The second week of December brings a sparse NBA schedule as the league stages the NBA Cup knockout rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by the semifinal on Saturday and the final next Tuesday. To keep every club on pace for 82 games, teams that missed the tournament receive only two contests this week, leaving fantasy managers hunting for extra opportunities.
ESPN fantasy basketball writer Dr. André Snellings spotlighted several lightly-rostered players who can help fill the gap in Week 8.
Point guards
Ryan Nembhard, Dallas Mavericks (20.9% rostered) — Elevated to Dallas’ starting lineup last week, the rookie has shown upper-teens scoring and double-digit assist potential while Kyrie Irving remains sidelined.
Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns (42.8%) — Even with Grayson Allen healthy, Gillespie’s role has expanded as Devin Booker joins Jalen Green on the injury list. He is delivering around 20 points, five threes and five assists per outing.
Davion Mitchell, Miami Heat (46.1%) — Known for defense, Mitchell is now supplying steals, threes and a recent surge in playmaking that pushes him toward nightly double-digit assist upside.
Shooting guards
Quentin Grimes, Philadelphia 76ers (44.6%) — Frequent lineup shuffles have opened minutes, and Grimes has responded with 20-plus-point potential along with steady rebounds, assists and threes.
Jaylon Tyson, Cleveland Cavaliers (14.3%) — Starting in place of injured regulars, Tyson has averaged 18.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 triples over his last five games while logging 33.0 minutes.
Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans (8.5%) — The rookie has started 22 straight games, hitting double figures in 21 of them and averaging 16.5 points and 1.4 threes.
Small forwards
Naji Marshall, Dallas Mavericks (15.3%) — Injuries up front keep Marshall in the starting five, where he posts 17.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 threes across six starts this season.
Peyton Watson, Denver Nuggets (18.6%) — With Aaron Gordon out, Watson has started 12 straight and produced more than 15 points, seven rebounds and one block on average over his past 10 appearances.
Power forwards
Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers (49.2%) — Already a strong defender, Camara is now averaging 2.5 made threes per game and has posted multiple near-20-point efforts since Thanksgiving.
Dominick Barlow, Philadelphia 76ers (5.3%) — Starting seven consecutive games while Joel Embiid faces restrictions, Barlow has flirted with double-doubles and contributed notable steal and block totals.
Centers
Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento Kings (2.0%) — The rookie second-rounder has moved into the starting lineup with Domantas Sabonis out until at least mid-December, averaging 16.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 25.5 minutes over his past four contests. His first start produced a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double with two blocks.
With limited games on the calendar, these under-the-radar options could provide crucial production for fantasy teams trying to navigate Week 8’s light schedule.
Source: ESPN
