2022 Fantasy Basketball ADP Player Debates: Christian Wood vs Jonas Valanciunas
The 2022-23 NBA season is almost here and it's time to get ready for your fantasy basketball drafts. Deciding between two players with similar average draft position (ADP) is always an issue that arises on draft day. Everyone wants to find those elusive fantasy basketball sleepers while avoiding the player busts. As you're preparing for those fantasy basketball drafts, let's dive into a player debate between Jonas Valanciunas and Christian Wood for the upcoming season. Be sure to check out Fantasy Alarm's fantasy basketball player rankings for the 2022-23 NBA season. Plus, take advantage of our FREE Ultimate Fantasy Basketball Cheat Sheet. Let's now take a closer look at Valanciunas vs Wood in the latest fantasy basketball ADP player debate!
Why You Should Draft Jonas Valanciunas
Heading over to New Orleans last year, it was seemingly a perfect spot for Jonas Valanciunas because the Pelicans were going to be without Zion Williamson and they needed a secondary scorer for Brandon Ingram. He was everything and more for them averaging 17.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. That being said, they went out and traded for C.J. McCollum at last years trade deadline and are getting Zion Williamson back to start 2022. How is it possible that Valanciunas maintains the type of production he had last year? I’m not sure it’s even going to be close, to be honest. His aggregate ADP right now is 55.7.
Why You Should Draft Christian Wood
Thirteen picks later than Valanciunas, based on aggregate ADP, new Dallas Maverick Christian Wood is being drafted. Although Wood may not be the Dallas’ starter, he’s going to play a whole lot when you consider who is his competition in the front court. JaVale McGee may be starting, but we’ve seen this song and dance, as McGee started 68 games in 2017-’18 and averaged 16.6 minutes. Wood, who started for Houston last year, averaged 17.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 blocks, and .8 blocks. That was in a losing environment without being set-up like he will playing alongside Luka Doncic. Let’s not ignore Wood shot 39% from three-point range last year on almost five attempts.
Verdict
I’d rather take Christian Wood at his ADP than Jonas Valanciunas at his. Wood is likely going to have multi-position eligibility, more opportunity due to what’s around him versus Valanciunas. The big man in New Orleans is behind Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and C.J. McCollum in terms of priority on the offensive end of things. For Wood, there’s a chance he reverts back to his 2020-21 self.
Related NBA Links:
- The Ultimate Fantasy Basketball Cheat Sheet 2022
- 2022-2023 Fantasy Basketball Preseason Player Rankings
- 2022 Fantasy Basketball ADP Player Debates: James Harden vs Jayson Tatum
- 2022 Fantasy Basketball Busts: Russell Westbrook is Being Overvalued
- 2022 Fantasy Basketball Rookies: Paolo Banchero Could Make an Impact Right away
- 2022 Fantasy Basketball Sleepers: Devin Vassell Steps Up In San Antonio
Player News
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Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
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Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
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Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.