Before we get down to business, I would like to thank you, the readers, and members of our FantasyPros community. Your choice to read and engage with this article as a part of your fantasy basketball strategy means a lot. In a world packed with many options to satisfy your fantasy needs, including this article as part of your means to address those needs is humbling and immensely appreciated. Now, let’s get into it!

This is 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 weekly or season-long approach to maximize your team’s value and potential.

Each week, we will look at widely available players rostered in fewer than 65% of fantasy leagues on Yahoo. We will focus 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.

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Fantasy Basketball Category Analysis & Waiver Wire Pickups

The statistics and data used in the writing of this article were sourced from nba.com.

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

Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG,SF – DAL): 46% Rostered

Hardaway was on the list last week for his ability to generate value from the free-throw line, and he is on here again for his ability to put points on the board. Hardaway is an impressive offensive weapon that consistently provides scoring value with an average of 16.8 points per game, ranking him 72nd in the league. The combination of high volume and efficiency makes him an attractive option for those seeking to boost their offensive production.

While Hardaway may not significantly contribute across traditional categories like rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, he excels in more specialized areas. His positive impact on field-goal percentage, three-pointers made, and free-throw percentage makes him a unique asset. This specialization, however, comes with a dependency on scoring for fantasy value, which might be a concern due to the variable nature of matchups and scoring streaks. Despite this, Hardaway’s consistent performance and ability to maintain a reliable production floor make him a valuable consideration for your overall strategy.

His current rostered rate of 46% seems low, considering his capability to deliver quality production whenever he’s on the floor. Hardaway boasts an offensive rating of 120.8, a true shooting percentage of 57.4%, a usage rate of 22.7%, and a plus-minus of 1.2. He averages 27.2 minutes, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.2 steals per game while shooting 41.6% from the field and 38.0% beyond the arc. The Mavericks have four games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 11th, 2023.

On the Radar

Brandon Miller (SF,SG – CHA): 56% Rostered – 14.6 PPG

Caleb Martin (SF,SG – MIA): 27% Rostered – 11.5 PPG

Rebounds

Day’Ron Sharpe (C – BKN): 3% Rostered

Sharpe exemplifies the essence of what it means to maximize your opportunities. Despite lacking a featured role that allows him to showcase his potential consistently, he has delivered valuable performances in his limited playing time. Even though he plays behind the talented, albeit injury-prone, Nic Claxton, he has managed to carve out an impactful role that bolsters his fantasy appeal. Sharpe may be particularly relevant in deep fantasy leagues, but he also presents some upside as a specialized asset in shallow ones. His scoring potential may be modest, but his rebounding prowess is noteworthy, as he averages 6.8 rebounds per game, ranking 49th in the league.

Although his production appears consistent, it’s important to note that his limited role and usage can heavily influence his output. His situation could present some risks and warranted concerns when considering to roster him; however, his track record as a competitive point-per-minute producer could be encouraging enough to outweigh those risks and concerns. Although this metric may not be significantly helpful in category play, it could offer insight into the quality of production he can bring to the table.

While Sharpe may not be the top choice for fantasy managers seeking a utility-rich rotation, he stands out as a strong candidate for those aiming to strengthen their position in rebounds and blocks. He has a usage rate of 17.6%, a plus-minus of 4.3, and averages 16.0 minutes, 7.0 points, 0.9 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 56.7% from the floor and 61.7% from the free-throw line. The Nets have four games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 11, 2023.

Omer Yurtseven (C – UTH): 6% Rostered

In addition to Sharpe, another asset who could be worth having on your radar is Yurtseven. He has recently demonstrated his value as a rebounder, as he has substantially increased his average per game to 12.0 this month, signaling some worthwhile upside potential for fantasy rosters. While there is an expectation that the team’s frontcourt will regain full health, thus possibly diminishing Yurtseven’s role, his current showing as a potential rebounding specialist offers a valuable opportunity. His average of 5.0 rebounds per game, tied for 108th in the league, can be a strategic asset for improving your position in this category.

Although opting for Yurtseven might seem too speculative or risky, his potential to consistently secure five or more rebounds per night could be a game-changer for fantasy strategists who skillfully manage their rotations. Yurtseven has a usage rate of 16.2%, a plus-minus of -2.9, and averages 12.7 minutes, 4.9 points, 0.8 assists, 0.2 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 55.2% from the floor, 23.1% from beyond the arc, and 75.0% from the free-throw line. The Jazz have four games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 11th, 2023.

On the Radar

Jarred Vanderbilt (PF – LAL): 12% Rostered – 5.0 RPG

Precious Achiuwa (C,PF – TOR): 4% Rostered – 6.2 RPG

Assists

Malik Monk (SF,SG – SAC): 64% Rostered

Monk has emerged as a valuable multi-categorical contributor, offering versatility that can significantly impact rotational strategies. Initially noted for his free-throw percentage, Monk now stands out for his assist numbers. Monk’s understated facilitating skills have become a key part of his fantasy appeal this season. With a career-high average of 4.7 assists per game, ranking him 53rd in the league and third on the team behind Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox, he’s proving that this improved production is more of a long-term trend than a short-term streak.

Despite the inherent risks associated with matchup and game flow that threaten the integrity of his production, Monk’s versatility as a fantasy asset is evident. His produced value in points, three-pointers, and shooting efficiency help balance these risks. Currently rostered at 64%, there seems to be some uncertainty about the consistency and reliability of his contribution. However, this could be an opportune time to capitalize on his potential upside, significantly enhancing your team’s overall production.

Monk has an offensive rating of 117.1, a true shooting percentage of 60.0%, a usage rate of 23.4%, and a plus-minus of 1.7. He averages 25.0 minutes, 14.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 42.9% from the floor and 42.4% from beyond the arc. The Kings have four games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 11, 2023.

On the Radar

Tre Jones (PG – SAS): 47% Rostered – 5.3 APG

Steals

Josh Hart (SG,SF – NYK): 49% Rostered

Hart’s fantasy appeal is driven by several categories that characterize his understated fantasy value. He has a healthy 6.1 rebound rate, ranked 68th in the league, and an attractive 1.0 steal rate, tied for 75th in the league, that highlight his versatility and value proposition. Although he sports a modest points average, which could lead to some hesitancy when rostering him, he still offers valuable cross-categorical contributions that can enhance and optimize your roster’s overall performance. His nuanced skillset could make him an appealing option for fantasy managers looking to incorporate more utility-based value into their lineups.

Hart has a usage rate of 11.9%, a plus-minus of 3.6, and averages 28.5 minutes, 8.2 points, 2.7 assists, and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from the floor and 37.1% from beyond the arc. The Knicks have four games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 11, 2023.

On the Radar

Matisse Thybulle (SG,SF – POR): 12% Rostered – 1.5 SPG

Bilal Coulibaly (SF,SG – WAS): 13% Rostered – 1.1 SPG

Blocks

Nick Richards (C – CHA): 12% Rostered

After fighting through some early season injury woes and dropping in his roster rate, Richards is back again this week as he continues to demonstrate his value as a multi-categorical contributor. Despite potential limitations in his fantasy appeal due to Mark Williams‘ presence and utilization in the starting rotation, Richards’ current production and upside serve as compelling reasons to consider his versatility for enhancing your lineup.

Richards is experiencing one of the best statistical years of his career, establishing a meaningful, albeit limited, role in the Charlotte Hornets’ frontcourt. His contributions extend across multiple categories, including rebounds, field-goal percentage, and free-throw percentage. However, Richards’ prowess as a shot-blocker stands out most, as he averages 1.2 blocks per game, ranking him 29th in the league.

When contextualizing his value within the rotation, one could argue that he could offer more value than Williams. Despite his role as a starter, averaging 8.6 minutes more per game, the production gap between Williams and Richards isn’t that substantial. Richards’ production level and usage suggest he could offer significant upside, potentially exceeding Williams’s when given adequate playing time. Richards’ potential to impact fantasy lineups should not be overlooked. Whether leveraged as a short-term solution or a long-term strategic addition, his talent can be a value-add.

He has a usage rate of 15.1%, a plus-minus of -4.6, and averages 18.2 minutes, 8.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.4 assists, and 0.4 steals per game while shooting 73.2% from the floor and 81.8% from the free-throw line. The Hornets have four games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 11, 2023.

On the Radar

Isaiah Jackson (C,PF – IND): 3% Rostered – 1.6 BPG

Three-Pointers

Dorian Finney-Smith (C,PF,SF – BKN): 26% Rostered

Smith has been notably efficient in his offensive role this season, achieving career-highs in field-goal and three-point shooting percentages. His exceptional shooting efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc, has earned him a spot on this list for a second time, underscoring his value as an offensive asset.

Finney-Smith is averaging 2.7 three-pointers made per game and shooting 44.9% from beyond the arc on an average of 5.9 three-point attempts per game. This balance between shooting volume and efficiency boosts his fantasy appeal, especially considering his ability to contribute value through points, field-goal percentage, rebounds, and blocks.

His overall utility can create ample opportunities to get creative with your roster build, with the chance to leverage production synergies across categories. He has an offensive rating of 113.4, a defensive rating of 117.6, a true shooting percentage of 62.6%, a usage rate of 13.2%, and a plus-minus of -3.0. Smith averages 31.1 minutes per game, 11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.7 blocks while shooting 47.1% from the floor. The Nets have four games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 11.

On the Radar

Sam Hauser (PF,SF – BOS): 16% Rostered – 2.7 3PG

Corey Kispert (SG,SF – WAS): 7% Rostered – 2.0 3PG

Field-Goal Percentage

Obi Toppin (PF – IND): 60% Rostered

Toppin is experiencing his best season as a professional, effectively adapting to his new role and team. Although he is in a role-share with teammate Aaron Nesmith, he has maintained his hold on the starting role and has demonstrated his utility and upside. We could speculate an increase in Toppin’s production level if he were able to earn more minutes on the floor, but his current output is enough to warrant strategic consideration in your rotation.

While he may not be a multi-categorical standout, he shows promise as an impactful fantasy asset, mainly through his scoring and field-goal efficiency. Toppin is sporting a healthy field-goal percentage of 61.2%, ranked 38th in the league, is attempting 8.5 field-goals, tied for 152nd in the league, and is averaging 13.0 points per game, tied for 112th in the league. Though Toppin may be more of a specialist, his offensive proficiency can be strategically utilized to enhance the overall competitiveness of your fantasy lineup.

He has an offensive rating of 124.5, a true shooting percentage of 70.3%, a usage rate of 16.4%, a plus-minus of 0.2, and averages 24.7 minutes, 3.2 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 36.8% from beyond the arc and 79.4% from the free-throw line. The Pacers have four games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 11, 2023.

On the Radar

Aaron Nesmith (PF,SF – IND): 19% Rostered – 54.1 FG%

Free-Throw Percentage

Naz Reid (C,PF – MIN): 53% Rostered

Reid is enjoying a notably productive season, achieving a career-high average of 21.8 minutes per game and securing an important role in his team’s rotation off the bench. A solid point-per-minute producer, he has demonstrated the kind and caliber of value that makes him an attractive fantasy asset for your lineups.

Although Reid may have made it on this list for his impressive free-throw percentage, 90.6%, ranked 59th in the league, his value extends across multiple categories, making him a solid multi-categorical contributor capable of elevating the overall production of your rotation. Reid’s consistent performance and reliability make him an asset worth considering.

Though understated and less prominently recognized than that of teammates Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, his offensive contribution remains impactful. Reid is averaging a commendable 12.6 points per game, tied for 120th in the league, and is shooting 49.8% from the floor, ranked 132nd in the league. He has a usage rate of 21.5%, a plus-minus of 1.7, and averages 21.8 minutes, 4.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc. The Timberwolves have three games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 11, 2023.

On the Radar

Immanuel Quickley (PG,SG – NYK): 58% Rostered – 90.0 FT%

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