The Bulls, Grizzlies and Heat play just two games in the upcoming week, meaning LeBron James’ owners are going to get their first real test of the season. The Hawks, Nets, Bobcats, Nuggets, Warriors, Clippers, Lakers, Hornets, Knicks, Magic, Sixers, Spurs and Raptors all play four games, while the rest of the league goes three times in Week 4. Here are the guys to think about picking up.
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Editor's Note: Isaiah Thomas has been benched for the Kings and Aaron Brooks will start on Sunday (along with John Salmons). Brooks might be a nice add in many leagues if he can get enough run from Keith Smart, Salmons might be in real deep leagues, and owners of Thomas have to consider dropping him, or at least getting him benched until further notice.
Point Guards
Jameer Nelson Magic – Nelson double-doubled in his first game back from his groin injury and will likely help to render E’Twaun Moore useless as long as Nelson can stay healthy. If Nelson was dropped in your league he’s probably the best point guard available on your waiver wire and should be owned in all leagues. The Magic play four times in Week 4.
Ramon Sessions Bobcats – Sessions continue to roll along off the Bobcats bench, averaging nearly 16 points, 3.5 boards, 4.3 assists, along with half a steal and half a 3-pointer per game. Kemba Walker is off to a great start, but Sessions is also holding his own and deserves to be owned in most leagues. Gerald Henderson is close to a return, but I doubt it slows Sessions down too much. The Bobcats play four games this week.
Jason Kidd Knicks – Kidd is now moonlighting as a starting shooting guard in New York, averaging 8.6 points (his highest in three years), 2.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.9 3-pointers on the season. The scoring is a pain, but the steals and 3-pointers are very helpful. I cut Dorell Wright to pick up Kidd on Sunday and the Knicks have a four-game week coming up.
Andre Miller Nuggets – Miller had a big game on Thursday while Ty Lawson was struggling and is putting up numbers very similar to last season, averaging close to 10 points and six assists per game. He’s not a must-own player, but if you’re desperate for assists he might be the top option on your wire in that category. The Nuggets play four games in Week 4.
D.J. Augustin Pacers – This is a speculative add, as many in Indy are calling for Augustin to start with George Hill sliding over to shooting guard. If it happens, DJA will be worth quick pickup in all leagues. Thus far, DJA is averaging less than 14 minutes per game, so that would need to change for him to be worth an add. The Pacers have three games this week.
The Bulls, Grizzlies and Heat play just two games in the upcoming week, meaning LeBron James’ owners are going to get their first real test of the season. The Hawks, Nets, Bobcats, Nuggets, Warriors, Clippers, Lakers, Hornets, Knicks, Magic, Sixers, Spurs and Raptors all play four games, while the rest of the league goes three times in Week 4. Here are the guys to think about picking up.
Check out the NBA Season Pass and follow me on Twitter by clicking on the links.
Editor's Note: Isaiah Thomas has been benched for the Kings and Aaron Brooks will start on Sunday (along with John Salmons). Brooks might be a nice add in many leagues if he can get enough run from Keith Smart, Salmons might be in real deep leagues, and owners of Thomas have to consider dropping him, or at least getting him benched until further notice.
Point Guards
Jameer Nelson Magic – Nelson double-doubled in his first game back from his groin injury and will likely help to render E’Twaun Moore useless as long as Nelson can stay healthy. If Nelson was dropped in your league he’s probably the best point guard available on your waiver wire and should be owned in all leagues. The Magic play four times in Week 4.
Ramon Sessions Bobcats – Sessions continue to roll along off the Bobcats bench, averaging nearly 16 points, 3.5 boards, 4.3 assists, along with half a steal and half a 3-pointer per game. Kemba Walker is off to a great start, but Sessions is also holding his own and deserves to be owned in most leagues. Gerald Henderson is close to a return, but I doubt it slows Sessions down too much. The Bobcats play four games this week.
Jason Kidd Knicks – Kidd is now moonlighting as a starting shooting guard in New York, averaging 8.6 points (his highest in three years), 2.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.9 3-pointers on the season. The scoring is a pain, but the steals and 3-pointers are very helpful. I cut Dorell Wright to pick up Kidd on Sunday and the Knicks have a four-game week coming up.
Andre Miller Nuggets – Miller had a big game on Thursday while Ty Lawson was struggling and is putting up numbers very similar to last season, averaging close to 10 points and six assists per game. He’s not a must-own player, but if you’re desperate for assists he might be the top option on your wire in that category. The Nuggets play four games in Week 4.
D.J. Augustin Pacers – This is a speculative add, as many in Indy are calling for Augustin to start with George Hill sliding over to shooting guard. If it happens, DJA will be worth quick pickup in all leagues. Thus far, DJA is averaging less than 14 minutes per game, so that would need to change for him to be worth an add. The Pacers have three games this week.
Shooting Guards
J.J. Redick Magic – I almost left Redick off this list because he should be owned in all leagues. He looks locked and loaded as the starting SG for the Magic, is averaging 16 points, 5.5 assists and 1.6 3-pointers per game, has four games this week and had 23 points, five assists and three 3-pointers in his previous game. I’m starting him over O.J. Mayo (3 games) in a weekly league this week. Redick is out on Sunday due to an illness, but should be ready for his four-game week.
Jordan Crawford Wizards – Crawford somehow bumped Bradley Beal out of the starting five on Saturday and had 20 points, eight assists and a 3-pointer on 7-of-18 shooting. He will kill your team’s field goal shooting from time to time and I have no idea how long he’ll start over Beal, but Crawford is worth grabbing in all leagues until we find out. As for Beal, I can’t imagine Randy Wittman keeping his job for much longer if he keeps Beal in the barn, and I’d be very reluctant to drop him at this point. The Wizards have three games this week.
Alexey Shved Timberwolves – Shved has been seeing heavy minutes and has scored in double digits in four of his last five games, averaging 17 points and close to five assists over his last three. Yes, they have Brandon Roy, signed Josh Howard and start Malcolm Lee at the shooting guard, but Shved is the guy to own out of that group. I’m not sure he’s truly a must-start player just yet, but he’s awful close to it. The Wolves play three games this week.
Jason Terry Celtics – Terry got off to a miserable start this season, but may have gotten some new life when Rajon Rondo was out with his ankle sprain. Then Terry went off for 20 points and four 3-pointers in a start at shooting guard on Saturday and might finally be ready to start contributing. I know I cut him in a couple leagues and chances are he’s floating around on a ton of waiver wires right now. We just have to hope he keeps starting and keeps hitting 3-pointers, as he’s not likely to help you in many other categories. The Celtics have three games this week.
Danny Green Spurs – Green is averaging 11.7 points, 3.0 boards, 1.2 steals and 2.1 3-pointers in 29 minutes per game. Kawhi Leonard will miss this week, meaning Green should be better than usual and the Spurs play four games in Week 4.
Shannon Brown Suns – Brown’s coming off the bench but it also sounds like changes could be coming to the Suns’ lineup, and he is a possibility to start over Jared Dudley, who has struggled all season. Brown has hit double-digits in seven of his 11 games this season and is averaging a career-high 13.4 points and a 3-pointer per game, but isn’t doing much else. But if you’re thin at SG he’s worth a look in all leagues, especially if he takes Dudley’s job. The Suns play three times this week.
Terrence Ross Raptors – This is another speculative add, as Ross (and Linas Kleiza) should see a big bump in minutes with Kyle Lowry, Alan Anderson and Landry Fields all injured. Anderson and Fields aren’t coming back anytime soon, and Ross is going to see a lot of minutes. He played 24 minutes on Friday and had 10 points, two 3-pointers, a steal and a block in that one. He’s worth a close look in deeper leagues. Ross and the Raps go four times in Week 4.
Small Forwards
Al-Farouq Aminu Hornets – Not everyone at Rotoworld loves Aminu, but since I own him in most of my leagues, I’m a little biased. The kid’s having a very nice season and hasn’t show any signs of slowing down, averaging 12 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.1 blocks and is shooting over 50 percent from the floor. Seriously, what is there not to love about this guy? Hopefully he’ll play as well in his next eight games as he has in his first eight. Add in that he’s got a four-game week coming up and he looks like a must-start player.
Chandler Parsons Rockets – Parsons has distanced himself from Carlos Delfino, who’s no longer worth holding in most leagues. Parsons should be owned in all formats and is averaging 19 points, eight boards and three 3-pointers over his last three games. The Rockets only have three games this week.
Harrison Barnes Warriors – Barnes has hit double figures just four times this season, but has been a beast over his last two games, averaging 18.5 points and 11 boards. He’s hit six 3-pointers on the season, but won’t help you in a couple other key cats, as he’s totaled just four steals and one block on the season. The arrow on Barnes is pointing straight up and while he’s likely to be inconsistent going forward, he’s worth grabbing in a lot of leagues right now. He has a four-game week coming up.
Tayshaun Prince Pistons – Prince has quietly put up solid numbers this season, and they’re almost identical to what he was doing last year – 12.7 points, 4.1 boards, 2.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.5 blocks and 0.5 3-pointers per game. Those aren’t the best numbers you’ll find anywhere, but they’re good enough that he can help your fantasy team. The Pistons have three games this week.
Shawn Marion Mavericks – Marion’s back from his knee injury and had 10 points, 10 boards, four assists and a steal in his last game. As long as his knee holds up, he should be a decent player to put at the end of fantasy benches in 12-team leagues. Dallas only plays three games this week.
Metta World Peace Lakers – MWP has scored in double digits in six straight games and is averaging 13 points, five boards, 2.1 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.2 3-pointers while hitting 38.4 percent of his shots this season. The shooting is a big concern, as is his production once Mike D’Antoni puts his stamp on this team, but for now, MWP is worth grabbing in most leagues. The Lakers play four times this week.
Kyle Korver Hawks – Korver’s hit double digits in five of his last six games and is averaging 17 points and nearly six 3-pointers over his last three. He’s starting for the Hawks and playing well, making him worth a grab in any leagues where you’re in need of 3-pointers. The Hawks play four times this week, so he’s going to be a popular add.
Kyle Singler Pistons – Singler is in the starting lineup for the Pistons, replacing Rodney Stuckey (for now). He’s averaging nine points, three boards and a 3-pointer, making him worth a deep-league look. But I’d rather own any of the aforementioned forwards in front of him.
Linas Kleiza Raptors – Kleiza is going to see more minutes with Alan Anderson and Landry Fields out indefinitely, and has scored in double figures in three straight games. He should be a decent source of points, boards and 3-pointers as long as he stays healthy, and has a four-game week on the horizon.
Power Forwards
Ersan Ilyasova Bucks – This has been a disastrous season for Ilyasova thus far and he has yet to score more than 11 points in a game. Owners are sick and tired of his struggles and my guess is he’s starting to be dropped in fantasy leagues. There’s no way he can be this bad all year and you have to think he’ll break out of the funk soon. The Bucks only play three games this week and I’ve got him benched in weekly leagues. Hopefully he’ll have it going by the time this week is over and he’s definitely worth a flier right now.
Jason Thompson Kings – Thompson is quietly playing well and averaging 11 points, seven boards and 1.3 blocks per game. He’s hit double digits in four of his last five games and is coming off his best line of the season when he had 19 points and 10 boards against the Hawks. The Kings have three games this week and Thompson, who has started every game, is worth owning in most leagues.
Derrick Williams Timberwolves – Williams had a season-high 23 points to go along with seven boards, four blocks and a 3-pointer on Friday. He’ll take a hit once Kevin Love is back, but he’s crashing the boards and getting minutes for Minnesota right now, and I’m going to roll with him for his three games his week. I dropped Brandon Bass to pick up Williams in a couple leagues on Sunday.
Carl Landry Warriors – Landry has benefitted from the absence of Andrew Bogut and I have no idea when we’ll see him again. Landry is averaging 15 points and nearly eight rebounds per game, and is showing no signs of slowing down. The Warriors play four times this week.
Markieff Morris & Marcus Morris Suns & Rockets – The twins are both playing well and both deserve a look in deeper leagues. Markieff could potentially start over Luis Scola in Phoenix and had 16 points, two 3-pointers, four boards and two steals in his last game, while Marcus has hit double figures in three of his last four games, highlighted by a 13-point, 3-block effort against the Hornets. Both guys have three games this week and both are worth a potential grab if you need a PF in a deep league. If I had to pick one I’d probably go with Markieff, as he appears to be a slightly better player.
Kevin Seraphin Wizards – Seraphin has been up and down like a yo-yo all season and has had three nice games this season, with four stinkers. His last one was particularly ugly, when he was 3-of-11 for six points, and while he’s not reliable enough to be in weekly starting lineups yet, I think he is worth holding in all leagues.
Jared Sullinger Celtics – Sullinger looks like he’s going to have a more productive season than Brandon Bass, but hasn’t gotten consistent minutes. He had 12 points and 11 boards in 26 minutes on Saturday, making him worth a grab and stash in deep leagues. Just don’t be surprised if he continues to struggle going forward. He’s scored six or less points in every game this season, except for Saturday’s breakout. Hopefully that’s the start of a run for the rookie, who has just three games this week.
Centers
Derrick Favors Jazz – Favors was a surprise starter on Saturday and was already a must-own player in most leagues. He had nine points, 10 boards, two steals and three blocks in the start and is worth a starting fantasy job regardless of whether he sticks in the starting five in reality. He’s averaging 9.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 2.2 blocks on the year. The Jazz have three games this week.
JaVale McGee Nuggets – McGee is starting to come on and is the center to own in Denver, scoring between 12 and 16 points in his last three games and averaging 15 points, nearly six boards and nearly three blocks over that stretch. He’s coming off the bench, so he’s likely to be inconsistent, but he’s worth owning (and starting) for the blocks alone. The Nuggets play four times this week.
Nikola Vucevic Magic – Vucevic has hit double figures in scoring in all but two games this season and has posted five double-doubles this season, including three straight. He’s playing well enough that he should be owned in all fantasy leagues and has four games this week.
Samuel Dalembert Bucks – Dalembert got off to a terrible start but appears to be back on Scott Skiles’ good side. He had a season-high 15 points, eight boards and a block on Saturday, and has scored 15, 14, 8 and 14 points in his last four games. If you’re holding Larry Sanders, dumping him for Sammy, who is heating up, makes sense. But do I trust Skiles? Nope.
Andre Drummond Pistons – Drummond is too inconsistent to be an automatic fantasy starter and may not be worth owning in 12-team daily leagues. But he’s getting better every week and will quickly become a must-own player once Lawrence Frank turns him loose. He’s averaging just 15 minutes per game, so he’s a guy owners will simply want to keep a close eye on going forward.
Brendan Haywood Bobcats – Haywood is quietly averaging 7.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game this season. If you’re in a deep league and looking for a four-game starter at center, Haywood might be worth a look.
Lavoy Allen Sixers – Allen is averaging 12 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 blocks over his last two games, ironically coming off the bench in both of them after making four straight starts. Andrew Bynum’s not coming back anytime soon and Spencer Hawes has been very inconsistent. I’m not racing out to pick up Allen, but am keeping an eye on him to see if he can keep it going.