Sneaky Value around the NSL

I scanned across the league to look for some NSL players who were providing great value for their teams, making the most of their expanded NSL playing times or skillsets (compared to their NBA counterpart). For the most part, teams who did well were composed of consolidated contributors and nothing much stood out. Most of the value comes from teams with worse records where more usage and responsibility is available. And, in true 2k and NSL fashion, it appears easier for bigs to grab stats and usage compared to the NBA.

Egor Demin
14.4 points, 8.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds per game in 33.5 minutes

What a wonderful surprise for LJ and the Mavericks’ fans, with their prized rookie hitting the ground running and playing like a vetted-out floor general. Demin has been critical to the Mavericks success, one of the few playmakers who can set up the big front-court in good spots. Standing at 6’8’, Demin is also an adequate defender in 2k, providing bonus value for the Mavericks on both sides of the ball.

Moussa Diabate
15.3 points, 12.3 rebounds. 2.4 assists, 3 stocks in 35.4 minutes

“I TOLD YA, SHEED!” yells GM Jmac, shaking his fists and rueing his past decisions. The ‘Moose’ has been dominant inside for the Pistons, responsible for their frisky competitiveness as he tries to earn tenure in the league. Diabate is a terrific athlete, trading some height and size for an endless motor and springy athleticism. The young big enjoyed true breakout performances, with games of 32/12/7, 20/20 and 26/24. Yuuuuge.

Precious Achiuwa
11.5 points 7.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.9 stocks in 31.4 minutes

One of the key free agent additions that has likely buoyed the Pacers season to greater aspirations, Achiuwa has been the quintessential glue guy across the first 4 weeks of the season. Efficient and versatile, the forward has been able to link up passes for easy looks for his teammates, clean the glass and finish plays. Achiuwa’s length and athleticism and high motor means he is dangerous in passing lanes.

Jonathan Kuminga (only 8 games though)

21.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists. 2.1 stocks in 31.9 minutes 

Kuminga’s reputation might be trashed in the NBA, where he routinely receives DNP’s from his coach after holding out for silly money for almost an entire season. However, here, he is a beloved Celtic and he looks to have a potential breakout season ahead of him. Just shy of 22 and 7 a night, they are close to All-Star numbers (in a lean year of stars). Teammate Cam Whitmore was a chance to end up on this list, too, but his stat line was a lot more ‘unethical’ than Kuminga's. With Tatum on the shelf for likely the whole season, there’s a huge amount of usage (and rope) to go around for the bottoming-out Celtics.

Khaman Maluach
16.6 points, 10 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 3 stocks in 34.6 minutes

A lone ‘bright-spot’ might be too much, but it might also be entirely accurate. The Suns have gotten off to a rough start, their worst of all time in the NSL to date. Amongst the rubble of injuries, youth and offensive-minded wings, the big rookie Maluach has been everything laddas had envisioned and hoped for. Putting up the quintessential ‘great, glitch big man’ 2k numbers, Maluach is already playing at a level that makes him a quality starter at the C spot. Thankfully, this means one less position for laddas and the Front Office to worry about in the rebuild/shuffle.

Donovan Clingan
19.9 points, 15.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3 stocks in 34.6 minutes

‘Cling Kong’ (just a superb nickname, by the way) has been putting up arguably All-Star and All-NSL Defense numbers across the young season. The Hawks are pressing for a Play-In spot and Clingan has been the Hawks’ best player, supplementing for his offensive-minded teammates and protecting the paint and gobbling up rebounds. I think he can absolutely keep it up and Donovan is showing GM bulldog and the NSL world that he can be a future All-Star big man and cornerstone for the Hawks for the next decade.

Tristan Vukcevic
11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals per game in 15.6 minutes

I mean, you twisted my arm, sure - I will include a Blazer. In all fairness, Vooch 2.0 has a genuine claim to be on this list, as in 2k he looks to be a legitimate scorer and quick, tall big man, with a more refined and controlled game than one would expect. Despite being on a 2-way contract, and playing sparingly for Portland, when he is on the score he goes at almost a point per minute. He is inconsistent, and has had some quiet games, but check out these point totals three of the others - 32, 26, 20. A nice 2k-ceiling is definitely there!