As we enter a new week of the 2023-24 NBA season, here’s a fantasy basketball guide and analysis for week 12.
Fantasy Basketball 2023-24: Week 12 Guide and Analysis
NBA Schedule
While most of the league plays three to four games this week, a handful play one or two. Teams with a high of four are the Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, and Utah Jazz.
Those with three are the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards.
The Philadelphia 76ers is the lone team playing two games.
Both the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers play a low of one game. They are facing off in Paris on Thursday for an international matchup.
Potential Waiver Wire Adds
Saddiq Bey – An injury to one of the Hawks’ starters thrust Bey into the first unit. Over the past few weeks, he’s provided solid value in points, rebounds, and threes. It’ll be time to drop him once he returns to a bench role.
Nick Richards – With Richards keeping his starting center role for the foreseeable future, he offers fantasy managers points, rebounds, and some stocks.
Andre Drummond – Even though Nikola Vucevic returned a few days ago, he’s had a bench role and split his minutes with Drummond. Until Vucevic reclaims his role, Drummond still provides enough fantasy value in points, rebounds, and defensive stats to be rostered.
Caris LeVert – LeVert has been on fire as of late for the injured Cavaliers. Thanks to his multi-category value, he is the most reliable streamer on the team.
Jaden Ivey – The Pistons may be dealing with an injury to their star player, meaning more minutes are available for Ivey and other depth pieces. Ivey is trending upwards again, and he’s a better streaming option on the team.
Brandin Podziemski/Trayce Jackson-Davis – With Chris Paul injured and no date for Draymond Green’s return yet, the two rookies will continue to thrive. Podziemski holds more long-term value as he picks up an increased workload as Paul’s replacement.
Bennedict Mathurin – Mathurin strung together a solid stretch of games over the past week, even in a bench role. He offers more value in points leagues as his main contribution is scoring (and sometimes rebounds).
Kevin Love – While the injury bug continues to plague the Heat, Love has surprisingly stepped up. Since the start of the new year, the forward has provided solid production in the primary categories with some threes and stocks.
Donte DiVincenzo – A recent trade between the Knicks and Raptors resulted in a solid collection of games for DiVincenzo. His stats aren’t eye-popping, but he’s giving fantasy managers numbers in several categories.
Luguentz Dort – Dort is going through a hot stretch right now. He’ll likely cool off soon, but take advantage of his points, rebounds, threes, and stocks while you can.
Goga Bitadze – Bitadze recently returned to the Magic’s starting lineup and had a dominant game. So long as he’s in this role, he’s an excellent stream as a points and rebounds double-double threat and shot-blocker.
Kelly Oubre Jr. – Several injuries have allowed Oubre to produce similar stats to his pre-injury time. He offers values on both ends of the court and should continue to see increased minutes for a while.
Scoot Henderson/Duop Reath – After a rough start to the season, Henderson is trending upwards. His scoring is inconsistent, but he’s also providing assists and rebounds. Reath is also a solid add while Deandre Ayton is sidelined. He gives managers points, rebounds, and blocks.
Tre Jones – Over the past two games, Jones has earned a starting spot. He compiled solid stat lines and could be an excellent add if he receives consistent minutes.
Potential Drops
De’Andre Hunter – His injury timeline has him set to return sometime this week, but there haven’t been any updates yet. Even when he returns, Hunter won’t provide enough production to be rostered in most leagues.
Cam Thomas – Thomas significantly cooled down since his hot start to the season. Since late December, his minutes have also decreased. Overall, he’s a very one-dimensional player who offers little value outside of points and threes.
Patrick Williams – With the return of two stars for the Bulls, Williams’ value dipped. He’s also dealing with an injury and likely won’t have the same impact when healthy.
Mitchell Robinson – Robinson is most likely out for the rest of the season, so there’s no use in holding him.
Wendell Carter Jr. – Underwhelming performances and injuries have been the story of Carter’s season so far. He’ll have a few good games occasionally, but it’s hard to justify holding him in most leagues.
Harrison Barnes/Kevin Huerter – Barnes and Huerter recorded some up-and-down games but were quiet for most of the week. Both offer more fantasy value when given increased opportunities.
Gary Trent Jr. – The trade with the Knicks didn’t do much to help Trent’s production. He holds slightly more value in points leagues, as he mainly posts numbers in the scoring category.
Notable Injuries/Suspensions
Ben Simmons – Still progressing with no clear timeline.
LaMelo Ball – Could return by late January.
Gordon Hayward – Will miss at least one more week with a calf strain.
Mark Williams – Out at least another week with a back contusion.
Lonzo Ball – Out for the season.
Darius Garland – Could return soon from a fractured jaw injury.
Evan Mobley – Underwent knee surgery and should return in early February.
Cade Cunningham – Sustained a knee injury on Sunday. The severity is unclear.
Draymond Green – Officially reinstated from his suspension and is nearing a return.
Chris Paul – Out for four to six weeks with a fractured hand.
Steven Adams – Out for the season.
Ja Morant – Undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
Mitchell Robinson – Expected to miss the rest of the season due to an ankle injury.
Deandre Ayton – No timetable for a return from his knee injury.
Robert Williams – Out for the season.
Zach Collins – Out for a few weeks with an ankle injury.
