Welcome to the weekly NBA stock report where we go around the league and examine whose stock is rising and whose is falling.
There is still three quarters of the season left, but we are already starting to get an idea of the NBA’s true contenders and pretenders. Much like the teams to which they belong, individual players continue to rise and fall as well.
In this edition of the Stock Report, injuries have greatly impacted two Toronto Raptors, a pair of twins are headed in opposite directions, and an aging legend bottoms out.
Stock Rising
Terrence Ross: The DeMarre Carroll signing shifted the polarizing Ross to a bench role in 2015-16. The former Slam Dunk Contest champ showed some promise early in the season, earning a handsome contract extension in the process. Inconsistency then kept Ross’s minutes down before a finger issue sidelined him for six games.
Now with Carroll out indefinitely, Ross resumes his role as the Raptors’ starting small forward. In two starts since, he’s had one great game, and one mediocre outing. Toronto does not need the fourth-year man to post flashy numbers, but it can’t afford for him to go completely invisible either. Ross has a great opportunity to step up. Let’s see if he can run with it.
Gordon Hayward: With a bulked-up frame, Hayward was expected to fully break out in his sixth season in Utah. He struggled out of the gate, but has found his form over the past two weeks. During that time, he’s averaged a terrific 21.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals. With defensive anchor Rudy Gobert sidelined, Hayward and Derrick Favors have carried the young and underrated Jazz, who currently sit in a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Marcus Morris: Always the overlooked of the Morris twins during his time in Phoenix, Marcus has come into his own in his first season with the Pistons. He’s averaging more than 36 minutes per game with his new team and he’s taking advantage of the extra run. Through 23 games, he’s averaging career highs in pretty much every category. He’s also getting along famously with his Pistons teammates, especially standout centre Andre Drummond. Keep an eye out for the pair’s debut musical effort.
Stock Falling
Luis Scola: Whereas Ross has the chance to improve with the absence of Carroll, Scola has missed his frontcourt partner, Jonas Valanciunas. The Argentinian forward remains steady and is coming off a big game against the San Antonio Spurs, but in the larger scheme of things, he’s seen his production drop. There’s been a decline in his field-goal percentage and rebounding totals, but the biggest difference is in his three-point efficiency. With Valanciunas in the lineup, Scola connects on 50 per cent of his attempts from beyond the arc, compared to only 31 per cent without. This is likely attributed to Bismack Biyombo’s limited offensive repertoire, which allows opposing defences to focus on Scola.
Paul Pierce: Raptors fans will be happy to see their nemesis on this list. Pierce has enjoyed an immensely successful NBA career, but at age 38, the end is in sight. His first year with the Clippers has not been kind as he’s been held scoreless in three of his past four outings, scoring only one point in the other. For the season, he’s reached double-digit scoring in only three games. Maybe he’s run out of “it.”
Markieff Morris: Markieff was not a happy camper when his brother Marcus was dealt to the Pistons. Over the summer, Markieff voiced his displeasure with the Suns organization, going as far as demanding a trade. The big man is having a lacklustre campaign, posting a line of 11.4 points and 5.2 rebounds while knocking down only 39 per cent of his shot attempts. His minutes are on the decline and he’s even seen a dreaded DNP-CD. Perhaps a change of scenery is what the 13th pick in the 2011 draft needs as his name has resurfaced in trade rumours.
