TITLE: Fantasy Basketball Update: Sell-High Window Opens for Austin Reaves; Trae Young Emerges as Buy-Low Target
SLUG: fantasy-basketball-risers-fallers-oct-31-2025
CONTENT:
Only two weeks into the 2025-26 NBA calendar, several players are already reshaping fantasy basketball lineups. Injury absences, unexpected roles and early shooting trends have produced a clear group of risers and fallers for managers to monitor.
Risers
Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers, PG/SG/SF (61% rostered)
With LeBron James (sciatica) yet to debut and Luka Doncic sidelined three straight games by finger and leg problems, Reaves has carried the Lakers’ offense. The guard poured in 51 points with a near triple-double in one outing, erupted for 41 points against Portland and followed with 28 points and a career-high-tying 16 assists in Wednesday’s win over Minnesota. His value is peaking, giving managers a prime chance to explore trade offers.
Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls, SF/PF (53%)
Chicago’s 4-0 start has featured versatile production from the rookie forward. Buzelis delivered 27 points, two steals, one block and four three-pointers Wednesday against Sacramento. The Bulls are pushing him as a franchise cornerstone, suggesting his roster rate will continue climbing.
Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder, PG (37%)
Coming off the bench for one of the league’s deepest teams has not slowed Mitchell. Through five games he is averaging 18.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.6 threes, with steady scoring between 14 and 26 in every contest. Jalen Williams’ eventual return (wrist) could cut into minutes, but Mitchell’s across-the-board efficiency makes him an attractive add.
Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks, SG (29%)
Kevin Porter Jr.’s ankle injury left Doc Rivers searching for a starting point guard, and Rollins has seized the job. Over his last two starts he has averaged 19.5 points and 6.0 assists. Season-long numbers sit at 15.3 points, 3.0 steals, 1.8 threes and 47.6% shooting in 30 minutes. With no timetable for Porter’s return, Rollins is one of the week’s hottest pickups.
Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns, PG (7%)
The fourth-year Villanova product is producing 25 reserve minutes a night. He logged 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals, a block and three triples Wednesday versus Memphis after posting a 15-point, 13-assist double-double in the prior game. Sub-par shooting marks (42% FG, 67% FT) are an issue, but his career 78% free-throw rate hints at positive regression.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat, SG/SF (7%)
Jaquez has increased his scoring in every game (13, 17, 17, 28) while Norman Powell nurses a groin injury. In 28 minutes a night he is supplying 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals. Even when Powell returns, Jaquez projects to remain Miami’s sixth man and merits wider rostership.
Jarace Walker, Indiana Pacers, PF (2.2%)
Injuries to Bennedict Mathurin (toe) and Obi Toppin (foot) have opened minutes for Walker, who responded Wednesday in Dallas with 20 points, six boards, five assists, three steals, a block and four threes. Although he has hit only 29.4% of his shots this season (15-for-51), the third-year pro is a reliable free-throw shooter and should hover near 30 minutes regardless of team health.
Fallers
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, PG (100% rostered)
Young sprained his right knee Wednesday night and is awaiting MRI results, though an early assessment suggests no major damage. Before the injury he was already struggling from deep (5-for-26) and shooting 37.1% overall while going three games without a steal. His points and assists remain solid, making him an ideal buy-low candidate.
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics, SG/SF (100%)
With Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out until at least after the All-Star break, Brown is averaging 26.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.0 threes. Limited defensive stats (0.4 steals, 0.4 blocks), 3.8 assists and 76% free-throw shooting have dragged him to 15th-round fantasy value. Managers needing scoring and triples can target him before his numbers tick up.
Josh Hart, New York Knicks, SG/SF (89%)
In three games Hart has totaled just 11 points on 4-for-18 shooting, including 1-for-9 from long range, while working in a reserve role. Averages of 3.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists across 24.7 minutes are well below expectations. Without a quick turnaround, the veteran could become a waiver-wire casualty.
Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks, PG/SG (88%)
Drafted in the third round of many leagues, Daniels has yet to score more than eight points in a game. He is shooting poorly and sits at 5.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists, though 2.2 steals provide a silver lining. Given last season’s 14.1-point, 49%-shooting line, Daniels is a logical trade target for patient managers.
Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans, SG/SF (87.2%)
Murphy opened with 13 points on 5-for-15 shooting, exploded for 24-10-5 with three steals and three threes on Oct. 24 against San Antonio, then combined to hit 4-of-19 shots for 14 points over his next two games. New Orleans remains winless, but a scoring burst is expected, making now a reasonable time to inquire about his availability.
Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves, C (80%)
Gobert is logging nearly 32 minutes but producing only 8.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 53% at the line (9-for-17). His 68% field-goal percentage is still elite, yet at age 33 he is off to one of the slowest starts of his career. A single strong performance could create an opportunity to trade him for help elsewhere.
Brook Lopez, Los Angeles Clippers, C (19%)
Backing up Ivica Zubac, Lopez is limited to 17 minutes, resulting in 7.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 2.0 threes. He scored 15 in the opener but has not topped six points since, and his presence has trimmed Zubac’s minutes to 27.8 from last season’s 32.8. Outside of two-center formats, Lopez belongs on waivers.
Fantasy managers have a narrow window to capitalize on early-season trends. Whether selling high on breakout performers or buying low on established stars, timely roster moves now could shape the rest of the campaign.
Source: ESPN
