← Back to Archive

Week 3 (11/2 - 11/9)

• 4 min read • Week 3

Around The League

The regular season is flying, and the NBA Cup officially kicked off this week, with the Lakers securing a win over the Grizzlies in their opener. In that game, Dončić dropped 44 points against Memphis, becoming the only player in NBA history other than Wilt Chamberlain to score 40+ points in each of his first three games to start a season. In other Cup action, the Nuggets suffered a surprising loss to the Trail Blazers. In the league-wide standings, only three teams have kept their records perfect: the Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs remain the only undefeated teams. 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): BOS, BKN, DET, HOU, MEM, MIN, SAC
  • Waiver-Wire Top Adds: Ryan Rollins, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jeremiah Fears
  • Rotation Report:⬆️ Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Trae Young injury)⬇️ Lonzo Ball (Darius Garland 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.

  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Houston Rockets
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Sacramento Kings

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 

Ryan Rollins (MIL - SG): (Rostered: 66% ESPN, 43% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: IND, TOR, CHI, HOU
  • Recent Trends: Rollins has secured a starting role with Kevin Porter Jr. sidelined by a knee injury that’s expected to keep him out at least four more weeks. In five starts this season, Rollins is averaging 20.0 points, 6.0 assists, and 2.4 steals. 

Our top pick for 12-team leagues

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ATL - SG): (Rostered: 43% ESPN, 36% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: ORL, TOR, LAL
  • Recent Trends: The Hawks announced that Trae Young will miss approximately four weeks with an MCL sprain, paving the way for Alexander-Walker to enter the starting lineup. He’s a strong stream for points, assists, steals, and even blocks from the guard spot.

Our top pick for 14-team leagues

Jeremiah Fears (NOR - PG/SG): (Rostered: 19% ESPN, 16% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: CHA, DAL, SA 
  • Recent Trends: The No. 7 pick in the 2025 draft has taken over as the Pelicans’ starting point guard, averaging 13.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.8 steals over this stretch. He’s expected to remain in the first unit until Dejounte Murray returns, likely no earlier than around the New Year.

Top Players For Each Category

Tier key:10-team ≈ 60% rostered12-team ≈ 30% rostered14-team ≈ 15% rostered

POINTS

• 10-team: Keyonte George (UTA), Jerami Grant (POR)

• 12-team: De’Andre Hunter (CLE), Quentin Grimes (PHI)

• 14-team: Sam Merrill (CLE), Isaiah Joe (OKC)

REBOUNDS

• 10-team: Kel’el Ware (MIA), Kelly Oubre (PHI)

• 12-team: Neemias Queta (BOS), Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA)

• 14-team: Steven Adams (HOU), Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL) 

ASSISTS

• 10-team: Keyonte George (UTA), Ryan Rollins (MIL)

• 12-team: Davion Mitchell (MIA), Dennis Schroder (SAC)

• 14-team: Jeremiah Fears (NOR), Collin Gillespie (PHO)

STEALS

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

• 12-team: Cason Wallace (OKC), Nickeil Alexander-Walker

• 14-team: Alex Caruso (OKC), Keon Ellis (SAC)

BLOCKS

• 10-team: Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU), Jaden McDaniels (MIN)

• 12-team: Bilal Coulibaly (WSH), Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA)

• 14-team: Isaiah Stewart (DET), Moussa Diabate (CHA)

3-POINTERS

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

• 12-team: Grayson Allen (PHO), Quentin Grimes (PHI)

• 14-team: Sam Merrill (CLE), Isaiah Joe (OKC)

FIELD GOAL %

• 10-team: Jaime Jaquez Jr. (MIA), Aaron Gordon (DEN)

• 12-team: Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA), Rui Hachimura (LAL)

• 14-team: Ayo Dosunmu (CHI), 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

Domantas Sabonis (SAC - C)

  • The Slump: Through five games, Sabonis is averaging a disappointing 14.8 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on 53% shooting, yielding roughly 9th-round value.
  • StatCats Take: Sabonis has struggled at the rim to start the season, which isn’t surprising as he adjusts to a new lead guard in Dennis Schroder. Expect their two-man game to improve as chemistry builds—making this a buy-low window before Sabonis returns to his usual scoring levels.

Dyson Daniels (ATL - PG/ SG)

  • The Slump: Last season’s steals leader has opened cold offensively, averaging 7.5 points on 39% shooting—good for roughly 13th-round value at the moment.
  • StatCats Take: Daniels’ calling card is steals, but he’s offering little else right now. With Trae Young sidelined, expect Daniels to absorb more usage and lift his offensive output. Managers who spent a top-five-round pick may be understandably uneasy, but short-term patience is warranted.

Sell High

Mikal Bridges (NYK - SG/SF)

  • The Surge: Mikal Bridges has been great to start the season and is currently providing early 2nd round value. He is averaging 19.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists on 57% from the field alongside 2.0 stocks. 
  • StatCats Take: With Karl-Anthony Towns off to a slow start, Bridges has capitalized and is thriving. This is likely near the top of his range so consider using the current heater as a sell-high window.

Julius Randle (MIN - PF)

  • The Surge: Randle has opened the season on a tear, averaging 27.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists on 56% shooting from the field. He currently ranks 14th in category formats.
  • StatCats Take: With Anthony Edwards sidelined for a couple more weeks, Randle has operated as the clear No. 1 option. Use the elevated usage to shop him for a top-30 asset in category leagues.

Injury & Rotation Report 

Recent Notable Injuries

  • Trae Young (ATL - PG): Out Indefinitely (Right Knee) 
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Nickeil Alexander-Walker will see a bump in minutes, as should Luke Kennard 
  • Anthony Edwards (MIN - SG): Re-Evaluation in Early November (Right Hamstring)
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jaylen Clark will be the primary beneficiaries in Edwards’ absence 

Returning to Action

  • Darius Garland (CLE - PG): Targeting First Week of November for Return 
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Lonzo Ball should see less playing time once Garland makes his return 
  • Luka Doncic (LAL - PG): Returned on 10/31
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Austin Reaves will see the biggest drop in usage rate with the return of Doncic