Kobe Bryant Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections
Freddie Freeman and a pair of Cubs (Rizzo & Bryant) top RotoGrinders projections tonight
Freddie Freeman is followed by a pair of Cubs (Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant) atop the RotoGrinders projections tonight. While all are great bats, off to strong starts (via wRC+), Freeman clearly has the better matchup against Jered Weaver. Chase Anderson hasn't been bad in his first two starts. Matt Joyce (131 wRC+, .221 ISO vs RHP since 2016) is the only batter projected for more than 2.5 points per $1K of salary on DraftKings and should hit at the top of the lineup against A.J. Griffin (.411 wOBA, 44.5 Hard%, 27.6 GB% vs LHBs since 2015). Joyce is joined on FanDuel by potential top values in J.T. Realmuto (79 wRC+, .167 ISO vs LHP since 2016) against Ariel Miranda (.303 wOBA, 36.5 Hard% vs RHBs career) and Adam Frazier (119 wRC+, .155 ISO vs RHP), who is almost the minimum against Lance Lynn (.352 wOBA vs RHBs since 2015). Top pitchers are projected to be the top priced ones with Salazar and Lackey followed closely by Ray, though Charlie Morton and his increased velocity is projected for the most value on either site. He can be had for right around $6.5K in both places. Players can see projected point totals for all players on the RotoGrinders Projections page.
Kobe Bryant to start the final game of his career against the Jazz
Bryant will be the starting for the final time in his storied career. Kobe should be considered an elite option against the Jazz with Favors and Gobert out of the lineup. Bryant does not have any minutes restrictions and will be playing for the win tonight.
It's been a great year. Thanks to everyone for following along this entire season.
Kobe Bryant (shoulder) to start on Monday
Bryant will be making his last career start on the road against the Thunder. Bryant should be considered a viable tournament option but carries considerable risk after taking 22 shots last night. Bryant will likely play 27-30 minutes and could be owned more than usual after hitting 9x yesterday. Bryant has two 40+ fpts games this month so the upside is there for GPPs.
Kobe Bryant starting against the Pelicans on Friday
Bryant will be making the final start of his career against the Pelicans. Bryant has only exceeded value once in the last six games thus making him a risky punt option today. With the Pelicans basically starting a D-League team, Bryant has tournament upside. D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and Roy Hibbert round out the starting five.
Kobe Bryant will play today; should see just shy of 30 minutes
Lakers Head Coach Byron Scott stated Bryant would play tonight and would get close to 28 minutes. Bryant is the definition of GPP only play - he has the upside to put up big numbers (as he did three games ago against Boston with a 45+ fpt outing) but can also lay an egg (as he did two games ago with a 10 fpt outing). The Pelicans are a great match up so Bryant is worth a look; but it's probably best to limit your exposure. His playing is a slight downgrade to Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell.
Jordan Clarkson (knee) expected to play on Wednesday
Clarkson is expected to start against the Clippers on Wednesday. He is expected to be limited making him a risky DFS option. If Clarkson misses the game expect Bryant and D'Angelo Russell to pick up most of the usage.
Kobe Bryant will be starting against the Clippers on Wednesday
Kobe Bryant will be making his final appearance against the Clippers on Wednesday. Bryant is expected to play about 28 minutes if the Lakers can keep the score close. Bryant is strictly a tournament option and will have a low ownership percentage after not playing well last night. Bryant salary is still considered a punt, leaving us with some tournament upside.
Kobe Bryant starting against the Clippers on Tuesday
Kobe Bryant will play against the Clippers and is expected to play on both nights of the back-to-back. Tonight is a Clippers home and they are planning a video tribute for Bryant. Kobe had 48.5 DKFP against the Celtics on Sunday and took 28 shots in 33 minutes. Bryant is not expected to shoot that many times on Tuesday but makes a nice tournament option with his salary at a punt level. There's not a ton of downside but coming off a big game his ownership levels are expected to be high.
Lou WIlliams and Brandon Bass likely to be shut down for the season
The Lakers are looking to finish out their season developing the young players. Williams and Bass have not been officially shut down with the Lakers playing Tuesday and Wednesday. Williams did not play on Sunday and only sees major minutes when Bryant is out of the lineup. With Kobe expected to play in the remaining six games, Williams will likely not have a spot in the rotation. Bass also did not play on Sunday with Tarik Black getting most of the big man minutes off the bench. Black played 19 minutes but failed to make a fantasy impact. Julius Randle becomes an elite option with Bass expected to be out of the lineup.
Kobe Bryant starting against the Celtics on Sunday
Kobe Bryant will be making his final start against the rival Boston Celtics. Kobe played well against the Celtics earlier (33.8 fpts) this season and deserves tournament consideration at his punt level salary. This is the cheapest he's been all season, presenting us with a ton of upside. Bryant thrives in games like these but there is still a slight concern that his minutes will be limited. If the Lakers can keep it close, Bryant has a chance to play 30 minutes.