Basketball Pickups: Greener Pastures and Maxi-mum Power!

by Zak Hanshew, Rotoworld

Brandin Podziemski (42% rostered)

Podziemski had another strong showing in Monday’s win over Brooklyn, and he’s been terrific over his last five. In that span, the rookie has averaged 12.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists. He’s got three straight double-doubles including back-to-back 15-point, 11-rebound efforts and a 12-point, 14-assist masterpiece. We thought his time had come earlier in the season, but we were a little premature. It looks like it’s finally time to break out the “Air Podz.”

Josh Green (15% rostered)

The fourth-year man out of Arizona has been great over his last three games, averaging 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.3 triples across 32.7 minutes. He’s been a full-time starter since January 3, but he’s really started to pick up the production as of late. Make sure to give him a look off the waiver wire, especially after he went for 20 points, six boards, four dimes, two steals and four triples on Monday.

Paul Reed (53% rostered)

Reed posted another dud Monday, as he went for two points, six rebounds and a block across 22 minutes. Over his last two, the big man has averaged just two points and five boards across 18.5 minutes. He’s apparently dealing with an illness, but this level of production is just sickening for a man who was supposed to be a strong fantasy option with Joel Embiid sidelined. If he’s still available, Reed is worth a look for one more game. If he doesn’t deliver Wednesday against the Warriors, we can quit fantasizing about the fantasy player we hoped he’d become and wake up to the harsh reality of what he really is.

Maxi Kleber (3% rostered)

Kleber posted 14 points, four boards, five dimes, a block and a pair of triples in Monday’s win over the 76ers. Kleber made his second straight start, and he provided a solid encore to the 21/3/2/2 line with four triples he notched in Saturday’s loss to Milwaukee. The Mavs wrap up their current road trip with…