Around The League
The Pistons continue to be on a tear in the Eastern Conference standings, securing their 9th straight win after beating the 76ers on Friday. This victory extends their lead at the top of the conference and marks their longest winning streak since 2008. In the West, the Denver Nuggets are on a roll and have moved into 2nd place in the standings. Nikola Jokic had a strong week, dropping 55 points against the Clippers along with 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Also making news in the West, the New Orleans Pelicans have fired head coach Willie Green, who has been with the team since 2021, following a slow start to the season which sees them sitting in last place. 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, MIA, OKC, TOR
- Waiver-Wire Top Adds: Zach Edey, Isaiah Collier, Daniss Jenkins
- Rotation Report:⬆️ Miles McBride (Brunson injury)⬇️ Tre Jones (Coby White 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.
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Miami Heat
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Toronto Raptors
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
Zach Edey (MEM - C): (Rostered: 27% ESPN, 37% Yahoo)
- Weekly Schedule: @SA, SAC, @DAL
- Recent Trends: After missing the first 13 games while recovering from an ankle procedure, Edey reclaimed the starting center role. He can threaten a double-double with a block most nights. If you need a center, make him a priority pickup since his starting spot appears secure for the rest of the season.
Our top pick for 12-team leagues
Isaiah Collier (UTA - PG): (Rostered: 20% ESPN, 20% Yahoo)
- Weekly Schedule: @LAL, OKC, LAL
- Recent Trends: Collier has operated as Utah’s backup point guard but remains an excellent stream for assists. Through four games at just 23.6 minutes per night, he is averaging 7.0 assists. If you need assists for this week’s matchup, he is a smart short-term add.
Our top pick for 14-team leagues
Daniss Jenkins (DET - PG): (Rostered: 9% ESPN, 7% Yahoo)
- Weekly Schedule: IND, @ATL, @MIL
- Recent Trends: Jenkins has started the past few games at point guard with Cade Cunningham dealing with a left hip contusion and has been excellent. Over his last three games (two without Cunningham), he is averaging 20.4 points, 7.7 assists, and 2.3 steals. The Pistons open the week with a back to back, so Cunningham is likely to miss at least one of those games.
Top Players For Each Category
Tier key:10-team ≈ 30-40% rostered12-team ≈ 10-20% rostered14-team ≈ 0-10% rostered
POINTS
• 10-team: De’Andre Hunter (CLE), Nickeil Alexender-Walker (ATL)
• 12-team: Ayo Dosunmu (CHI), Kevin Huerter (CHI)
• 14-team: Saddiq Bey (NOR), Moses Moody (GSW)
REBOUNDS
• 10-team: Jusuf Nurkic (CHA), Neemias Queta (BOS)
• 12-team: Andre Drummond (PHI), Moussa Diabate (CHA)
• 14-team: Steven Adams (HOU), Mitchell Robinson (NYK)
ASSISTS
• 10-team: Davion Mitchell (MIA), Tre Jones (CHI)
• 12-team: Brandon Williams (DAL), Isaiah Collier (UTA)
• 14-team: Daniss Jenkins (DET), Lonzo Ball (CLE)
STEALS
• 10-team: Davion Mitchell (MIA), Reed Sheppard (HOU)
• 12-team: Jeremiah Fears (NOR), Marcus Smart (LAL)
• 14-team: Josh Okogie (HOU), Daniss Jenkins (DET)
BLOCKS
• 10-team: Zach Edey (MEM), Neemias Queta (BOS)
• 12-team: Isaiah Stewart (DET), Daniel Gafford (DAL)
• 14-team: Jay Huff (IND), Goga Bitadze (ORL)
3-POINTERS
• 10-team: Reed Sheppard (HOU), Dillon Brooks (PHO)
• 12-team: Aaron Wiggins (OKC), Royce O’Neal (PHO)
• 14-team: Duncan Robinson (DET), Vit Krejci (ATL)
FIELD GOAL %
• 10-team: Rui Hachimura (LAL), Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL)
• 12-team: Moussa Diabate (CHA), Daniel Gafford (DAL)
• 14-team: Luke Kornet (SAS), Paul Reed (DET)
The Trade Market
Take advantage of fluctuating player values by targeting players in slumps and selling those who are overperforming.
Buy Low
Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM - PF/C)
- The Slump: Jackson Jr. is averaging 17.9 points, 1.4 blocks, and 0.5 steals on 48% shooting, ranking 106th in category formats to date.
- StatCats Take: Jackson Jr. has been steady to start the season, but his category value usually comes from stocks, which are down so far. We expect his steals to rise along with his scoring. If the Grizzlies adjust roles or make a move amid the recent turbulence with Ja Morant, he could see additional opportunity, making this a reasonable buy-low window.
De’Aaron Fox (SAS - PG)
- The Slump: In four games since returning from injury, Fox is averaging 20.5 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 turnovers.
- StatCats Take: Fox has flown under the radar this season and should push toward top 50 value as the year progresses. His turnovers have him around 11th round value for now, but that should decline. As his chemistry with Victor Wembanyama improves, he projects for a strong rest of the season, so try to acquire him before the upswing.
Sell High
Norman Powell (MIA - SG/SF)
- The Surge: Powell has been outstanding on his new team, averaging 26.1 points and 3.5 threes on 48% from the field and 93% at the line.
- StatCats Take: He has been exactly what Miami needed, leading the team in scoring and delivering second-round fantasy value. With Tyler Herro expected to reclaim significant usage when healthy, consider selling high now and targeting a third-round asset or better.
Mikal Bridges (NYK - SG/SF)
- The Surge: Bridges currently ranks 10th in fantasy, averaging 15.6 points, 2.5 threes, and 2.0 steals on 49% shooting from the field.
- StatCats Take: His box score may look light for first round expectations, but Bridges has been the Knicks’ most valuable categories player so far. He has delivered an ideal 3 and D profile for New York. Regression is likely, so explore trading him for a top 25 asset.
Injury & Rotation Report
Recent Notable Injuries
- Christian Braun (DEN - SG): Re-Evaluation in Six Weeks (Left Ankle)
- ⬆️ Increased Role: Peyton Watson and Bruce Brown will both see in uptick in minutes and usage.
- Jalen Brunson (NYK - PG): Week-to-Week (Right Ankle)
- ⬆️ Increased Role: Miles McBride looks to be taking over the starting PG role until Brunson returns.
Returning to Action
- Zach Edey (MEM - C): Returned 11/15
- ⬇️ Decreased Role: Jock Landale’s usage will drop with Edey reclaiming Memphis’s starting center role.
- Coby White (CHI - PG): Returning Week of 11/17
- ⬇️ Decreased Role: Tre Jones and Ayo Dosunmu will see less minutes once White returns