Toronto Raptors: NBA fantasy update, early season awards

TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors high five against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 30, 2018 at Soctiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors high five against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 30, 2018 at Soctiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Danny Green (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

Danny Green (SG/SF)

Preseason Ranking: 157
Average Pick: 134.8
Current Ranking: 72

Green also qualifies as a “Comeback Player of the Year” thanks to getting back to top-100 value following a dismal season last season. The 31-year-old is playing his best basketball since 2014-15 when he was a top-50 player.

While he’s unlikely to be that good this season, Green is at least serviceable enough to at least be a utility player. Averaging 2.6 triples, 1.0 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, Green fills the “three-and-D” stats that could be the difference in 9-Cat Head-to-Head leagues.

Green still struggles with consistency and lays an egg in some games. Part of that can be assigned to Green himself, but most of that it is due to the nature of his role in Toronto. Green is at his best when used in a high-efficiency, low-usage capacity. The Raptors are not going to be changing his role anytime soon.

But at his best, he fills it up. Just as he did against Golden State in November when he had 13 points, three 3’s, five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal with NO turnovers.

Players starved for threes and defensive stats should add Green as he is still unowned in 42% of leagues. Be patient with him and don’t give up after one or two bad games as he will reward you with a gem at least once a week.