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Week 15 (1/26 - 2/1)

• 5 min read • week 15

Around The League

The Western Conference standings adjusted this week as the Timberwolves moved from the third seed to seventh following a four-game losing streak. Conversely, the Clippers moved into the tenth and final play-in spot after winning eight of their last ten games. In the Eastern Conference, the Pistons maintain a comfortable lead in first place, while the Celtics have overtaken the Knicks for the second seed. In other news, the All-Star Game starters were announced this week. The Western Conference will be led by top-voter Doncic, alongside Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama, and Curry. In the East, Antetokounmpo topped the voting and will start alongside Brunson, Maxey, Cunningham, and Brown. 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): CHI (exception - 5 games), BOS, CLE, LAL, ORL
  • Waiver-Wire Top Adds: Sandro Mamukelashvilli, Jock Landale, Dylan Cardwell 
  • Rotation Report:⬆️ Cam Spencer (Morant injury), ⬆️ Bobby Portis (Antetokounmpo injury)⬇️ Jake LaRavia (Reaves return from injury)

The Weekly Slate

The majority of teams play 3 or 4 games this week, the Bulls being a rare exception with 5 games. 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.

  • Chicago Bulls (Exception - 5 games)
  • Boston Celtics
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Orlando Magic

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 

Sandro Mamukelashvilli (TOR - PF): (Rostered: 22% ESPN, 26% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: NY, @ORL, UTA
  • Recent Trends: Mamukelashvilli is averaging 16.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.0 triples on 60% shooting over the past 2 weeks. He has filled in as the starting power forward with Collin Murray-Boyles out and should continue to see elevated usage. Stream him for rebounds, field goal percentage and points.

Our top pick for 12-team leagues

Jock Landale (MEM - C): (Rostered: 13% ESPN, 21% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: @HOU, CHA, @NO, MIN
  • Recent Trends: Landale has moved to the starting lineup and has delivered, averaging 16.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks on 58% shooting from the floor in 28.1 minutes a game. He has shined as a starter next to Jaren Jackson Jr. and should have this locked up until Zach Edey returns from a mult-week injury, 

Our top pick for 14-team leagues

Dylan Cardwell (SAC - C): (Rostered: 5% ESPN, 10% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: @NY, @PHI, @BOS, @WSH
  • Recent Trends: The Kings’ rookie has been a stock monster when given the playing time. Sacramento is officially tanking now and has already started to play the young guys more and more. Look for Cardwell to absorb a healthy amount of minutes and stream him for his steals and blocks.

Top Players For Each Category

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

POINTS

• 10-team: Saddiq Bey (NOR), Naji Marshall (DAL)

• 12-team: Brice Sensabaugh (UTA), Sam Hauser (BOS)

• 14-team: De’Anthony Melton (GSW), Jordan Miller (LAC)

REBOUNDS

• 10-team: Sandro Mamukelashvilli (TOR), Tari Eason (HOU)

• 12-team: Jonas Valancuinas (DEN), Jock Landale (MEM)

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

ASSISTS

• 10-team: Cam Spencer (MEM), Grayson Allen (PHO)

• 12-team: Bub Carrington (WAS), Tre Johnson (WAS)

• 14-team: Jamal Shead (TOR), Pelle Larsson (MIA)

STEALS

• 10-team: Tari Eason (HOU), Collin Sexton (CHA)

• 12-team: Aaron Wiggins (OKC), Moses Moody (GSW)

• 14-team: Dru Smith (MIA), Micah Peavy (NOR)

BLOCKS

• 10-team: Neemias Queta (BOS), PJ Washington (DAL)

• 12-team: Luke Kornet (SAS), Isaiah Stewart (DET)

• 14-team: Robert Williams (POR), Dylan Cardwell (SAC)

3-POINTERS

• 10-team: Toumani Camara (NOR), Saddiq Bey (NOR)

• 12-team: Max Christie (DAL), Julian Champagnie (SAS)

• 14-team: AJ Green (MIL), Duncan Robinson (DET) 

FIELD GOAL %

• 10-team: Sandro Mamukelashvilli (TOR), Saddiq Bey (NOR)

• 12-team: Luke Kornet (SAS), Jock Landale (MEM)

• 14-team: Mitchell Robinson (NYK), Oso Ighodaro (PHO)

The Trade Market

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

Buy Low

Derrick White (BOS - PG/SG)

  • The Slump: Over the past 2 weeks, White is averaging only 10.8 points, 1.2 triples, and 1.7 stocks on 30% shooting from the floor. He is providing 13th-round value. 
  • StatCats Take: White has struggled all season with his efficiency but is going through his worst stretch of the year and it is abysmally bad. It’s a good time to target him especially for owners who are battling to make the playoffs right now.

Norman Powell (MIA - SG/SF)

  • The Slump: Powell has provided 14th-round value over the past 2 weeks, with averages of 20.9 points, 2.3 triples, and 1.0 stocks on 47% shooting.
  • StatCats Take: Powell returned from a short injury has been solid offensively but has provided nothing else categorically. His main asset has been his scoring, but this year he has taken a smaller leap across other categories. Tyler Herro continues battling injuries which will allow Powell to ease back in even faster. 

Sell High

Peyton Watson (DEN - SF/PF)

  • The Surge: Over the past 2 weeks, Watson has been on fire, averaging 22.3 points, 2.3 triples, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.7 blocks on 53% shooting, which ranks him 20th.
  • StatCats Take: Watson has been given all the opportunity with the injuries to Nikola Jokic and Christian Braun and has fully delivered. He’s a strong contributor on both sides of the ball. Once the Nuggets return to full capacity, his usage will drop so it seemsa difficult for him to maintain this current production.

Jaden McDaniels (MIN - SF)

  • The Surge: Over the past 2 weeks, McDaniels has averaged 17.8 points, 2.0 triples, 5.0 assists, and 1.4 blocks on 50% shooting from the floor. Ranked 28th in that span. 
  • StatCats Take: McDaniels has picked it up throughout the season and is producing at third-round value recently. His usage will continue to be low so he shouldn’t be producing at this for the rest of the season. 

Injury & Rotation Report 

Recent Notable Injuries

  • Ja Morant (MEM - PG): Reevaluation in Mid-February (Left Elbow)
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Cam Spencer will start in place of Morant, though his minutes could take a hit once Ty Jerome makes his season debut
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL - PF, C): Out for 4-6 Weeks (Right Calf)
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Bobby Portis will take on more minutes in Antetokounmpo’s absence
  • Jonathan Kuminga (GSW - PF): Week-to-Week (Left Knee Bone Bruise)
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Gui Santos, Buddy Hield and Gary Payton should see a boost in playing time.
  • Tre Jones (CHI - PG): Re-Evaluation in Two Weeks (Left Hamstring)
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Ayo Dosunmu and Kevin Huerter will see a boost in minutes

Returning to Action

  • Jalen Suggs (ORL - PG, SG): Returned 1/24
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Anthony Black will likely see less minutes as Suggs ramps up his playing time
  • Austin Reaves (LAL - SG, PG, SF): Likely returning this week 
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia should be most affected minutes-wise