Point Guards
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | Kyrie Irving | BOS | 4 | Irving gets the top spot with the full slate and he continues to fit nicely with the rest of his teammates and will continue taking a good chunk of the shots Gordon Hayward would have taken. |
2 | Kemba Walker | CHA | 4 | Dealing with a Shoulder injury but SHOULD play the full slate of games. |
3 | Russell Westbrook | OKC | 3 | Westbrook moves down due to the lack of full slate and even though he's only averaging in the early 20's in scoring, he's been dominant in rebounds, assists and steals. |
4 | Dennis Schroder | ATL | 4 | The Hawks need all of the help they can get as they continue to lose big men and most of the Hawks will have to come from the backcourt, primarily through Schroder. |
5 | Stephen Curry | GSW | 3 | Curry moves down with just three games, but looks to be over his hand injury and his scoring should improve this week and we should expect him to drive more with full health. |
6 | Eric Bledsoe | MIL | 4 | Bledose has meshed well with the Bucks and not only has sent Malcolm Brogdon to the bench, but he's carved out his own chunk of shots and has emerged as the co-No. 2 scoring option. |
7 | Darren Collison | IND | 4 | Collison continues to impress by not only shooting well from the field, but he has a controlled drive with the ball and will still play the traditional PG role and set up other teammates and compile assists. |
8 | Elfrid Payton | ORL | 4 | Payton has taken on a bit more of a scoring role this season and as always we can rely on him for quickness, steals and assists. When he's hitting, the Coaches will give him the green light to shoot more. |
9 | Reggie Jackson | DET | 4 | Jackson continues to have a career resurgence this season and is leading the Pistons offense well and he;'s hitting cutters and more importantly hitting jumpers which he struggled to do last season. |
10 | Kyle Lowry | TOR | 3 | Lowry moves down with just the three games, but is still the 1A option when it comes to scoring on Toronto and because their frontcourt is inconsistent, he and DeRozan will get more plays called. |
11 | Ricky Rubio | UT | 4 | Rubio has been shooting a little better, but the two-man game he's been playing with Donovan Mitchell has helped the Jazz score inside while Rudy Gobert is out. |
12 | Kris Dunn | CHI | 4 | Dunn will continue to get a long leash to create and has good quickness on transition and his assists should improve when Zach LaVine returns. |
13 | Dennis Smith Jr. | DAL | 4 | Smith had been battling a Virus last week and was still able to produce when he played. He's not afraid to shoot and the Mavs give him room to create, but his driving is the best part of the game. |
14 | Marcus Smart | BOS | 4 | Smart scores the hard way when the lane isn't open. Off balanced, turn-around jumpers. We can depend on Smart to be scrappy and grab long rebounds and assists. |
15 | Mario Chalmers | MEM | 4 | Chalmers will continue to start in place of Mike Conley, but the leash isn't the longest because now that Ben McLemore is back, if Chalmers struggles, Tyreke Evans can rotate and play PG. |
16 | Rajon Rondo | NO | 4 | Rondo has been able to produce since returning and when he sticks to passing and driving when he see's an open lane, that'll provide the best results. He's not the most reliable shooter. |
17 | Jeff Teague | MIN | 3 | Teague had been dealing with not only a sore Achilles, but Tyus Jones came on strong last week and played in his place. Teague has since returned, but if any pain occurs, the 'Wolves will take him out. |
18 | Spencer Dinwiddie | BKN | 3 | Dinwiddie continues to handle the PG duties with D'Angelo Russell sidelined and he's done a good job sticking to driving and shooting when open. He has a quick pass inside to hit post players. |
19 | Damian Lillard | POR | 2 | Lillard would obviously be much higher, but with the short slate for the week and a bunch of skilled guards with more games than him, he gets the short end of the stick but is the Blazers main scorer. |
20 | Chris Paul | HOU | 2 | Paul would be higher on this list as well if he didn't have the short slate. His Legs look to be in good shape and he's not looked back since returning from injury. |
Shooting Guards
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | Victor Oladipo | IND | 4 | Oladipo is healthy and with a healthy slate, he gets the top spot as Indiana has provided a balanced attack with their offense and Oladipo is the established top shooting option and second scoring option. |
2 | Devin Booker | PHX | 4 | Booker is going to have to provide most of the production because the Suns have no clue what to do with their frontcourt and most of the Suns offensive production will come from jump-shooting. |
3 | Bradley Beal | WSH | 4 | Beal will continue to see even more usage with John Wall hurt and out for a little while longer. Beal can also bring up the ball if needed and his assists and scoring should see a minor boost. |
4 | Khris Middleton | MIL | 4 | Middleton has his place in the Bucks offense, but it's more of a bailout shooter role from the top of the key. Middleton will pull down long rebounds and grab steals on the other side of the ball. |
5 | Jrue Holiday | NO | 4 | Holiday can rotate to both guard spots and because Rondo is a poor long-range shooter, he'll look to feed Holiday more and Holiday will also dish assists to their highly-skilled big men. |
6 | Tyreke Evans | MEM | 4 | Evans is going to have to play multiple positions until Mike Conley comes back and he'll continue to be a multi-category producer for fantasy owners when it comes to points, boards, assists and steals. |
7 | Nicolas Batum | CHA | 4 | Batum looks healthy and some of the defensive pressure will be taken off of him with Walker likely back for the full slate. Batum will post, drive and shoot lean-in three-pointers which are hard to contest. |
8 | Justin Holiday | CHI | 4 | Holiday continues to hang on to his playing time and shots despite seeing the early season fire he had from the start burn out, but with David Nwaba still out and LaVine not ready, he's safe for now. |
9 | Donovan Mitchell | UT | 4 | Mitchell should have been starting for this team since the start of the season. He's much more dynamic than Rubio, Ingles and Hood and is able to get to the rim on and off the ball. |
10 | Gary Harris | DEN | 4 | Harris shoulder looks better as he's shooting pain free again and with Nikola Jokic out and Wilson Chandler hurting, Harris and Will Barton will have to take more shots from mid and long-range. |
11 | Jaylen Brown | BOS | 4 | Brown has cooled off a bit since his hot start back in October, but he's still able to get a good amount of shots off and follows up his shots and will grab boards and steals. |
12 | JJ Redick | PHI | 4 | Redick has been feeding inside cutters a bit more and his assist numbers have stood out. He'll often fake his shot and throw a quick pass inside if the block is open. |
13 | Kent Bazemore | ATL | 4 | Bazemore will have to help carry the Hawks offense and even though he doesn't like banging around in the paint, he's going to have to use his quickness to keep plays alive. |
14 | Danny Green | SAS | 4 | With Kyle Anderson and Rudy Gay hurting, Green will be taking more shots this week and is currently auditioning to keep a big role because the return of Kawhi Leonard is coming. |
15 | Klay Thompson | GSW | 3 | Thompson moves down because of a lack of full slate, but we can always expect scoring, three-pointers and steals. Thompson will cut back door if the opposition is out of position. |
16 | DeMar DeRozan | TOR | 3 | DeRozan takes some of the hardest shot and will follow his shots and grab rebounds and steals on the defensive end, but moves down because of the lack of full slate. |
17 | J.J. Barea | DAL | 4 | Barea has been getting consistent minutes and time with the ball as he can rotate to both guard spots and hit tear-drops from the free-throw line. He's scrappy and will grab steals and boards. |
18 | Jeremy Lamb | CHA | 4 | With the Hornets backcourt healthy again, Lamb's shot attempts should see a minor dropoff, however, he will serve as the change of pace guard and will be a top scoring option w/ the second unit. |
19 | James Harden | HOU | 2 | Harden would obviously be near or at the top of the list if he didn't have the short slate of the week. Expect all-around production in his short slate. |
20 | Andrew Wiggins | MIN | 3 | Wiggins has been successful in taking the ball out of Jimmy Butler's hands, and has been able to take a good amount of mid and long-range shots while helping a bit with other categories. |
Small Forwards
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | LeBron James | CLE | 4 | James keeps the top spot and has needed to play 3-4 positions for the Cavs due to all of their health issues. Once Derrick Rose returns it will take some of the PG duties off of him. |
2 | Otto Porter Jr. | WSH | 4 | Porter will continue to take more shots and handle responsibilities setting up the offense. We should see more scoring and assists from Porter with Wall sidelined. |
3 | Robert Covington | PHI | 4 | Covington has become the Sixers No. 3 scoring option behind Embiid and Simmons and when he's hitting from downtown, he's lethal and he'll also grab rebounds and steals on defense. |
4 | Kevin Durant | GSW | 3 | Durant moves down with the lack of full slate and he's been nicked up over the last couple of weeks, but should still see full usage and be an all-around producer this week. |
5 | Harrison Barnes | DAL | 4 | Barnes continues to improve his jumper and utilize his strength inside to keep plays alive for the Mavs. He'll grab rebounds and steals and help the Mavs weak frontcourt. |
6 | Paul George | OKC | 3 | George will need to continue commanding the ball because he's more dynamic than Carmelo Anthony and we should expect his scoring to continue to be high and he plays shutdown defense. |
7 | Evan Fournier | ORL | 4 | Fournier continues to be a consistent shooter from mid and long-range and has good agility to avoid screens on both sides of the ball. He serves as a great middle man on transition. |
8 | Will Barton | DEN | 4 | Barton's usage will continue to be high with other Nuggets scoring options out and he'll score from set-shooting at the elbow and from calling for the ball in the high post. He's also a strong defender. |
9 | TJ Warren | PHX | 4 | This score or bust option is the Suns second shooting option and will continue to take a lot of long-range shots and only attack the rim on the run. He's very scoring dependant. He'll help a bit w/ steals. |
10 | Courtney Lee | NY | 4 | With Tim Hardaway Jr. likely to miss the next couple of games, expect Lee to get more shots from downtown and he's been an excellent defender and will also grab long rebounds. |
11 | Joe Ingles | UT | 4 | Ingles is the ultimate bailout option as he doesn't drive as much as the other Jazz guards and forwards, but he's been one of the best long-range shooters in the league. |
12 | Jimmy Butler | MIN | 3 | Butler moves down the list because he doesn't have the full slate. He doesn't command the ball as much in Minnesota and 20-point outings won't happen as much. Good for boards, steals and blocks too. |
13 | Taurean Prince | ATL | 4 | Prince will need to be ready to take as much contact as possible due to all of the Hawks injuries up-front. Expect his scoring to come from at the top of the paint or at the free-throw line. |
14 | Denzel Valentine | CHI | 4 | Valentine continues to shoot well from the field and he's been a nice bailout option for the Bulls, but he'll continue to find room to move around the arc to find more openings. |
15 | Marcus Morris | BOS | 4 | Morris has been playing better and he'll score in double figures and grab six to eight rebounds. Morris is an attacker and is good at drawing contact while in the post. He gives the C's a defensive boost. |
16 | Kelly Oubre Jr. | WSH | 4 | Oubre will continue to see more time with the ball with John Wall out and he'll continue to shoot from long-range, attack and grab long rebounds to keep plays alive. |
17 | Bojan Bogdanovic | IND | 4 | Bogdanovic will call for the ball in the high post, but expect him to be productive mainly from long-range and the elbow. He'll fight for boards on the other side but toughness must improve. |
18 | Rodney Hood | UT | 4 | Still dealing with ankle soreness and is questionable for his first game of the week. |
19 | Rudy Gay | SAS | 4 | He's dealing with some soreness in his Heel but SHOULD be able to play the full slate of games this week and Kyle Anderson might be sidelined for a bit. |
20 | DeMarre Carroll | BKN | 3 | Carroll will continue to compile points and boards as one of the healthiest members of the Nets. He plays excellent perimeter defense and will score from all over the floor. |
Power Forwards
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 4 | Giannis should be one of the highest fantasy producers for the week and he'll continue dominating defenders once he gets the ball in the post. Foul trouble is the main concern. |
2 | Ben Simmons | PHI | 4 | Simmons is fully healthy this week and even though his shot is still a work in progress, his drive game has been hard to defend and he'll continue to give owners a ton of boards and assists. |
3 | LaMarcus Aldridge | SAS | 4 | Aldridge just got a game off for resting purposes and should be fresh for a full week of scoring, three-point shooting, rebounding, blocks and being the Spurs top scoring weapon. |
4 | Aaron Gordon | ORL | 4 | Gordon has come into his own as his jumper has clearly improved and he's very quick and once he starts driving, it's hard to stop him. He gets a lot of hang-time in the air and draws a ton of contact. |
5 | Tobias Harris | DET | 4 | Harris has really improved his three-point shooting this season as he's often left open at the top of the key. Harris may be the best defender on the Pistons and we can always expect boards and steals. |
6 | Lauri Markkanen | CHI | 4 | Markannen continues to make a strong case as being the Bulls top scoring option even when they're eventually back at full strength. Expect scoring from inside and outiside and rebounding. |
7 | Derrick Favors | UT | 4 | Favors will continue to see full usage with Gobert out and he'll score mainly from the low-block and he's good at placing himself at good spots in the paint to keep plays alive for the Jazz. |
8 | Thaddeus Young | IND | 4 | Young has been the Pacers top perimeter defender and will continue to grab boards and steals. He's an attacker and he'll score off contact and finding openings while slashing in the lane. |
9 | Jayson Tatum | BOS | 4 | Tatum is a much better attacker than shooter and doesn't give up on the play and even if it's a tip back out, he's always willing to take contact and will provide steals and blocks. |
10 | Domantas Sabonis | IND | 4 | Sabonis has been strong off the bench as he's been able to score from the elbow and the low-post. The rebounding has been very impressive this season and even off the bench, he's consistent. |
11 | Draymond Green | GSW | 3 | Scoring never comes easy for Green and even though he's been taking a decent amount of open three-pointers, you'll find consistency in boards, assists and steals. |
12 | Dario Saric | PHI | 4 | Saric has been coming on strong in recent weeks, even with Embiid in the lineup and we've seen a lot more double-digit scoring outings. Saric's rebounding has also improved throughout the season. |
13 | Carmelo Anthony | OKC | 3 | Anthony will drive when the match up is in his favor, but will mainly be utilized as a three-point and elbow shooter and he'll continue to get fed a lot. He's still not as committed on defense. |
14 | Ersan Ilyasova | ATL | 4 | Ilyasova will see full usage and should play 30-plus minutes in all of these games because the Hawks are decimated at PF and C and he'll start and shoot elbow jumpers and grab long rebounds. |
15 | Kenneth Faried | DEN | 4 | It's strange having Faried in these rankings, but he's seen a lot more playing time and success in the paint from a scoring and rebounding standpoint with Millsap and Jokic out. |
16 | JaMychal Green | MEM | 4 | Green will score from the low-block and will have more plays called for him with Conley out and Gasol setting up on the perimeter will make Green the primary inside option during those plays. |
17 | Taj Gibson | MIN | 3 | Gibson continues to score and rebound consistently from right inside and he's a patient post defender who doesn't go for pump fakes and will stand straight up to avoid fouls being called on him. |
18 | Zach Randolph | SAC | 3 | The Kings frontcourt needs help and Willie Cauley-Stein is dealing with back issues and Randolph will be needed to rotate at both positions thus giving him more playing time, scoring and rebounding opps. |
19 | Kristaps Porzingis | NY | 4 | Dealing with an ankle injury and illness and he'll miss his first game of the week. Unsure about the rest of the week. |
20 | Anthony Davis | NO | 4 | Pelvis injury-Unsure how long he'll be out for definitely for his first game of the week and was seen on crutches. If he somehow plays, you play him, but this injury could keep him out for the entire week. |
Centers
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | DeMarcus Cousins | NO | 4 | With Davis hurting, Boogie should be the top all-around producer in the league from a fantasy perspective this week and he'll not only get fed inside, but he'll bring up the ball as well. |
2 | Andre Drummond | DET | 4 | Drummond will continue grabbing a ton of rebounds and will score off of second-chance opportunities. He's been, once again, one of the most reliable rebounders in the league. |
3 | Joel Embiid | PHI | 4 | Embiid does have a full slate of games BUT has a back to back later in the week and it's always possible that he may be rested for one of those games. |
4 | Marc Gasol | MEM | 4 | Gasol will continue to be the top scoring option with Mike Conley out and he'll score from inside and outside and contribute rebounds and blocks. He's one of the most reliable outside-shooting big men. |
5 | Kevin Love | CLE | 4 | Love will continue to rotate between creating in the paint and creating from the arc while Tristan Thompson continues to recover. Expect three-point shooting to stay consistent. |
6 | Nikola Vucevic | ORL | 4 | Vucevic will continue to be a nice compliment to Aaron Gordon because he only sets up inside and has great footwork and takes advantage of slower defenders in the post. He'll grab a ton of boards. |
7 | Al Horford | BOS | 4 | We all know that Horford can shoot, especially from the outside, but it's been his inside presence and improved rebounding that has impressed this season. |
8 | Dwight Howard | CHA | 4 | Howard won't get as many plays called for him if Walker plays, but expect him to clean up the garbage inside and score and rebound in double figures. He'll also be a help with blocks. |
9 | Enes Kanter | NY | 4 | Kanter will likely become the Knicks top scoring weapon with Porzingis and Hardaway Jr. out and his usage should be at an all-time high this week and has been very productive in the paint. |
10 | Karl-Anthony Towns | MIN | 3 | Towns moves down with the three games. For some reason, he's not as productive this season as he was last season. Don't get it twisted, he's still very productive, but not the top guy in the league. |
11 | Myles Turner | IND | 4 | Turner will continue slashing in the lane and setting up from beyond the arc. His minutes are safe despite the Pacers skilled front-court and will continue to be the top scoring weapon. |
12 | Pau Gasol | SAS | 4 | Even though he's not flashy, Gasol has been getting the job done and is able to use his finess to shift in the lane. He sets good screens from the top of the paint. He's a reliable rebounder too. |
13 | Marcin Gortat | WSH | 4 | Gortat will continue to benefit from the Wizards pace being slower due to John Wall being out and more plays should be called for him in the post and he'll score off of second-chance opportunities. |
14 | Dirk Nowitzki | DAL | 4 | Nowitzki has been playing better lately and his scoring numbers show it, but he doesn't fight in the lane as much as most Centers and mainly sticks to setting up on the perimeter on offense. |
15 | Robin Lopez | CHI | 4 | Lopez will continue to see the bulk of the minutes at Center and he's successful with one hand and it's hard to contest his shots. Expect six to eight boards and he'll help with blocks. |
16 | John Henson | MIL | 4 | Henson will continue seeing minutes and because Giannis is all over the place, he should see some openings on offense from right inside and outside of Thon Maker he doesn't have competition for minutes. |
17 | Tyson Chandler | PHX | 4 | Chandler is still a consistent defensive weapon who makes rebounding look easy, but the confusing part is whether or not the Suns will randomly hold him out of games just because….Doesn't make sense! |
18 | Mason Plumlee | DEN | 4 | With Jokic hurting, Plumlee should see extended minutes and starts while he's out and Plumlee can run the floor and he'll score from setting up in the post and draws a lot of contact. |
19 | Miles Plumlee | ATL | 4 | The Hawks are so limited when it comes to healthy big men that Plumlee (who's been hurt) has needed to start and should see more playing time this week. Rebounding comes easier than scoring. |
20 | Steven Adams | OKC | 3 | Adams will continue being the gritty defender in the post and gets a lot of opportunities to score inside because both George and Anthony set up at the elbow. We can rely on him for consistent rebounding. |