Welcome to The Playlist: my weekly column that tells you who and what to play (when it comes to determining your lineup or music in my rotation) for the upcoming week in fantasy basketball.
Each week you’ll see a compilation of the pickups you need to make, a quick look at the schedule, and lineup notes (who’s in and out of the rotations).
Press play and browse the latest fantasy basketball information.
🏀 Week 9 Wrap-up
🥇Top players in week 9
▶️ “Classic Man” – Jidenna feat. Roman GianArthur
🎧 Who’s in my rotation: Waiver Pickups
Players to be included in all competitions below 50%:
De’Andre Hunter, Gradey Dick, Rui Hachimura, Alex Sarr, Yves Missi, Malcolm Brogdon, Malik Beasley and Andrew Nembhard.
Players added this week under the 40% roster:
Scotty Pippen Jr. -PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies (34%)
One of the most valuable backups in fantasy basketball should be added back to all competitions with Ja Morant day-to-day with a shoulder injury. With Morant off the floor, Pippen Jr. averaging 15 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.7 shares and 34 fantasy points per game this season. He was also efficient as a starter, shooting 53% from the field and 40% from 3.
Spencer Dinwiddie – PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks (21%)
With Dončić out for at least a month, Dinwiddie rejoins the Mavs starting unit. He has been a proven streaming option as he has seen workloads increase, averaging 17 points, 4.7 boards and 5.7 dimes as a starter this season. For those in 9-cat leagues, his FG% may be a bit of a hindrance, but the counting stats are worth the small drop in that area. Quentin Grimes (19%) is the next best option if Dinwiddie is unavailable. Grimes will also get a boost as Naji Marshall was suspended for four games for his scuffle with Jusuf Nurkić.
Scoot Henderson – PG, Portland Trailblazers (30%)
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for the second-year pro, but he’s been in a good groove this past week. He’s averaging 17/3/6 with almost 3 steals per game in his last three games and while I’ll always prefer Henderson in points leagues over 9-cat, he’s been effective in both formats – he’s 39th in 9-cat and 51st in points competitions. The stock numbers and efficient shooting are rarities for Scoot, so fantasy managers should ride the wave while he’s hot.
Best streaming options
Early to mid week, Monday to Thursday:
Derrick Jones Jr. – SF/PF, Los Angeles Clippers (11%)
DJJ has short-lived streaming appeal with the Clippers playing back-to-back against the Pelicans and Spurs Monday through Tuesday. The Clippers also have a six-game slate against the Thunder on Thursday. That’s three games with one trade before Kawhi Leonard’s potential return on Saturday. Jones Jr. will be an asset to fantasy managers who need steals, points and 3s. Kris Dunn (10%) is a deep league option if DJJ is picked up.
Peyton Watson – SF/PF, Denver Nuggets (5%)
The Nuggets face the Jazz on Monday and the Hawks on Wednesday, which is a good opportunity for Watson. Aaron Gordon (calf) will miss at least two more games. Watson’s scoring has been inconsistent lately, but he has been a consistent contributor in shares in 9-cat leagues.
Kelly Oubre Jr. – SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers (34%)
The Sixers have a nice schedule in Week 10, starting with the Trail Blazers on Monday and a back-to-back against the Warriors and Kings on Wednesday and Thursday. Joel Embiid and Paul George will likely play in one of those games, so Oubre is another player for whom one trade could span multiple games. His scoring is down now that everyone is healthy, but he still gets enough counting stats to be added in 12-team points and 9-cat leagues.
Mid-to-late week, Thursday-Sunday:
Dalton Knecht – SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers (17%)
The Lakers will play three games in four nights from Thursday through Sunday, with matchups against the Blazers, Hawks and Rockets. With Russell gone, Knecht could move from the bench to the top option. He has played well in his last two games, averaging 15 points, five boards and 1.5 3s in 29 minutes of action.
Luguentz Dort- SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder (22%)
Dort will be an option in 12-team leagues, as one trade could net three games in the backend of the week. The Thunder have struggled against the Clippers, Knicks and Celtics, but Dort is always a threat to generate steals and has been a top-100 player this season.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – SG/SF, Orlando Magic (26%)
The Magic play three games this week against the Pistons, Raptors and Jazz on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Caldwell-Pope is a better option for 9-cat leagues, but he’s worth streaming because the Magic are missing several key players. Caldwell-Pope has been a good source of 3s and shares over the past two weeks. We could see an uptick in scoring as Jalen Suggs left Sunday’s game with a wrist injury.
▶️ “Cheers” – Anderson Paak feat. Q-Tip
🗓️ Plan highlights
Week 10 is a favorable week for streaming waivers, with no slate containing more than nine games. Plan your lineup early on New Year’s Eve (December 31), as the games start at 3:00 PM ET.
Here is the list of total matches played this week:
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Daily schedule: Monday (7), Tuesday (6), Wednesday (8), Thursday (6), Friday (9), Saturday (9) and Sunday (6)
One team I would avoid streaming players from is the Phoenix Suns. They only play two games on Tuesday and Saturday. Looking ahead to Week 11, if you have any trades left at the end of Week 10, pick up players like Royce O’Neale as the Suns are the only team playing five games next week.
Here is the rest of the team’s number of games played:
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13 teams play four matches: 4 games: 76ers, Cavaliers, Celtics, Clippers, Jazz, Kings, Knicks, Lakers, Nuggets, Pelicans, Thunder, Warriors and Wizards
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16 teams play three matches: Bulls, Grizzlies, Hawks, Heat, Hornets, Magic, Mavericks, Nets, Pacers, Pistons, Raptors, Rockets, Spurs, Timberwolves and Trail Blazers
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1 team plays two matches: Sunbathing
The back-to-back schedule can be found below:
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Monday/Tuesday: Cavs and Clippers
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Tuesday/Wednesday: Birds of prey
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Wednesday/Thursday: 76ers, Heat and Nets
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Thursday/Friday: Celtics, Lakers and Thunder
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Friday/Saturday: Grizzlies, Hawks, Knicks, Nuggets, Pistons and Spurs
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Saturday/Sunday: Jazz and Warriors
🚑 Injury status
Latest injury reports for all NBA teams
NBA Injury Report – Monday, December 30
▶️ “Blessings” – Big Sean feat. Drake
🔄 Rotation notes
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Brooklyn Nets: The Nets don’t play until Wednesday, giving D’Lo three days to return to his old team. Keon Johnson (13%) was a popular streaming option in Week 9, but that could be short-lived after this trade and the return of Cam Thomas on Sunday. Look for Noah Clowney (17%) as one of the options to take over Finney-Smith’s minutes.
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Charlotte Hornets: Shares of Vasilije Micić (6%) rose on Monday as the Hornets are missing two of their best players, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. However, it will likely be a one-game stream as the Hornets have three days off before playing the Pistons again on Friday.
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Warriors of the Golden State: At 65% selection, Trayce Jackson-Davis has played exceptionally well for fantasy managers since the Warriors acquired Dennis Schröder. Over his last five games, the big man has averaged 14 points, 9 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals, with a high FG%. Add it to leagues of 10 or fewer teams.
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New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson is doing light contact drills at practice, which is good news for fantasy managers who have had him on the shelf since November 6. He still doesn’t have a timetable, but a return seems imminent.
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Orlando magic: The official NBA injury report lists Paolo Banchero as “returning to competition, reconditioning,” so he’s likely nearing a return to the lineup. If a Banchero manager is struggling in the rankings, ask for trade offers before he returns.
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Washington Wizards: Justin Champagnie (21%) is an interesting play because even though he scores a career-high 31 points on Saturday, Kuzma’s return to the lineup likely dampens his streaming potential.
▶️ “Ball Drop” – Fantastic performance. French Montana
