Welcome to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who and what to play — as far as music in my rotation — for the coming week in fantasy basketball.
Each week you’ll see a compilation of the pickups you need to make, a quick look at the schedule, and roster notes (who’s in and out of rotations).
Press play and browse the latest fantasy basketball news.
Week 9 Recap
Best Players of Week 9
“Classic man” – feat of Jidenna. Roman GianArthur
Who is part of my rotation: waiver of pickups
Players expected to be rostered in all leagues at less than 50%:
De’Andre Hunter, Gradey Dick, Rui Hachimura, Alex Sarr, Yves Missi, Malcolm Brogdon, Malik Beasley and Andrew Nembhard.
Players to add this week with a roster below 40%:
Scotty Pippen Jr. – PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies (34%)
One of fantasy basketball’s most valuable backups is expected to be added to all leagues once again, with Ja Morant day-to-day with a shoulder injury. With Morant off the court, Pippen Jr. is averaging 15 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.7 shares and 34 fantasy points per game this season. He was also effective as a starter, shooting 53% from the field and 40% from 3.
Spencer Dinwiddie – PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks (21%)
With Dončić out for at least a month, Dinwiddie joins the Mavs’ starting unit. He’s been a proven streaming option in the face of an increased workload, averaging 17 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.7 dimes as a starter this season. For those playing in 9-cat leagues, his FG% might be a slight hindrance, but the counting stats are worth the slight drop in this area. Quentin Grimes (19%) is the next best option if Dinwiddie is unavailable. Grimes also gets a boost as Naji Marshall was suspended for three games for his minor scuffle with Jusuf Nurkić.
Scoot Henderson – PG, Portland Trail Blazers (30%)
It’s been a roller coaster ride for the second-year pro, but he’s been on a roll this past week. He’s averaging 17/3/6 with almost 3 steals per game in his last three games and while I’ll always prefer Henderson in point leagues over 9-cat, he’s been effective in both formats – ranking 39th in 9-cat and 51st in points leagues. Stock numbers and efficient shooting are rarities for Scoot, so Fantasy managers should ride the wave while it’s hot.
Best Streaming Options
Early and midweek, Monday to Thursday:
Derrick Jones Jr. – SF/PF, Los Angeles Clippers (11%)
DJJ has some short-term appeal with the Clippers playing back-to-back Monday-Tuesday against the Pelicans and Spurs. The Clippers will also play a six-game slate on Thursday against the Thunder. That’s three games with a trade before Kawhi Leonard’s potential return on Saturday. Jones Jr. will be an asset for fantasy managers in need of steals, points and 3s. Kris Dunn (10%) is a deep league option if DJJ is picked up.
Peyton Watson – SF/PF, Denver Nuggets (5%)
The Nuggets play the Jazz on Monday and the Hawks on Wednesday, which presents a good opportunity for Watson. Aaron Gordon (calf) will miss at least two more games. Watson’s scoring has been hit or miss as of late, but he has been a regular contributor in 9-cat league action.
Kelly Oubre Jr. – SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers (34%)
The Sixers have a good schedule for Week 10, starting with the Trail Blazers on Monday and back-to-back games against the Warriors and Kings on Wednesday and Thursday. Joel Embiid and Paul George will likely play in one of those games, so Oubre is another player for whom a trade can span multiple games. His scoring has slowed down with everyone healthy, but he still puts up enough stats to be added in 12 team point and 9 cat leagues.
Mid-week and weekend, Thursday to Sunday:
Dalton Knecht – SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers (17%)
The Lakers play three games in four nights Thursday through Sunday, with matchups against the Blazers, Hawks and Rockets. With Russell gone, Knecht could move to the first option off the bench. He’s played well in his last two outings, averaging 15 points, five rebounds and 1.5 threes in 29 minutes of action.
Luguentz Dort – SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder (22%)
Dort will be an option in 12-team leagues, as a trade can result in three games this weekend. The Thunder have a tough sled against the Clippers, Knicks and Celtics, but Dort is still a threat to generate steals and has been a top 100 player this season.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – SG/SF, Orlando Magic (26%)
The Magic will play three games against the Pistons, Raptors and Jazz on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday this week. Caldwell-Pope is a better option for 9-cat leagues, but he will be worth spreading around as the Magic are missing several key players. Caldwell-Pope has been a good source of 3s and plays over the last couple of weeks. We saw a slight uptick in scoring with Jalen Suggs leaving Sunday’s game with a wrist injury.
“Cheers” – Anderson Paak feat. Q-Tip
Calendar highlights
Week 10 is a good week to air waivers, with no slate going longer than nine games. Set your queues early on New Year’s Eve (December 31), as games will begin as early as 3 p.m. ET.
Here is the list of the total number of matches played this week:
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Daily schedule: Monday (7), Tuesday (6), Wednesday (8), Thursday (6), Friday (9), Saturday (9) and Sunday (6)
The teams I would avoid broadcasting players from are the Phoenix Suns. They only play two games on Tuesday and Saturday. Looking ahead to Week 11, if you have any trades left at the end of Week 10, pick up players like Royce O’Neale, as the Suns are the only team playing five games next week.
Here is the rest of the number of matches played by the team:
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13 teams play four games: 4 games: 76ers, Cavaliers, Celtics, Clippers, Jazz, Kings, Knicks, Lakers, Nuggets, Pelicans, Thunder, Warriors and Wizards.
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16 teams play three games: Bulls, Grizzlies, Hawks, Heat, Hornets, Magic, Mavericks, Nets, Pacers, Pistons, Raptors, Rockets, Spurs, Timberwolves and Trail Blazers.
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1 team plays two games: Suns
The consecutive schedule is available below:
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Monday/Tuesday: Cavs and Clippers
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Tuesday/Wednesday: Raptors
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Wednesday/Thursday: 76ers, Heat and Nets
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Thursday/Friday: Celtics, Lakers and Thunder
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Friday/Saturday: Grizzlies, Hawks, Knicks, Nuggets, Pistons and Spurs
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Saturday/Sunday: Jazz and Warriors
Injury status
Latest injury report for all NBA teams
NBA Injury Report – Monday, December 30
“Blessings” – feat of Big Sean. Duck
Rotation notes
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Brooklyn fillets: The Nets don’t play until Wednesday, giving D’Lo three days to return to his old team. Keon Johnson (13%) was a popular streaming option in Week 9, but that might be short-lived after this trade and the return of Cam Thomas on Sunday. Watch for Noah Clowney (17%) as one of the options to take over Finney-Smith’s minutes.
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Charlotte Frelons: Vasilije Micić’s stock (6%) is up for Monday, as the Hornets are missing two of their best players, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. This is likely a one-game feed, as the Hornets have three days off before playing again Friday against the Pistons.
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Warriors of the Golden State: At 65% strength, Trayce Jackson-Davis has played exceptionally well for fantasy managers since the Warriors acquired Dennis Schröder. Over his last five games, the big man has averaged 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, with a high FG%. Add it to leagues of 10 teams or less.
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New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson is do light contact exercises in training, which is good news for fantasy managers who have had it on hold since November 6. He still has no timetable, but a return appears imminent.
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Magic of Orlando: The NBA’s official injury report lists Paolo Banchero as “returning to competition, reconditioning,” so he’s likely close to returning to the lineup. If a Banchero manager is struggling in the standings, get these trade offers before he returns.
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Wizards of Washington: Justin Champagnie (21%) is an interesting play because even though he just scored a career-high 31 points on Saturday, Kuzma’s return to the lineup likely dampens his streaming potential.
