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, 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.
🏀 Conclusion of week 7
🚨 Note on timetable: The Emirates NBA Cup championship match will take place on Tuesday. The championship game will not count toward the Week 8 scoring period.
🥇Best Players of Week 7 (December 2-15)
▶️ “Iced Medallions” – Royal Flush
🎧 Who is part of my rotation: waiver of pickups
Players expected to be rostered in all leagues at less than 50%:
Tari Eason, Gradey Dick, Alex Sarr, Ayo Dosunmu, Goga Bitadze, TJ McConnell and De’Andre Hunter.
Players expected to be registered at less than 40%:
Yves Missi – C, New Orleans Pelicans (37% registered)
With such a weak roster in fantasy, the Pelicans’ starting center is a bit disrespected. Those in leagues with 10 or fewer teams must collect it. In his last 10 games, the former Baylor average is 13 points with 11 rebounds and 2.3 actions per game. He’s at the top of my rookie rankings and given his minutes and production, he should be rostered in every league.
▶️ “A Little Soul” – Pete Rock
Kelly Oubre Jr. – SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers (35%)
The Sixers play two of three games this week against the fantasy-friendly Hornets. Oubre has started the Sixers’ last nine games and has provided sixth-round value in 9-cat leagues while collecting 1.7 steals per game over that span. The Sixers won’t have Joel Embiid or Jared McCain for a while, so Oubre’s scoring, rebounding and defense are must-haves for a team struggling to get out of the bottom third of the Eastern Conference.
Lugentz Dort – SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder (25%)
Dort averaged 33 fantasy points in his previous three games, posting a solid 14.7 points with 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 3s and 2.7 action shots. He plays 30 minutes a night and his defense will keep him on the floor as a key player on the best team in the Western Conference. There will be ups and downs, but Dort is in the top 100 in 9-cat leagues and should be rostered in all leagues with more than 12 teams.
Jaden McDaniels – SF/PF, Minnesota Timberwolves (24% on roster)
In 12-team leagues, McDaniels is a player who has been trending upward over the past week. He’s been more aggressive on both ends of the court, scoring 13 points per game with seven rebounds over his last five games, and racking up 12 steals. The Wolves have tough matchups against the Knicks and Warriors this week, but McDaniels’ improvement in defense and rebounding has been crucial for Minnesota and Fantasy managers.
Donovan Clingan – C, Portland Trail Blazers (24% on roster)
The rookie big man started Sunday and had a decent performance with 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 20 minutes of action. Clingan replaced Deandre Ayton (illness) and split time with Robert Williams. Clingan is a long-term starter, as he has shown a knack for blocking shots and rebounding at a high rate whenever he sees more than 20 minutes. In the five games he played at least 20 minutes, he averaged 7.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game.
Kevin Huerter – SF/SF, Sacramento Kings (8% of roster)
Huerter is dealing with a shoulder injury and is doubtful for Monday’s game, but the Kings have three more games this week, making him a decent option in a short week. His numbers aren’t worth keeping long term, but he was useful for 3s and steals most nights. The Kings play three favorable games the rest of the week against the Lakers twice and the Pacers.
Justin Champagnie – SG/SF, Washington Wizards (20% of roster)
With all the injuries in Washington, the other Champagnie brother is rising to the occasion, providing Fantasy managers with ridiculous numbers as of late. Over his last four games, Champagnie averaged 16.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 3s, 2.8 steals and 1.3 blocks in 36.6 minutes per game . That’s over 40 fantasy points per type of play production. Keep a close eye on the injury report, but if Kyle Kuzma, Kyshawn George and Corey Kispert remain out, Champagnie is worth streaming while he is hot.
Other banners: Obi Toppin (16%), Andrew Nembhard (12%), Brandon Boston Jr. (19%), Cason Wallace (14%), Dorian Finney-Smith (16%) and Caris LeVert (21%)
🗓️ Calendar highlights
It’s an abbreviated week in Yahoo leagues with, technicallyno matches Tuesday and Wednesday because of the Emirates NBA Cup championship. Another reminder that the NBA Cup championship game does not count toward Week 8 fantasy scoring.
With these two days off, we have 17 teams playing two games and 12 teams playing three games. The Kings are the only team to have played four games.
Here is the list of the total number of matches played this week:
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Daily schedule: Monday (6), Tuesday (0), Wednesday (0), Thursday (13), Friday (3), Saturday (12) and Sunday (3)
Monday, Friday and Sunday are the best days to stream. The Kings, Nuggets and Raptors play Monday and Sunday, while the Heat, Cavs, 76ers and Hornets play Monday and Friday. Also here are the eight teams playing consecutively in Week 8.
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Thursday/Friday: Hornets and Thunder
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Friday/Saturday: 76ers, Bucks, Cavaliers and Heat
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Saturday/Sunday: Kings and Pelicans
🚑 Injury News
Notable Week 7 Injuries (Beyond the Daily)
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Raptors F Scottie Barnes (ankle) is out indefinitely but participated in a light training Sunday. This could be a good cheap buying opportunity with his sprained ankle not looking like a long-term injury.
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Sixers C Joel Embiid is out indefinitely after suffering a sinus fracture against the Pacers in Week 7.
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Sixers G Jared McCain is out indefinitely and will need surgery to repair his torn left meniscus.
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Hornets G LaMelo Ball (calf) was upgraded to questionable on Monday. Huge!
Latest injury report for all NBA teams
NBA Injury Report – Monday, December 16
🔁Rotation notes
Warriors of the Golden State
The room: The Warriors’ trade for Dennis Schröder will undoubtedly impact Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield. Both players were getting minutes at shooting guard, and with Schröder in town, the Warriors landed another scoring and playmaking threat in the backcourt. Schröder is expected to debut on Thursdaywarning Podz and Hield.
Detroit Pistons
The room: Jalen Duren (wrist) is no longer listed on the injury report for Monday’s game, while Tobias Harris is day-to-day with a hand injury. He will not play on Monday, so Fantasy managers must wait for a possible return date. Meanwhile, Ron Holland and Simone Fontecchio will receive more playing time.
Memphis Grizzlies
The room: Zach Edey returned from his 12-game absence Sunday night and had 13 points, 10 rebounds and two plays in 24 minutes. It was a welcome return to the lineup for the rookie big man and now that he is active, Brandon Clarke may be dropped.
Phoenix Suns
The room: Royce O’Neale (26%) continues to start in place of Bradley Beal (knee). He rolled through the previous five games, giving fantasy managers a mix of points, 3s, and boards. He’s generally good at some action too, but still, if Beal stays away, stream O’Neale against the Pacers and Pistons this week.
Philadelphia 76ers
The room: As previously mentioned, Embiid is out indefinitely with a sinus fracture, which reopens the door for Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele. I’m not particularly interested in either player’s lineup, but if you need rebounds and steals, go with Drummond.
