Every year, we talk ourselves into drafting players we shouldn’t in hopes that they come through for us just one of these years. We continue to draft these players who are often injured or players who we deem will be the “breakout” star of the season, even though they’ve been mid-level players for their entire career.
Instead of following logic, we disregard that little voice in our heads screaming, “Don’t do it,” and dive headfirst into misery- all because of the “10-game stretch” they had the year before. Here are some big names who have pained our hearts this season with their terrible performances.
LaMelo Ball
LaMelo Ball has frustrated fantasy owners the past few seasons with his inability to stay on the basketball court due to lingering injuries. Ball has missed 23 out of 45 games this season, dealing with an ailing ankle. To begin the season, Ball was a projected late 1st round-early 2nd round draft pick because of his ability to fill up a stat sheet with high-level scoring, assist, rebounding, threes, steals, and high free throw percentage.
Ball has put up his usual great numbers in his limited time, but sadly, those numbers mean nothing when he spends more than half the time in your IR slot. The Hornets are rotting at the bottom of the standing, and the likelihood of Ball playing at the end of the season during the Fantasy Playoffs is becoming increasingly doubtful as time passes. Ball’s trade value is very low, with everyone knowing he is “damaged goods
LaMelo Ball - Right Ankle Tendinopathy.
Tendinopathy is a type of tendon disorder that results in pain, swelling, and impaired function. The pain is typically worse with movement. It most commonly occurs around the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, or ankle. Causes may include… pic.twitter.com/iycD5yR8GA
Zach Lavine
Zach Lavine finished in the top 50 last season but over the years, he has dealt with major injuries that have caused him to miss significant time. Lavine has been linked in many trade rumors, but teams are hesitant to pull the trigger with his history of knee problems. Despite this, fantasy owners still dabbled in the Lavine pool, taking him as early as the late 3rd round of fantasy drafts because of his past explosive numbers.
Lavine has only suited up in 25 of 48 Bulls games this season. Lavine is averaging less than 20 points for the first time since his 4th season in the league and has fantasy owners staying up late with the regret of drafting him so high. Lavine is currently still injured and has no set timetable for return. It’s still up in the air if Lavine even plays in a Bulls jersey this year, leaving his rest-of-season value in doubt.
Jordan Poole
Jordan Poole has been so bad that his fantasy owners have begun to thank Draymond Green for the infamous punch he put on Poole last year. Coming into the year, fantasy owners were very excited about the idea of Poole being the main guy for his own team, with the Warriors trading him away to the Wizards this off-season. Poole, who was known for his flashy and aggressive offensive game with the Warriors, has been a complete shadow of himself with his unassertiveness this entire season.
Jordan Poole continues to amaze me ..pic.twitter.com/SqhozY1eHB
Poole is currently the 139th-ranked player this season and is only averaging 16.5 points and 3.4 assists for the year. These are modest numbers for a guy who was projected to average 25+ points a game. With Poole’s immaturity and nonchalant manner to the game, he should be on everyone’s hate list heading into next season.
Walker Kessler
The second-year center impressed fantasy owners at the end of last season when he took over the starting center role for the Utah Jazz. Walker Kessler finished the season in the top 70 rankings with his big-time shot blocking and highly efficient offensive game around the rim. Kessler came into the season with great expectations from fantasy owners, with him now being the full-time starter.
These expectations for Kessler were short-lived with his early season injuries and current benching. Kessler, who had projections as high as 30th overall coming into the season, now sits at the 76th spot because of his diminished playing time and low usage. The Jazz look to be content with playing small for the remainder of the season. Assuming that's the case, there's doubt that Kessler can ever regain a 30+ minute a-night role in their rotation.
Deandre Ayton
Just a couple of weeks ago, this former first-overall pick self-proclaimed himself as a max-contract player despite not living up to his potential coming into the league. Deandre Ayton was traded this off-season to the Portland Trailblazers and was expected to be the face of the franchise. Fantasy owners were quick to grab Ayton as soon as the 3rd round despite the years of underwhelming play from the big.
Ayton has played in 31 of Portland's 47 games and is currently ranked outside the top 70. Ayton is now averaging less than 14 points a game this season and is attempting a whopping 1.4 free throws per game, despite being a 7’0 foot tall center. Ayton, when available, has left owners scratching their heads this season with his life-less play, recently posting a 5-point, seven-rebound game in January in 27 minutes. Although Ayton has great skills and untapped potential, he should be on everyone’s hate list next season with his uninspired play.
Ja Morant
The John Wick impersonator Ja Morant missed his first 25 games for his off-the-court antics to begin the season. Despite the suspension, a lot of fantasy owners “jumped the gun,” grabbing Morant in the top 150 in fantasy drafts, hoping to receive great value for a regularly top 20 ranked player.
That pick rewarded owners with nine games played. Morant averaged 25 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 8.1 assists on 47% shooting. Morant leaves owners wondering what could have been if he had been able to finish out the entire season.
BREAKING: Ja Morant has been suspended for 25 games by the NBA, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/0hZ7CRqyEA
Ben Simmons
Yep, you did it again. You knew what you were signing up for, but you couldn’t help yourself. Ben Simmon entices fantasy owners with his high assist, rebounding numbers, and added defensive stats. Simmon's is a walking “10-10-10” triple-double player, but there’s only one problem: the “walking” part.
Simmon’s started the season off very well and showed the NBA world why he was regarded as one of the young faces of the league just a few years ago. That success was short-lived after Simmon’s re-aggravated the back injury that has plagued him since joining the Brooklyn Nets two seasons ago. Simmons was being selected in the middle rounds of drafts even with him being draped in the “Louis Vuitton” “red flag” sweater.
Simmon’s has recently returned from his injury, but fantasy owners can’t help but sit at their phones waiting for the alert of a “week to week” injury tag for the guard. Simmons will be a first-team hate-lister until he consistently shows he can play on the basketball court without fear of a long-term injury.
Other Notable Disappointments
Josh Giddey, Mark Williams, Jimmy Butler, Markelle Fultz, Chris Paul, Cameron Johnson, Jakob Poetl, Gordon Hayward
