After an exciting first few days of 2023-24, we’re ready for our first full week of the regular season. For us as fantasy players, this means a return to teams with full four-game weeks, which naturally expands the pool of candidates to consider for starting roles. It also marks the return of a handful of teams that only play two games in seven days, which helps us spot some bigger names that might warrant a rare spot on your bench
Each week, we’ll look to highlight a pair of starting 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 one candidate for each position at each position who wouldn’t normally be considered for a spot on your bench, with the emphasis there often being on players with less playing time during the coming week.
TEAMS WITH FOUR MATCHES: Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Blazers, Port land, Jazz
TEAMS WITH THREE MATCHES: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards
TEAMS WITH TWO GAMES: Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings
Without further ado, let’s look at some of the tougher starting/seating decisions for Week 2:
Guards
Principle: Max Struss, Cavaliers
16% startup rate
Strus should continue to see his start rates climb this week as he’s off to a very auspicious start in his new digs in Cleveland. After rising to the level of starting quality wing last season – plus with the Heat, Strus earned a nice payday with the Cavs and quickly began to validate it with averages of 18.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steals. his first three games. In addition, Strus has hit the scoreboard on just 37.3% shooting (39.4% from distance) and has even contributed to a pair of double-doubles with some surprisingly effective rebounding. It’s worth noting that the absences of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen for different parts of the first three games certainly helped open up opportunities for Struss, but given his past work and the high likelihood some of those injuries remain at least part of the new week, he is a very viable candidate to start.
Principle: Alec Burks, Pistons
roster percentage 22%.
Burks has long been a reliable wing who can be effective either in starts or off the bench, and he began the new season offering a vivid reminder of that. The veteran is averaging 16.3 points and 3.7 rebounds through his first three games while shooting 50 percent from behind the arc. Burks has played between 25 and 31 minutes off the bench in each of his first three games and has been clearly more effective than backup Jaden Ivey, so there are no playing time concerns in Detroit’s busy four-game week. With his shooting ability, Burks can provide a nice boost to many offensive categories.
Sit down: Tyrese Maxey, 76ers
45% startup rate
Maxey is admittedly a particularly counterintuitive Sit candidate when you consider that he started the new season playing what is arguably the best basketball of his career. The quarterback is averaging 30.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists through his first three games while shooting 50 percent, including 56 percent from 3-point range. However, Maxey only has two games to work this week and is also now dealing with a hand injury that could cost him at least one of those games. Additionally, it’s worth noting that James Harden has returned to team activities now that the Sixers have returned to Philadelphia from a season-opening road trip, and if The Beard is indeed ready to play in Philly’s week-opener on Thursday, Maxey’s usage will be due for a splash if he is healthy enough to play.
Front
Principle: Gordon Hayward, Hornets
44% startup rate.
Hayward has opened the new season in solid form and especially sharp from behind the arc, where he shot 40% in his first two games. The veteran wing is averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.0 steals through his first pair of games, even with a healthy LaMelo Ball now sharing the floor with him, and Hayward to keep the starting small forward role over the No. 2 overall pick. Brandon Miller seems safe for now. Consider sticking with the veteran in the Hornets’ four-game week for a chance to produce well in multiple categories.
Principle: Zaire Williams, Grizzlies
roster percentage 11%.
Williams has a chance to start as a starter to open the season and is making the most of the opportunity, averaging 12.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 31.3 minutes per game. The 2021 first-round pick improved his scoring and rebounding numbers from last game in each of the last two games, finishing with a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double against the Wizards on Saturday. With Ja Morant still weeks away from completing his suspension and Dillon Brooks now in Houston, there will be plenty of chances for Williams to continue to deliver next four-game week for the Grizzlies and likely still be available at a consistent rate . of waiver wires in all fantasy leagues.
Sit down: Daniel Gafford, Wizards
55% startup rate
Gafford is qualifying at both power forward and center in Yahoo leagues and just posted his first double-double of the young season against the Grizzlies on Saturday, but is still worth considering for a spot on your bench despite the fact that the Wizards are also having a good quarter. program this coming week. The big man is averaging 8.0 points and 8.0 rebounds through his first two games and also enters the new week dealing with an ankle injury that has him listed as questionable for Monday’s game against the Celtics. With very replaceable production and the possibility of him logging at least one absence, it’s safe to explore other options with the same or more upcoming games.
Centers
Principle: Derek Lively II, Mavericks
38% startup rate.
Lively may finally prove to be the reliable offensive option at center the Mavericks have long needed, and the rookie will get four more opportunities in Week 2 to continue to improve his already impressive game. The 12th overall pick came out of the gate averaging 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks, and just made his first start Friday night against the Nets. While Lively played significantly less in this game — 17 minutes — than he did in his 31-minute debut off the bench against the Spurs in Dallas’ opener, his playing time should begin to stabilize during this stretch. next first full week. Lively should share the floor with veteran centers Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving during the Mavs’ full schedule this week, making him a good fit for the under-the-radar start at center.
Principle: Jalen Smith, Pacers
roster percentage 8%.
Smith has already put together a solid body of work for this season and has opened the new campaign with a pair of 13-point performances to go along with an eight- and six-rebound effort. Smith also had a hat trick in his most recent game against the Cavs, and just as impressive is the fact that he did it all while averaging just 16 minutes per game. The playing time may be less than ideal, but Smith has shown the ability to be effective and will have four games to continue doing so this coming week.
Sit down: Alperen Sengun, Rockets
54% start rate
Sengun will get just two chances to take the floor this coming week because of the Rockets’ light schedule, which is a tough decision for fantasy managers who have benefited from his 19.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game that the big game of the third year has. contributed so far. However, there should be three- and four-game centers with a chance to surpass Sengun’s production this coming week, which will have him looking at a rare Sit designation.