Wednesday's Fantasy Basketball Streamers: Chris Paul, Kyle Kuzma, and More
Streaming fantasy players from four NBA teams with good matchups on Wednesday.
After two games last night, we have 12 games on the NBA schedule today, with 24 teams making their season debuts (we have to wait until tomorrow to see Indiana and Denver for the first time).
Opening night can feel like a bit of a spectacle, but the season has now kicked off in earnest, and we are in for a sixth-month grind to April 12, the final day of the season. It seems so far away, but that's what I remember saying when the baseball season started, and here we are at the World Series.
Let's look at fantasy basketball streaming players from four teams that have good matchups on Tuesday. We'll focus on the guys who are free agents in most fantasy leagues and can be picked up and inserted into your lineup. Most stats are from NBA.com.
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Process
I like to use two numbers: pace of play and defensive rating. I'm looking for teams that play fast and are poor on defense, giving opposing players more possessions and more chances at points and other stats.
You can find further definitions of pace here and defensive rating here, but the shorthand version is that pace measures the number of possessions per 48 minutes, and defensive rating is the number of points allowed per 100 possessions.
So, we want to target teams that rank high in pace and low in defensive rating. Last year's Washington Wizards are a great example: they ranked fourth in pace and had the third-worst defensive rating. We'll be going after Washington often early in the season.
We have to go heavily off last year's numbers, since it's the best we have, but I'll try to factor in offseason moves that might make a difference where applicable. Most of the worst teams still figure to end up in the same place, though.
Streaming Players
Detroit Pistons @ Chicago Bulls
Last season, the Bulls played at the second-fastest pace and had the 12th-worst defensive rating. They traded Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro in the offseason, swapping out a good defensive guard for a good defensive forward, but Chicago figures to be in the same area, which is as a below-average team.
Detroit was one of the most pleasant surprises last season, jumping from the worst record in the league in 2023-24 to the sixth-best record in the East last year. They return much of the same team, with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley swapped out for Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert.
Guard
- Marcus Sasser
- Caris LeVert
These players are both low-level contributors and guys who aren't going to be in fantasy lineups often this season. They are also both dealing with injuries and need to be verified as playing. When Jaden Ivey returns, he will be a better option here, but that won't come for a while.
Forward
- Duncan Robinson
- Ron Holland II
Robinson is a shooter and scorer. He doesn't do much else, but he will shoot plenty of three pointers, a major skill in today's NBA. Robinson is a decent streamer. Holland didn't make a huge impact after being the fifth overall pick last year. He will be expected to contribute more, but wait until you see it before adding him in fantasy.
Center
Stewart doesn't put up big stats, especially last season, when his minutes fell off. The continued emergence of Jalen Duren will stunt Stewart's opportunities.
Los Angeles Clippers @ Utah Jazz
Utah has been one of our target teams for several seasons, as they have been among the play fast/bad defense group for three straight years. With a young team and no impact additions who will overhaul the team, the Jazz are likely to again be one of our regular friends here.
The Clippers have championship aspirations with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden back and Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, and Brook Lopez among those added in the offseason. LA is likely a playoff team, but how far they can go when they get there is a serious question.
Guard
- Chris Paul
- Kris Dunn
There's not a lot to love here. Paul is 40 years old and had his lowest or second-lowest per-game numbers last season in points, rebounds, steals, field goal attempts and makes, and free throw attempts and makes. He's a low-level fantasy player. It's the same story for Dunn, who plays backup minutes and puts up backup stats.
Forward
Bogdonavic is intriguing as a player who was acquired during last season and now had a full offseason to acclimate to the team. He mostly offers value through scoring, though he'll add a little elsewhere. His ceiling is capped on this team due to the presence of his superstar teammates. Batum is off the fantasy radar at this point in his career.
Center
- Brook Lopez
Lopez is intriguing because he was an important player on Milwaukee's title team and shoots three pointers from the center position. His numbers have held steady while playing over 30 minutes per game, but Lopez could be in more of a backup role now. He is worth a flier in a deep league or if you're really short at center.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans were right in the middle in pace last season, but they had the second-worst defensive rating in the league, offering plenty of value to opposing players. They underwent changes in the offseason, but it looks like New Orleans is again going to be a below-average team and probably one of our favorite targets.
Memphis played faster than any team in the league last season, as nice little boost for their fantasy players. That helps offset that the Pelicans were only in the middle in pace.
Guard
Caldwell-Pope is a veteran player who will get plenty of time on the court but is a low-volume stat guy, not a great fantasy option. He's more of a deep-league player or streamer who has an OK outlook here. Small and Coward are rookies who may be forced into early minutes because Memphis is dealing with a lot of injuries.
Forward
Aldama had better stats across the board between these two last season, as both played right around 25 minutes per game. Wells is a second-year player and may expect some improvement; Aldama has improved in each of his four seasons. It's hard to know who to favor, but I'll give Aldama the slight advantage as an OK streamer to consider.
Center
Landale will start or at least get an expanded role because Zach Edey is injured and will miss the beginning of the season. That makes Landale a decent streaming option with the matchup in his favor here; he's a decent pickup if you need a center.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Washington Wizards
Washington was maybe our favorite target last season, playing at the fourth-fastest pace and with the third-worst defensive rating. The Wizards are another multi-year target team that is likely to continue among the worst in the league, even with a few veteran imports.
Milwaukee is back in contention in a wide-open Eastern Conference with a remade roster. There are fantasy streamers because the team has a bit of a stars-and-scrubs thing going on.
Guard
Trent is the guy here you can consider. He shot 41.6% on threes last season and has averaged double-digit points in every season of his career. He is in line for plenty of minutes on this team. Anthony and Green are both lower-level bench players who are best skipped for now.
Forward
There is potential here. Kuzma is only owned in about 25% of leagues, but he is in line to be the second or third option in the offense and should rack up stats. Portis is a productive bench player who can play both power forward and center in most fantasy leagues. I like the idea of grabbing either Kuzma or Portis if you are in need of a streamer.
Prince is a lesser player and probably better to skip.
Center
Sims is a low-level fantasy player; you can find a better option than this backup center.
