Atlanta's DeAndre Hunter He has averaged 16.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in his past two starts.
This week is an important week as we move steadily towards the end of the regular season. Fortunately, with the abundance of teams on four-game schedules, there is no shortage of lower-roster candidates to consider at each position for streaming opportunities.
Each week, we aim to highlight a pair of potential starters on your fantasy roster that could be the tougher calls for that week. We usually focus on players with a starting or roster percentage of his 50%. Below Yahoo league. Also, typically he focuses on players with four game weeks to maximize production opportunities.
Similarly, we'll spotlight one sit candidate at each position who wouldn't normally be considered for a spot on the bench, often focusing on players who won't see much game time next week.
Teams playing 4 games: Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards
Teams playing 3 games: Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, toronto raptors
Without further ado, let's take a look at some of the tougher starting/seating decisions for Week 23.
guard
Starter: Vasilije Micic, Hornets
Roster rate 29%
Thanks to LaMelo Ball's ankle injury, Micic appears set to start another week, potentially keeping the star guard sidelined for the rest of the season. The 30-year-old has handled most of his chances to start so far, even factoring in Saturday's misfire against the Hawks. Micic is averaging 15.5 points (on 50.9 percent shooting), 5.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds over the past 10 games, and is expected to see similar numbers as Charlotte enters a four-game week.
start: Alex Caruso, Bulls
Start rate 45%
Caruso is suffering a mild ankle sprain heading into the Bulls' upcoming four-game schedule, but is still expected to play until the end. The veteran guard has been especially sharp lately, averaging 14.5 points (including 48.4 percent shooting and 51.4 percent from 3-point range), 4.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 33.5 minutes over the past six games. Caruso's ability to contribute across the stat sheet and push the steals category in particular is extremely valuable and could help offset the occasional drop-off in scoring from more heavily used players on the same floor.
Please also consider: Tre Mann, Hornets (Starting rate 21%)
Sitting: Jrue Holiday, Celtics
Starting rate 51%
Holiday has already been ruled out for Monday's game against the Hawks after missing four games with a shoulder injury. That leaves only two potential games this week for Holiday, who averaged 10.5 points, 5.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 12 games before the break. The decision would be very easy.
forward
start: DeAndre Hunter, Hawks
Starting rate 40%
With Jalen Johnson expected to be sidelined at least until late next week with a sprained ankle, Hunter will likely be a full-time starter again. The fifth-year forward averaged 16.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in his first two turns with the first unit during Johnson's absence. Hunter is shooting a career-high 40.2% from behind this season, and Trae Young (finger) is also likely to play in the next four games, giving Hunter some strong offensive numbers. There should be plenty of opportunities to do so.
Starter: Rui Hachimura, Lakers
Roster rate 36%
Hachimura is averaging 16.3 points (including 58.7% shooting, 40.0% 3-point shooting) and 3.9 rebounds, and is a strong player despite being on the same floor as the future Hall of Famer. He has recently found an impressive rhythm as a scorer. He has dished out 1.4 assists per game over the past eight games. Production for a big man in terms of floor space comes with an element of risk as it relies heavily on scoring, but Hachimura has recently achieved a level that helps alleviate some of those concerns with a full schedule on the record. seems to have achieved stability.
Please also consider: Jeff Green, Rockets (Roster rate 2%); Georges Niang (Cavaliers) (Roster rate 16%)
Sitting: Cameron Johnson (Nets)
Roster rate 75%
Johnson already missed Monday's game against the Raptors and was sidelined with a toe sprain entering the Nets' four-game week. Given the nature of his injury, missing at least a second time against the Wizards on Wednesday isn't out of the question, and Johnson's opportunity to contribute next week could be very limited.
Center
start: Nick Richards (Hornets)
Starting rate 38%
Richards' work has been a bit up and down lately, but when it was good it was very good. The big man has five double-doubles in his past eight games, averaging a solid 9.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per game across the sample despite scoring in single digits three times during that span. He has a good track record. Richards' only notable contributions outside of scoring and boards come in the form of occasional blocks, but he is a viable option as a four-game week starter even with limited versatility on his stat line.
Starter: Trayce Jackson-Davis, Warriors
Start rate 25%
Jackson-Davis had a solid performance last week as a potential starter, averaging 11.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.0 steals in 26.5 minutes per game over four games. Even when the scores were down, as was the case in the last two games this week, he made up for it with a 10-rebound effort and multiple steals in one of those games. Jackson-Davis has been logging more than mid-20 minutes despite his role on the bench, and that level of opportunity should continue in the Warriors' next full schedule.
Please also consider: Marvin Bagley, Wizards (roster rate 35%), Richaun Holmes, Wizards (Roster rate 14%)
Sitting: Jaylen Duren, Pistons
Starting rate 75%
Duren has already missed two games with back spasms, and the Pistons head into a three-game week. He is in danger of missing as many as three games on Monday night against the Knicks due to injury and could be available for only two games during the scoring period. Duren is a valuable source of points and rebounds when he plays, but there will be more risk than reward this week.
