Welcome to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who and what to play — music-wise or other things in my rotation — for the week ahead in fantasy basketball.
Each week you’ll see a compilation of the pickups you need to make, roster notes (who’s in and out of rotations), followed by takeaways on the schedule.
Press play and browse the latest fantasy basketball news.
🎧 Who is part of my rotation: waiver of pickups
As a general strategy note, look in the waiver pool for players with the INJ designation. Collect them and store them in an IL location (if you have one). Shaedon Sharpe comes to mind because he’s only listed at 29%.
Oh, and for those with IL+ spots, there are a ton of players listed as GTD. Send them to IL+ if they don’t play so you can pick up another player on waivers.
Payton Pritchard – PG, Boston Celtics (14% on roster)
The Celtics play Tuesday and Thursday, so you’ll get two quality games from Pritchard in a three-game week. What’s better? After facing the Knicks on opening night, the Celtics face the Wizards and Pistons. Pritchard could choose 30.
Jaylen Brown:
“On a night we play, I mean no disrespect to them, but the Detroit Pistons who have struggled the last couple of years, we’re going to play with Payton, let him go for 30. Play with Sam, let -shoot 10 threes tonight. We’re still going to win the game.” pic.twitter.com/t1Cgu6lgdI
– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) September 24, 2024
Trolling or not, the Celtics will be heavily favored in every game, so Pritchard has a good chance to increase his minutes and production this week. He should be the Celtics’ sixth man, so stream him and see where it goes. Sam Hauser is an alternative option if you’re looking for 3s.
Taylor Hendricks – SF/PF, Utah Jazz (48% on roster)
The second-year pro didn’t have a good preseason. Still, it starts at PF and can reach 3 and generate actions. He also averaged six rebounds as a starter, so with more minutes he could provide some sneaky value on your team’s backcourt.
Kelly Oubre Jr. – SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers (31%)
We don’t know when Paul George will be ready for the start of the season, so Oubre Jr. could get a big opportunity if PG misses some floor time this week. As a starter, his minutes floor is safe in the 30s, but more shot volume, rebounds and steals are a reasonable expectation if George doesn’t play.
Nick Richards – C, Charlotte Hornets (12% on roster)
The Hornets are still tight-lipped on when Mark Williams will return, so Richards becomes a streamable option for rebounding, blocks and FG%. Williams hasn’t been able to stay healthy and Richards is a useful player if you need depth at the position. Richards averaged 10 points with 8.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks with Mark Williams out of the lineup last year.
Al Horford – PF/C, Boston Celtics (39% of roster)
Playing Big Al in a three-game week without back-to-back games? Wise choice. Without Kristaps Porziņģis in the lineup, Horford averaged 11.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 3s and 1.8 shares per 30 minutes. He enters his 18th year in the league as an underrated but solid 3-point shooter and functional defender. If you’re not feeling Horford, go with Xavier Tillman Sr. – especially against the Wizards and Pistons.
Jaden McDaniels – SF/PF, Minnesota Timberwolves (24% on roster)
Like the Celtics, the Timberwolves play Tuesday and Thursday, so McDaniels is sure to fit into your lineup. McDaniels shot particularly well in the preseason, finishing 12-of-21 from the field (57%), 5-of-8 from 3 (63%), and 6-of-7 from the line (86%) on four games. If this carries over into the regular season, this is a solid flow with his stock potential.
🗓️ Program highlights:
“We all need something to help us in our daily events” – AZ, I’m back
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Teams playing three matches: Bulls, Cavaliers, Celtics, Clippers, Grizzlies, Hawks, Hornets, Lakers, Nets, Pacers, Pelicans, Pistons, Raptors, Rockets, Suns, Thunder, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers and Warriors
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Teams playing two matches: Heat, Jazz, Kings, Knicks, Mavericks, Nuggets, Spurs and Wizards
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Preferred broadcast days: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
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Back to back:
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Friday/Saturday: Bulls, Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Hornets, Lakers, Magic, Pistons, Raptors, Rockets and Suns
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Saturday/Sunday: Clippers and Tonnerre
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Sunday/Monday: Bucks, Hawks, Pacers and Trail Blazers
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