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Week 8 (12/8 - 12/14)

• 4 min read • Week 8

Around The League

The Oklahoma City Thunder continue their dominant season in the West, maintaining their hold on the top spot with a 14-game winning streak and only one loss overall. In the East, the Pistons also remain firmly on top of the standings. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics are looking hot, climbing to 4th place in the conference standings after posting an impressive 8-2 record over their last ten games. In other news, James Harden made history by moving into the top 10 scorers of all time, passing Carmelo Anthony. Harden now has a career total of 28,290 points and trails Shaquille O’Neal by just 307 points for the No. 9 spot on the list. 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 (3 Games): IND, MIN, NOP, SAC
  • Waiver-Wire Top Adds: Jeremiah Fears, Jay Huff, Cam Spencer
  • Rotation Report:⬆️ Saddiq Bey (Williamson injury)⬇️ Naji Marshall (Washington return from injury)

The Weekly Slate

Due to NBA cup action, teams have a lighter schedule this week. Most teams are only playing 1-2 games, so fantasy managers should prioritize players from the following 3-game teams:

  • Indiana Pacers
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • 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 

Jeremiah Fears (NO - PG/SG): (Rostered: 26% ESPN, 28% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: SA, POR, @CHA
  • Recent Trends: Fears has taken over as the Pelicans’ starting point guard, averaging 16.7 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.0 steal across his first seven starts. He should be a strong streaming option for points, especially given he’s averaging around 15 shot attempts over that span.

Our top pick for 12-team leagues

Jay Huff (IND - C): (Rostered: 13% ESPN, 25% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: SAC, @PHI, WSH
  • Recent Trends: Huff remains our top streaming pick for the second straight week. He’s become the premier blocks streamer, averaging a whopping 3.3 per game over his last seven in only 23.6 minutes.

Our top pick for 14-team leagues

Cam Spencer (MEM - SG): (Rostered: 8% ESPN, 14% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: UTA, @OKC
  • Recent Trends: Spencer has seen a big usage bump with Ja Morant out and even led the team in minutes (32) in their last game against the Trail Blazers. Over his last seven games, he’s averaging 15.0 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.7 threes. Pick him up if you need dimes.

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: Jeremiah Fears (NOR), Noah Clowney (BKN)
• 12-team: Ayo Dosunmu (CHI), Naji Marshall (DAL)
• 14-team: De’Anthony Melton (GSW), Duncan Robinson (DET)

REBOUNDS
• 10-team: Neemias Queta (BOS), Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL)
• 12-team: Andre Drummond (PHI), Keldon Johnson (SAS)
• 14-team: Steven Adams (HOU), Kyle Filipowski (UTA)

ASSISTS
• 10-team: Davion Mitchell (MIA), Collin Gillespie (PHO)
• 12-team: Ryan Nembhard (DAL). Anthony Black (ORL)
• 14-team: Cam Spencer (MEM), Lonzo Ball (CLE) 

STEALS
• 10-team: T.J. McConnell (IND), Collin Gillespie (PHO)
• 12-team: Jared McCain (PHI), Naji Marshall (DAL)
• 14-team: Ryan Dunn (PHO), De’Anthony Melton (GSW)

BLOCKS
• 10-team: Neemias Queta (BOS), Peyton Watson (DEN)
• 12-team: Jay Huff (IND), Isaiah Stewart (DET)
• 14-team: Luke Kornet (SAS), Marvin Bagley III (WAS)

3-POINTERS
• 10-team: Collin Gillespie (PHX),  Noah Clowney (BKN)
• 12-team: Klay Thompson (DAL), Jaylen Wells (MEM)
• 14-team: AJ Green (MIL), Miles McBride (NYK)

FIELD GOAL %
• 10-team: Neemias Queta (BOS), Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA)
• 12-team: Jaylen Wells (MEM), Jordan Walsh (BOS)
• 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

Josh Giddey (CHI - PG/SG/SF)

  • The Slump: Over the past month, Giddey is averaging 19.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists on just 46% shooting, 75% from the charity stripe and 3.7 turnovers a game. 
  • StatCats Take: Giddey has been great this year but has struggled with his efficiency since November, returning roughly sixth-round value. We don’t expect a major jump from here, but this still profiles as a possible buy-low window.

Paolo Banchero (ORL - SF/PF)

  • The Slump: Banchero has recently from injury and in 14 games this season has averaged just 20.1 points, 7.9 rebounds on 45% shooting from the floor. 
  • StatCats Take: Banchero has been disappointing this season, returning 15th-round value after being drafted in the 3rd round. It’s hard to see him staying this bad all year, so this is a good time to send an offer to a possibly disgruntled Banchero manager.

Sell High

Kevin Porter Jr. (MIL - PG/SG)

  • The Surge: In only 5 games this season, Porter Jr. is averaging 24.2 points, 3.8 triples, 6.6 assists. and 2.4 steals on 56% shooting from the floor. Ranked 4th in the league. 
  • StatCats Take: After tearing the meniscus in his right knee, Porter Jr. has returned and is playing the best basketball of his career. However, with trade rumors swirling around Giannis, the Bucks’ post-deadline rotation looks unpredictable. KPJ is unlikely to sustain his current production, so you should see what you can get for him in a trade.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ATL - PG/SG)

  • The Surge: Over his last 14 games, NAW is providing 4th round value averaging 22.6 points, 3.4 triples, and 1.0 steals a game. 
  • StatCats Take: Alexander-Walker has capitalized on Trae Young’s injury, going on an offensive heater with three 30+ point games over an eight-day span. However, Young is nearing a return, and once he’s back, NAW will likely head back to the bench. Test the trade market now and see if you can flip him for a serviceable mid to late-round asset. 

Injury & Rotation Report 

Recent Notable Injuries

  • Zion Williamson (NO - PF): Reevaluation in 3 Weeks (Groin)
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Saddiq Bey has delivered strong production in Williamson’s absence and will continue to shoulder a sizable load on offense
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL - C): Out for 2-4 Weeks (Right Calf) 
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Jericho Sims has seen the biggest bump in playing time, and Kyle Kuzma and Kevin Porter Jr. should have more usage 

Returning to Action

  • P.J. Washington (PHX - SG): Returned 12/6
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Naji Marshall should see less minutes as Washington reclaims his spot in the starting five 
  • Luka Doncic (LAL - PG): Returning 12/7
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Gabe Vincent will see the biggest reduction in playing time as Doncic returns to the starting lineup; Austin Reaves should have a slight downtick in usage