Dinwiddie and Grimes are important additions, Doncic is out

Week 11 features a full schedule, with all teams playing either three or four games except the Suns, who only play twice. The recent news that Luka Doncic (calf) is expected to be out for an extended period opens up some opportunities to capitalize on the Mavs’ roster. There have also been some shuffles in lineups that appear to have resulted in more roles for some players, while good health has allowed others to get back into the swing of things. In this article, we’ll take a look at a handful of players that should be available for pickup in most standard leagues. We’ll also be looking for a few players who might be able to give them a leg up in the top league.

Flat league options

Bilal Coulibalywizard (86%)

Coulibaly attracted a lot of attention early in the season, but was likely left out of several squads as his play faltered in November. Still, he bounced back and averaged 14.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks in nine games in December. The Wizards have four games each of the next three weeks, meaning claiming Coulibaly off waivers this week could be a brilliant move.

Malcolm Brogdonwizard (63%)

After his season debut in mid-November, Brogdon attracted some attention with solid play, but a four-game injury layoff in early December slowed his momentum. Still, he averages 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.0

Week 11 features a full schedule, with all teams playing either three or four games except the Suns, who only play twice. The recent news that Luka Doncic (calf) is expected to be out for an extended period opens up some opportunities to capitalize on the Mavs’ roster. There have also been some shuffles in lineups that appear to have resulted in more roles for some players, while good health has allowed others to get back into the swing of things. In this article, we’ll take a look at a handful of players that should be available for pickup in most standard leagues. We’ll also be looking for a few players who might be able to give them a leg up in the top league.

Flat league options

Bilal Coulibalywizard (86%)

Coulibaly attracted a lot of attention early in the season, but was likely left out of several squads as his play faltered in November. Still, he bounced back and averaged 14.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks in nine games in December. The Wizards have four games each of the next three weeks, meaning claiming Coulibaly off waivers this week could be a brilliant move.

Malcolm Brogdonwizard (63%)

After his season debut in mid-November, Brogdon attracted some attention with solid play, but a four-game injury layoff in early December slowed his momentum. Nonetheless, in four appearances since returning to action, he has averaged 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 26.8 minutes per game. With four games next week and the opportunity to contribute to all the stats, Brogdon could be one of the most profitable players available on the waiver line.

Malik BeasleyPistons (63%)

Beasley has been playing well since early November and is putting together one of the best seasons of his career. He’s been particularly hot lately, with 20-plus points in four of the last five games and shooting an impressive 46.9 percent from distance. The Pistons have three games next week, but Beasley could still be a worthwhile addition if his winning streak continues.

Payton Pritchard (85%) and Al Horford (41%), Celtics

With four games next week, Pritchard and Horford will have plenty of opportunity to put up competitive numbers. Pritchard has had a few quieter outings, but he has scored at least 15 points in 18 of his 30 outings this season and is also doing well in the overall stats department. Meanwhile, Horford was on and off from the squad from mid-November to mid-December, but he has appeared in each of the last three games and remains a regular contributor in his role.

Standard league pickups

Spencer DinwiddieMavericks (27%)

Due to Luka Doncic’s absence for the next month, Dinwiddie is in position to receive a significant boost in responsibility. Aside from a few standout performances, Dinwiddie has been relatively quiet this season, averaging 8.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 0.9 steals in 21.7 minutes per game. However, he earned some starts last week and excelled in extended opportunity, averaging 17.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 3.0 steals over the two games. The Mavs have three games next week, which dampens some of the excitement around the potential value of acquiring him, but with four games the following week, it would be wise to get him while he’s available.

Duncan Robinsonheat (13%)

Robinson has assumed the starting role alongside Tyler Herro in the Heat’s backcourt, replacing Terry Rozier, who is now playing on the bench. Robinson is averaging 11.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 16 consecutive starts, including two games with more than 20 points. The Heat have three games next week, followed by consecutive weeks of four games.

Larry NanceHawks (17%)

Nance is averaging 12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks in five appearances since Onyeka Okongwu was sidelined (knee). The Hawks have three games next week, but Nance’s ability to improve his stats on the glass and defensively means he can increase his totals at a moment’s notice and potentially make monstrous gains seemingly out of nowhere.

Trayce Jackson Daviswarrior (30%)

Jackson-Davis has done a good job in his second season adjusting to a significant role. He averaged 7.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.8 blocks per game while starting in 21 of his 28 appearances. The Warriors have four games next week against opponents with formidable frontcourts, meaning it can sink or swim for Jackson-Davis, but it’s likely his team will need him on the floor more often to keep up.

Kevin PorterClippers (29%)

Porter has averaged 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.7 steals in six games since returning from a three-game absence. The Clippers have four games next week and Porter has the green light to lead the team’s second unit, which could easily lead to big returns if he gets going.

Deep League Specials

Quentin GrimesMavericks (17%)

Grimes is another player who will likely see a boost in Luka Doncic’s absence. Grimes has averaged 12.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists over the last five games while shooting an impressive 50.0 percent from the field, 43.5 percent from deep and 80.0 percent in that span shot from the foul line. He also delivered a 20-point performance last Saturday.

Patrick WilliamsBulls (23%)

Williams is finding his rhythm again, averaging 10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks in two starts since returning from a three-week absence. The Bulls have four games next week, and Williams appears to have a firm grip on the starting power forward position again, leaving him plenty of room to make a notable impact.

Noah Clowneynetworks (16%)

Clowney started the last three games for the Nets, albeit in place of Dorian Finney-Smith, who isn’t expected to be out long. However, Clowney’s impressive play last week will earn him more opportunities, at least in the short term. Clowney also averaged 8.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in his last three games off the bench before starting. The Nets have three games next week and four games in each of the following two weeks.

Jordan HawkinsPelicans (15%)

Hawkins averaged 11.0 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in four games since returning after a nearly three-week absence. With four games in the next two weeks, Hawkins could be worth a shot, especially considering he has scored more than 15 points in six of his 15 appearances this season and has shown the ability to heat up quickly.