Welcome to Week 6 of the Fantasy Basketball Schedule. This week is highlighted by the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday when the NBA is on a mini break and is bookended by a full slate on Wednesday and Friday. Streaming is slightly less valuable this week, but can still be part of a winning strategy if you can find talent to play on the Tuesday/Saturday low nights.
However, before we get into week 6 of the Fantasy Basketball schedule, I wanted to highlight a recent trade in one of my leagues. I traded for Kyrie Irving in a 12-team, 9-category, 4-keeper league. I recently labeled Kyrie as a ‘Buy Low’ target and mentioned there might be frustrated owners willing to move off the guard. In my league, I was right. While I might have scored Kyrie Irving, did I win the trade?
The Trade:
Receive:
- Kyrie Irving (BKN, PG/SG)
- Max Strus (MIA, SG)
Give:
- Josh Giddy (OKC, PG/SG)
- Jordan Clarkson (UTA, SG)
I wanted to take advantage of an opportunity to get an elite, top-10-ranked player. There is risk, certainly. In addition to the typical Kyrie ‘availability’ issue, I parted ways with talented young stat stuffer in Josh Giddey and Jordan Clarkson. In terms of Clarkson, he turned out to be a ‘sweetener’ to get the deal done. My thought was that while Utah is surging now, will they be trading away assets later. Time will tell.
In any case, finding the right ‘buy low’ players can pay massive dividends later in the year. The tide can turn quickly and your build in the latter half of the season will ultimately determine your playoff success. With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at this week’s trade targets.
Trade Targets:
Buy Low:
- Jrue Holiday
- Zach LaVine
- Gordon Hayward
- Jordan Poole
- Ben Simmons (You believe)
Sell High:
- Kyle Lowry
- Bobby Portis
- Kelly Oubre
- D’Angelo Russell
- Ben Simmons? (You don’t believe)
While you work the trade market, don’t forget to optimize your lineups for this week. Here is the schedule and streaming options for week 6:
This week’s schedule:
- Monday (11/21): 8 games
- Tuesday (11/22): 4 games
- Wednesday (11/23): 12 games
- Thursday (11/24): 0 games
- Friday (11/25): 14 games
- Saturday (11/26): 4 games
- Sunday (11/27): 9 games
Teams with 4 games this week:
OKC, IND, PHI, LAC, MIA, MIN, UTA, ATL, POR, GSW, CLE, BKN, BOS, DET, MIL
Teams with 3 games this week:
LAL, NOR, PHO, DEN, SAS, MEM, NYK, SAC, CHI, DAL, WAS, ORL
Teams with 2 games this week:
HOU, CHA, TOR
Streaming Options: Optimize your Streaming
There are no games on Thursday, limiting the value of streaming. However, it is always best practice to identify where you can add games. The following teams offer the best schedules to maximize your games played. Depending on your league the players available will vary, but the players below should be available in most 12 or 14-team formats.
PHOENIX SUNS (TUE/FRI/SAT)
- Cam Payne (PG): As long as Chris Paul is sidelined, Payne is a “must roster”. As a starter Payne is averaging 20 points, 3 threes, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists which is nearly top 30 value.
- Torrey Craig (SF/PF): As Cam Johnson’s replacement, Craig struggled to produce early on, but has surged of late. In the last week, Craig has averages of 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 threes, 1 steal, and 1 block. Scoop him up and see if he can maintain this production.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS (TUE/FRI/SAT)
- Thomas Bryant (Center): Bryant is getting back on the floor and it’s not clear exactly what he will bring consistently to your fantasy team, but he has upside in points, rebounds, FG%, and blocks.
- Austin Reeves (SG): If Lebron sits, Reeves makes for a great stream. He puts up points, rebounds, a few assists, and is capable in steals and threes. Be mindful his role drops when Lebron is in the lineup.
- Troy Brown Jr. (SF): Brown is not very good, but can trickle in stats for you if you are in a deeper league. Expect modest numbers across the board without hurting your percentage.