Orlando’s Wendell Carter Jr. is Averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists over his last 13 games.
We’re set for what’s shaping up to be a fantasy-friendly Week 20 schedule-wise, with the dual benefit of not having any two-game weeks and a team, the Nets, with five games on their books. We also have more four-game clubs than them with just three chances to take the court, and a strong selection of players with lower starting percentages at guard and forward who are viable options.
Each week, we’ll aim to highlight a pair of Start candidates for your fantasy rosters that might shape up as some of the toughest calls of the week, with an emphasis usually on players with a 50% start rate or roster. or less in the Yahoo leagues. We also typically target players with four-game weeks in an effort to maximize opportunities for production.
Likewise, we’ll focus on a Sit candidate at each position that wouldn’t normally be considered for a spot on your bench, often focusing on players with less playing time during the week ahead.
GROUPS OF FIVE MATCHES: Brooklyn Nets
TEAMS WITH FOUR MATCHES: Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Portland Raiders, Orlando Portlands, Philadelers, Philadeles, Portlands, Philadelphia, Washington Wizards
TEAMS WITH THREE MATCHES: Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz
Without further ado, let’s look at some of the tougher starting/seating decisions for Week 20:
Guards
Principle: Max Struss, Cavaliers
42% startup rate.
Strus can be erratic with his production, so his ranking can sometimes have a roller-coaster quality. However, the rising wing has put up career-best numbers across the board this season and enters a four-game week with the potential to play at least one more game without Donovan Mitchell (knee). Struss has four tallies of 14 points or more in the last seven games, and his ability to contribute in multiple categories makes him a consideration with a full schedule.
Principle: Dennis Schroder, Nets
50% startup rate
Schroder is one of the aforementioned beneficiaries of a five-game week, and considering that attractive scenario essentially guarantees at least one more start at shooting guard with Cam Thomas (ankle) already ruled out for Monday’s game against the Grizzlies. Schroder should continue to enjoy a strong role in any scenario, considering he’s averaging 17.5 points (on 52% shooting, including 73.7% from 3-point range), 5.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 28 minutes per game in the four straight starts he’s tied. coming into the Memphis game.
THINK TOO: Caleb Martin, Heat (12% roster percentage); Norman Powell, Clippers (35% initiation rate)
Sit down: Mike Conley, Timberwolves
58% startup rate
Conley is the rare case of a four-game player worth considering for a bench spot. The veteran guard offers adequate but completely replaceable production, and when he’s on a roll, it can be very important. There are no fewer than two examples in his last three games alone, as he has collected four and zero points in that pair of contests. Conley has a total of seven single-digit scoring totals in addition to the scoreless game in his last 13 games. While he’s certainly capable of putting up some respectable numbers in assists, he can often get better production from similarly talented four-game options and even some three-game guards.
Front
Principle: Rui Hachimura, Lakers
roster percentage 27%.
Despite sharing the floor with a trio of high-usage options, Hachimura has increasingly found a way to make his mark since joining the first unit, averaging 17.6 points (on 59.5% shooting , including 50% from 3-point range) and 4.3 rebounds in 32.4 minutes per game over his last nine games. The frequent lack of variation in his fantasy production is admittedly less than ideal, but as the aforementioned stat line shows, Hachimura can be a legitimate flow producer in offensive categories. Additionally, he is averaging an encouraging 12.3 shot attempts per contest in that nine-game sample, compared to just 8.5 in the 39 games he played prior to that stretch.
Principle: Jaylen Johnson, Hawks
41% startup rate
It’s surprising to find Johnson back under a 50% starting percentage considering the breakout he’s enjoyed this season, his secure starting role at power forward and the fact that Trae Young (finger) will continue to be sidelined this season in week four games. The young big ended Week 19 with an uncharacteristic seven-point performance against the Nets on Saturday night, but had 16.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 blocks per game over the previous nine games. This stretch is just one of many this season where Johnson has made significant contributions across all stats, and it’s also worth noting that he’s averaging 16.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1 .2 steals per 36 minutes without Young on the floor this season.
THINK TOO: De’Andre Hunter, Hawks (21% initiation rate); Jabari Walker, Trail Blazers (21% roster percentage)
Sit down: Lauri Markkanen, Jazz
74% startup rate
Markkanen is one of those players who never carries that label outside of extremely extenuating circumstances, but that’s exactly the scenario this week. The talented forward was only going to have three games to work with anyway, and now he’s down to two at the most after already being ruled out for Monday’s game against the Wizards with a quadruple. It’s not inconceivable that the injury could linger into Wednesday’s tilt against the Bulls, making Markkanen quite the risk this week despite his upside.
CENTERS
Principle: Wendell Carter Jr., Magic
47% startup rate.
The first three months or so of Carter’s season included a series of sit-ins and starts due to his injury issues, but the big man has finally been blessed with better health and has settled into a rhythm as a result. Carter in particular has seemed to flip the switch to open February, averaging 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game over his last 13 games. The Bulls’ 2018 seventh overall pick has even shown some great ability in that span, shooting 42.1 percent from 3-point range while averaging 2.9 attempts from behind the arc. A four-game schedule that includes highly favorable position matchups against the Hornets, Wizards and Pacers makes him even more appealing this week.
Principle: Andre Drummond, Bulls
43% startup rate
There were times when it looked like Drummond’s days as a top-line fantasy producer were behind him, but he’s found a way to change that perception often this season. The veteran big man has put together some performances consistent with his days as a dominant scorer and rebounder in Detroit, compiling three games of 23 boards or more and a quartet of 20-plus points. One of those memorable nights came just two games ago in the form of a 17-point, 26-rebound, three-block effort against the Cavaliers, and he’ll join Chicago’s four-game scoring streak with five double-doubles in his last. 10 games only.
THINK TOO: Day’Ron Sharpe, Nets (roster percentage 7%)
Sit down: Isaiah Hartenstein, Knicks
roster percentage 70%.
Hartenstein hasn’t been able to replicate some of the impressive numbers he put up in a couple of games in late January and early February, with an Achilles injury seemingly still playing a part. Hartenstein is averaging a modest 5.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 21 minutes over his last five games, with his playing time somewhat controlled. With only three games to work on this coming week, there doesn’t seem to be much risk of giving him a spot on your bench.