Table of Contents
Welcome to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who and what to play (when it comes to music or other things in my rotation) for the upcoming week in fantasy basketball.
Each week, you’ll see a compilation of the picks you need to make and a quick look at the schedule and roster notes (who’s in and out of rotations).
Press play and stream the latest fantasy basketball information.
Week 10 Summary:
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Jaden Ivey underwent surgery to repair a fractured fibula and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. I wouldn’t keep him because he faces a long absence.
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Jabari Smith (hand) will be out 4-8 weeks after breaking his hand in target practice. Yuck.
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Jimmy Butler has been suspended for seven games by the Miami Heat.
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Anthony Edwards set a new career high with 53 points against the Pistons.
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CJ McCollum left in Week 10, finishing in the top 15 in 9-cat leagues after scoring 50 points (tying his career high) on Friday.
Best players of week 10
Who’s in my rotation: Waiver picks with less than 50% of the roster
Ausar Thompson – SF/PF, Detroit Pistons (48% on roster)
The Thompson twins have arrived. While Ausar’s brother Amen has a large roster, Ausar is available in over 50% of leagues. They have similar skill sets, providing fantasy managers with action, rebounds, and a high FG percentage. With Jaden Ivey out indefinitely, Thompson’s minutes will increase to 20, which is a great sign of his upside considering he’s averaging .99 fantasy points per minute this season (equivalent to Lauri Markkanen). Another player of note who is more available is Malik Beasley (35%).
Yves Missi – C, New Orleans Pelicans (41% registered)
We’re almost there, y’all. It’s only 9% more, so I don’t have to keep mentioning one of the best rookies in fantasy basketball. He’s been on a roll lately, ranking 75th in 9-cat leagues over the last month. He has blocked two or more shots in five of his last seven games and, surprisingly, has added a pair of assists to match his low-level double-double lead. It needs to be included in all leagues and formats.
Ryan Dunn – SF, Phoenix Suns (2% of roster)
Dunn is a player I would prioritize streaming in Week 11, with the Suns playing five games. Even if you can’t fit him into your lineup for all of them, a trade should generate ample counting stats. Another option is Grayson Allen (13%), but I prefer the UVA rookie as he will join the starting lineup on Monday to replace Bradley Beal. Could this be an audition for a more significant movement? Either way, get Dunn for now, for the 3 and the stock, and see where it goes.
Nikola Jović – PF/C, Miami Heat (12% of roster)
The Heat are moving on from Jimmy Butler, which opens up more opportunities for players like Jović. Duncan Robinson (14%) is also an option, but Jović is improving his stats more than Robinson, widely known as a 3-point specialist. Jović has provided value in the 8th round in 9-category leagues over the last two weeks, mainly due to the way he plays (4.3 assists/game). If his minutes continue to be in the 20-30 range, he should be a useful asset in Week 11, with Miami playing four games.
Quentin Grimes – SG/SF, Dallas Mavericks (18% on roster)
The Mavericks will be without both of their starts to open the week, elevating Grimes to a starting role starting Monday. He has been a streaming-worthy option in 11 starts this season, scoring 15.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.3 three-pointers and 1.0 steals on 54/42/85 shooting splits. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Kyrie Irving’s back injury because it could be worth keeping Grimes the longer he’s out.
Max Christie – SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers (19% on roster)
Since Christie entered the starting lineup nearly a month ago, the Lakers have gone 8-3 and have the sixth-best defense in the NBA. It also translates to fantasy, as Christie has been a fifth-round value in 9-cat leagues over the past two weeks. He’s been exceptionally efficient from the field and plays 30 minutes a night, so with four games this week, Christie is an underrated 3&D player.
Brice Sensabaugh – SG/SF, Utah Jazz (9% on roster)
It was an incredible weekend for Sensabaugh, putting up performances of 34 (12-18 FG, 7-11 3PT) and 27 (11-19, 5-6 3PT) off the bench in back-to-back outings. The Jazz won both games and the 34-point game came with Lauri Markkannen and Keyonte George present, which is even more impressive. Jazz HC Will Hardy has been very complimentary of the second-year wing, as Sensabaugh shoots 48% from the field, 43% from 3, and 92%, all numbers that should help him earn consistent minutes. It may be early, but Utah is clearly evaluating its younger talent right now. I’d add him to 12+ team leagues while he’s in the heat, and with four games this week.
Scotty Pippen Jr. – PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies (29% on roster)
I’m going to back off Pippen Jr. because he’s still too low. One of the most valuable backups in fantasy basketball should be added back to all leagues, with Ja Morant coming week after week with another shoulder injury. With Morant sidelined, Pippen Jr. is averaging 13.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.8 actions and 31 fantasy points per game this season. He has also been efficient as a starter, shooting 52% from the field and 43% from three-point range.
Others add:
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Spencer Dinwiddie – PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks (18% on roster)
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Keon Ellis – SG/SF, Sacramento Kings (16% on roster)
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Toumani Camara – SF/PF, Portland Trail Blazers (16% on roster)
Featured schedules:
Week 11 is a favorable week to stream from waivers, with no roster exceeding nine games.
Here is the list of the total number of games played this week:
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Daily schedule: Monday (9), Tuesday (7), Wednesday (8), Thursday (8), Friday (7), Saturday (7) and Sunday (9)
The Suns are the only team that plays five games. Additionally, several teams play three games in four nights at the beginning of the week: Heat, Mavericks, Pistons, Raptors, Timberwolves and Trail Blazers. Target players on those teams so you can get at least a few games in one move before you get to the middle of the week.
Here you have the rest of the matches played by the team:
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1 team plays five games: Suns
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18 teams play four games: 76ers, Bucks, Bulls, Hornets, Heat, Jazz, Kings, Knicks, Magic, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pacers, Pelicans, Pistons, Raptors, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers and Wizards
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11 teams play three games: Cavaliers, Celtics, Clippers, Grizzlies, Hawks, Lakers, Rockets, Spurs, Thunder and Warriors
Consecutive Week 11 Breakdown:
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Monday/Tuesday: Heat, Mavericks, Suns and Timberwolves
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Tuesday/Wednesday: Nuggets, Pelicans and Wizards
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Wednesday/Thursday: Cavaliers, Pistons, Raptors and Trail Blazers
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Thursday/Friday: Magic and Warriors
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Friday/Saturday: None
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Saturday/Sunday: Hornets, Jazz and Suns
Injury news:
Latest injury reports for all NBA teams
NBA Injury Report: Monday, January 6
“Sacrifices” – Drake ft. 2 Chainz and Young Thug
Rotation Notes:
Miami heat – Jimmy Butler’s suspension opens the door for several players. I already talked about Nikola Jović and Duncan Robinson, but if they are chosen, Haywood Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are additional options. Neither is consistent enough, but playing three games in four nights to start the week could be worth it.
Phoenix Suns They have lost four games in a row and the Suns are changing the starting lineupinserting Ryan Dunn for Bradley Beal and Mason Plumlee for Jusuf Nurkić. We’ll see how long this lasts, but Nurkić is a drop in the bucket. Grayson Allen should also get a considerable run, so make sure he’s unavailable.
Houston Rockets – Amen Thompson is the Rockets’ new starting SF, with Jabari Smith Jr. breaking his hand in pregame shootaround this weekend. Smith will miss 4-8 weeks with the injury, so Thompson is about to be a problem. Additionally, Tari Eason (leg) remains out, moving Dillon Brooks into transferable territory for deep leagues.
New Orleans Pelicans – Trey Murphy III left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury and did not return. He appeared to aggravate a previous ankle injury. José Alvarado and Brandon Boston Jr. are two players to watch during a four-game week.
Brooklyn Networks In deep leagues, Ziare Williams and Keon Johnson could be stealth additions as D’Angelo Russell suffers a shin bruise. Ben Simmons is being Ben and Cam Thomas has injured his hammy again.
warriors of the golden state – The Warriors lost Jonathan Kuminga over the weekend to a sprained ankle that will require an MRI. It’s not a great look for the Dubs as they’re still hitting the trade market, but in the meantime, Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody are expected to see more touches.