NBA Weekly Update
As the NBA season progresses, fans are treated to another exhilarating week in the league. Notably, Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a dramatic game-winning shot against the Pacers last Monday. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers continued their impressive winning streak, the Oklahoma City Thunder maintained their strong performance, and the Detroit Pistons ascended to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. With injuries, fresh opportunities, and standout performances shaping the landscape, the rankings for fantasy basketball pickups are shifting as we enter Week 4.
For those excited to catch some live action, Monday evening features a showdown between the Washington Wizards and the Detroit Pistons, which begins at 7 p.m. ET on Peacock.
In terms of player recommendations, beware of the Philadelphia 76ers as they face a two-game week that might limit the fantasy potential of their deeper roster players.
Top Fantasy Adds Heading into Week 4
- Kon Knueppel
- Ajay Mitchell
- Noah Clowney
- Jusuf Nurkic
- Ryan Kalkbrenner
- Jeremiah Fears
- Derik Queen
- Jaylon Tyson
- Jake LaRavia
- Trendon Watford
Ajay Mitchell from the Oklahoma City Thunder (rostered in 36% of leagues) is currently enjoying a great run, but he may face more competition once teammates Jalen Williams and Lu Dort return from injuries. Until then, Mitchell has dazzled with averages of 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, along with solid defensive contributions. Given his recent starting role and standout performances, he remains a crucial target for fantasy managers.
Jusuf Nurkic of the Utah Jazz (35% rostered) is stepping into a more prominent role following Walker Kessler’s season-ending shoulder injury. Over his last four games as a starter, Nurkic has averaged 5.8 points and 10.3 rebounds, indicating that he provides solid support despite some inconsistencies in performance.
Kon Knueppel from the Charlotte Hornets (34% rostered) has been a revelation lately, recently leading all rookies with an average of 16.4 points per game. His scoring explosion includes a high of 30 points in a recent game against the Heat, supported by the absence of key players such as Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball, giving him ample opportunity to shine.
Ryan Kalkbrenner (31% rostered), also from the Hornets, may not have been a key scoring asset, but he has excelled as a defensive player, averaging impressive block numbers in his recent outings.
Players like Jake LaRavia from the Lakers (26% rostered) have also been significant, showcasing their skills with averaged contributions that include 16.2 points and 2.2 steals over recent games, even while awaiting the return of Austin Reaves and LeBron James.
Trendon Watford from the Philadelphia 76ers (19% rostered) has been making a name for himself recently, highlighted by a triple-double performance. He’s capitalizing on the opportunity for increased minutes as he continues to help fill the gaps in the roster.
Additionally, Jeremiah Fears of the New Orleans Pelicans (18% rostered) is stepping up with valuable performances amidst injuries to teammates, while Noah Clowney (10% rostered) is benefiting in Brooklyn due to teammate Cam Thomas’s absence.
There is also potential in players like Derik Queen and Jaylon Tyson, who are showing encouraging developments with increased playing time and consistent scoring.
This week’s analysis suggests monitoring these players closely, as the ongoing injury reports could create even more opportunities in the fantasy realm.
Other noteworthy players to keep an eye on include Tari Eason (36%), Zaccharie Risacher (23%), and Isaiah Stewart (23%).
