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Week 9 (12/15 - 12/21)

• 4 min read • Week 9

Around The League

The NBA Cup semifinals concluded this week, setting the stage for a New York versus San Antonio final on Tuesday. Semifinal action saw the Knicks defeat the Magic, while the Spurs edged out the Thunder to secure their spot. The Knicks are also on a tear in the Eastern Conference, posting a dominant 9-1 record over their last ten games and extending their current winning streak to five games. They now sit only two games behind the Pistons for the top spot. In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder continue their league-wide dominance, boasting a dominant 24-2 record at the top of the conference standings. 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): HOU, MIA, TOR, NYK, SAS
  • Waiver-Wire Top Adds: Cedric Coward, Jordan Walsh, Marcus Smart
  • Rotation Report:⬆️ Jaylon Tyson (Mobley injury)⬇️ Collin Gillespie (Booker return from injury)

The Weekly Slate

Most teams play 2 or 3 games this week. Fantasy managers should prioritize players from the following 4-game teams:

  • Houston Rockets
  • Miami Heat
  • Toronto Raptors 
  • New York Knicks
  • 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 

Cedric Coward (MEM - SG/SF): (Rostered: 34% ESPN, 30% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: @LAC, @MIN, WSH
  • Recent Trends: Coward has found his groove over the past two weeks, averaging 15.0 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. He should be a consistent streamer for rebounds and is especially valuable given his guard eligibility.

Our top pick for 12-team leagues

Jordan Walsh (BOS - SF): (Rostered: 16% ESPN, 20% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: DET, MIA, @TOR
  • Recent Trends: Walsh has been shining as a starter, averaging 15.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.0 steals on 81% shooting over his past five games. He’s been excellent on both sides of the ball and should be added if you need steals or efficiency.

Our top pick for 14-team leagues

Marcus Smart (LAL - PG/SG): (Rostered: 6% ESPN, 10% Yahoo) 

  • Weekly Schedule: @UTA, @LAC
  • Recent Trends: Smart has entered the starting lineup with Austin Reaves sidelined. The Lakers only play two games this week, but we still see Smart as a priority add for steals and threes. He’s averaging 1.6 triples and 1.6 steals per game on the season. 

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: Saddiq Bey (NOR), Collin Gillespie (PHO)
• 12-team: Jaylon Tyson (CLE), Cam Spencer (MEM)
• 14-team: Marcus Smart (LAL), Jaylen Wells (MEM)

REBOUNDS
• 10-team: Cedric Coward (MEM), Maxime Raynaud (SAC)
• 12-team: Jaylon Tyson (CLE), Marvin Bagley III (WAS)
• 14-team: Jalen Smith (CHI), Robert Williams (POR)

ASSISTS
• 10-team: Davion Mitchell (MIA), Quentin Grimes (PHI)
• 12-team: Ryan Nembhard (DAL), Cam Spencer (MEM)
• 14-team: Pat Spencer (GSW), Jamal Shead (TOR)

STEALS
• 10-team: Herb Jones (NOR), Collin Gillespie (PHO)
• 12-team: Jordan Walsh (BOS), Cason Wallace (OKC)
• 14-team: Lonzo Ball (CLE), Alex Caruso (OKC)

BLOCKS
• 10-team: Jay Huff (IND), Neemias Queta (BOS)
• 12-team: Isaiah Stewart (DET), Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA)
• 14-team: Robert Williams (POR), Luke Kornet (SAS)

3-POINTERS
• 10-team: Collin Gillespie (PHO), Noah Clowney (BKN)
• 12-team: Cam Spencer (MEM), Duncan Robinson (DET)
• 14-team: Marcus Smart (LAL), Miles McBride (NYK)

FIELD GOAL %
• 10-team: Neemias Queta (BOS), Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA)
• 12-team: Jordan Walsh (BOS), Naji Marshall (DAL)
• 14-team: Robert Williams (POR), 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 (PHO - PG/SG)

  • The Slump: Over the past month, Booker is averaging just 19.9 points, 6.2 assists, and 1.1 steals on 38% shooting, ranking 129th.
  • StatCats Take: Booker has struggled recently but should bounce back sooner rather than later. He was a late first-round pick, and some managers may be ready to shake things up, so look to take advantage. Don’t be surprised if he puts up around 30 and 10 for stretches.

LeBron James (LAL - SF/PF)

  • The Slump: James has averaged a mild 16.5 points, 7.6 assists and 6.0 rebounds on 47% shooting from the floor in 8 games this season. 
  • StatCats Take: James has struggled heavily since returning from his early-season absence and has seen major drops across the board. His efficiency should bounce back, and we expect his scoring to improve as well. See if you can grab him before that happens.

Sell High

Michael Porter Jr. (BKN - SF/PF)

  • The Surge: Over the past month, MPJ is averaging 28.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.1 threes on 54% shooting from the floor across 10 games, ranking 13th over that span.
  • StatCats Take: Porter Jr. has found his stride over the past month on his new team after struggling early in the season. He’s enjoying the highest usage of his career as the clear No. 1 option. We don’t expect him to keep averaging close to 30 points a night, so now is a great time to explore the trade market.

Devin Vassell (SAS - SG/SF)

  • The Surge: Over his last 13 games, Vassell is averaging 17.6 points, 2.8 threes, and 1.1 steals on 45% shooting from the field and 95% from the line.
  • StatCats Take: Vassell has seen increased usage this past month with Victor Wembanyama out and has delivered 4th-round value in that stretch. With Wembanyama back, his usage should drop, so see if you can include Vassell in a trade.

Injury & Rotation Report 

Recent Notable Injuries

  • Austin Reaves (LAL - SG, PG, SF): Re-Evaluation in One Week (Left Calf)
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia and Gabe Vincent are likely to see increased playing time
  • Evan Mobley (CLE - C, PF): Out for 2-4 Weeks (Left Calf) 
    • ⬆️ Increased Role: Jaylon Tyson should continue starting in the forward slot and is must-roster

Returning to Action

  • Devin Booker (PHX - SG): Returned 12/14
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Collin Gillespie will likely see a small downtick in minutes
  • Dennis Schroder (LAL - PG): Returned 12/14
    • ⬇️ Decreased Role: Keon Ellis and Malik Monk should be most affected minutes-wise