Fantasy NBA: Ty Jerome's 45-point night spikes value; Draymond Green's drop leads waiver targets

Ty Jerome scored 45 points in the Memphis Grizzlies opening night matchup against Utah, a performance that has immediately altered his status in fantasy basketball leagues. The guard followed that total with 28 points and five assists in a subsequent game against the Golden State Warriors. Despite these high numbers, experts suggest it is time to move Jerome while his perceived value remains elevated.

Jerome is currently rostered in 89.7% of ESPN leagues. His early success is partly attributed to facing teams with rough starts, specifically the Jazz and Warriors. While the Grizzlies have structured their offense to support his play, analysts note he will struggle to maintain this shooting pace for an entire season. Managers are advised to trade him for struggling veterans like Trey Murphy III or Brandon Miller who are expected to rebound.

Other players are seeing their stock rise due to opportunity. Dennis Schroder, the Charlotte Hornets point guard, is rostered in only 9.7% of leagues. He recorded 25 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three three-pointers in a game against Miami. Schroder serves as a viable waiver wire target for assists and points, though his role may diminish once Coby White returns from a calf strain.

Jalen Smith of the Chicago Bulls presents another early opportunity. Rostered in 22.8% of leagues, Smith has averaged 14 or 15 points in his first three games. He has also averaged 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals. The Bulls are thin at center, with Zach Collins and Tobe Awaka seeing limited minutes. Smith is expected to secure around 25 minutes of action per game, provided he stays healthy and Nic Claxton remains out with a hamstring issue.

Conversely, Myles Turner of the Milwaukee Bucks has seen his production dip. Rostered in 52.4% of leagues, Turner has averaged just 7.7 points and 4.3 rebounds over three games. He did not score a point in Saturday's loss to Philadelphia, playing only 20 minutes due to foul trouble. Kel'el Ware emerged as a strong option for the Bucks, posting 19 points and 13 rebounds in 29 minutes. Turner remains a starting center but is considered a lowball trade target.

Onyeka Okongwu of the Atlanta Hawks is another player whose early numbers have not met expectations. Rostered in 80% of leagues, he has not scored more than 10 points or recorded more than six rebounds in any of his first three games. His first block and steal of the season came on Saturday. While he can hit three-pointers, his offensive role may be limited while teammates like Aaron Wiggins and Dyson Daniels remain productive. This current window is viewed as a prime time to make offers for his services.

Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors is the most prominent candidate for a drop. Rostered in 26.7% of leagues, the 36-year-old has scored only seven points across two games. He has recorded two blocks, one steal, and one three-pointer. Green sat out the second night of a back-to-back series on Saturday. With the Warriors struggling to compete, both Green and Stephen Curry are already receiving rest days.

Analysts suggest that Green's current production does not justify a roster spot in most fantasy setups. They recommend dropping him in favor of players like Jalen Smith, Yaxel Lendeborg, or Wendell Carter Jr. The consensus is that Green's name recognition currently outweighs his on-court output, making him a prime target for early-season cuts.