TITLE: Leonard’s Surge Headlines Week’s Fantasy Basketball Stock Watch
SLUG: fantasy-basketball-stock-watch-leonard-soars-george-slips
CONTENT:
Kawhi Leonard’s recent explosion has altered the fantasy landscape, vaulting the Los Angeles Clippers forward to the top of this week’s “risers” list, while Philadelphia 76ers wing Paul George lands among the “fallers” after a difficult stretch. The weekly rundown evaluates which NBA players are gaining or losing momentum for fantasy managers as of Jan. 2, 2026.
Risers
Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF, Los Angeles Clippers — 97% rostered
Over his last two weeks, Leonard is averaging 37.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.2 blocks, shooting 53% from the floor and 96% at the line in December. The outburst has coincided with a five-game winning streak for the Clippers.
Brook Lopez, C, Los Angeles Clippers — 17% rostered
With Ivica Zubac sidelined, Lopez has started five straight victories, highlighted by a 31-point, nine-three-pointer performance against Portland on Dec. 26. He is contributing points, rebounds, blocks and long-range shooting until Zubac returns.
Collin Gillespie, PG, Phoenix Suns — 56% rostered
Gillespie’s season-long breakout continues: nearly 18 points, 6.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 threes and 2.1 steals on 47% shooting across his past seven games, while converting 90% at the stripe.
Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C, Memphis Grizzlies — 92% rostered
After a slow opening month, Jackson is delivering 20.9 points, 7.8 boards, 2.7 blocks and 1.2 steals over his last seven contests, though efficiency remains a concern at 43% from the field.
Saddiq Bey, SF/PF, New Orleans Pelicans — 34% rostered
Bey is logging 32 minutes nightly and producing 18.1 points and 5.4 rebounds over his past eight games, while shooting 90% on free throws.
Bobby Portis, PF, Milwaukee Bucks — 49% rostered
Portis flourished while Giannis Antetokounmpo was out, averaging roughly 18 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.3 threes in the last seven games. Even with Antetokounmpo back, ongoing trade chatter keeps Portis relevant.
Moussa Diabate, PF/C, Charlotte Hornets — 16% rostered
Starting for the injured Ryan Kalkbrenner, Diabate is grabbing 10.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals on 56% shooting across his past seven outings.
Tre Jones, PG, Chicago Bulls — 27% rostered
Hamstring and calf injuries to Josh Giddey and Coby White clear backcourt minutes. Jones has averaged 12.6 points and 5.3 assists on 60% shooting over the last seven games.
Ayo Dosunmu, SG, Chicago Bulls — 14% rostered
Also benefiting from the Bulls’ injuries, Dosunmu has reached double figures in three straight, averaging 10 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists despite recent shooting woes.
Daniel Gafford, C, Dallas Mavericks — 39% rostered
In 24.5 minutes per game across his last two contests, Gafford is supplying 13 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks, showcasing value if his workload holds.
Fallers
Paolo Banchero, SF/PF, Orlando Magic — 98% rostered
Banchero still posts 19.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists over his past eight games, but limited threes (0.4), steals (0.5) and blocks (0.9) plus 43% shooting drag down his fantasy ceiling.
Jalen Williams, SF/PF/C, Oklahoma City Thunder — 98% rostered
Williams’ recent line shows 17.1 points, 5.4 assists and 1.8 steals but only 0.9 threes and 0.3 blocks in eight games. With Isaiah Hartenstein out, a usage uptick could be coming, making this a possible buy-low window.
Pascal Siakam, PF, Indiana Pacers — 100% rostered
Siakam averages 22.6 points on 49% shooting over eight games, yet free throws sit at 61% and rebounds at 5.9 per game, muting overall impact.
Paul George, SF/PF, Philadelphia 76ers — 76% rostered
George has appeared in five games over the past two weeks, producing 14 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 33%. Injuries and inefficiency continue to frustrate managers.
Draymond Green, PF/C, Golden State Warriors — 58% rostered
Amid sideline friction and trade rumors, Green is averaging 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists with 64% free-throw accuracy in his last seven outings.
Jay Huff, C, Indiana Pacers — 11% rostered
Although still tied for the league lead with 2.3 blocks per game, Huff’s recent eight-game stretch shows 6.9 points on 36% shooting and fewer than 20 minutes per night.
Andre Drummond, C, Philadelphia 76ers — 8% rostered
Drummond’s December numbers have dipped to 6.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and under one block per game, while rookie Adem Bona challenges him for backup minutes.
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF, Milwaukee Bucks — 23% rostered
Kuzma has logged 21–26 minutes in his last three appearances, scoring no more than six points in any of the past two as his role shrinks beside a healthy Antetokounmpo.
Fantasy managers eyeing trade deadlines or waiver-wire pickups may want to adjust lineups accordingly as the NBA season enters 2026’s first full month.
Source: ESPN
