As we enter a new week of the 2023-24 NBA season, here’s a fantasy basketball guide and analysis for week nine.
Fantasy Basketball 2023-24: Week 9 Guide and Analysis
NBA Schedule
Every team in the NBA will play at least two games this week, except one. The teams with a high of four are the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, and Utah Jazz.
The Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Washington Wizards all play three games.
The lone team playing a low of two games is the Phoenix Suns.
Potential Waiver Wire Adds
Onyeka Okongwu/Saddiq Bey – As the Hawks deal with injuries to key players, others have stepped up. Okongwu will slide into the starting lineup while Clint Capela is day-to-day with a bone bruise. Also, Bey continues to see increased minutes, providing value in points, rebounds, steals, and threes. De’Andre Hunter is another potential add, although he is dealing with knee soreness.
Brandon Miller/Nick Richards – Miller is providing solid value as he sees extended minutes. He is posting decent numbers in the primary categories and some stocks. As for Richards, he has played well in the first unit over the past three games. His offensive output is inconsistent, but he has the potential to post double-digit points. He also provides rebounds and blocks and should be streamed until Mark Williams returns.
Patrick Williams – Surprisingly, Williams has broken out over the past few weeks. His scoring and stats fluctuate, but he gives managers value in multiple categories (rebounds, assists, and threes). He also offers some defensive numbers and should keep playing big minutes.
Caris LeVert – LeVert struggled enough over the past few weeks to warrant dropping him, but the tables have turned. A long-term injury to Darius Garland opened up more minutes and fantasy value for LeVert, a solid two-way player. Other Cavaliers like Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade will also receive more usage, but LeVert is the safer stream.
Dante Exum – With no timetable on Kyrie Irving, Exum should be rostered. He’s proven his value in the primary categories and should remain in the starting lineup for a few weeks. His efficiency is solid, he can catch fire from three, and grab some steals.
James Wiseman – Injuries in the Pistons’ crowded frontcourt opened more minutes for Wiseman. He’s still coming off the bench, but that could change with his excellent play the past few games. However, he provides more value in points leagues as he contributes to few categories.
Brandin Podziemski/Jonathan Kuminga/Kevon Looney – The rookie has worked his way into the Warriors’ starting lineup and has impressed. Podziemski offers value in the primary categories, along with threes and steals, though he could be streaky in those two categories. Kuminga and Looney are also streamer options with Draymond Green sidelined for a while.
Tari Eason – As of late, Eason is receiving significant minutes – while coming off the bench – and making the most of it. He’s a solid scorer, rebounder, and defensive player.
Naz Reid – Reid continues to lead the Timberwolves’ second unit as a reliable performer. His main contributions are points and rebounds, but he adds some value in threes, assists, and stocks.
Isaiah Hartenstein – The Knicks will use Hartenstein as their starting center for the next several weeks. As a result, he’s a great long-term streaming option and is already performing well in his new role.
Eric Gordon/Grayson Allen – With yet another injury sidelining Bradley Beal for a few weeks, Gordon and Allen will benefit from his absence. They played well over the past few weeks, but Gordon is the more reliable stream.
Malik Monk – If De’Aaron Fox misses more time, look to add Monk. He is excelling in his sixth-man role thanks to his offensive bag (points, assists, and threes).
Collin Sexton – The shorthanded Jazz benefitted from Sexton’s strong play this past week. He posted solid numbers in the primary categories, in addition to some threes and steals. Sexton will maintain that workload this week.
Potential Drops
Al Horford – With the Celtics playing a back-to-back match this week, the 37-year-old will likely miss a game due to rest purposes. Also, his fantasy value took a hit as Horford moved to a bench role.
Reggie Jackson – Now that he’s back with the second unit, Jackson can be released. But if Jamal Murray is listed out for a game, Jackson is a worthy stream.
Isaiah Stewart – A shoulder sprain is the latest blow for Stewart. He struggled with consistency throughout the season and doesn’t offer enough fantasy value to justify a roster spot.
Kyle Lowry – With two Heat stars returning this week, Lowry is a surefire drop. Other potential drops are Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Caleb Martin, depending on how many minutes they receive. Make sure to monitor their situation.
Josh Hart – Hart strung together several rough performances last week. He will become fantasy-relevant again, but he can safely be dropped for now and should still be waiting on the waivers.
Goga Bitadze – As Wendell Carter Jr. nears a return, Bitadze’s usage and production are about to take significant hits. Stream him until Carter is back in the lineup.
Kelly Oubre Jr. – Since his injury, Oubre hasn’t been able to return to the same level as before. Limited minutes and a crowded roster will make it difficult to replicate that production.
Jeremy Sochan – After a point guard experiment with disappointing results, Sochan is playing more at the forward spot. Most of his performances have been underwhelming, and his usage is decreasing.
Notable Injuries/Suspensions
Jalen Johnson – Diagnosed with a wrist fracture and could return in late December.
Ben Simmons – In the rehabilitation process with no clear timetable.
LaMelo Ball – Out until late December with an ankle injury.
Lonzo Ball – Out for the season.
Zach LaVine – Will miss a few more weeks due to foot inflammation.
Darius Garland – Will miss multiple weeks with a fractured jaw.
Evan Mobley – Undergoing knee surgery and will miss six to eight weeks.
Kyrie Irving – Diagnosed with a heel contusion. No timeline has been reported yet.
Jalen Duren – Will be re-evaluated in a few weeks for an ankle sprain.
Draymond Green – Suspended indefinitely.
Steven Adams – Out for the season.
Ja Morant – Suspended until December 19.
Marcus Smart – Should return soon from a foot injury.
Mitchell Robinson – Undergoing ankle surgery and will be re-evaluated in eight to 10 weeks.
Wendell Carter Jr. – Nearing a return from a fractured finger.
Markelle Fultz – Expected to miss a few more games with a knee issue.
Bradley Beal – Will miss a few weeks with an ankle injury.
Robert Williams – Out for the season.
Jordan Clarkson – Will be re-evaluated in two weeks for a thigh injury.
Week 8 Observations
-Rookies:
- Victor Wembanyama – The first overall pick continued to post video game numbers in week eight. He led rookies in scoring that week with 18.8 PPG while also flexing some playmaking skills. Wembanyama paired those numbers with eye-popping stats in rebounds (14.8), steals (1.5), and blocks (4.3).
- Jaime Jaquez Jr.- This is likely the last week that Jaquez will post this production for a while. He tied Wembanyama in averaged points, which he did with stellar efficiency. Also, he added some rebounds and assists.
- Scoot Henderson – After an underwhelming start to the season, Henderson showed signs of life with solid performances last week. He provided points and assists with solid splits, a glimpse into his potential.
-Stars of the week:
- Joel Embiid
- Luka Doncic
- Victor Wembanyama
- Kawhi Leonard
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Trae Young
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Jaren Jackson Jr.
- James Harden
- Nikola Jokic
-Breakout players:
- Bogdan Bogdanovic
- Terry Rozier
- Coby White
- Derrick White
- Keegan Murray
- Tyus Jones
- Daniel Gafford
- Dante Exum
- Tari Eason
- Austin Reaves
-Disappointments:
