Christmas week is on the horizon, which means no games on Christmas Eve, followed by a full day of hoops on Christmas Day. Outside of Monday’s 14-game slate, Week 9 should present plenty of opportunities to add value via the elimination wire. This week’s list includes some players who need to be classified in the highest percentage of standard leagues and flow a little bit more until their teams are back to full health.
Have extra joy
1. Ayo Dosunmu
2. Bilal Coulibaly
3. Yves Missy
4. Larry Nance Jr.
5. Goga Bitadze
6. Kelly Oubre Jr.
7. De’Andre Hunter
8. Ausar Thompson
9. Royce O’Neale
10. Caris LeVert
PG/SG/SF Ayo Dosunmu (45%)Chicago Bulls
Closing in on the top-100 value for the season in 9-cat formats, Dosunmu has recently taken his production to another level. Over the past three weeks, he’s averaging 16.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 2.1 3-pointers, shooting 54.3% from the field and 92.3% from the line. That’s good for a top-25 rating, and Dosunmu has logged 34.3 minutes per game during this stretch. With Josh Giddey sidelined by a leg injury, there is even more reason to include Dosunmu if available. The Bulls play three games during Week 9, starting with the Bucks on Monday.
SG/SF Bilal Coulibaly (45%)Washington wizard
After getting off to a slow start to the season, Coulibaly appears to be rounding into form. In the past two weeks, the second year segment has averaged 16.6. points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.4 blocks, and 2.2 3-pointers in 36.0 minutes per game. Coulibaly’s field goal percentage (42.5% in the past two weeks) is low, but his defensive production and improved efficiency make it a good time to add him in standard leagues. While the Wizards’ run of three games in Week 9 isn’t great, Coulibaly’s status as a lock starter makes it worth the risk.
SG/SF Kelly Oubre Jr. (40%)Philadelphia 76ers
Injuries have also made Oubre the only player worth targeting on standard major league loans, with Joel Embiid (eye) out for a few more games and Jared McCain (knee) out indefinitely. Tsunami Papi has taken advantage of additional opportunities, providing close to top-50 value in the past three weeks. This season, Oubre has averaged 14.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 2.0 3-pointers per game, shooting 53.6% from the field. Punt free throw percentage (68.8% over the past three weeks), and Oubre became a top-40 player. Philadelphia played three games during Week 9, but injuries to Embiid and McCain made Oubre the right player to add regardless of the schedule.
SF/PF De’Andre Hunter (39%)Atlanta Hawks
Hunter has been one of the best sixth men in the NBA this season, and the role change has boosted his fantasy value. A top 75 player three weeks ago, he averaged 21.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 3.3-3 rebounds in 29.2 minutes. Hunter doesn’t provide much value in the steals and blocks categories. However, he has been an effective scorer off the bench that will not negatively impact the club’s league records in the divisions. The Hawks played four games during Week 9, which favored Hunter.
C Yves Missi (38%)New Orleans Pelicans
The week 9 schedule for the Pelicans is not great, as they play two games and will be done by Friday (Thursday/Friday back-to-back). However, Missi should still be on the radar of standard league managers, especially if they are looking for a backup option. In the past three weeks, the rookie center has provided 9th-round value in 9-cat formats, a significant improvement compared to his season-long value. Missi has reached double figures in rebounds in six of the last seven games, recording three double-doubles. While he may be the best target for Week 10, as the Pelicans play four games, moving forward with the rush by adding Missi during Week 9 would be a good idea.
C Goga Bitadze (38%)Orlando Magic
Bitadze is a viable option in the championships, producing top-50 value in 9 cat formats over the past three weeks. During this stretch, he has averaged 11.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.9 blocks in 28.3 minutes, shooting 55.4% from the field and 79.2% from the line. Bitadze’s position in the rotation could change once Paolo Banchero returns, but we haven’t reached that point yet. Orlando will play four games in Week 9, including a Thursday/Friday back-to-back against the Heat and Knicks.
SG/SF Malik Beasley (30%)Detroit Pistons
With Jaden Ivey (knee) sidelined for the second straight game Wednesday, Beasley came off the bench while Ausar Thompson was in the lineup. This did not hurt Beasley’s shot volume, as he picked up 26 (nine runs) and finished with 26 points, two rebounds, four assists, one steal, and seven 3-pointers in a loss to the Jazz. Beasley’s minutes may decrease once Ivey returns, but there’s a clear need for his 3-point ability, keeping him on the radar in deep balls (and some standard variety).
SG/SF Caris LeVert (25%)Cleveland Cavaliers
Isaac Okoro has not been much of a factor in basketball this season. However, his absence due to a right shoulder injury creates opportunities for teammates who can provide greater value. LeVert is one of those options, and has been offered a 10th-round pick in 9-Cat formats over the past two weeks. Getting consistent value from LeVert can be tricky when Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are healthy. However, this point is where it’s worth the risk, especially with Max Strus possibly back as soon as Friday. Also, one of Cleveland’s three games during Week 9 against the struggling Wizards (Thursday, December 26).
SF/PF Royce O’Neale (24%)Phoenix Suns
Unfortunately, the Suns can’t seem to be fully healthy. Bradley Beal returned to action Thursday, and then Devin Booker sat out the loss to the Pacers because of a groin strain. Whenever Beal, Booker, or Kevin Durant had to miss time, O’Neale immediately became a streaming option. Still a top-100 player in 9-cat formats for the season, the veteran winger has provided a 5th-round value three weeks ago. Also helping O’Neale’s case is the Suns playing four games in Week 9, which ends with a Friday/Saturday back-to-back.
PF Obi Toppin (19%)Indiana Pacers
A top-20 player had 9 cat streaks last week, Toppin’s strong streak started well before this point. In the past three weeks, the Pacers reserve has averaged 14.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.0 3-pointers in 22.2 minutes, shooting 56.8% from the field and 88.9% from the foul line. That production has been good for top-50 value in 9-point formats. And even with the addition of Thomas Bryant last week, Toppin is worth adding because of the Pacers’ lack of reliable bigs beyond starter Myles Turner. Also, the Pacers played four games during Week 9.
PF/C Larry Nance Jr. (2%)Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks will finish Week 8 short, as Onyeka Okongwu is ruled out for at least four games due to left knee inflammation. Thursday’s loss to the Spurs was the first of those four games, so he will miss some of Week 9. Why not add Nance? In 31 minutes off the bench, the veteran forward/center posted 21 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, one steal, one blocked shot, and five 3-pointers. You won’t get that level of production from Nance every night, but there is a clear need for his services with the Okongwu team. Atlanta played four games during Week 9, with Okongwu in line to lose the first two.
