Ayo Dosunmu, Larry Nance Jr., and Goga Bitadze make the list of players worth targeting ahead of Week 9.
Christmas Week is on the horizon, which means no games on Christmas Eve, followed by a full day of hoops on Christmas Day. Outside of Monday’s 14-game slate, Week 9 should produce a lot of opportunities to add value via the waiver wire. This week’s list includes some players who need to be rostered in a higher percentage of standard leagues and a few worth streaming until their teams return to full health.
Priority Adds
1. Ayo Dosunmu
2. Bilal Coulibaly
3. Yves Missi
4. Larry Nance Jr.
5. Goga Bitadze
6. Kelly Oubre Jr.
7. De’Andre Hunter
8. Ausar Thompson
9. Royce O’Neale
10. Caris LeVert
PG/SG/SF Ayo Dosunmu (45%), Chicago Bulls
Closing in on top-100 value for the season in 9-cat formats, Dosunmu has recently taken his production to another level. Over the past three weeks, he’s averaged 16.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 2.1 3-pointers, shooting 54.3% from the field and 92.3% from the foul line. That’s been suitable for top-25 value, and Dosunmu has played 34.3 minutes per game during this stretch. With Josh Giddey sidelined by a sprained ankle, there’s even more reason to add Dosunmu if he’s available. The Bulls play three games during Week 9, beginning with the Bucks on Monday.
SG/SF Bilal Coulibaly (45%), Washington Wizards
After getting off to a slow start to the season, Coulibaly appears to be rounding into form. Over the past two weeks, the second-year wing has averaged 16.6. points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.4 blocks, and 2.2 3-pointers in 36.0 minutes per game. Coulibaly’s field goal percentage (42.5% over the past two weeks) remains low, but the defensive production and improved playmaking make now a good time to add him in standard leagues. While the Wizards playing three games in Week 9 isn’t great, Coulibaly’s status as a locked-in starter makes him well worth the risk.
SG/SF Kelly Oubre Jr. (40%), Philadelphia 76ers
Injuries have once again made Oubre a player worth targeting on standard league waiver wires, with Joel Embiid (face) out for a few more games and Jared McCain (knee) out indefinitely. The Tsunami Papi has taken advantage of the additional opportunities, providing close to top-50 value over the past three weeks. During this period, Oubre has averaged 14.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 2.0 3-pointers per game, shooting 53.6% from the field. Punt free throw percentage (68.8% over the past three weeks), and Oubre becomes a top-40 player. Philadelphia plays three games during Week 9, but the Embiid and McCain injuries make Oubre a player worth adding regardless of the schedule.
SF/PF De’Andre Hunter (39%), Atlanta Hawks
Hunter has been one of the best sixth men in the NBA this season, and the role change has boosted his fantasy value. A top 75 player over the past three weeks, he has averaged 21.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 3.3 3-pointers in 29.2 minutes. Hunter doesn’t provide much value in the steals and blocks categories. Still, he has been an efficient scorer off the bench who will not negatively impact category league rosters in the percentages. The Hawks play four games during Week 9, which favors Hunter.
C Yves Missi (38%), New Orleans Pelicans
The Week 9 schedule for the Pelicans isn’t great, as they play two games and will be done by Friday (Thursday/Friday back-to-back). However, Missi should still be on the radar of standard league managers, especially if they’re looking for a backup option. Over the past three weeks, the rookie center has provided 9th-round value in 9-cat formats, a significant improvement compared to his season-long value. Missi has reached double digits in rebounds in six of his last seven games, recording three double-doubles. While he may be a better target for Week 10, as the Pelicans play four games, getting ahead of the rush by adding Missi during Week 9 would be a good idea.
C Goga Bitadze (38%), Orlando Magic
Bitadze remains a viable option in standard leagues, providing top-50 value in 9-cat formats over the past three weeks. During this stretch, he has averaged 11.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.9 blocks in 28.3 minutes, shooting 55.4% from the field and 79.2% from the foul line. Bitadze’s place within the rotation may change once Paolo Banchero returns, but we haven’t reached that point yet. Orlando will play four games during Week 9, including a Thursday/Friday back-to-back against the Heat and Knicks.
SG/SF Malik Beasley (30%), Detroit Pistons
With Jaden Ivey (knee) sidelined for a second straight game on Thursday, Beasley came off the bench while Ausar Thompson remained in the starting lineup. That didn’t hurt Beasley’s shot volume, as he put up 26 (making nine) and finished with 26 points, two rebounds, four assists, one steal, and seven 3-pointers in a loss to the Jazz. Beasley’s minutes may decrease once Ivey returns, but there’s a clear need for his 3-point ability, keeping him on the radar in deep leagues (and some of the standard variety).
SG/SF Caris LeVert (25%), Cleveland Cavaliers
Isaac Okoro hasn’t been much of a factor in fantasy basketball this season. Still, his absence due to a right shoulder injury frees up opportunities for teammates who can provide greater value. LeVert is one of those options, and he has offered 10th-round value in 9-cat formats over the past two weeks. Deriving consistent value from LeVert can be tricky when Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are healthy. However, this spot is where he’s worth the risk, even with Max Strus possibly returning as soon as Friday. Also, one of Cleveland’s three games during Week 9 is against the struggling Wizards (Thursday, December 26).
SF/PF Royce O’Neale (24%), Phoenix Suns
Unfortunately, the Suns can never seem to get fully healthy. Bradley Beal returned to action on Thursday, and then Devin Booker exited the loss to the Pacers due to groin tightness. Whenever Beal, Booker, or Kevin Durant has to miss time, O’Neale immediately becomes a streaming option. Still a top-100 player in 9-cat formats for the season, the veteran wing has provided 5th-round value over the past three weeks. What also helps O’Neale’s case is the Suns playing four games in Week 9, which concludes with a Friday/Saturday back-to-back.
PF Obi Toppin (19%), Indiana Pacers
A top-20 player in 9-cat formats over the past week, Toppin’s run of solid play began well before this point. Over the past three weeks, the Pacers reserve has averaged 14.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.0 3-pointers in 22.2 minutes, shooting 56.8% from the field and 88.9% from the foul line. That production has been good for top-50 value in 9-cat formats. And even with the addition of Thomas Bryant last week, Toppin is worth adding due to the Pacers’ lack of reliable bigs beyond starter Myles Turner. Also, the Pacers play four games during Week 9.
PF/C Larry Nance Jr. (2%), Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks will conclude Week 8 shorthanded, as Onyeka Okongwu has been ruled out for at least four games due to left knee inflammation. Thursday’s loss to the Spurs was the first of those four games, so he’ll miss some of Week 9. Why not add Nance? In 31 minutes off the bench, the veteran forward/center put up 21 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, one steal, one blocked shot, and five 3-pointers. You aren’t going to get that level of production from Nance every night, but there’s a clear need for his services with Okongwu sidelined. Atlanta plays four games during Week 9, with Okongwu in line to miss the first two.
