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Week 2 (10/27 - 11/02)

• 4 min read • Week 2

Around The League

A massive federal investigation into alleged illegal gambling schemes has seized the spotlight this week, with Portland coach Chauncey Billups and Miami guard Terry Rozier among those implicated. On the court, the Thunder’s hot 3-0 start was highlighted by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's career-high 55 points in a finals rematch against the Pacers. Elsewhere, Luka Dončić exploded for 92 points over the first two games of the season, setting a Lakers franchise record. Washington's Kyshawn George and Philadelphia's VJ Edgecombe also made headlines; Edgecombe’s 34 points marked the most points scored in an NBA debut since 1974 and George is making an early case for Most Improved Player. 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): ATL, CHI, CLE, LAL, MEM, NOP, PHX, TOR, UTA
  • Waiver-Wire Top Adds: Kyshawn George, Dennis Schroder, and Tre Jones
  • Rotation Report:⬆️ Austin Reaves (Increased usage - Dončić injury)⬇️ Onyeka Okongwu (Porzingis return from injury)

The Weekly Slate

There’s an almost even split between teams playing 4 games and 3 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.

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz

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 

Kyshawn George (WAS - SG/SF): (Rostered: 69% ESPN, 48% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: PHI, OKC, ORL, NYK
  • Recent Trends: George has opened his sophomore season averaging 27.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 4.0 stocks (steals + blocks), and 5.0 threes over his first two games. While this pace is unlikely to be sustainable, his usage has climbed to 25.5% on 15.0 FGA per game, up from 16.0% usage and 8.0 FGA last year. He profiles as a high-priority streamer for points, 3-pointers, steals, rebounds, and blocks.

Our top pick for 12-team leagues

Dennis Schroder (SAC - PG): (Rostered: 37% ESPN, 36% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: OKC, CHI, MIL, DEN
  • Recent Trends: On his new team as the primary facilitator, Schroder is averaging 15.5 points, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 steals on 48% shooting. With four games this week, he’s a worthwhile addition for assists and steals.

Our top pick for 14-team leagues

Tre Jones (CHI - PG): (Rostered: 18% ESPN, 21% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: SAC, NYK, NYK
  • Recent Trends: Jones has maximized his starting opportunity in Coby White’s absence, averaging 12.5 points, 8.0 assists, and 4.0 steals on 53% shooting. He’s a strong short-term stream for assists and steals while White remains sidelined (projected at least a couple of weeks).

Top Players For Each Category

Tier key:

10-team ≈ 60% rostered

12-team ≈ 30% rostered

14-team ≈ 15% rostered

POINTS

• 10-team: Kyshawn George (WAS), Jerami Grant (POR)

• 12-team: Dillon Brooks (PHO), Cedric Coward (MEM)

• 14-team: Sam Merrill (CLE), PJ Washington (DAL)

REBOUNDS

• 10-team: Tobias Harris (DET), Toumani Camara (POR)

• 12-team: Jaime Jaquez Jr. (MIA), Herb Jones (NOR)

• 14-team: Steven Adams (HOU), Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA),

ASSISTS

• 10-team: Keyonte George (UTA), Davion Mitchell (MIA)

• 12-team: Chris Paul (LAC), Dennis Schroder (SAC)

• 14-team: Cole Anthony (MIL), Tre Jones (CHI)

STEALS

• 10-team: Jrue Holiday (POR), VJ Edgecombe (PHI)

• 12-team: Cason Wallace (OKC), Herb Jones (NOR)

• 14-team: Tre Jones (CHI), Ryan Rollins (MIL)

BLOCKS

• 10-team: Kyshawn George (WAS), Jaden McDaniels (MIN)

• 12-team: Isaiah Stewart (DET), Kyle Kuzma (MIL)

• 14-team: Chris Boucher (BOS), Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA)

3-POINTERS

• 10-team: Kyshawn George (WAS), Malik Monk (SAC)

• 12-team: Egor Demin (BKN), Quentin Grimes (PHI)

• 14-team: Sam Merrill (CLE), Gary Trent (MIL)

FIELD GOAL %

• 10-team: Kel’el Ware (MIA), Aaron Gordon (DEN)

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

• 14-team: Jaime Jaquez Jr. (MIA), Keldon Johnson (SAS)

The Trade Market

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

Buy Low

Trae Young (ATL - PG)

  • The Slump: Through three games, Young is averaging a disappointing 20.7 points and 7.0 assists on 39% shooting, yielding roughly 13th-round value.
  • StatCats Take: Young went late first-round in most drafts and that still makes sense after he led the league in assists last year. If his managers are getting antsy about the slow start, this is your buy-low window. Expect him to settle back in around 24 points and 10 assists soon

Cooper Flagg (DAL - SF/PF)

  • The Slump: The No. 1 pick has averaged 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.0 turnovers on just 37% shooting, returning roughly 18th-round value so far.
  • StatCats Take: Flagg’s early shooting slump and rookie turnovers are masking strong category foundations: stable minutes, healthy usage, rebounding, and stocks. Drafted around the third round, he’s making some managers uneasy. As his shot normalizes and mistakes taper, his profile carries few fantasy drawbacks and fits across most builds.

Sell High

Austin Reaves (LAL - PG/SG)

  • The Surge: Reaves has started the season on fire without Lebron James, providing 2nd-round value and has averaged 25.5 points, 10.0 assists on 58% shooting 
  • StatCats Take: With Luka Dončić sidelined, Reaves is set for a massive usage bump as the clear No. 1 option. He will be a near nightly triple-double threat and should continue delivering early-round value. Consider leveraging him as the centerpiece in a trade for a strong 2nd–3rd round asset.

R.J. Barrett (TOR - SG/SF/PF)

  • The Surge: Barrett is providing 2nd round value and is averaging 22.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals on 75% shooting. 
  • StatCats Take: Barrett’s on a heater, but the efficiency is impossible to sustain especially given his career track record. With modest peripherals, this is a clean sell-high: flip him while the FG% and points are inflated for a steadier multi-cat piece.

Injury & Rotation Report 

Recent Notable Injuries

  • Luka Dončić (LAL - PG): Out at Least One Week (Finger)
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Austin Reaves will see a significant bump in usage; Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent should also play more minutes 
  • Kevin Porter Jr. (MIL - SG): Earliest Return 10/28 (Left Ankle)
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Ryan Rollins and Cole Anthony would be the primary beneficiaries if he misses additional time.

Returning to Action

  • Kristaps Porzingis (ATL - C): Expected to return 10/27 
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Onyeka Okongwu should see less playing time once Porzingis makes his return 
  • De'Andre Hunter (CLE - SF): Expected to return this week 
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Dean Wade and Larry Nance will see reduced minutes as Hunter assumes the starting small forward spot