Welcome to your weekly dose of fantasy basketball possibilities as we explore and identify players who can help take your team to the next level in your quest for the championship crown of your league. It’s a long season, so it’s beneficial to maintain an “it’s a marathon, not a sprint” mindset as you strategize and tailor your approach, whether weekly or season-long, to maximize your team’s value and potential.

Each week, we will be looking at players who are widely available and rostered in fewer than 65% of fantasy leagues on Yahoo. Our focus will be on building strategies in eight-category leagues with standard scoring (more details outlined below).

Insights about the highlighted players will concentrate on how they can contribute to the aligned category but also touch on how they can contribute to various other categories.

Check out the latest fantasy basketball expert consensus rankings

Fantasy Basketball Category Analysis & Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy Format

Scoring Type: Head-to-Head (Most Categories)
Player Stat Categories:

• Points Scored (PTS)
• Total Rebounds (REB)
• Assists (AST)
• Steals (ST)
• Block Shots (BLK)
• 3-Point Shots Made (3PTM)
• Field Goal Percentage (FG%)
• Free Throw Percentage (FT%)

Roster Positions:

• Point Guard (PG)
• Shooting Guard (SG)
• Guard (G)
• Small Forward (SF)
• Power Forward (PF)
• Center (C) x 2
• Utility (UTIL) x 2
• Bench (BN) x 2
• Injured List (IL) x 3

Points

Jordan Hawkins (SG – NOP): 37% Rostered

Hawkins is an assertive offensive force, unhesitant in taking shots as an emerging playmaker. This season, he is averaging 13.7 points per game, tied for 98th in the league. He has wasted no time making his presence known, demonstrating the kind and caliber of contribution he can make as a starter or as a ‘gunslinger’ coming off the bench. His high-level involvement as a rookie can’t be understated, as he’s fifth in team minutes, fourth in scoring and field-goal attempts, and second in three-point attempts.

Hawkins will more than likely continue to see an uptick in minutes and usage with starter CJ McCollum (lung) out of the lineup. He offers a blend of situational opportunity, raw talent, and promising upside for fantasy lineups; however, his shooting efficiency and limited value outside of scoring could be impactful drawbacks when deploying him in your lineups. Despite these potential shortcomings, the rookie profiles as an elite shooting guard in the making, and with his situation in New Orleans being conducive to his continued usage, he should be able to put up scoring performances that outweigh the risks.

Hawkins maintains an 18.8% usage rate, a 53.4% true shooting percentage, and a -3.7 plus-minus. His averages include 29.3 minutes, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.7 steals per game, shooting 37.7% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range. The Pelicans have four games beginning next week, the week of Monday, November 20th, 2023.

Rebounds

Dario Saric (PF,C – GSW): 37% Rostered

Saric’s production level was already at a respectable level prior to the Draymond Green suspension, but it could reach a new level if he is afforded more opportunities to demonstrate his versatility as a multi-categorical contributor. Although he may not grade out as well as Green, they both exhibit similar capabilities, with Saric possibly having more upside due to his shooting ability.

Saric is averaging 6.3 rebounds per game, ranking 68th in the league, while also producing value by way of assists, steals, and blocks. Saric has a usage rate of 18.1 percent and a plus-minus of 0.5. He is averaging 21.2 minutes, 9.4 points, 2.1 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game while shooting 41.7 percent from the floor and 33.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Brandin Podziemski (SG – GSW): 18% Rostered

Podziemski, alongside Saric, is another player to consider as a possible acquire-and-hold asset. The rookie has played well in his previous two games, averaging 32.0 minutes, 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 0.5 steals per game while shooting 52.0 percent from the floor and 50.0 percent from beyond the arc.

At Santa Clara University, Podziemski put up similar numbers as he averaged 36.0 minutes, 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.5 blocks, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the floor and 43.8 percent from beyond the arc. The numbers don’t lie, and although it’s a small sample size, his recent is notable and deserving of attention. If he can manage to build on this production while earning the trust of head coach Steve Kerr, he could be a game-changer for the Warriors and your lineups.

Podziemski has an offensive rating of 110.5, a usage rate of 17.4%, and a plus-minus of 3.1. He is averaging 14.5 minutes, 7.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.4 steals per game while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor and 50.0 percent from beyond the arc.

The Warriors have three games beginning next week, the week of Monday, November 20^th, 2023.

Assists

Jeremy Sochan (PF,PG – SAS): 51% Rostered

Sochan is good for multi-categorical production, as he can contribute an assortment of value night-in and night-out. Leveraging his ability as a playmaker could be advantageous for your lineup, as he is averaging 4.7 assists per game, 53rd in the league. In addition to his assists, his shooting is beginning to pick up this month, which could further bolster his overall fantasy appeal and contribution to your team’s overall production.

We all know what kind of upside Sochan has to offer, and a 50.0% roster rate could be way too low, especially when considering what he is capable of on the court. His achievements from last season might have been overshadowed by his modest start this season and the excitement surrounding teammate Victor Wembanyama, but we could soon be reminded of his exploits. Ideally, he’ll be in our lineup when that happens.

Sochan has a usage rate of 18.8% and a plus-minus of -12.2. He is averaging 28.4 minutes, 10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 43.5% from the floor and 40.9% from beyond the arc. The Spurs have four games beginning next week, the week of Monday, November 20th, 2023.

Steals

Cam Reddish (PF,SF,SG – LAL): 30% Rostered

Reddish is getting ample opportunity in Los Angeles to demonstrate his talent as an offensive asset. Although most of his value stems from his scoring, he has also been showcasing his defensive prowess, averaging 1.6 steals per game, which is tied for 15^th in the league.

Reddish seems poised to play himself into a meaningful role if he continues to display his upside as he has so far this month. He has a defensive rating of 115.0, a usage rate of 14.2%, and a plus-minus of -2.0. He is averaging 23.7 minutes, 8.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 42.9% from the floor and 35.1% from beyond the arc. The Lakers have three games beginning next week, the week of Monday, November 20^th, 2023.

Blocks

Goga Bitadze (C – ORL): 25% Rostered

Bitadze could serve as a viable streaming option for those looking to add solid blocking production to their lineups. He is averaging 1.0 blocks per game, tied for 36th in the league, and has demonstrated his value as a multi-categorical contributor since taking on a more expanded role in the rotation. This month, Bitadze has averaged 23.5 minutes, 10.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 60.0% from the floor and 80.0% from the free-throw line.

Although his overall production can tend to be modest, largely due to his limited usage in the team’s offense, Bitadze has shown that he can effectively leverage his playtime to positively contribute to fantasy outcomes. He has a usage rate of 13.8 percent and a plus-minus of 4.5. This season, Goga is averaging 16.8 minutes, 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 61.9% from the floor and 76.2% from the free-throw line.

Jonathan Isaac (SF,PF – ORL): 9% Rostered

On another note, Goga’s teammate, Jonathan Isaac, is certainly in play as well. Isaac, a multi-categorical contributor, is averaging 1.4 blocks, ranked 22^nd in the league, and 1.0 steals per game. He is still working his way back into form after a lengthy absence, but his role, usage, and minutes are trending in the right direction. This could bode very well for managers should this trend continue.

Isaac has a usage rate of 19.6% and a plus-minus of 3.0. He is averaging 13.2 minutes, 5.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.3 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 31.8% from the floor and 24.0% from beyond the arc.

The Magic have four games beginning next week, the week of Monday, November 20th, 2023.

Three-Pointers

Sam Hauser (PF,SF – BOS): 15% Rostered

Hauser shows some promise as an offensive asset for your lineups, as he is gradually carving out a meaningful role in the Celtics’ rotation. He shoots at a healthy rate, both from the floor and beyond the arc, and scores efficiently.

Hauser is averaging 2.8 three-pointers made per game, tied for 28th in the league, and has a true shooting percentage of 70.3%. If he can embrace his role as a shooting specialist, he might see an increase in floor time and fantasy appeal. For now, he profiles as a viable category play, offering upside in points and efficiency.

Hauser has an offensive rating of 111.7, a usage rate of 14.2%, and a plus-minus of 2.1. He is averaging 21.1 minutes, 9.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.8% from the floor and 45.2% from beyond the arc. The Celtics have four games beginning next week, the week of Monday, November 20th, 2023.

Field-Goal Percentage

Dillon Brooks (SG,SF – HOU): 51% Rostered

Brooks has a sizable role in Houston, affording him ample opportunity to contribute to the team. Although his scoring has been somewhat sporadic, he has demonstrated solid efficiency in his shooting, averaging a 55.1% field goal percentage this season, good for 85th in the league. Much of this could be attributed to his decrease in shot attempts but could also be due to his evolved role as a veteran leader on this young team.

In any case, Brooks hasn’t shown too much regression in his production since joining the Rockets and is interestingly poised to have one of his better all-around seasons as a pro. Brooks may not be able to demonstrate high upside night in and night out, but he should be able to consistently produce a healthy amount of value as a multi-categorical contributor for your lineup.

Brooks has a true shooting percentage of 66.5%, a usage rate of 17.0%, and a plus-minus of 5.3. He is averaging 30.9 minutes, 13.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game while shooting 53.3% from beyond the arc. The Rockets have three games beginning next week, the week of Monday, November 20th, 2023.

Free-Throw Percentage

Collin Sexton (PG,SG – UTH): 43% Rostered

Sexton is an offensive asset who can get the job done from the free-throw line just as effectively as he can from the floor, averaging 87.5% from the charity stripe, tied for 95^th in the league. He is a talented scorer, having demonstrated his explosiveness during his time in Cleveland. Unfortunately, injuries and a lack of opportunities have stifled his production, leaving him in a sort of limbo between being and not being fantasy-relevant.

It appears Sexton is in an equal time split with teammate Talen Horton-Tucker, with the latter getting the edge due to his ability to facilitate; however, Sexton isn’t far behind in challenging for a bigger piece of the pie, as Tucker’s offensive production has been underwhelming this season. If Sexton can manage to get a few more minutes on the floor while maintaining his scoring output and efficiency, he could become more than a simple pragmatic streamer.

Sexton has an offensive rating of 113.4, a true shooting percentage of 58.4%, a usage rate of 24.0 percent, and a plus-minus of -1.5. Sexton is averaging 19.7 minutes, 12.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.3 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game, while shooting 45.9% from the floor and 31.3% from beyond the arc. The Jazz have three games beginning next week, the week of Monday, November 20^th, 2023.

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