Welcome to The Playlist: my weekly column that tells you who and what to play — when it comes to music or other things in my rotation — for the week ahead 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 7 is over
🚨 Plan note: Tuesday is the Emirates NBA Cup championship match. The championship game will not count towards the Week 8 scoring period.
🥇Top Players for Week 7 (December 2-15)
▶️ “Iced Down Medallions” – Royal Flush
🎧 Who’s in my rotation: Waiver Pickups
Players to be included in all competitions below 50%:
Tari Eason, Gradey Dick, Alex Sarr, Ayo Dosunmu, Goga Bitadze, TJ McConnell and De’Andre Hunter.
Players who should be classified below 40%:
Yves Missi – C, New Orleans Pelicans (37% selected)
With such a low selection in fantasy, the starting point for the Pelicans is a bit disrespected. Those in leagues with 10 or fewer teams should pick him up. In his last ten games, the Baylor alum is averaging 13 points with 11 rebounds and 2.3 shares per game. He’s at the top of my rookie board and given his minutes and production, he should be included in all leagues.
▶️ “A Little Soul” – Pete Rock
Kelly Oubre Jr. – SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers (35% on list)
The Sixers will play two of their three games this week against the fantasy-friendly Hornets. Oubre started the final nine games for the Sixers, providing sixth-round value in 9-category leagues while collecting 1.7 steals per game during that span. The Sixers won’t have Joel Embiid or Jared McCain for a while, so Oubre’s scoring, rebounding and defense are much-needed for a team struggling to get out of the bottom third of the Eastern Conference.
Lugentz Dort – SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder (25% selected)
Dort averaged 33 fantasy points over his previous three games, posting a solid 14.7 points with 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 3s and 2.7 shares. He plays 30 minutes a night, and his defense will keep him on the floor as a key role player for the best team in the Western Conference. There will be highs and lows, but Dort is in the top 100 in 9-category leagues and should be included in all leagues with more than 12 teams.
Jaden McDaniels – SF/PF, Minnesota Timberwolves (24% selected)
In 12-team leagues, McDaniels is a player who has been on the rise over the past week. He has been more aggressive on both ends, scoring 13 points per game with seven rebounds in his last five games, plus 12 steals. The Wolves have tough games this week against the Knicks and Warriors, but McDaniels’ improved defense and rebounding have been crucial for Minnesota and fantasy managers.
Donovan Clingan – C, Portland Trail Blazers (24% selected)
The new big man started Sunday and put in a decent performance with 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 20 minutes of action. Clingan replaced Deandre Ayton (illness) and split time with Robert Williams. Clingan is a long-term prospect as he has shown a knack for blocking shots and rebounding quickly when he has more than 20 minutes. In the five games he has played at least 20 minutes, he averaged 7.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game.
Kevin Huerter – SF/SF, Sacramento Kings (8% selected)
Huerter has a shoulder injury and is questionable for Monday’s game, but the Kings have three additional games this week, making him a good option on a short week. His numbers aren’t worth keeping long term, but he’s been useful for three seconds and is a steal most nights. The Kings have three favorable games against the Lakers (twice) and the Pacers the rest of the week.
▶️ “Carefully” -Dusty decks
Justin Champagnie – SG/SF, Washington Wizards (20% on list)
With all the injuries in Washington, the other Champagnie brother is taking his chance, giving fantasy managers some ridiculous numbers lately. Over his last four games, Champagnie is averaging 16.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 3s, 2.8 steals and 1.3 blocks in 36.6 minutes per game. That’s over 40 fantasy points per mode production. Keep a close eye on the injury report, but if Kyle Kuzma, Kyshawn George and Corey Kispert remain absent, Champagnie is worth streaming while he’s hot.
Other streamers: Obi Toppin (16%), Andrew Nembhard (12%), Brandon Boston Jr. (19%), Cason Wallace (14%), Dorian Finney-Smith (16%) and Caris LeVert (21%)
🗓️ Plan highlights
It’s a shortened week in Yahoo Leagues with, technicalno games on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the Emirates NBA Cup championship. Another reminder that the NBA Cup Championship Game does not count toward Week 8 fantasy scoring.
With those two days off, we have 17 teams playing two games and 12 teams playing three games. The Kings are the only team to play four games.
Here is the list of total games played this week:
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Daily schedule: Monday (6), Tuesday (0), Wednesday (0), Thursday (13), Friday (3), Saturday (12) and Sunday (3)
Monday, Friday and Sunday are the best days for streaming. The Kings, Nuggets and Raptors play on Mondays and Sundays, while the Heat, Cavs, 76ers and Hornets play on Mondays and Fridays. Also, here are the eight teams playing back-to-back in Week 8.
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Thursday/Friday: Hornets and Thunder
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Friday/Saturday: 76ers, Bucks, Cavaliers and Heat
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Saturday/Sunday: Kings and Pelicans
🚑Injury news
Notable injuries in week 7 (outside of daily practice)
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Raptors F Scottie Barnes (ankle) is out indefinitely, but did participate in a light workout on Sunday. This could be a good buy-low opportunity as his ankle sprain doesn’t look like a long-term injury
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Sixers C Joel Embiid is out indefinitely after suffering a sinus fracture against the Pacers in Week 7.
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Sixers G Jared McCain is out indefinitely and will require surgery to repair his torn left meniscus.
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Hornets G LaMelo Ball (calf) was upgraded to questionable on Monday. Enormous!
Latest injury reports for all NBA teams
NBA Injury Report – Monday, December 16
▶️ “Grateful” – Mecca: 83
🔁 Rotation notes
Warriors of the Golden State
The play: The Warriors trading for Dennis Schröder will undoubtedly impact Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield. Both players got minutes at shooting guard, and with Schröder in town, the Warriors provided a new scoring and playmaking threat in the backcourt. Schröder is expected to make his debut on Thursday, putting Podz and Hield on notice.
▶️“Travellin’ Man” – DJ Honda
Detroit Pistons
The play: Jalen Duren (wrist) is not on the injury report for Monday’s game, while Tobias Harris is day-to-day with a hand injury. He won’t play on Monday, so fantasy managers will have to wait for a possible return date. In the meantime, Ron Holland and Simone Fontecchio will get more playing time.
Memphis Grizzlies
The play: Zach Edey returned from his 12-game absence on Sunday night and had 13 points, 10 rebounds and two shares in 24 minutes. It was a welcome return to the lineup for the new big man and now that he’s active, Brandon Clarke could be cut.
Phoenix suns
The play: Royce O’Neale (26%) continues to start in place of Bradley Beal (knee). He went through the previous five games and offered fantasy managers a mix of points, threes and boards. Normally he’s good for some stocks too, but still, if Beal remains sidelined, you can stream O’Neale against the Pacers and Pistons this week.
Philadelphia 76ers
The play: As previously mentioned, Embiid is out indefinitely due to a sinus fracture, which opens the door again for Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele. I’m not particularly interested in selecting either player, but if you need rebounds and steals, go with Drummond.
▶️ “The Seance” – SoulChef
