Ty Jerome's 45-Point Opener Peaks Fantasy Value

Ty Jerome scored 45 points against the Utah Jazz on opening night and followed it up with 28 points and five assists against the Golden State Warriors. This early surge has made the Memphis Grizzlies guard a prime target for fantasy managers looking to sell high. He is rostered in nearly 90% of ESPN leagues, meaning most owners already have him. The general consensus is to offer him up now in exchange for a struggling veteran who is likely to bounce back, such as Trey Murphy III or Brandon Miller. Jerome's hot start is partly due to weak opponents, and sustaining that shooting pace for an entire season is difficult.

Draymond Green's early numbers suggest the opposite move. The 36-year-old Golden State Warriors forward has scored just seven points across two games. He also recorded one block, one steal, and one three-pointer. Green sat out the second game of a back-to-back set on Saturday night. With the Warriors struggling to compete, it is unclear if Green and Stephen Curry will play every minute this season. Fantasy experts recommend dropping Green for players like Jalen Smith, Yaxel Lendeborg, or Wendell Carter Jr. His production currently does not justify a roster spot in most leagues.

Three other players show early promise. Dennis Schroder of the Charlotte Hornets has been a strong waiver wire add. He scored 25 points and added six rebounds, four assists, and three three-pointers in a win against Miami on Saturday. Schroder has played for 12 different teams in his career, but his current role provides consistent fantasy value. Owners should note that Coby White is currently out with a calf strain. Once White returns, Schroder's minutes may decrease, making him a short-term solution for those needing points and assists.

Jalen Smith of the Chicago Bulls offers steady production from the frontcourt. The Bulls are thin at center, with Zach Collins and Tobe Awaka seeing limited minutes. Smith has scored 14 or 15 points in each of his first three games. He averages 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. He has also made four three-pointers in his last two outings. If he remains available on the waiver wire, he is a solid pickup, though his health and the return of Nic Claxton are factors to monitor.

Myles Turner of the Milwaukee Bucks is struggling to find his rhythm. He scored zero points in Saturday's loss to Philadelphia and has averaged 7.7 points and 4.3 rebounds over three games. He played only 20 minutes on Saturday due to foul trouble. In his absence, Kel'el Ware produced 19 points and 13 rebounds. Turner remains the starter, but his low output makes him a potential lowball trade target if the Bucks coaching staff continues to lean on Ware.

Onyeka Okongwu of the Atlanta Hawks has also started slowly. He has not scored more than 10 points or grabbed more than six rebounds in any of his first three games. He recorded his first block and steal of the season on Saturday. The Hawks have other offensive options, including Jalen Johnson and Aaron Wiggins, which may limit Okongwu's production. However, his ability to hit three-pointers makes him a candidate for trade offers before he finds his stride.

The first week of the NBA season has clearly separated the players who have found their roles from those who are still waiting for their minutes. Managers should act on these early trends before the schedule normalizes and the initial hot starts fade.