TITLE: Fantasy Risers and Fallers: Dylan Harper and Cam Spencer headline ESPN’s latest list
SLUG: fantasy-basketball-risers-fallers-harper-spencer-garland
CONTENT:
ESPN fantasy basketball contributor Steve Alexander released his weekly stock watch on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, spotlighting the NBA players gaining or losing value in fantasy leagues.
Risers
Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors (100 % rostered)
The two-time MVP poured in 48 points against Portland on Dec. 14 and 39 on Dec. 12, averaging 43.5 points and 9.0 threes on 56 % shooting across the two contests. Although he followed with 15 points on 3-for-13 shooting Thursday, he still supplied nine rebounds, seven assists, two threes and a steal, and has four games of at least 42 points this season. His next outing comes Saturday versus Phoenix.
Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C, Memphis Grizzlies (90 %)
After a slow start, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year delivered 28 and 31 points in his last two games, averaging 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 4.0 blocks and 3.0 threes. Memphis meets Washington on Saturday.
Kon Knueppel, SG, Charlotte Hornets (79 %)
The rookie logged at least 28 points in three straight outings. His latest line: 28 points, six triples, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals in Thursday’s win over Atlanta.
Dylan Harper, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs (33 %)
Harper had only 10 made threes all season before exploding for five triples and 21 points against New York on Tuesday, then adding 24 points and three more treys Thursday in Washington. Over the two games he averaged 22.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 threes while shooting 59 % from the field.
Jay Huff, C, Indiana Pacers (27 %)
Huff ranks top-15 in fantasy over the past two weeks, producing 1.6 threes and 3.6 blocks per game during his last five contests along with 10 points, six rebounds and two assists.
Cam Spencer, SG, Memphis Grizzlies (19 %)
Spencer is converting 68 % of his shots this month and has hit 15 of his past 19 attempts. He has topped 20 points in three of his last five games, averaging 19.4 points, 5.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 4.0 threes over that stretch.
Jordan Walsh, SF, Boston Celtics (19 %)
Walsh has scored between 17 and 22 points in three of his past five games, shooting 80 % from the floor and 91 % at the line over his last six. He owns a steal in nine straight and at least two in each of the past three.
Jock Landale, C, Memphis Grizzlies (9 %)
With Zach Edey sidelined indefinitely by an ankle injury, Landale stepped in for 20 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block and four threes Wednesday against Minnesota. He is averaging 11 points and six rebounds in December but could remain relevant while Edey recovers.
Fallers
Darius Garland, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers (82 %)
Garland is shooting 35 % in December and has scored 18 points or fewer in four of his last five games. He has yet to reach 50 % shooting in any game this season. Through 12 appearances he is averaging 15.4 points—five fewer than last year—and his threes, assists and steals are also down.
Nikola Vucevic, C, Chicago Bulls (96 %)
Before posting 20 points, nine boards, two steals, a block and two threes on 9-for-14 shooting Wednesday against Cleveland, Vucevic had been held to 16 points or fewer in five straight. Ongoing trade rumors and a frontcourt timeshare with Jalen Smith and Zach Collins cloud his outlook.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG, Atlanta Hawks (72 %)
Trae Young’s return to the lineup pushed Alexander-Walker to the bench Thursday, but he still tallied 28 points, eight rebounds and four threes in 34 minutes. A reduction in playing time is anticipated once Young is fully up to speed.
Ajay Mitchell, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder (45 %)
Mitchell thrived while Jalen Williams was injured but has struggled since the starter came back. He scored in single digits in four consecutive games before producing 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals Thursday versus the Clippers. Prior to that performance he was averaging 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.0 steals in December.
Jalen Duren, C, Detroit Pistons (93 %)
After averaging 21.5 points, 12.6 rebounds and 1.0 block in November, Duren’s numbers have dipped to 14.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 0.7 blocks over seven December games. Isaiah Stewart remains in the rotation, but no direct challenge to Duren’s minutes exists.
Matas Buzelis, SF/PF, Chicago Bulls (49 %)
Buzelis has logged 24 minutes or fewer and no more than 10 points in each of his last three outings. For December he is producing 14 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks and 0.9 threes with solid percentages, yet the anticipated breakout has not materialized.
The weekly update serves as a guide for fantasy managers evaluating add, trade and drop decisions as the league approaches its Christmas schedule.
Source: ESPN
