Fantasy Basketball Category Analysis & Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 9 (2023)

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 them 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

(Statistics and data courtesy of 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

About the Upcoming Week Analysis

The analysis evaluates four key areas to determine the players’ and teams’ performance potential against weekly opponents. This analysis considers categories: Points, Rebounds, Assists, Steals, Blocks, Three-Pointers Made, and Field-Goal Percentage.

The analysis assesses the following:

About the Matchup Grades

Grades were developed by comparing players’ stats and team dynamics against opponents’ strengths and weaknesses.

Points

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

While Brooks has seemingly shed his “bad-boy” gunslinger image from his Memphis days, he’s quietly become the backbone of a competitive Rockets team with his well-rounded offensive prowess. This season, he’s striking a balance between quantity and quality, averaging 14.1 points per game (103rd in the league), with a recent surge of 17.8 points per game over his past five contests.

His shooting percentages are at career highs—48.2% (T-173rd in the league) from the floor, 41.6% (85th in the league) from beyond the arc, and 83.0% (158th in the league) from the free-throw line. The Rockets’ slower-paced offense has added more nuance to his overall offensive contribution, elevating his status to valuable multi-category contributor and positioning him as a reliable cornerstone for your offensive strategy.

Upcoming Week Analysis

The Rockets have three games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 25th, 2023.

Brooks boasts an impressive offensive rating of 114.9, setting the stage for diverse challenges in Houston’s upcoming games. Against the Pacers, he’s poised for a high-scoring performance thanks to their weaker defense and fast pace, providing an ideal setting for maximizing his scoring potential. The game against the Suns offers a balanced challenge, with their defense closely matching Brooks’ skills, but the similar pace should allow him to maintain efficiency. Facing the Sixers, known for their competitive defense, is the toughest test, but Brooks’ scoring ability and field-goal percentage suggest he can still make a significant impact, requiring adaptability and strategic play.

Overall, Brooks should be in a good position to produce against the Pacers, maintain a steady performance against the Suns, and employ strategic scoring against the Sixers.

On the Radar

Jamie Jaquez Jr. (SF – MIA): 56% Rostered – 13.1 PPG – Ranked: 115th

Waiver Priority: High

Rebounds

Saddiq Bey (SF, PF – ATL): 57% Rostered

Bey’s thriving in a great situation with the Hawks, logging 31.7 minutes per game, the most since 2021-2022, with a notable plus-minus of 3.5 (2nd on the team). This highlights his strong fit in the team’s versatile play style, boding well for his value as a multi-categorical contributor. He’s emerged as a key offensive and defensive asset, boasting a team-high offensive rating of 121.3 and a respectable defensive rating of 117.7, ranking fifth lowest on the team. While averaging a respectable 12.9 points (121st in the league) and 1.1 steals per game (57th in the league), it’s his rebounding skills that stand out, with 6.4 rebounds per game, (61st in the league), ranking 4th on the team behind Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu, and Jalen Johnson. Although his usage rate of 15.6% limits his upside slightly, the Hawks’ high pace and competitive rebounding position him for further multi-category contributions.

Upcoming Week Analysis

The Hawks have three games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 25th, 2023.

Bey’s impressive rebounding and solid defensive rebound percentage will play a significant role in Atlanta’s upcoming matchups. Against the Bulls, Bey has a chance to shine due to their slower pace and lower defensive rebounding rank, providing opportunities for him to excel in grabbing rebounds. When facing Sacramento, it’s all about consistency and efficiency, as both teams have a similar pace and defensive rebounding prowess. Bey’s ability to maintain his rebounding rate will be vital for controlling the game’s tempo. The most favorable situation arises against Washington, with their rapid pace and poor defensive rebounding offering Bey numerous opportunities to showcase his rebounding skills. His active hands pounding the boards could disrupt Washington’s offense and benefit Atlanta despite their high defensive rating.

In leveraging Atlanta’s rebounding strength, especially against Washington, Bey’s performance on the glass can compensate for defensive vulnerabilities and boost the team’s offense. His role is central to Atlanta’s rebounding strategy.

On the Radar

Trayce Jackson-Davis (PF, C – GSW): 44% Rostered – 3.4 RPG – Rank: 214th

Waiver Priority: Very High

Assists

Jeremy Sochan (PG, PF – SAS): 32% Rostered

The “Sochan at point-guard” strategy hasn’t yielded the expected results, but what he’s achieved this season stands out. Despite a slight dip in scoring from 11.0 to 10.3 points per game, he’s maintained healthy efficiency. Notably, he’s increased his rebounds to 5.6 per game (T-85th in the league) and his assists by 64.0% to 4.1 per game (T-75th in the league). Considering his time at Baylor, where he averaged 1.8 assists per game, his ability to boost his assists production by 38.89% in his rookie year (averaging 2.5 assists per game) indicates rapid development.

While Coach Gregg Popovich has shifted to a committee-based approach and has opted to play Sochan off the ball more, his talent suggests he can still make an impact. This week’s matchups offer opportunities to leverage his multi-category potential against vulnerable defenses. Sochan’s combination of opportunity, big-play ability, and potential makes him a player worth considering this week despite earlier challenges in his sophomore season.

Tre Jones (PG – SAS): 42% Rostered

If not sold on Sochan but still intrigued by the Spurs’ upcoming slate, teammate Tre Jones could be a less risky approach to gaining some exposure. While Sochan offers more of a multi-categorical advantage for your production, Jones boasts more of a specialist value as a true facilitator. Jones is averaging a healthy 5.0 assists per game (49th in the league) and sports a strong assists ratio of 35.8 despite seeing a sizable decrease in time on the floor and in usage and has been able to have a positive impact on the team.

Upcoming Week Analysis

The Spurs have four games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 25th, 2023.

Sochan is a pivotal part of San Antonio’s offense, with an offensive rating of 103.7 and a respectable assist ratio of 24.3, contributing to the team’s 4th-place ranking in assists. His 20.1% assist percentage shows his significant involvement in playmaking.

In matchups against Utah (defensive rating 118.1) and Portland (defensive rating 114.7), Sochan’s adept passing should exploit potential weaknesses in their defenses, likely boosting his assist numbers. However, facing Boston’s stingier defense (defensive rating 110.2), strategic playmaking will be essential. San Antonio’s offense (rated 106.4) and pace of 102.80 (3rd in the league) position them favorably to take advantage of slower-paced opponents like Portland and Boston. Utah’s similar pace could pose a challenge, requiring strategic thinking.

With San Antonio averaging 28.7 assists per game, Sochan’s ability to dissect these defenses, especially considering the pace differences, will be crucial. San Antonio’s adaptability and tactical precision will play a vital role, with Sochan leading the way in this assist-centric offense.

Steals

Derrick Jones Jr. (SF – DAL): 24% Rostered

Jones stands to benefit from the team’s unfortunate injury situation and is poised for a more significant role in the rotation. He’s showcased his potential as a two-way player throughout the season, and with the team in need, he is poised to answer the question we all had at one point this season: what if he had more time in a meaningful role?

While he doesn’t boast the highest steal rate on the list, his consistent production across games is encouraging enough to see the potential for increased production in this category. Jones averages 0.8 steals (T-158th in the league) and 0.8 blocks (T-66th in the league) per game, highlighting his defensive prowess. Alongside his offensive abilities, he emerges as an underrated multi-category contributor with considerable upside heading into next week.

Upcoming Week Analysis

The Mavericks have four games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 25th, 2023.

Dallas faces defensive challenges against offensively potent opponents in their upcoming games. However, Jones, with his defensive rating of 113.9 and an average of 0.8 steals per game, is poised to bolster the team’s efforts to apply defensive pressure and exploit their opponents’ susceptibility to turnovers. The statistics paint a promising picture: Phoenix ranks 26th in the league, allowing 8.40 steals per game, while Cleveland follows closely at 20th with 7.90 steals per game. Minnesota, ranking 17th, concedes 7.30 steals per game, and Golden State sits at 22nd, allowing 8.00 steals per game. Among these opponents, Phoenix, with its 26th ranking, appears particularly vulnerable to Jones’s defensive prowess, offering an opportunity to inflate his steal stats.

With their relatively slow pace of play, exemplified by Phoenix’s 25th rank, Cleveland’s 23rd rank, and Minnesota’s 18th rank, Dallas’s swift style primes Jones for an advantage, especially against Phoenix and Cleveland. However, when facing the faster-paced Minnesota and Golden State, Jones’s anticipation and tactical defensive skills will be crucial in maintaining effective defensive pressure.

On the Radar

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG, SF – DEN): 56% Rostered  – 1.4 STL – Rank: 20th

Waiver Priority: Medium-High

Blocks

Jonathan Isaac (SF, PF – ORL): 4% Rostered

Isaac and Bitadze are pivotal to Orlando’s defense, with the team leaning into a strategy that emphasizes game control to clinch wins. Despite roster shifts, these two remain integral, especially Isaac, whose return from injury and an impressive defensive rating of 102.2 signals trouble for opponents. His recent streak of games bodes well for the solidification of his defensive role in the team’s lineup. The Magic’s commitment to player development and recovery, exemplified by the handling of Jalen Suggs and Markelle Fultz, suggests a similar path for Isaac, who contributes 1.2 blocks (29th in the league) and 0.9 steals per game (T-110th in the league).

Goga Bitadze (C – ORL): 19% Rostered

Bitadze, with his equally impressive defensive rating of 107.0 and averages of 1.7 blocks (T-13th in the league) and 6.3 rebounds per game (64th in the league), complements Isaac’s presence. His impact, while in a different capacity, aligns with Orlando’s current trajectory. The upcoming week, starting December 25th, with a four-game slate, is an opportunity for both players to solidify their defensive imprint for the Magic.

Upcoming Week Analysis

The Magic have four games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 25th, 2023.

Isaac’s defensive prowess, reflected by a 102.2 rating and 1.2 blocks per game, positions him to significantly influence Orlando’s upcoming defensive efforts. His ability to block is likely to remain strong against Washington and even more so against New York and Phoenix, where the offensive ratings are more aligned with his defensive strengths. Bitadze matches Isaac’s impact with a similar block average of 1.7 blocks per game and a defensive rating of 107.0. His performance against Washington suggests a balanced defensive effort, with enhanced block opportunities against New York and Phoenix due to the closer offensive-defensive rating matchup. Orlando’s moderate pace and consistent blocking rank suggest a strategic advantage, particularly against Philadelphia, which struggles to prevent blocks.

This balanced pace and defensive solidity give Isaac and Bitadze the foundation to disrupt shots effectively, especially against faster-paced teams. Isaac and Bitadze are set to exploit their defensive skills in Orlando’s upcoming games. Facing off against high-powered offenses and differing paces, their shot-blocking could be pivotal. Orlando’s strategic use of its defensive strengths is expected to bolster its block count, highlighting the potential for defensive success in the upcoming matchups.

On the Radar

Isaiah Jackson (PF, C – IND): 19% Rostered – 1.5 Blocks – Rank: 17th

Waiver Priority: Medium-High

Three-Pointers Made

Eric Gordon (SG, SF – PHX): 30% Rostered

Gordon is quietly having a very productive season alongside Durant and Booker, and while we may wish he could offer a tad more production, given the absence of Bradley Beal, he is doing enough offensively to produce meaningful offensive production. He averages 2.5 three-pointers made (40th in the league) on 39.0% shooting from beyond the arc (124th in the league) with 6.4 attempts (40th in the league) per game and sports a true shooting percentage of 58.0%.

His 13.2 points per game (112th in the league) and decent efficiency at 45.5% from the floor and 81.0% from the free-throw line provide value across categories. While his upcoming schedule presents challenges, it offers Gordon the chance to exploit these defenses and display his shooting prowess.

Upcoming Week Analysis

The Suns play four games next week, starting Monday, December 25th, 2023.

Gordon is a key offensive asset for Phoenix, boasting a 116.0 rating and averaging 2.5 made three-pointers from 6.4 attempts. He’s poised for success against Dallas, with their weak defensive rating of 117.1 likely boosting his three-point production. Facing Charlotte’s league-high defensive rating of 121.9 still offers potential for Gordon to maintain his three-point rhythm. However, games against Houston and Orlando, featuring tighter defensive ratings of 109.5 and 110.3, will test Gordon’s skills, demanding precise shot selection for three-point contributions. Phoenix’s efficient overall offense, with a rating of 115.4, aligns well with each opponent’s defensive vulnerabilities, positioning them to excel in three-pointers made.

Their balanced pace, averaging 98.9, provides a reliable three-point strategy. Challenges arise against Houston and Orlando, with strong perimeter defenses (ranked 5th and 9th), necessitating strategic offensive plays. The most favorable matchup is against Charlotte, ranked 19th in defending three-point shots, offering Phoenix an opportunity to increase attempts and potentially surpass their usual production. Gordon’s potential for three-point success in upcoming matchups looks promising, thanks to his skills and the team’s ability to exploit defensive weaknesses. Each game presents unique scenarios, and Phoenix’s adaptability and strategic approach could lead to an enhanced three-point strategy and overall success.

Duncan Robinson (SG, SF – MIA): 47% Rostered – 3.1 3PM – Rank: 18th

Wavier Priority: Very High

Field-Goal Percentage

Deni Avdija (SF, PF – WAS): 62% Rostered

Avdija is making strides in solidifying his role in the starting rotation, showcasing his value as a versatile multi-categorical contributor. He boasts solid rates in points, rebounds, assists, and steals at 11.4 (150th in the league), 5.6 (83rd in the league), 4.0 (82nd in the league), and 0.7 (T-166th in the league) per game, respectively. While his versatility offers encouraging promise for your production in major categories, his offensive efficiency stands out, as he is shooting 49.8% (147th in the league) from the field and 80.3% (T-177th in the league) from the free-throw line, making him a viable differentiator in niche offensive categories.

While Washington is having a less-than-ideal season, they can exploit defenses occasionally. In those moments, we can leverage the promising upside of players like Avdija to our advantage.

Upcoming Week Analysis

The Wizards have four games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 25^th, 2025.

Avdija’s individual offensive rating of 111.6 and his commendable 49.8% field-goal percentage bode well for Washington’s scoring trajectory, considering their opponents’ defensive profiles and the team’s league-leading pace. His sharpshooting abilities are likely to be a significant asset against teams like Orlando and Toronto, whose slower paces and comparatively lenient defenses provide Avdija with a platform to enhance his three-pointer production.

Even with Brooklyn’s sturdier defense, the gap between Washington’s offensive rating of 112.4 and Brooklyn’s defense offers a promising opportunity for Avdija to make an impact from beyond the arc. Atlanta’s defense, the most accommodating of the bunch, aligns with the most substantial potential for Avdija to exceed his field-goal percentage, leveraging Washington’s fast-paced style to his advantage.

While the defensive capabilities of each opponent vary, the overarching theme suggests that Avdija is positioned for success, especially in converting three-pointers. Washington’s 9th-ranked field-goal percentage underscores their collective scoring ability, which, in sync with Avdija’s individual prowess, suggests an efficient offensive effort in the forthcoming games.

On the Radar

Marvin Bagley III (PF, C – DET): 11% Rostered – 59.2% FGP – Rank: 46th

Waiver Priority: Medium

Free-Throw Percentage

De’Andre Hunter (SF, PF – ATL): 52% Rostered

If Hunter remains healthy for the upcoming week, he’s an appealing option to boost your categorical production. He maintains solid efficiency with a 90.7% free-throw rate (57th in the league), 14.9 points per game (92nd in the league), 46.0% field-goal shooting (243rd in the league), and 1.9 made three-pointers per game (85th in the league).

Although he offers modest rebounding at 4.1 per game (156th in the league), he lacks significant upside in other categories. This limitation may be more relevant in points leagues, but it’s worth monitoring. However, with a healthy 18.4% usage rate on a team playing at the 5th fastest pace in the league, Hunter has potential for added value this week. The Hawks have three games this upcoming week, the week of Monday, December 25^th, 2023.

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