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Week 10 (12/22 - 12/28)

• 4 min read • Week 10

Around The League

The New York Knicks captured the NBA Cup title with a 124-113 victory over the Spurs, rallying from an 11-point second-half deficit to secure the trophy. Jalen Brunson was named NBA Cup Finals MVP for his performance throughout the tournament. In other news, Nikola Jokić passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most assists by a center in NBA history. League standings remain consistent at the top, as the Oklahoma City Thunder continue to lead the Western Conference with a 25-3 record, while the Pistons maintain their position at number one in the Eastern Conference. Now, let's dive into this week's data-driven insights to give you the edge you need to dominate your matchup.

This Week's Highlights

  • Schedule Advantage (4 Games w/out 2 B2Bs): CLE, DAL, DEN, DET, MEM, OKC, POR
  • Waiver-Wire Top Adds: Kyle Kuzma, Mitchell Robinson, Lonzo Ball
  • Rotation Report:⬆️ Brook Lopez (Zubac injury)⬇️ Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Young return from injury)

The Weekly Slate

Every team playing 4 games this week has a back-to-back set. Fantasy managers should prioritize players from the following 4-game teams who avoid two back-to-back sets, minimizing the likelihood of planned rest days.

  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons 
  • Memphis Grizzlies 
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Portland Trail Blazers

Owning The Waiver Wire

Here are the top players to target this week based on recent trends and their upcoming schedule.

Our top pick for 10-team leagues 

Kyle Kuzma (MIL - SF/PF): (Rostered: 25% ESPN, 21% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: @IND, @MEM, @CHI
  • Recent Trends: Kuzma is coming back from a short-term injury and with Giannis on the sidelines, expect high usage from Kuzma. Over the past month, he has put up 13.4 points and 4.9 rebounds on 55% shooting. He’s a strong stream for those 3 categories.

Our top pick for 12-team leagues

Mitchell Robinson (NYK - C): (Rostered: 6% ESPN, 12% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: @MIN, CLE, @ATL
  • Recent Trends: Mitchell has averaged 8.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks a contest on a ridiculous 86% shooting from the floor. His per-minute stats are out of this world and if you need rebounds or FG% this week, heavily consider picking him up. 

Our top pick for 14-team leagues

Lonzo Ball (CLE - PG): (Rostered: 6% ESPN, 9% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: CHA, NO, @NY, @HOU
  • Recent Trends: Ball has seen more usage recently and has been averaging 6.0 points, 4.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.7 steals over the past week. He’s a solid streamer for assists and great streamer for steals this week.  

Top Players For Each Category

Tier key:10-team ≈ 30-40% rostered12-team ≈ 10-20% rostered14-team ≈ 0-10% rostered

POINTS

• 10-team: Kyle Kuzma (MIL), Bobby Portis (MIL)

• 12-team: Naji Marshall (DAL), Marvin Bagley III (WAS)

• 14-team: Marcus Smart (LAL), Sandro Mamukelashvilli (TOR)

REBOUNDS

• 10-team: Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL), Neemias Queta (BOS)

• 12-team: Andre Drummond (PHI), Mitchell Robinson (NYK)

• 14-team: Robert Williams (POR), Justin Champagnie (WAS)

ASSISTS

• 10-team: Davion Mitchell (MIA), Tre Jones (CHI)

• 12-team: Ryan Nembhard (DAL), Cam Spencer (MEM)

• 14-team: Lonzo Ball (CLE), Jose Alvarado (NOR)

STEALS

• 10-team: Herb Jones (NOR), T.J. McConnell (IND)

• 12-team: Jordan Walsh (BOS), Cason Wallace (OKC)

• 14-team: Lonzo Ball (CLE), Alex Caruso (OKC)

BLOCKS

• 10-team: Noah Clowney (BKN), Daniel Gafford (DAL)

• 12-team: Mitchell Robinson (NYK), Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA)

• 14-team: Dylan Cardwell (SAC), Adem Bona (PHI)

3-POINTERS

• 10-team: Bobby Portis (MIL), Noah Clowney (BKN)

• 12-team: Cam Spencer (MEM), Kevin Huerter (CHI)

• 14-team: Marcus Smart (LAL), Will Richard (GSW)

FIELD GOAL %

• 10-team: Kyle Kuzma (MIL), Bobby Portis (MIL)

• 12-team: Marvin Bagley III (WAS), Naji Marshall (DAL)

• 14-team: Robert Williams (POR), Dominick Barlow (PHI)

The Trade Market

Take advantage of fluctuating player values by targeting players in slumps and selling those who are overperforming.

Buy Low

Julius Randle (MIN - PF)

  • The Slump: Over the past month, Randle has averaged 20.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on just 43% shooting from the floor, ranking 122th. 
  • StatCats Take: Randle has struggled with his efficiency as of late but still maintains strong single category production. His efficiency will bounce back sooner than later and now could be a good time to see if you could buy low on him. 

Devin Booker (PHO - PG/SG)

  • The Slump: Booker has averaged only 23.0 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting just 42% from the floor. He is producing 9th-round value over the past month.
  • StatCats Take: Booker is on this list for the second straight week as he continues to struggle with his efficiency. He performed slightly better but we aren’t giving up on him just yet. Look to buy low on Booker again.

Sell High

Keegan Murray (SAC - SF/PF)

  • The Surge: Over the past month, Murray is averaging 15.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game. He is producing fifth-round value
  • StatCats Take: Murray has been a stocks monster since returning from his early-season injury, which has him ranked much higher than his other statistics would suggest. His stocks will surely regress, so look to take advantage of his recent strong performance.

Jay Huff (IND - C)

  • The Surge: Over his last 12 games, Huff is averaging 10.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game. He has produced at third-round value in this span.
  • StatCats Take: All of Huff’s value comes from his blocks. His minutes have been fluctuating as of late and you can look to trade him if you aren’t as reliant on his blocks to win. 

Injury & Rotation Report 

Recent Notable Injuries

  • Zach LaVine (SAC - SG, SF): Re-Evaluation in One Week (Left Ankle)
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Nique Clifford, Malik Monk and Dennis Schroder will see increased minutes
  • Ivica Zubac (LAC - C): Out for Three Weeks (Left Ankle) 
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Expect Brook Lopez to take on more minutes as he replaces Zubac in the starting five

Returning to Action

  • Anthony Edwards (MIN - SG, SF): Returned 12/19
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Bones Hyland will see a downtick in minutes
  • Trae Young (ATL - PG): Returned 12/18
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Nickeil Alexander-Walker should be most affected minutes-wise