Who is trending up? Which rotations are changing? What's the latest with the notable injuries around the NBA?
Here's a look around the league at the most fantasy relevant news and notes for all 30 teams:
Atlanta Hawks: Last season's No. 6 overall pick Onyeka Okongwu is expected to return to the Hawks soon. Officially, he is listed as a game-time decision for Friday's game against Denver. It has been a long road back for the USC product since offseason shoulder surgery, but behind Clint Capela, Okongwu will be a solid rebounder and shot-blocker. He's available in nearly all ESPN leagues.
Boston Celtics: With Jaylen Brown back for the Celtics, Dennis Schroder had a disappointing performance on Monday night (seven points, two rebounds, two assists). With a Usage Rate of 24.2% and averages of 20.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists per 40 minutes, Schroder is a top-100 player in most formats this season. Still, it's worth watching how Brown's return impacts him going forward.
Brooklyn Nets: With seven Nets players out due to Health and Safety protocols, Kessler Edwards was provided a chance to show why he deserved more playing time in Tuesday's game against Toronto. With 17 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and three 3-pointers, the rookie second-rounder out of Pepperdine delivered. He is available in 98.4% of ESPN leagues, and could be a factor for as long as the Nets are shorthanded.
Charlotte Hornets: Jalen McDaniels missed five games due to the COVID-19 protocols, but returned Wednesday against the Spurs to help a shorthanded Hornets team with a solid stat line (15 points, 10 rebounds, one assist and one steal). McDaniels averages 14.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per 40 minutes, so keep an eye on him.
Chicago Bulls: Nikola Vucevic has averaged a dismal 15.2 PPG, which is his lowest since the 2016-2017 season, while shooting a career low 40.4% from the field. However, Vucevic has also chipped in with 10.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.0 SPG and 1.0 BPG. Vucevic makes for an intriguing trade target, as his lengthy resume in the NBA shows him to be a better shooter than he's shown so far this season.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Recently, Isaac Okoro has really started to heat up. On Wednesday against the Rockets, the No. 5 overall pick in 2020 scored 20 points while adding three rebounds, a steal and three 3-pointers. In the three games prior to this, Okoro averaged 18.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.3 threes. Okoro is available in 92.8% of ESPN leagues.
Dallas Mavericks: In the last month, Kristaps Porzingis has been a top-15 player in category formats. And in his last four games, he has scored 22 points or more. This season, Porzingis has exceeded expectations with a USG of 27.8% and averages of 26.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per 40 minutes. For fantasy managers who have him rostered, it makes sense to field trade offers given his injury history.
Denver Nuggets: Due in part to all the injuries the Nuggets have dealt with this season, Will Barton is having a career year. He's averaging 33.2 MPG and 22.3% USG, both career highs. Barton's per 40 minute averages of 19.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists should continue at a similar pace until Jamal Murray returns.
Detroit Pistons: In deeper fantasy leagues, Saben Lee should be on your radar. On Sunday, he scored 17 points, collected six rebounds, six assists, two 3-pointers, three steals and one block off the bench for the Pistons. After Killian Hayes left the game with a thumb injury in the third quarter, Lee played 28 minutes. Lee, a 2020 second-round pick out of Vanderbilt, was a dominant player in the G League and someone to keep an eye on in ESPN leagues.
Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman and Klay Thompson are both nearing a return to the Warriors. This offseason, Thompson gets a lot of attention, but don't overlook Wiseman, who has collaborated with Golden State's player development coach Dejan Milojevi. The reason for this is that he was a key component of Nikola Jokic's development into one of the best centers in the NBA. Wiseman, last year's No. 2 pick in the draft, is available in 87.3% of ESPN leagues.
Houston Rockets: Christian Wood and Alperen Sengun both playing on the court at the same time is encouraging. This season, the rookie Sengun has averaged 18.6 MPG while being very efficient. With a USG of 23.3%, he has averaged 20.5 P/40, 10.4 R/40, and 5.9 A/40. Sengun is available in 83.2% of ESPN leagues and leads all rookies with a Player Efficiency Rating of 20.38.
Indiana Pacers: Justin Holiday missed the Pacers' last six games due to COVID-19. He returned against the Bucks on Wednesday and finished with five points, two rebounds, two assists, one 3-pointer, and one steal in 20 minutes off the bench. You should add Holiday to your watchlist in deeper formats as a source of 3s and defensive stats.
LA Clippers: Paul George and Nicolas Batum recently missed games, allowing Luke Kennard to show off his playmaking ability. Kennard has averaged 15.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.57 SPG and 30.7 MPG over the past seven games, and is a solid source of points with a high FG%. Kennard is available in 93% of ESPN leagues, and there's a good chance that he'll continue to be actively involved offensively.
Los Angeles Lakers: On Wednesday night, Austin Reaves had a career game with 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, a steal, and five 3-pointers in 32 minutes against the Mavericks. Due to the Lakers' lack of complementary players, he's a strong streamer in the short term. Reaves is available in nearly all ESPN leagues.
Memphis Grizzlies: This season, Desmond Bane has been a top-40 player in category formats with averages of 16.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.3 SPG and 2.7 3PG. Still, the second-year pro is available in 47.2% of ESPN leagues. It's safe to say Bane is one of the most underrated players in fantasy this season.
Miami Heat: The Heat is dealing with a plethora of injuries which has propelled P.J. Tucker onto the streaming radar. Over the last three games, the veteran defender has averaged 14.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, 0.67 SPG and 1.0 BPG. Tucker is available in 93.7% of ESPN leagues.
Milwaukee Bucks: It is unknown how long Khris Middleton will be out with a knee injury, but Pat Connaughton filled the void left by Middleton's absence by scoring 20 points and adding four 3-pointers and two rebounds in 31 minutes against Indiana. Connaughton has averaged 29 MPG, 17.3 P/40 and 6.5 R/40 this season, and is available in 78% of ESPN leagues.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Jarred Vanderbilt has exceeded fantasy managers' expectations this season. Averaging 8.2 PPG and 30 MPG in the last four games, he has also collected a ton of defensive stats like rebounds (28), steals (10) and blocks (2) during that span. Consider adding Vanderbilt, who's available in 83.3% of ESPN leagues, if you have needs in any of those statistical categories.
New Orleans Pelicans: Devonte' Graham connected on one of the greatest game-winning shots in NBA history to knock off the Thunder on Wednesday night, and there's reason to believe in more fantasy contributions from the young guard. With Kira Lewis Jr. out for the rest of the season due to an ACL tear and Grade 2 MCL sprain, Graham does not have legitimate competition. His USG of 21.4% should climb from here.
New York Knicks: Despite playing well this season, Derrick Rose is still available in 45% of ESPN leagues. The former NBA MVP has averaged 25 MPG with a USG of 23.4%, and his per-40 number are impressive (20 points, five rebounds and 6.5 assists).
Oklahoma City Thunder: Josh Giddey (45% rostered in ESPN leagues) nearly had a triple-double on Wednesday night against the Pelicans with 17 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a 3. What's limiting Giddey right now, though, are his low shooting percentages (39.7 FG%, 24.4 3FG%, 70.0 FT%) and high turnovers (2.9 TPG). Giddey's 22.7% usage averages 14.3 P/40, 9.1 R/40, and 8.0 A/40 are encouraging, but the limitations on his game make him less useful in category leagues.
Orlando Magic: R.J. Hampton has recorded career highs in points (7.4), assists (2.3), and steals (0.5) in 29 games. He has averaged 18.5 MPG with a USG of 21% thus far in his second NBA campaign. That said, the 2020 first-rounder is mainly just a scorer at this early stage in his career, as he doesn't tally many other stats such as rebounds and assists.
Philadelphia 76ers: The prospect of a Ben Simmons trade suggests selling high on Tyrese Maxey. Whoever the 76ers gets could negatively impact Maxey's fantasy outlook for the remainder of the season. Maxey, the rising second-year guard out of Kentucky, has averaged 16.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG and 4.7 APG across 34.3 MPG.
Phoenix Suns: Having Devin Booker sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Cameron Payne now has the chance to play more minutes and become fantasy relevant. He averages 21.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per 40 minutes. You may want to consider Payne in deeper formats, especially if you need points. He is available in 97.4% of ESPN leagues.
Portland Trail Blazers: Consider Anfernee Simons for your basketball squad if you need points and 3s. The extra minutes are due to CJ McCollum being out indefinitely with a collapsed lung. In the last three games, Simons (9.4% rostered) averaged 18.6 PPG and 31 MPG. Over that period, he has made 11 three-pointers. Meanwhile, McCollum is reportedly making progress and will be re-evaluated in a week.
Sacramento Kings: Davion Mitchell is on the streaming radar with Terence Davis out due to the league's Health and Safety protocols. The rookie guard out of Baylor scored 13 points and chipped in with two rebounds, five assists, one block and a 3-pointer in 28 minutes during his first career start on Wednesday night.
San Antonio Spurs: Lonnie Walker IV didn't play on Wednesday night due to the stomach flu, but he's someone to consider if your team needs points and 3-pointers. He has averaged 22.3 MPG, 10.6 PPG, and 1.5 3PTM this season, and is available in 97% of ESPN leagues.
Toronto Raptors: OG Anunoby, who had been out with a hip injury, practiced on Thursday and is now considered questionable to play against the Warriors on Saturday. Chris Boucher, who has averaged 14 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks over his last four appearances after a very slow start to the season, will be negatively impacted by Anunoby's return.
Utah Jazz: Bojan Bogdanovic has averaged 29.7 MPG, 17 PPG, and 2.6 3PTM this season, and his consistency can't be overlooked. In six of his last seven games, he's hit multiple threes. He's also scored 10 or more points in 12 consecutive games. Bogdanovic is available in 42% of ESPN leagues.
Washington Wizards: Thomas Bryant isn't expected to return to the field until January at the earliest, so Daniel Gafford continues to be useful in fantasy. Gafford averages 21.2 MPG, is available in 75% of ESPN leagues, and has averaged 17.4 P/40 and 12 R/40 this season.