Welcome to the midweek report for players who could potentially win you your NBA Fantasy League matchup. This edition takes into account the updated injury situations across several teams and, most importantly, the games remaining. This week is fairly regular in that sense, with almost every team playing two more games from Thursday night through Sunday. Still, those two-game swings can decide matchups-especially when you pick up the right players.
Egor Demin- Nets
The 8th pick in this year’s draft. His numbers aren’t some huge explosion right now, but they’re quietly pretty interesting. He’s giving you over 12 points, around 6 rebounds, almost 4 assists, and over 2 threes a game. For a rookie guard, that’s a nice foundation. The Nets are bad, and they seem to finally realize this isn’t a playoff-type season for them. That usually means the young guys get a lot more freedom, and I believe Demin is going to get a ton of playing time and even some real control over the offense. The only downside with him is the field goal percentage. I don’t think he’s ever going to be above 40% this year. But everything else screams potential.
Jaylen Wells- Grizzlies
I always liked his game. Last year he was up there in the Rookie of the Year race, I believe, with Castle from the Spurs, and this season he just started off slow. Really slow. But lately he’s looked way more like himself, scoring over 20 in a few games, hitting threes, playing with confidence again. Memphis is in a weird place, and with Ja Morant hurt again, they don’t have many guys who can just go get a bucket. Wells is one of their most talented young players, and I don’t think the Grizzlies have strong expectations for this season anyway. I expect them to play him more and let him grow.
Jarace Walker- Pacers
Jarace Walker isn’t the flashiest guy on this list, but he’s been really solid. Over the past week he’s been averaging around two threes, twelve points, six rebounds, a steal, and a block. Those are pretty underrated numbers, honestly. He barely misses games, and he has nights where he plays close to 30 minutes. The Pacers also have some injuries right now, and he’s young enough that his role should grow, not shrink. I think he’s one of the safer pickups!
Ace Bailey–Jazz
one of the guys I’m most excited about long-term. Yeah, he had a rough start to the season, but he was projected as a top 2–3 pick in the draft before he slid to five. The Jazz aren’t playing for the playoffs- let’s be real, they’re tanking- which means they want their young core to develop. Bailey, George, all of them. And Ace Bailey should be getting a lot of run. His field goal percentage hasn’t even been that bad. People expected terrible efficiency, but over the past two weeks he’s been at about 50%. That surprised me. He also plays four games this week, which is a huge advantage. I’d grab him before your rival realizes he’s just sitting there.
Jay Huff- Pacers
I literally picked him up today and I was honestly shocked he was still available. Over the past week he’s been ranked 25th overall. He’s hitting over two threes per game as a center, giving you around 12 points, close to 6 rebounds (not crazy, but he’s not playing 30 minutes), and here’s the big one: three blocks per game this past week. That’s elite. He’s starting more games now, and even though he’s not some 20-year-old prospect, I think the Pacers want to use him a lot next to Siakam because the floor spacing he gives them is perfect.
Before You Go…
Hopefully, you all win your matchups this week. Don’t underestimate these midweek pickups-fantasy basketball matchups are often decided by a few rebounds, a couple of steals, or one good game. These players can genuinely swing it.
And you’re all welcome to like and comment below which one of these would be your first addition to grab this week, if they haven’t already been picked up in your league.
Recommended Reads:
5 Players Who Can Still Win You Week 6
How to Dominate the Waiver Wire in Fantasy Basketball
