Westbrook’s Renaissance, Huff’s Shot-Blocking Surge Highlight Fantasy Risers
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Fantasy basketball managers may want to recalibrate expectations. In his latest weekly column published on Dec. 18, 2025, at 11:10 a.m. ET, ESPN senior writer Eric Karabell outlined four developing story lines that could reshape the remainder of the NBA season.
Westbrook pushing toward top-25 territory
Sacramento Kings point guard Russell Westbrook signed a one-year deal a week before opening night, came off the bench for six games, and now sits inside the top 40 fantasy scorers. Since entering the starting lineup, the 37-year-old is averaging 14.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.9 assists while contributing steals and three-pointers. He has reached double-digit assists in three of five December outings and remains available in nearly 15% of ESPN standard leagues.
The injury-plagued 6-20 Kings have played the past month without center/power forward Domantas Sabonis (knee). His expected early-January return could shift some usage, but the absence of Zach LaVine (ankle) should keep Westbrook’s workload high. Teammates Dennis Schroder and Malik Monk are also seeing increased minutes.
Huff blocking his way into the top 50
Jay Huff, undrafted out of Virginia in 2021 and now on his fifth NBA roster, has become the Indiana Pacers’ starting center and leads the league in blocked shots. Over the past 30 days, the 7-foot-1 rim protector is averaging 33.4 fantasy points, boosted by 3.6 blocks and 2.3 made threes per game on 50% shooting. Despite that production, he is rostered in only 26.2% of ESPN leagues.
The 6-20 Pacers could pivot to Isaiah Jackson or Tony Bradley at any time—or trade Huff to a contender—but for now his combination of blocks and three-pointers mirrors the fantasy profile that made Brook Lopez valuable in recent seasons.
Murray mounting an All-NBA case
While Nikola Jokic again tops every fantasy leaderboard, Jamal Murray is enjoying a career year for the Denver Nuggets. The 28-year-old guard is producing 24.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 3.2 threes on 50.1% shooting—good for 12th overall in fantasy points at 46.4 per game. Murray’s average draft position was 30th in ESPN leagues, but his recent 27.2 points and 50.1 fantasy points per game over the past month have pushed him into legitimate All-NBA contention.
Injuries to Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) have opened more offensive responsibility for Murray. Forward Cameron Johnson, rostered in just 27.6% of leagues, is also logging extra minutes in Denver’s rotation.
George emerging as Philadelphia’s second option
Paul George, 35, has appeared in only 10 games for the Philadelphia 76ers—several under a minutes limit—but has topped 30 minutes in four straight contests, averaging 22.5 points in that stretch and drilling seven of 10 three-point attempts in his most recent outing. That output positions him as a potential top-50 fantasy contributor.
With Tyrese Maxey entrenched as the club’s top fantasy performer, the question is who follows. Center Joel Embiid continues to battle knee issues, owns reduced rebounding and block totals, and is shooting 22% from beyond the arc. Guards Quentin Grimes and rookie VJ Edgecombe trail Maxey in total fantasy points, leaving room for George to claim the No. 2 role if his health holds.
Karabell’s weekly “don’t be surprised” list suggests that Westbrook, Huff, Murray and George could sustain or even improve their current fantasy value as the 2025-26 season advances.
Source: ESPN
