Monday marked the last day of games before Christmas, as the entire NBA will take Tuesday night off. With 14 games on the schedule, there’s a lot of information to cover. While there may not have been any notable performances from the players listed in at least half of all Yahoo leagues, some provided solid value. One is the Hawks backup center Larry Nance Jr. (13% rostered), who has moved into the rotation with Onyeka Okongwu sidelined by a knee injury. Boasting 3 more tackles in the two-man game, Nance stood out defensively in the Hawks’ win over Minnesota.
Playing 21 minutes off the bench, he accounted for six points (2-of-4 FGs), four rebounds, two assists, two steals, three blocks, and two 3-pointers. Nance’s average is significantly more than starter Clint Capela, and he has recorded a perfect stat line in three consecutive games. Atlanta ends Week 9 with three games in four nights, starting with the Bulls on Thursday, and Okongwu will be reassessed after Christmas. Adding Nance wouldn’t be the worst idea, especially if Okongwu isn’t ready to return.
Another Hawks player to consider on waiver wire is PG/SG/SF De’Andre Hunter (41%), who has scored 15 or more points in 12 straight games. To describe his defensive production as limited would be generous. However, Hunter’s offensive value, especially with Bogdan Bogdanovic dealing with a foot injury, makes him worth the risk at times.
Here are some of the smaller players who provided value on Monday:
SG/SF Malik Beasley (32%), Detroit Pistons
Over the past two weeks, Beasley has produced a top 75 per game score in 9-game formats, performing well whether asked to start or come off the bench. He logged 26 minutes in Monday’s win over the Lakers, posting 21 points, five rebounds, two steals, and five 3-5 marks. Beasley’s production has been significant, as Tim Hardaway Jr.’s starts. and Tobias Harris has been inconsistent lately.
SG/SF Jordan Clarkson (31%), Utah Jazz
Jazz guards haven’t been exceptionally reliable in fantasy basketball this season, but Clarkson had a good night off the bench in their loss to the Cavaliers. With Keyonte George (ankle) sidelined, he played 33 minutes, finishing with 27 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals, one blocked shot, and three three pointers. Shooting (7-of-17 FGs) and turnovers (four) aren’t the best, but Clarkson will be worth watching if George is available for Thursday’s game in Portland.
PF/C Chris Boucher (7%), Toronto Raptors
Finding value among the Raptors bigs with Jakob Poeltl (groin) sidelined could be difficult. Jonathan Mogbo has been a substitute in the lineup, but the rookie hasn’t produced much. Kelly Olynyk (12%) has a proven track record, especially in “tanking” situations, but is on a minute restriction. So, should we roll the dice on Boucher? You don’t know what could happen, but he had a good night in Monday’s loss to the Knicks. In 19 minutes, he accounted for 16 points, three rebounds, one assist, three steals, one block, and four 3-pointers. Toronto returns to action Thursday in Memphis; Boucher is a dangerous play, but he could have value if Poeltl is out.
PF/C Guerschon Yabusele (5%), Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia in action Monday night in their victory over the Spurs. Joel Embiid was ejected during the second quarter. Before that, Andre Drummond had first surrendered himself before the second technical was changed due to Victor Wembanyama flopping to buy a call. But that wasn’t all, as Drummond (toe) and KJ Martin (foot) exited during the third quarter and did not return. Enter Yabusele, with “Dancing Storm” putting up 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, four steals, one block, and three three-pointers in 32 minutes. If Drummond and Martin can’t play in the Christmas Day game of Philadelphia in Boston, Yabusele would be worth adding in deep leagues.
SF/PF/C Noah Clowney (4%), Brooklyn Networks
A player that some fantasy managers prefer to use a late-round pick in drafts, Clowney has been disappointing thus far. However, he started Monday’s loss to the Heat and recorded a streak of 19 points, five rebounds, one assist, and four 3-pointers in 30 minutes. Clowney, and the DFS position will affect a large amount of second-year players in the short term. However, Clowney is someone whose value should increase as the season progresses, especially if the Nets continue to move veterans in hopes of improving their lottery selection odds.
SG/SF Max Christie (1%), Los Angeles Lakers
Christie has started the Lakers’ last six games, holding his spot even after Austin Reaves and LeBron James returned from their injuries. Offensive output was inconsistent, but Christie played well in Monday’s loss to the Pistons. In 33 minutes, he had a season-high 17 points, one rebound, two steals, and three three-pointers. One game isn’t enough to give Christie confidence in most fantasy football leagues, but it’s worth a look in deep leagues for Christmas Day, with the Lakers visiting Golden State in one of five games on the slate.
SG Sam Merrill (< 1%), Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland was without Isaac Okoro (shoulder) and Dean Wade (knee) for Monday’s game against the Jazz, and Kenny Atkinson turned to Utah City Merrill to fill the void. Shooting 6-of-11 from three, he tallied 20 points, one rebound, four assists, and three steals in 24 minutes. In addition to Okoro and Wade’s injuries, Merrill was at the mercy of Max Strus’ season, as he was restricted a few minutes after an ankle injury prevented him from making his first season until December 20. The schedule is still fun, like Cleveland. play one more time in Week 9 (Thursday at Denver). If you didn’t add Merrill before Monday, don’t change that until we know the positions of Okoro and Wade for Thursday’s game.
SG Trevelin Queen (< 1%), Orlando Magic
The Magic have been hit hard by injuries, most recently losing Moritz Wagner to a torn ACL. His absence on Monday made Wendell Carter Jr. to the bench, with the Queen receiving the inaugural award. He played well in Orlando’s win over the Celtics, accounting for 17 points, one rebound, three assists, three steals, one blocked shot, and three three-pointers in 34 minutes. Is that level of production sustainable for the Queen? Given the performance track record, maybe not. But rolling the dice on him might be more fun for fantasy managers who have been burned by Carter, Anthony Black, or Jonathan Isaac.
