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USATSI

Week 5 of the 2021-22 NBA season is at its midpoint. Some notable players have taken leaps to become priority buy high fantasy candidates, while others are picking up steam after dealing with injuries early. Moving fast risers from Week 5 could help fantasy managers improve their rosters, and one Eastern Conference guard stands out as a top-notch sell-high candidate.

Which players should fantasy managers aim to acquire? And which assets should be moved now? Here are six of my favorite buy and sell candidates ahead of Week 6.

Four to buy

Buy High

  • Cole Anthony: Anthony appears to be the real deal. The second-year Magic guard has been given the keys to Orlando's offense and leads the team in 19.9 points and 5.7 assists per game. Only four point guards have made more threes than Anthony in 2021 and only five have more double-doubles. While Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac could cut into his usage at some point this season, they'll likely be eased back into things once they return to the hardwood.
  • Jonas Valanciunas: Valanciunas was a top-10 fantasy center in 2020 and 2021 but has reached new heights this year. He leads the NBA with 11 double-doubles in 16 appearances. His rebounding (12.9) and assist (2.6) averages are at all-time highs. The Pelicans' lack of frontcourt depth without Williamson has contributed to Valanciunas's success, but his consistency is hard to come by at any position at this point in the season. 

Buy low

  • Brandon Ingram: Ingram has missed seven games with a hip injury but has returned to the Pelicans' starting lineup. The New Orleans swingman has taken on a normal workload in November, though. Ingram's playing time has increased with each game since returning from injury and is averaging 23 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per contest in November. Ingram's scoring and rebounding numbers have the potential to rise while Zion Williamson (foot) is out for the foreseeable future. He's cracked the top five at his position in points leagues in each of his previous two seasons. 
  • Kristaps Porzingis: Luka Doncic's co-star is putting things together after kicking off the year with yet another underwhelming start. Back pain has caused him to miss games here and there, but he's averaged 23.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists over his last five appearances. Porzingis has improved his efficiency in November and he's sure to climb ranks in points leagues if he can avoid lingering injuries. Luka Doncic's (ankle) and Maxi Kleber's (oblique) injuries could give Dallas's stretch four hold onto his featured role early in Week 6.

Two to sell

Sell high

  • Dennis Schroder: Shroder has performed like more than a high-end backup point guard over the last week. He's scored at least 20 real points in four of his last six games while taking advantage of Jaylen Brown's hamstring injury. Brown is nearing a return, though, and that could lower Schroder's ceiling significantly. Schroder averaged 12.8 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per contest in eight appearances with Brown. He's averaged 21.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists with the Celtics' star shooting guard available. 

Sell low

  • Jordan Clarkson: Last year's Sixth Man of the Year has been underwhelming so far. The Jazz's top bench scorer is averaging 15.4 points per game, but his efficiency has plummeted. He's shooting 36 percent from the field and 25 percent from three and offers little rebounding or playmaking. Bojan Bogdanovic's resurgent season has made Clarkson an afterthought at this point. Swapping him for low-end starters with better efficiency could be ideal in Roto leagues.