Around The League
The Pistons are currently on top of the Eastern Conference standings, powered by strong early-season numbers from Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. Through 10 games, Cunningham is averaging an impressive 25.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 9.8 assists, while Duren is dominating the paint with 19.4 points and 11.8 rebounds. In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain almost unstoppable with a 10-1 record. Their most recent victory was a 19-point comeback to secure a 114-100 win over the Grizzlies, scoring 29 points in the fourth quarter to seal the deal. 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): DAL, LAC, NOR, ORL, POR, SAS
- Waiver-Wire Top Adds: Jaime Jacquez Jr., Ryan Kalkbrenner
- Rotation Report:⬆️ Collin Sexton (LaMelo Ball injury)⬇️ Ben Sheppard (Andrew Nembhard 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.
- Dallas Mavericks
- Los Angeles Clippers
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Orlando Magic
- Portland Trail Blazers
- San Antonio Spurs
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
Jaime Jacquez Jr. (MIA - SG/SF): (Rostered: 64% ESPN, 40% Yahoo)
- Weekly Schedule: CLE, CLE, @NY
- Recent Trends: Jaquez Jr. has been one of the league’s top sixth men and is on track for a bounce-back campaign after last year’s dip. He’s contributing across the box score—points, rebounds, and assists—though the three-point shot hasn’t fully come around yet. Even so, he projects as a solid top-80 contributor.
Our top pick for 12-team leagues
Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA - C): (Rostered: 37% ESPN, 31% Yahoo)
- Weekly Schedule: LAL, MIL, @MIL, OKC
- Recent Trends: Kalkbrenner has locked down the Hornets’ starting center job after a strong start. He’s been a stock monster, averaging 2.6 blocks and 1.1 steals while shooting 81% from the field. If you’re targeting blocks and FG%, he’s a priority add.
Our top pick for 14-team leagues
Sam Merrill (CLE - SG): (Rostered: 8% ESPN, 12% Yahoo)
- Weekly Schedule: @MIA, @MIA, TOR, MEM
- Recent Trends: Merrill has thrived as a three-point specialist, shooting 55% from the field and 55% from deep on a career-high 8.6 attempts per game. With four games this week, he’s a legitimate category winner in threes—worth a look if you need perimeter volume.
Top Players For Each Category
Tier key:10-team ≈ 60% rostered12-team ≈ 30% rostered14-team ≈ 15% rostered
POINTS
• 10-team: Quentin Grimes (PHI), Jerami Grant (POR)
• 12-team: De’Andre Hunter (CLE), Dillon Brooks (PHO)
• 14-team: Harrison Barnes (SAS), Isaiah Joe (OKC)
REBOUNDS
• 10-team: Tobias Harris (DET) Jaime Jacquez Jr. (MIA)
• 12-team: PJ Washington (DAL), Neemias Queta (BOS)
• 14-team: Steven Adams (HOU), Mitchell Robinson (NYK)
ASSISTS
• 10-team: Dennis Schroder (SAC), Grayson Allen (PHO)
• 12-team: Davion Mitchell (MIA), Tre Jones (CHI)
• 14-team: Derik Queen (NOR), Tre Mann (CHA)
STEALS
• 10-team: Ajay Mitchell (OKC), Ryan Rollins (MIL)
• 12-team: Cason Wallace (OKC), Tre Jones (CHI)
• 14-team: Alex Caruso (OKC), Marcus Smart (LAL)
BLOCKS
• 10-team: Kel’el Ware (MIA), Daniel Gafford (DAL)
• 12-team: Neemias Queta (BOS), Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA)
• 14-team: Mitchell Robinson (NYK), Moussa Diabate (CHA)
3-POINTERS
• 10-team: Grayson Allen (PHO), Donte DiVincenzo (MIN)
• 12-team: Royce O’Neale (PHO), Aaron Nesmith (IND)
• 14-team: Sam Merrill (CLE), Isaiah Joe (OKC)
FIELD GOAL %
• 10-team: Jaime Jaquez Jr. (MIA), Cedric Coward (MEM)
• 12-team: Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA), Neemias Queta (BOS)
• 14-team: Moussa Diabate (CHA), Goga Bitadze (ORL)
The Trade Market
Take advantage of fluctuating player values by targeting players in slumps and selling those who are overperforming.
Buy Low
Desmond Bane (ORL - SG)
- The Slump: On his new team, Bane is averaging just 14.8 points, 3.9 assists, and 0.6 steals on 43% shooting, ranking around 190th in category formats so far.
- StatCats Take: Bane has struggled out of the gate with his new team and has been one of the most traded players across fantasy formats this week. His value is at a low point, making him a prime buy-low target. Given his fourth-round finishes in each of the past three seasons, positive regression is a reasonable bet.
Amen Thompson (HOU - PG/SG/PF)
- The Slump: One of the most sought-after 9-cat assets this season, Thompson is averaging 18.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.0 steals on 48% shooting.
- StatCats Take: While the surface stats look appealing, Thompson is returning roughly 15th-round value because his stocks, usually a core strength, have lagged. With usage trending up, he’s a strong buy-low with a realistic path to early-round value.
Sell High
O.G. Anunoby (NYK - SF/PF)
- The Surge: Anunoby has been great to start the season and is currently providing early 2nd round value. He is averaging 18.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 triples on 49% from the field alongside 3.2 stocks.
- StatCats Take: He’s been the prototypical 3-and-D wing for the Knicks, ranking second in steals per game while knocking down threes. Anunoby has long been a strong 9-cat contributor, but durability has capped his ceiling. Even with good health, expect some regression in his averages as the season progresses.
Jalen Duren (DET - C)
- The Surge: Duren has opened the season on a tear, averaging 29.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks on 64% shooting from the field. He currently ranks 17th in category formats.
- StatCats Take: The Cade Cunningham–Jalen Duren two-man game keeps clicking as their reps grow. Duren was poised for a leap, but his 86% free-throw mark is unlikely to hold. Consider shopping him as a sell-high for a fourth-round asset or better.
Injury & Rotation Report
Recent Notable Injuries
- LaMelo Ball (CHA - PG): Est. Return 11/12 (Right Ankle Impingement)
- ⬆️ Increased Role: Collin Sexton and Tre Mann will both see in uptick in minutes and usage.
- Bam Adebayo (MIA - C): Missed three games, day-to-day (Toe Sprain)
- ⬆️ Increased Role: Kel’el Ware will continue to start in place of Adebayo and should be rostered until he returns.
Returning to Action
- De’Aaron Fox (SAS - PG): Returned November 8th
- ⬇️ Decreased Role: Stephon Castle’s usage should slightly drop with Fox running point.
- Andrew Nembhard (IND - PG): Returned November 8th
- ⬇️ Decreased Role: Ben Sheppard, and broadly, the rest of the roster are likely to see reduced usage.