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Week 7 (12/1 - 12/7)

• 4 min read • Week 7

Around The League

NBA Cup group stage action wrapped up this week, and the quarterfinals are now set. In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who went 4-0 in the group stage, will face the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers, who also went 4-0 in the opening round, will face the San Antonio Spurs. In the East, the Orlando Magic will host the Miami Heat, and the Toronto Raptors will host the New York Knicks. In other news, Cooper Flagg made history as the Mavericks defeated the Clippers, 114-110. The former Duke standout became the youngest NBA player to score 35 points. This marks a bright spot for an otherwise rough season for the Mavs, who sit in 12th place in the Western Conference with only six wins. 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): CHA, CHI, DEN, ORL
  • Waiver-Wire Top Adds: Neemias Queta, Jay Huff, Naji Marshall
  • Rotation Report:⬆️ Brandin Podziemski (Curry injury)⬇️ Collin Gillespie (Allen return from injury)

The Weekly Slate

The majority of teams play 4 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.

  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Denver Nuggets
  • 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 

Neemias Queta (BOS - C): (Rostered: 25% ESPN, 34% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: NY, @WSH, LAL, @TOR
  • Recent Trends: Queta has stepped in as Boston’s starting center this season and is producing seventh-round value. He has been an excellent fit for big-man builds that punt guard stats. With four games this week, add him if you need rebounds, FG%, and blocks.

Our top pick for 12-team leagues

Jay Huff (IND - C): (Rostered: 6% ESPN, 18% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: CLE, DEN, @CHI
  • Recent Trends: Huff has started the past two games at center and is averaging 11.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks over his last seven. If you need blocks this week, he should be at the top of your waiver-wire targets.

Our top pick for 14-team leagues

Naji Marshall (DAL - SF/PF): (Rostered: 9% ESPN, 13% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: @DEN, MIA, @OKC, HOU
  • Recent Trends: Naji Marshall drew the start after P. J. Washington tweaked his ankle during pregame warmups. Marshall should remain in the first unit until Washington returns, which may be at least a week away. In two starts this season, he is averaging 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals.

Top Players For Each Category

Tier key:10-team ≈ 30-40% rostered

12-team ≈ 10-20% rostered

14-team ≈ 0-10% rostered

POINTS

• 10-team: Grayson Allen (PHX), De’Andre Hunter (CLE)

• 12-team: Jeremiah Fears (NOR), Ayo Dosunmu (CHI)

• 14-team: Naji Marshall (DAL), Duncan Robinson (DET)

REBOUNDS

• 10-team: Andre Drummond (PHI), Jusuf Nurkic (CHA)

• 12-team: Moussa Diabate (CHA), Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL)

• 14-team: Jock Landale (MEM), Isaiah Jackson (IND)

ASSISTS

• 10-team: Davion Mitchell (MIA), Collin Gillespie (PHO)

• 12-team: Vince Williams Jr. (MEM), Tre Jones (CHI)

• 14-team: Jamal Shead (TOR), Brandon Williams (DAL)

STEALS

• 10-team: Cason Wallace (OKC), Grayson Allen (PHX)

• 12-team: Anthony Black (ORL), Tre Jones (CHI)

• 14-team: Marcus Smart (LAL), Kris Dunn (LAC)

BLOCKS

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

• 12-team: Jay Huff (IND), Isaiah Stewart (DET)

• 14-team: Robert Wiliams (POR), Goga Bitazde (ORL)

3-POINTERS

• 10-team: Grayson Allen (PHX), Collin Gillespie (PHX)

• 12-team: Klay Thompson (DAL), Royce O’Neale (PHX)

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

FIELD GOAL %

• 10-team: Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL), Neemias Queta (BOS)

• 12-team: Moussa Diabate (CHA), Keldon Johnson (SAS)

• 14-team: Isaiah Jackson (IND), 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

Devin Booker (PHX - PG/SG)

  • The Slump: Over the past month, Booker is averaging 23.8 points, 7.0 assists, and 3.8 turnovers on 44% shooting, ranking 75th over that span and 62nd on the season.
  • StatCats Take: Booker has underperformed relative to his late first to early second round ADP. His three-point shooting is down and turnovers are up, which makes sense given his role as the number one option after Kevin Durant’s departure. We expect a gradual rebound as he settles into the lead role and his shooting normalizes.

Andrew Nembhard (IND - SG/PG)

  • The Slump: Nembhard has averaged 17.2 points, 6.2 assists, 0.8 steals on 40% shooting from the floor, ranking 148th in 12 games this season. 
  • StatCats Take: Nembhard was injured on opening night and has not found his rhythm since returning. He was poised for a breakout campaign with Tyrese Haliburton out for the season, and we are not backing off that outlook. As a defense-first guard, his steals should rise and his efficiency should trend back toward his norms.

Sell High

Lauri Markkanen (UTA - SF/PF)

  • The Surge: Markkanen has been excellent, averaging 27.9 points, 3.2 threes, and 6.3 rebounds on 47% from the field and 91% at the line, ranking 16th.
  • StatCats Take: Markkanen is enjoying a bounce-back season after last year’s underwhelming run amid lineup churn and late-season tanking. A similar scenario could happen again, so consider selling high. Given his current production, you may be able to flip him for a second-round player.

Trey Murphy (NOR - SG/SF)

  • The Surge: Murphy is averaging 19.7 points, 2.9 threes, and 1.7 steals, ranking 22nd on the season.
  • StatCats Take: Murphy has delivered an ideal 3 and D profile for the last-place Pelicans and has benefited from Zion Williamson’s frequent absences. With New Orleans at 3–17, shutdown risk is a consideration. If packaged well, he could return a mid second round player right now.

Injury & Rotation Report 

Recent Notable Injuries

  • Steph Curry (GSW - PG): Week-to-Week (Left Quadriceps) 
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Brandin Podziemski will see a bump in playing time, and Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green should have more usage 
  • Jarrett Allen (CLE - C): Out for One Week (Finger)
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: With Larry Nance (calf) also sidelined, Dean Wade and Jaylon Tyson should see more minutes. Evan Mobley will also log more time at center.

Returning to Action

  • Kevin Porter Jr. (MIL - SG): Returned 11/29
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Cole Anthony will see the biggest reduction in playing time as KPJ picks up minutes 
  • Grayson Allen (PHX - SG): Returned 11/29
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Collin Gillespie should see less minutes as Allen reclaims his spot in the starting five