Thanks to our friends at fantaZscores.com we’ve been able to include Z scores associated with each player, helping you identify the areas of strength for each player based on your build. The numbers included below are the top categories the player gains value in, “0” meaning league average and any number above “0” are reflective of above average scores. The higher the number the more competitive that player is relative to that category. It will hopefully help you target players that will help strengthen your build.
Players we’re thankful for
2023-24 season
1. Herbert Jones
| FG% | FT% | 3PM | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This Year | 52% | 88% | 1.1 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 11.6 |
| Last Year | 47% | 76% | .8 | 4.1 | 2.5 | 1.6 | .6 | 9.8 |
ADP (via Basketball Monster)
136 → 20 (+116)
Z-Score Value (via FantaZscores.com)
StlZ: +2.22
BlkZ: +1.54
TovZ: +.64
Coming off of a strong previous year, Jones seems to be in a different gear this year. He’s improved in every category from the previous year, while increasing his attempts from deep to add to his repertoire. Jones has a very fantasy friendly all-around game, but his defensive stats are what make him stand out. He’s upped his stocks and blocks from last year, while not killing you at the FT line.. a very tricky combo to achieve. Jones slid in drafts this year, but due to some injuries on the Pelicans he’s been playing more than originally anticipated. Expect his usage to decrease when guys like CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy III are back on the floor.. but the Pelicans have a good problem here and need to find a way of utilizing Jones still.
2. Jalen Johnson (ATL)
| FG% | FT% | 3PM | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This Year | 59% | 77% | 1.2 | 7.8 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 15.2 |
| Last Year | 49% | 62% | 0.4 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 5.6 |
ADP (via Basketball Monster)
138 → 37 (+101)
Z-Score Value (via FantaZscores.com)
Fg%Z: +1.55
RebZ: +.82
BlkZ: +.49
Here’s another player who is making the most of an opportunity , notably on a pretty crowded Hawks roster. He’s averaging the 3rd highest minutes played (30.8) only behind Trae Young (35.8) and Dejounte Murray (34.5) which is way up from last year (14.9 avg minutes). Building off of a strong end to his ’22-’23 campaign, plus without John Collins, it seems like this is the perfect situation Johnson needed to showcase his talents. He started the year with a bang, and hasn’t showed signs of slowing down. He’s been able to increase his attempts from 3 this year, and if he can keep doing that – the sky is the limit.
3. Max Strus (CLE)
| FG% | FT% | 3PM | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This Year | 43% | 82% | 2.9 | 5.8 | 3.9 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 14.7 |
| Last Year | 41% | 87% | 2.5 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 11.5 |
ADP (via Basketball Monster)
129 → 49 (+80)
Z-Score Value (via FantaZscores.com)
3pmZ: +1.18
TovZ: +.21
After getting his bag this offseason, Strus is showing everyone why he deserved it by turning in the best start to a season in his career. His minutes are way up this year, averaging almost 36 mpg compared to last year 28mpg with the Heat. The increase in minutes along with the increased opportunity from an often injured Cleveland team is resulting in huge value for the sharp shooter. We know he can shoot it from deep but he’s been very active when on the floor which is helping increase is other categories as well. Strus seems like a solid hold for the remainder of the year, even with a healthy Cavs team. The Strus is loose!
4. Jusuf Nurkic (PHX)
| FG% | FT% | 3PM | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This Year | 44% | 77% | 0.7 | 9.1 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 11.1 |
| Last Year | 52% | 66% | 0.8 | 9.1 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 13.3 |
ADP (via Basketball Monster)
117 → 58 (+59)
Z-Score Value (via FantaZscores.com)
Stl%Z: +.48
BlkZ: +.72
RebZ: +1.33
It seems like Nurk is enjoying the change of scenery after being part of a three team trade that sent Ayton to Portland and Nurk to Phoenix. He went from a rebuilding team to a high powered offense that seems to be taking advantage of his facilitating skills – as seen from his increased assists this year compared to last year. The knock on Nurk is always his durability (never playing a full season) but for some reason people were down on him coming into the draft and he slid pretty far. You’ve gotta like the returns Nurk is giving you right now and hopefully he can keep it up.
5. Tobias Harris (PHI)
| FG% | FT% | 3PM | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This Year | 55% | 90% | 1.3 | 6.4 | 2.7 | 1.0 | .4 | 19.8 |
| Last Year | 50% | 87% | 1.7 | 5.7 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 14.7 |
ADP (via Basketball Monster)
88 → 31 (+57)
Z-Score Value (via FantaZscores.com)
Fg%Z: +1.31
FtZ: +.94
PtsZ: +.57
Harris is having a great year so far, and most of it can be contributed to the departure from James Harden. No longer playing 4th or 5th fiddle for the 76ers, the veteran is back to being a solid 3rd option behind Embiid and Maxey. He’s increased his efficiency from the floor and also his offensive output. The pieces they got back from the Harden deal seem to have found their roles, so Harris looks to have a nice outlook on the remainder of the season.
Other Notable Players
ADP (via Basketball Monster)
- Brook Lopez (MIL)
111 → 42 (+69 nice) - Deni Avdija (WSH)
138 → 74 (+64) - Kelly Oubre (PHI)
122 → 62 (+60) - Mike Conley (MIN)
123 → 77 (+46) - John Collins (UTA)
110 → 64 (+46) - Chet Holgrem (OKC)
44 → 11 (+33) - Paul George (LAC)
41 → 6 (+33) - Dillon Brooks (HOU)
137 → 106 (+31)
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