Welcome to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who to add to the waiver wire and what to play – when it comes to setting your lineup or music in my rotation – for the week ahead in fantasy basketball.
Each week you’ll see a compilation of the pickups you need to make in different scoring formats and how the schedule could impact your starting decisions. So press play and browse the latest fantasy basketball news.
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🎧 Who is in my rotation: High score
Vince Williams Jr. – G/FC, Memphis Grizzlies (21% of roster)
The Grizzlies are short on guards, leaving Williams as their best option to facilitate the offense. He’s scored at least 38 fantasy points in High Score over the last three games and will have additional runway to deploy across all formats in Week 6. Even with his struggles shooting from the rock, he’ll generate plenty of counting stats in terms of rebounds, assists and steals.
Anthony Black – G, Orlando Magic (19% on roster)
In this condensed fantasy week, you need to find advantages to get players into your lineup. Over the last five games, Black has provided 15 points with 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 sweeps per game. The Magic play a small slate on Tuesday, so you can drop them afterward if need be.
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Noah Clowney – FC, Brooklyn Nets (19% registered)
Clowney is finally getting consistent minutes and he is delivering on his promises, especially in terms of scoring and stock. Despite a deep Nets rotation, Clowney averaged 16 points on nearly 3 plays per game over the past two weeks. With two games over 34 fantasy points in High Score, he can be taken off waivers.
Peyton Watson – FC, Denver Nuggets (21%)
Aaron Gordon will be out 4-6 weeks after suffering a hamstring injury against the Rockets, elevating Watson as a must-play player across all formats. He has played at least 34 minutes in each of his last four games, averaging 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and nearly 2 plays per game. Given the length of Gordon’s absence, there will likely be more 50+ fantasy point rushing games in Watson’s bag. Go get it.
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🎧 Who’s in my rotation: 9-cat and points leagues
Bobby Portis – PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks (29% on roster)
I’m not happy about it, but Portis should be released without Giannis Antetokounmpo (groin). He will primarily help fantasy managers with points and rebounds. With a four-game Week 6 on the schedule and the Bucks playing two games on lighter slates, Portis makes for a solid plug-and-play in 9-cat or point formats.
Jordan Goodwin – PG/SG, Phoenix Suns (12% on roster)
Goodwin continues to be the utility knife of the Suns backcourt. He got his first start on Sunday, although he will continue to play in a reserve role while Jalen Green and Grayson Allen are out. He should be rostered in a lot more leagues considering he’s been nearly a top 50 player in 9-cat over the past two weeks, averaging 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.9 steals on 51% shooting from the field. The Suns play four games in Week 6.
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Moses Moody – SG/SF, Golden State Warriors (15% on roster)
Moody will continue to start for the Warriors, with Steve Kerr ringing far from optimistic regarding Jonathan Kuminga’s latest knee injury. Fantasy managers can stream Moody in the meantime, offering a mix of scoring, 3s and action while playing 30 minutes a night. Brandin Podziemski (36%) is the preferred option, but is likely only available in leagues with 10 or fewer teams.
Gradey Dick – SG/SF, Toronto Raptors (4% on roster)
RJ Barrett left Sunday’s contest with a non-contact knee injurywhich should open up additional minutes for Dick. He’s stepped up his defense and overall game in minutes off the bench this season, but there’s some fantasy appeal as he’s thrown 2 interceptions in each of his last three games. Monitor the situation, as Ja’Kobe Walter (0%) will also get more minutes, but I side with Gradey providing more counting stats in all categories while Barrett misses time.
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Jaxson Hayes – C, Los Angeles Lakers (1% on roster)
Hayes is on the streaming radar, especially with one of the Lakers’ three games this week falling on Tuesday. Deandre Ayton suffered a knee contusion on Sunday and did not return. Even though Hayes hasn’t impressed, he’s the next man in La La to occupy the frontcourt. Even if he starts, he will probably play around 25 minutes and provide around 10 points with 6-7 rebounds and a block. Not great, but not bad, as a waiver option in deep leagues.
