Rotoworld Fantasy Basketball Podcast

Ryan Knaus and Steve Alexander join Matt Stroup to dive into some recent fantasy hoops trends, including a first-round-caliber surge from Robert Covington, some eye-catching box scores from Hamidou Diallo in Detroit and more encouraging signs from Chuma Okeke after the Magic traded away Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier. We also discuss the value of Kelly Olynyk in Houston now that Christian Wood is back, and consider some late-season shutdown candidates for the Rockets and the Raptors.

Ryan Knaus, Steve Alexander, Raphielle Johnson and Jared Johnson join Matt Stroup for a discussion of some notable risers in fantasy leagues after the trade deadline, including Jaden McDaniels, Chuma Okeke and Saben Lee. We also debate the season-long pros and cons of Dillon Brooks in Memphis, and wonder if it's actually too late for his high-profile teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. to make an impact before the season is out.

Matt Stroup and Steve Alexander break down some of the most noteworthy and intriguing recent waiver wire pickups, including the fast-emerging Orlando Magic forward Chuma Okeke, who put up a 22-6-4 stat line on Friday night. We also discuss huge opportunities for Aleksej Pokusevski and Theo Maledon (as well as Isaiah Roby and Moses Brown) in Oklahoma City, plus Jae'Sean Tate (who's still somehow available in a lot of leagues), Daniel Gafford and Jaden McDaniels.

Matt Stroup and Steve Alexander react to the big moves from the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, including what Aaron Gordon’s arrival in Denver means for Michael Porter Jr., how Nikola Vucevic will adjust to playing alongside Zach LaVine, and who could benefit among Otto Porter Jr., Wendell Carter Jr., Terrence Ross and Chuma Okeke for an Orlando team that has gone into ultra-rebuild mode. Plus, the new outlook for Norm Powell as he moves from Toronto to Portland, and some potentially very exciting news for fast-rising Celtics center Robert Williams.

Matt Stroup is joined by five writers from the NBC Sports Edge hoops crew — Steve Alexander, Ryan Knaus, Raphielle Johnson, Corey Parson and Jared Johnson — to consider Nic Claxton's recent performance, and upside, in Brooklyn. We also discuss potential trade destinations for Lonzo Ball, Kyle Lowry and Aaron Gordon, one notable pre-deadline stash in New Orleans, and the rest-of-season ceiling for rookies Anthony Edwards, Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart.

Steve Alexander and Matt Stroup recommend some of the most notable fantasy waiver wire pickups, including Talen Horton-Tucker after the high ankle sprain to LeBron James over the weekend. We also look at Jordan Poole, who’s had some big games recently in the absence of Steph Curry, and the rising rookie combo of Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart for the Pistons. Plus, some high-upside stashes ahead of the trade deadline in Oklahoma City and New Orleans.

Matt Stroup is joined by Steve Alexander and Ryan Knaus to look at how Kevin Porter Jr. is starting to work his way into the James Harden role in the Houston Rockets offense, and whether the eventual return of John Wall can put a significant dent in his momentum. We also look at the continued emergence of Jakob Poeltl with LaMarcus Aldridge on his way out of San Antonio, plus some impressive numbers from Moses Brown in Oklahoma City, and the remarkable consistency of Raptors scoring machine Norm Powell.

Matt Stroup is joined by Ryan Knaus, Steve Alexander, Raphielle Johnson and Jared Johnson to debate and discuss a wide range of fantasy topics, including who we'd rather roster in a fantasy league between Nikola Vucevic and a currently-injured Anthony Davis. We also check in on three notable rookies (Tyrese Haliburton, Immanuel Quickley and Aleksej Pokusevski), and consider what new coach Nate McMillan plus the return of De'Andre Hunter means for Hawks forwards John Collins and Danilo Gallinari moving forward.

Matt Stroup and Steve Alexander search the fantasy basketball waiver wire for notable pickups, discussing the fast rise of Kevin Porter Jr. and KJ Martin in Houston, as the Rockets have suddenly opened up a huge opportunity for two dynamic young players. We also discuss the centers to consider in Philadelphia with the recent injury to Joel Embiid, plus the second-half potential of Isaiah Stewart and Hamidou Diallo in Detroit, and more per-minute excellence for De'Anthony Melton.

Matt Stroup is first joined by Ryan Knaus and Steve Alexander to look ahead to some key story lines during the second half of the NBA season, including the potential for Trae Young to hit another gear, and what to expect from Kevin Porter Jr. as he joins the Rockets. Then, Vaughn Dalzell and Corey Parson join the show to preview the NCAA Tournament — what to expect from likely top seeds Baylor, Gonzaga, Michigan and Illinois, plus sleeper teams, potential tournament busts and more.

ESPN's Senior Fantasy Football Analyst Matthew Berry joins Steve Alexander and Matt Stroup to talk about his days working at Rotoworld in the early 2000s — when he and Steve ever so briefly overlapped — and the many ways that fantasy sports have changed since then. We dive into how we find and distill fantasy advice in 2021 versus the early 2000s, including one key distinction that makes a big difference. Also on this episode: Matthew shares his origin story as a fantasy writer, and a timeless fantasy hoops strategy that still carries weight today.

Special guest Bob Rathbun (the TV play-by-play voice of the Atlanta Hawks) joins Dr. A and Matt Stroup to give his perspective on a wide range of topics, including what to expect from Trae Young, John Collins, Cam Reddish and De'Andre Hunter during the second half of the season. Bob also shares his thoughts on the downfall of the dunk contest, and passes along his favorite Hawks and Braves memories (shoutout to Andruw Jones). We also take a few minutes on this episode to mention some notable waiver wire pickups, including Jalen Brunson and Kevin Porter Jr., as we look ahead to the second half.

Matt Stroup and Steve Alexander discuss some of the wild happenings in NBA box scores right before the All-Star break, as TJ McConnell triple-doubled with steals and Dennis Smith Jr. triple-doubled period. We also hand out some first half fantasy awards, including Fantasy MVP, bust of the year so far and biggest regret in our drafts — of which there were many.

Raphielle Johnson, Ryan Knaus, Steve Alexander and Jared Johnson join Matt Stroup to discuss some recent fantasy trends, including the ongoing divide between the real-life and fantasy value of Devin Booker. We also break down what we've seen recently from rookies LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and Patrick Williams, and how much they could regress and/or improve moving forward. Plus, what to do with Draymond Green as his bounce-back campaign continues, and with Robert Covington during his roller coaster season.

Matt Stroup and Steve Alexander discuss some of the most intriguing names to consider on the waiver wire, including Robert Williams, who spawns a new idea for a league setting (the "don't let me drop this player" button). We also break down a big opportunity for Jarred Vanderbilt in Minnesota, a continued surge for Derrick Jones Jr. and some impressive recent numbers for rookie Isaac Okoro.

Matt Stroup and Ryan Knaus break down some recent fantasy hoops trends, including prolonged shooting slumps for Jayson Tatum and Buddy Hield, and why we're much more optimistic about one of them than the other. We also look at an encouraging run from Wendell Carter Jr. and debate whether Mason Plumlee can hold value all season before turning our attention to the agonizing free throw woes of otherwise fun and exciting fantasy point guard De'Aaron Fox.

Matt Stroup is joined by Ryan Knaus, Steve Alexander, Jared Johnson and Raphielle Johnson to break down some recent fantasy hoops-related developments. We discuss where DeMarcus Cousins could land after his release from the Rockets, and whether he can end up on a team that plans to give him extended run. We also highlight some monstrous recent production from Jamal Murray and Domantas Sabonis, and gauge what to expect from rookies Theo Maledon, Isaac Okoro and Jae'Sean Tate moving forward.

We have a special guest on this episode, as Adam Schefter stops by to talk fantasy hoops, including some early-round draft success (Luka Doncic, Nikola Vucevic, Fred VanVleet) as well as some quintessential 2021 agony (Robert Covington). He also discusses some notable competition in his league (Adrian Wojnarowski) and players he has added from waivers, including Robert Williams, Theo Maledon and Facundo Campazzo. Those three are among the players we highlight during our waiver wire conversation, where we also look at Jae'Sean Tate, Lu Dort and Derrick Jones Jr. — all putting up big numbers lately.

Matt Stroup is joined by Ryan Knaus and Steve Alexander to look at some recent NBA trends, including more amazing statistical feats from the ageless (35, specifically) Chris Paul, and some ongoing struggles for his very young teammate, Deandre Ayton. We also check in on a surge from Ricky Rubio, some boom and bust for Anthony Edwards, and all the joy of the Kyle "Slow Mo" Anderson experience.

Ryan Knaus, Raphielle Johnson, Steve Alexander and Jared Johnson join Matt Stroup to highlight a wide range of recent fantasy hoops developments. We discuss the injury that's expected to sideline Anthony Davis for multiple weeks (or longer), and what it means for the Lakers' rotation — most notably Kyle Kuzma. Plus, the emergence of rookie Saddiq Bey with Blake Griffin's Pistons career nearing an end. We also discuss more encouraging signs from Zion Williamson, and a monster February for Steph Curry and Terry Rozier so far.