With a full week-plus in the books, we have a lot of movers, shakers, and disappointments so far. But don’t panic yet. Remember, Desmond Bane started the season slow and just exploded in his last two games.
But even without panicking, we are still able to highlight some players that you can target to look to improve your team.
We’ll look at players that you should consider picking up who are rostered in four different rostership tiers:
- 50-60%
- 30-49%
- 15-29%
- 0-14%
What’s more, we’ll give you a breakdown of how many games each team has for the upcoming week so that you can maximize the minutes of your streamers.
Without further delay, let’s get to it, starting with the schedule of games being played for next week.
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Five games:
N/A
Four games:
BKN, CHA, CHI, LAC, MEM, MIL, TOR, UTA, WAS
Three games:
ATL, BOS, CLE, DET, GSW, HOU, LAL, MIA, MIN, NOP, NYK, OKC, ORL, PHI, PHX, POR, SAC, SAS
Two games:
DAL, DEN, IND
Rostered in 50-60% of leagues:
Yes, I know that I mentioned Murphy as one of my players you should trade away, but that’s only if you can cash in. While showing flashes last year, Murphy has taken his game to the next level this year, leading the league with an 83.8 eFG%. He’s living up to his name, as he’s shooting 72.2% from behind the arc. We know that will come down, and there are obvious concerns once Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are healthy, but he should be rostered in the high-70s at minimum.
Brooks is an inconsistent player – we know this. But we saw the defensive fits he gave the Nets in his season debut. In just two games, he’s averaging 23.5 minutes, which will only go up as his conditioning returns. Few players – good or bad – have the confidence that Brooks has shooting the fall, so expect the numbers to correct themselves shortly.
Rostered in 30-49% of leagues:
O’Neale is ranked No. 64 in fantasy so far this season, and the 3-and-D wing is playing 37.4 minutes per game – trailing only Kyrie Irving for most on the team. While I’m expecting some regression, O’Neale has been the third option on the offense most nights out behind Irving and Kevin Durant, as Ben Simmons still looks to find his footing. There are concerns about the Nets, of course, and their starting lineup has a Net Rating of -15.9, so they have to switch things up soon. But until they do – assuming O’Neale is the odd man out and not Nic Claxton – stream away with O’Neale.
The Thunder play three games next week, making Mann a viable option. Whether the injuries to Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are legit or not – SGA has been playing – or if they are pacing their tanking efforts for Victor Wembanyama remains to be seen. But in the absence of Giddey, Mann has been in his bag. While his minutes dipped from 36 to 22 – which will be what they will be when Giddey returns – Mann still hit four triples, giving him six in the last two games. With a roster filled with young guys looking to establish themselves, Mann is doing just that. We know this won’t be the last time Giddey and SGA miss time, so man is a definite stream and tempting hold.
Rostered in 15-29% of leagues:
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG/SF – DAL)
I’d put Hardaway more in the watchlist camp, as he only has two games next week. But after struggling in his first two games this season, Hardaway dropped 18 points – including 12 from behind the arc – in a more efficient performance (46.2 FG%) in the overtime win for the Mavs. What’s more, he played 30 minutes for the first time this season. While I don’t expect this to be the norm for him, the Mavs do need secondary scoring behind Luka Doncic, making THJ a potentially useful fantasy option this year.
He’s another player whose value is tied to others, but like OKC, his team has every incentive to lose this season. When either Devin Vassell or Josh Primo are out of action, Richardson is a great streamer. When both missed a game earlier this week, Richardson double-doubled with 11 points and 10 dimes. He’s a deeper-league guy, but in the right situation, he has value.
Rostered in 0-14% of leagues:
With Damian Lillard already hurt and expected to miss the next two weeks, the rookie will have a chance to take on an expanded role for the Blazers. He posted 15 points his last time out – the game that Dame got hurt – and has a chance to be useful for fantasy players. Anfernee Simons and Josh Hart should lead the charge, but Sharpe can slot in as the third- to fifth-option for the Blazers on a nightly basis.
It’s been quiet, but Avdija has looked pretty good for the Wizards so far this season. What’s more, he played 27 minutes his last time out, giving a nice contribution across the board in all categories. If he can get past the foul trouble and the ankle injuries, Avdija has mid-round value for Washington – especially if he outplays Will Barton.
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Michael Waterloo is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @MichaelWaterloo.