Welcome to 2025 and with it, Week 11 of fantasy basketball. After a busy month, the schedule calms down as we head towards the commerce deadline, adopted by the All-Star break. For a lot of, we at the moment are midway by means of the common season. This provides managers a good sufficient pattern measurement to base their fantasy group route on.
Streaming stays a viable technique for anybody who has the luxurious to take action. Whether or not it is concentrating on an offensive risk who can rating factors and 3s or a defensive-minded participant who will help increase your blocks and steals, fine-tuning your focus may be very important as you struggle for the highest seeds. Let’s take a look at six gamers at the moment registered in lower than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Gradey Dick, Toronto Raptors (44%)
Though the Raptors now have a comparatively injury-free roster, Dick has been in a position to preserve a secure position as a member of the beginning unit. He has scored at the least 14 factors in seven of his final eight video games, including 11 steals and 19 3-pointers in that span. The return of gamers like Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett will clearly affect Dick’s alternatives, particularly on the offensive finish of the court docket. Nevertheless, Dick has confirmed to be a helpful defensive presence, at the moment averaging 1.0 steals per sport. Though the variety of shot makes an attempt would possibly lower, it’s attainable that this might change into a state of affairs the place high quality over amount. Till confirmed in any other case, Dick stays a viable asset for 12 groups.
Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons (43%)
At this level, it is truthful to say it has been a disappointing season for Thompson since returning to the sphere simply over a month in the past. Though expectations have been definitely capped resulting from his well being points, the hope was that Thompson could be a key a part of a rebuilding Pistons group. Regardless of the group’s relative success, Thompson was utilized in a restricted position off the bench, averaging 7.5 factors, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 18.0 minutes per sport.
Nevertheless, Jaden Ivey suffered a probably season-ending leg damage on Wednesday, paving the best way for Thompson to play a bigger position, both as a starter or starter. His total skillset stays restricted, thanks largely to his struggles on the offensive finish. That stated, he may be an elite defender who gives glorious out-of-position rebounding. It will not swimsuit everybody, but when its strengths match your measurement, do not hesitate to have a look.
Scoot Henderson, Portland Path Blazers (31%)
Considered as a possible late-season participant heading into the season, Henderson struggled for consistency, not helped by lacking seven video games resulting from damage. Though he has been outdoors the highest 250 all season, trying again on the final two weeks, we see a participant who appears to be gaining confidence on each ends of the court docket. Throughout that span, he averaged 13.8 factors, 5.6 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.8 3-pointers in 26.4 minutes per sport. He has performed at the least 29 minutes in three of the final 4 video games, doling out at the least six assists in all 4.
Whereas there are some obtrusive holes in his fantasy sport, it is sensible that Portland would attempt to put him on the court docket as a lot as attainable, assuming they view him as a key a part of their future. When you want assists and steals, together with some factors, look no additional than Henderson.
Quentin Grimes / Spencer Dinwiddie, Dallas Mavericks (16% / 26%)
As soon as once more, I am lumping Dinwiddie and Grimes collectively, with each gamers nonetheless considerably undermanned. As mentioned final week, Luka Dončić is anticipated to overlook a number of weeks with a calf damage, which may hypothetically maintain him sidelined till the All-Star break. Dinwiddie and Grimes have and will proceed to play necessary roles because the Mavericks look to remain afloat.
Over the previous week, Dinwiddie averaged 17.5 factors, 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and a couple of.0 3-pointers in 29.5 minutes per sport, together with a efficiency that did not reported solely eight factors and two assists. He has began three straight video games and is anticipated to be rostered in different leagues sooner or later.
Whereas not as spectacular, Grimes has additionally performed effectively over the previous seven days, averaging 12.8 factors, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and a couple of.5 3-pointers in 30.0 minutes per sport. His total worth is basically depending on factors and 3s, making him barely much less engaging than Dinwiddie. Nevertheless, Dallas will want him to attain persistently, giving him a secure sufficient subject to be rostered in most leagues as effectively.
Keon Ellis, Sacramento Kings (6%)
This has been a irritating season for everybody invested in Ellis, having been used sparingly at occasions and at one level falling out of the rotation altogether. With Doug Christie now on the helm, Ellis has performed at the least 20 minutes in two straight video games after enjoying lower than quarter-hour within the earlier 4 video games. His most up-to-date efficiency resulted in six mixed steals and blocks, together with 3 triples in a season-high 38 minutes. Unsurprisingly, the Kings emerged victorious, with Ellis arguably essentially the most influential participant on the court docket, particularly on the defensive finish.
It is value noting that Keegan Murray was sidelined for this match, that means Ellis’ position transferring ahead stays considerably of a thriller. Nevertheless, when you’re prepared to take an opportunity utilizing frequent sense, Ellis is unquestionably value a glance, even in commonplace codecs.
Take away candidates
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Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
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Keon Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
