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Week 11 (12/29 - 1/3)

• 5 min read • Week 11

Tools We Use To Win Our Leagues

Court Consensus
Court Consensus is a dynasty tool for managers, featuring a trade calculator and community-driven rankings. The site includes future draft picks, allowing managers to evaluate trades involving draft capital. Rankings are continuously updated based on input from the community.

Around The League

The NBA’s Christmas Day slate provided several notable headlines this week. The San Antonio Spurs secured a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking their third win over the defending Western Conference champions in just two weeks. In Denver, Nikola Jokić led the Nuggets to a 142-138 overtime win against the Timberwolves, recording a 56-point triple-double in the process. Meanwhile, the Lakers lost their third consecutive game to the Rockets, with head coach JJ Reddick railing against his team’s effort level afterwards. 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 no B2B): CLE, DEN, IND, MIL, NOP, OKC, ORL, PHX, WAS
  • Waiver-Wire Top Adds: Tari Eason, Brook Lopez, Dylan Cardwell 
  • Rotation Report:⬆️ Marcus Smart (Reaves injury)⬇️ Bobby Portis (Antetokounmpo return from injury)

The Weekly Slate

The majority of teams play 4 games this week. Fantasy managers should prioritize players from the following 4-game teams who avoid a back-to-back set, minimizing the likelihood of a planned rest day.

  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Washington Wizards

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 

Tari Eason (HOU - SF/PF): (Rostered: 32% ESPN, 30% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: IND, @BKN, @DAL
  • Recent Trends: Eason has returned from his early-season injury and, in four games so far, has averaged 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 block on 51% shooting from the floor, providing 10th-round value. His value primarily comes from his defensive stats, and it looks like he will be getting a solid 20–25 minutes per game, with higher upside if he’s pushed into the starting lineup when other starters are injured.

Our top pick for 12-team leagues

Brook Lopez (LAC - C): (Rostered: 18% ESPN, 22% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: SAC, UTA, BOS
  • Recent Trends: Lopez has seen starter minutes in his last three games since Ivica Zubac injured his ankle and now looks to be a must-roster player. He has averaged 15.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks over that span. Pick him up if you need blocks and threes.

Our top pick for 14-team leagues

Dylan Cardwell (SAC - C): (Rostered: 2% ESPN, 6% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: @LAC, BOS, @PHO, MIL
  • Recent Trends: With the Kings in last place in the West, they have started giving Cardwell regular minutes to split time with Maxime Raynaud. Over those five games, Cardwell is averaging 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks on 59% shooting from the floor. He is a great pickup for blocks and efficiency.

Top Players For Each Category

Tier key:
10-team ≈ 30-40% rostered
12-team ≈ 10-20% rostered
14-team ≈ 0-10% rostered

POINTS
• 10-team: Anthony Black (ORL), Cam Spencer (MEM)
• 12-team: Naji Marshall (DAL), Egor Demin (BKN)
• 14-team: Tim Hardaway Jr. (DEN), Marvin Bagley III

REBOUNDS
• 10-team: Maxime Raynaud (SAC), Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL)
• 12-team: Moussa Diabate (CHA), Mitchell Robinson (NYK)
• 14-team: Robert Williams (POR), Justin Champagnie (WAS)

ASSISTS
• 10-team: Cam Spencer (MEM), Collin Gillespie (PHO)
• 12-team: Isaiah Collier (UTA), T.J McConnell (IND)
• 14-team: Tyler Kolek (NYK), Bones Hyland (MIN)

STEALS
• 10-team: Tari Eason (HOU), Ajay Mitchell (OKC)
• 12-team: Herb Jones (NOR), Jaylen Wells (MEM)
• 14-team: Javonte Green (DET), Dru Smith (MIA)

BLOCKS
• 10-team: Isaiah Stewart (DET), Jay Huff (IND)
• 12-team: Mitchell Robinson (NYK), Brook Lopez (LAC)
• 14-team: Dylan Cardwell (SAC), Goga Bitadze (ORL)

3-POINTERS
• 10-team: Egor Demin (BKN), Sandro Mamukelashivilli (TOR)
• 12-team: Tim Hardaway Jr. (DEN), Brook Lopez (LAC)
• 14-team: Vit Krejci (ATL), Jordan Clarkson (NYK)

FIELD GOAL %
• 10-team: Neemias Queta (BOS), Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL)
• 12-team: Keldon Johnson (SAS), Sandro Mamukelashivilli (TOR)
• 14-team: Luke Kornet (SAS) , 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

Dyson Daniels (ATL - PG/SG)

  • The Slump: Over the past month, Daniels has averaged 13.7 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.7 steals on 49% shooting from the floor and just 60% from the free-throw line, providing 14th-round value over that span.
  • StatCats Take: Dyson’s value is tied to his steals per game, and he has averaged almost half as many steals as projected. His fringe categories have also struggled, as his blocks and three-pointers are down while his turnovers are up. He entered the season projected as a top-50 player, so look to buy low if possible.

Brandon Ingram (TOR - SF)

  • The Slump: Ingram has provided 18th-round value over the past month, with averages of 22.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.9 combined stocks on 45% shooting and 3.2 turnovers per game.
  • StatCats Take: Ingram has struggled everywhere except in scoring, which has depleted his value over the past month. He started the season hot but is now ranked outside the top 100 for the year. We expect him to bounce back sooner rather than later, so see if you can get him by offering a fringe top-100 asset.

Sell High

Jamal Murray (DEN - PG)

  • The Surge: Over the past month, Murray has been on fire, averaging 27.9 points, 4.4 threes, and 6.9 assists on 50% shooting, which ranks him 8th overall.
  • StatCats Take: Murray has been nothing short of excellent and is likely delivering his peak value right now. He has a history of lingering injuries, and we don’t see him sustaining this level of production. Look for a top-20 player in any trade return for Murray.

Michael Porter Jr. (BKN - SF/PF)

  • The Surge: Over his last 9 games, Porter Jr. has averaged 28.4 points, 4.8 triples, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steals on 51% shooting, ranking 14th over the past month. 
  • StatCats Take: MPJ has surprised everyone this season and completely flipped the narrative on his play, both on the court and in fantasy. He’s been on an absolute heater, and with the Nets sitting 13th in the East, we’re concerned about his shutdown potential or even the possibility of him being traded to a contender. He should be able to net you a top-35 player in return.

Injury & Rotation Report 

Recent Notable Injuries

  • Austin Reaves (LAL - SG, PG, SF): Re-Evaluation in Four Weeks (Left Calf)
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Marcus Smart will see the biggest boost of minutes in Reaves’ absence 
  • Josh Hart (NYK - SF, SG): Out Through Dec. 31 (Right Ankle) 
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: If McBride also remains sidelined, expect Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek to take on more minutes 

Returning to Action

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL - PF, C): Returned 12/27
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Bobby Portis will see a downtick in minutes as Giannis reclaims his starting spot
  • RJ Barrett (TOR - SF, SG, PF): Likely returning this week 
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Ochai Agbaji and Ja'Kobe Walter should be most affected minutes-wise