Welcome to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who to add off the waiver wire and what to play — when it comes to setting your lineup or music in my rotation — for the upcoming week in fantasy basketball.
[High Score is a new way to play Fantasy Basketball on Yahoo with simple rosters and scoring. It’s not too late to create or join a league]
Each week, you’ll see a compilation of the pickups you need to make in various scoring formats and how the schedule could impact your start-sit decisions. So press play and shuffle through the latest fantasy basketball info.
🎧 Who’s in My Rotation: High Score
Vince Williams Jr. – G/FC, Memphis Grizzlies (21% rostered)
The Grizzlies are running low on guards, leaving Williams as their best option to facilitate the offense. He’s hit at least 38 fantasy points in High Score the past three games and will have additional runway to deploy across all formats in Week 6. Even with his struggles shooting the rock, he’ll generate plenty of counting stats in rebounds, assists and steals.
Anthony Black – G, Orlando Magic (19% rostered)
In this condensed fantasy week, you have to find edges to get players into your lineup. Over the past five games, Black has provided 15 points with 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 swipes per game. The Magic play on a small Tuesday slate, so you can drop him afterwards if need be.
Noah Clowney – FC, Brooklyn Nets (19% rostered)
Clowney’s finally getting consistent minutes and he’s delivering — especially in scoring and with stocks. Despite the Nets running a deep rotation, Clowney has averaged 16 points with nearly 3 stocks per game over the past two weeks. With two games over 34 fantasy points in High Score, he can be plucked off waivers.
Peyton Watson – FC, Denver Nuggets (21% rostered)
Aaron Gordon will miss 4-6 weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury against the Rockets, elevating Watson to must-roster territory across formats. He’s played at least 34 minutes in each of his last four matchups, producing an average of 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and almost 2 stocks per contest. Given the length of Gordon’s absence, there will likely be more spike games of 50+ fantasy points in Watson’s bag. Go get him.
🎧 Who’s in My Rotation: 9-cat and Points Leagues
Bobby Portis – PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks (29% rostered)
I’m not thrilled about it, but Portis should be streamed with Giannis Antetokounmpo (groin) out. He’ll primarily help fantasy managers with points and rebounds. With a four-game Week 6 on the schedule and the Bucks playing two games on lighter slates, Portis makes for a solid plug-and-play in 9-cat or points formats.
Jordan Goodwin – PG/SG, Phoenix Suns (12% rostered)
Goodwin continues to be the utility knife for the Suns’ backcourt. He earned his first start on Sunday, although he’ll still eat in a reserve role while Jalen Green and Grayson Allen are out. He should be rostered in way more leagues considering he’s been nearly a top-50 player in 9-cat over the past two weeks, averaging 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.9 steals on 51% shooting from the field. The Suns play four games in Week 6.
Moses Moody – SG/SF, Golden State Warriors (15% rostered)
Moody will continue to start for the Warriors, with Steve Kerr sounding far from optimistic regarding Jonathan Kuminga’s latest knee injury. Fantasy managers can stream Moody in the interim, offering a mix of scoring, 3s and stocks while playing 30 minutes per night. Brandin Podziemski (36%) is the preferred option, but is likely only available in leagues with 10 or fewer teams.
Gradey Dick – SG/SF, Toronto Raptors (4% rostered)
RJ Barrett left Sunday’s contest with a non-contact knee injury, which should open up additional minutes for Dick. He’s stepped up his defense and overall play in limited minutes off the bench this season, but there’s some fantasy appeal with him getting 2 steals in each of his last three contests. Monitor the situation, as Ja’Kobe Walter (0%) will also get more minutes, but I’m siding with Gradey to provide more counting stats across categories while Barrett misses time.
Jaxson Hayes – C, Los Angeles Lakers (1% rostered)
Hayes is on the streaming radar, especially with one of the Lakers’ three games this week falling on Tuesday. Deandre Ayton suffered a knee contusion on Sunday and did not return. While Hayes didn’t impress, he’s the next man up in La La land to man the frontcourt. Even if he starts, he’ll likely play around 25 minutes and provide around 10 points with 6-7 rebounds and a block. Not great, but not bad, as a waiver option in deep leagues.
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