Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton has averaged 15.0 points, 7.0 assists and 6.5 rebounds in his last 6 games.
The fantasy postseason is upon us, and we’ve been treated to a very favorable schedule-wise grading period. Almost every team in the league plays a four-game week, giving us the highest stock of the season in that regard. We also have several teams still fighting for a postseason berth and some non-contenders who have locked up veterans, offering some valuable opportunities to players who have low roster/start percentages.
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 will also typically hone 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.
TEAMS WITH FOUR MATCHES: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Hazlies, Minn. wacky, Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans , New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
TEAMS WITH THREE MATCHES: Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz
Without further ado, let’s look at some of the tougher starting/seating decisions for Week 24:
Guards
Principle: Vasilije Micic, Hornets
roster percentage 32%.
Micic remains solid at this point after a productive last game where he averaged 10.3 points, 11.0 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals. The first-year NBA guard continues to struggle with his shooting, but with LaMelo Ball recently ruled out the rest of the way with an ankle injury and Micic firmly in the starting point guard spot, he’s definitely worth a look. in another four game week for Charlotte.
Principle: Dalano Banton, Trail Blazers
roster percentage 44%.
Banton has filled a bench role over the last seven games, despite productive starting assignments in several games prior to that. However, being on the second unit hasn’t really been a hindrance as Banton is averaging 17.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 32 minutes per game over that span. The Blazers have every incentive to keep bringing in new players and keep Jerami Grant (hamstring) and Anfernee Simons (knee), both of whom are expected to be out to start Portland’s four-game week. As such, Banton should see plenty of running and opportunities in whatever capacity he’s used.
Sit down: Jamal Murray, Nuggets
53% start rate
Murray is the first of three players I’m picking Sit with this week. He’s the first of the two to earn that tag largely due to injury concerns, as Murray is dealing with a knee injury that has now sidelined him for five straight games heading into the new week. The Nuggets are still very much in play for the top seed in the West, but of course they will prioritize having a healthy Murray in the postseason. With Denver also only having three games to work with, Murray’s roster could fail at a crucial time in the fantasy season.
Front
Principle: Khris Middleton, Bucks
37% startup rate
It’s surprising to see Middleton with this low of a start percentage, and the veteran should have plenty of chances to prove doubters wrong during a key four-game week for the Bucks. Milwaukee is looking to protect its current No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and Middleton, who is averaging 15.0 points on 50% shooting, 7.0 assists and 6.5 rebounds per game in his first six games since back from a long layoff with an ankle injury, should play a major role in any success the Bucks have. The veteran is averaging 32.2 minutes per game since his return and is returning to his starting small forward role, furthering his case.
Principle: Rui Hachimura, Lakers
roster percentage 45%.
Hachimura earns an encore appearance at this point after a stellar week in which he posted 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in four games while shooting 62.0 percent, including 55.6 percent from 3-point range. The floor-spacing big man collected three double-doubles during that stretch as well, and his average of 12.5 shot attempts in those games was a nice uptick from the 9.5 attempts per game he had an average move away from the play-in level and into the No.6 spot and also make sure they don’t drop below No.10, so Hachimura should be in for another busy week.
THINK TOO: De’Andre Hunter, Hawks (41% startup rate) Trenton Watford, Nets (5% roster percentage)
Sit down: Desmond Bain, Grizzlies
52% start rate
Bane is dealing with back spasms that have already cost him one game and will also keep him out of Monday’s game against the Pistons. The Grizzlies really have no incentive to push Bane onto the floor when he’s not at full health, especially considering how much time he missed earlier this season with an ankle injury. Despite his rise, he qualifies as a risky proposition, especially if he ends up missing a third straight game with an injury that could certainly delay him.
Centers
Principle: Marvin Bagley III, Wizards
roster percentage 46%.
Bagley recently missed nine games with a back injury, but has returned to produce five straight double-digit scoring efforts, averaging 14.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks while shooting 69.8 percent. . The veteran big man finished the previous scoring period with double-doubles, games his frontcourt partner Richaun Holmes missed with a bruised toe. With Holmes likely to miss at least one of Washington’s four games this coming week and Bagley potentially doing enough to hold onto the starting job for now, the latter remains a viable streaming consideration.
Principle: Trayce Jackson-Davis, Warriors
40% startup rate
Jackson-Davis remains firmly entrenched at this point, with his starting percentage still surprisingly well below 50% despite coming off averages of 11.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.7 blocks in 30.7 minutes per game at three. games that matched for last week. As this line shows, the rookie can make significant contributions in every category, and the fact that he’s on the second unit behind Draymond Green is irrelevant when you consider how much playing time Jackson-Davis typically plays. The Warriors are fighting to hold on to the No. 10 seed in the West, so look for coach Steve Kerr to continue playing with what works.
THINK TOO: Brandon Clark, Grizzlies (roster percentage 6%.)
Sit down: Brooke Lopez, Bucks
53% startup rate
Lopez is the only one of Sit’s three options who does not have an injury affecting his game at the moment and will have four chances to take the floor this coming week. However, the big man’s numbers weren’t there as he averaged 10.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 blocks over his final 13 games. That stretch includes seven single-digit scoring attempts, and while Lopez continues to shoot efficiently, he’s taken just 7.1 field goal attempts per game over that span. There’s always the possibility of a rest game, but those have been fewer and farther between this season, even with star teammates missing time.