7 of of his last 11 games.

A fun part of Kaminsky’s game - and one that helps pay off for fantasy owners - is his ability to space the floor and shoot it from deep. He’s averaging nearly six three-point attempts per game over the last month and knocking ‘em down at a 39-percent clip, which is more than solid from the center position.

He’s also dishing out nearly three dimes per game over his last 11, which is a slight increase from his season average that already ranked near the top-10 at his position.

We’ve seen Kaminsky’s salary shoot up from sub-$5,000 to as high as $6,000 over the past couple weeks, so we’ll need keep an eye on it. But as we do, his recent play has made him one of the better bargain centers, and the Hornets may not have much choice but to keep finding room for their tank moving forward.

The Other, Other Sixers Rookie

With the bad news out of Philly that Joel Embiid will miss the rest of the season, fellow Sixers rookie Dario Saric is trying his hardest to keep fans upbeat.

Saric has logged more games of 30-plus FanDuel points over the last month than in the 47 games prior. He’s scored double-digits in each of his last 10 games, and has pulled in double-digit rebounds in four of them. The 22-year-old rookie is also showing flashes as a passer, averaging better than three assists per night over the same span.

Given his 35.5 FanDuel points per game over the last 15 days, Saric ranks behind only Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, and Nikola Jokic at power forward, which isn’t terrible company.

Saric may not be as likely to hit the gaudy value points now that his salary has creeped above the $7,000 mark, but his versatile skill set is attractive and the loss of Embiid, Nerlens Noel, and Ersan Ilyasova creates very little interference in his path to solid production.

Go Go Bledsoe

After throwing up consecutive games of sub-30-point performances earlier this month, Eric Bledsoe has been on an impressive tear, posting at least 30 FanDuel points per game over his last six, including a 48-point game against the Pelicans followed by a 57-point outing against the Lakers two days later.

Bledsoe’s 42 FanDuel points per game over the last couple weeks makes him a top-three producer at his position, coming in slightly behind John Wall and above guys like Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry, and Isaiah Thomas.

While he may not be the most consistent option, Bledsoe can be a difference-maker in GPP lineups, as he routinely provides a high ceiling, has a salary that can often dip below the $9,000 mark, and is the type of player who can fill it up in valuable categories such as steals and assists.

Snake Plissken Jennings

Although it may be driven more by emotion than stats or potential, there has to be some reason for excitement regarding Brandon Jennings’ new home in Washington, right?!

With Jennings having escaped New York and found his way onto a contending Wizards squad in desperate need of reinforcement at the point guard position, the nine-year veteran’s production would seem to have nowhere to go but up.

It’s a wait-and-see on Jennings for now. While his efficiency should improve and a boost in confidence may too be on the way, we’ll need to keep tabs on salary, minutes and fit -- in that order -- before considering him a roster possibility.

And that'll do it for this week. Remember that Kawhi Leonard is the real MVP.

See ya next time!