November 1 Fantasy Basketball Streamers: Jordan Hawkins, Al Horford, Malik Monk and More
Five NBA teams with good matchups on Friday and the players on those teams who are widely available in fantasy leagues.
Victor Wembanyama had a 5x5 game yesterday. For those unfamiliar, it means he had at least five points, five rebounds, five assists, five steals, and five blocks. (I was hoping he had five turnovers and five fouls as well, but he only hit three in those categories.)
It’s a rare occurrence that only happens with a special type of do-it-all player. It was Wemby’s second 5x5, joining Hakeem Olajuwon and Andrei Kirilenko as the only guys to officially record multiple 5x5 games. (Steals and blocks weren’t tracked until 1973-74, so no one before that had the possibility of reaching the benchmark.)
Wemby might be the top fantasy pick for the next 10 years; he can make that type of total impact. Wembanyama unleashed might be like prime Michael Vick as a fantasy entity.
Shifting the focus to streamers, let’s look at five teams who have good matchups on Friday and their players who are widely available in fantasy leagues. Always check actives/inactives before game time to ensure the players in your lineup are actually playing.
Individual and team stats are from NBA.com.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Toronto Raptors
We’ll start with a game in which we can target both teams with fantasy players; those are always my favorite. The Lakers play at the 13th-fastest pace and have the fifth-worst defense. Toronto is the seventh-fastest team and has the worst defensive rating in the league.
Los Angeles’ Streaming Players
Guard
Forward
Center
Toronto’s Streaming Players
Guard
Forward
- Ochai Agbaji – A note for all of these forwards: Scottie Barnes is going to be out multiple weeks with an orbital fracture. That opens not just a lot of minutes but also chances to touch the ball. Someone here might become valuable for a few weeks.
- Jonathan Mogbo
- Chris Boucher
- Jamison Battle
Center
- None
Boston Celtics @ Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets play at a league-average pace, but they have the second-worst defensive rating, making them a prime target. Boston’s status as one of the best teams increases the likelihood of a blowout, which would get these guys more playing time as well.
Boston’s Streaming Players
Guard
Forward
Center
- Al Horford – Given his eligibility at center, I’m a little surprised Horford is only owned in about 30% of leagues. He’s not putting up great stats, but he’s making 2.5 threes per game.
- Luke Kornet
Sacramento Kings @ Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are one of the best teams to stream against: They are playing at the third-fastest pace and have the third-worst defense. Atlanta also fit the fast team/bad defense model last year.
Sacramento’s Streaming Players
Guard
Forward
Center
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers were one of the best teams to target last season. They haven’t been quite as nice to start the season, but they’re trending back that way. Indiana has been the 12th-fastest team and has the ninth-worst defensive rating.
New Orleans’ Streaming Players
Guard
- Jordan Hawkins – Hawkins is playing the third-most minutes per game on the team. He’ll always be the fourth option behind Zion Williams, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, but Hawkins shoots and makes threes, and he’ll get plenty of looks around those three.
- Javonte Green
- Jose Alvarado
Forward
- None
