Consider adding the Pistons’ Daniss Jenkins ($4.9M salary) who is averaging 43.4 FPPG over the past nine games.
It’s here. The light at the end of the tunnel. The sun setting on the horizon.
After 24 weeks spanning the course of five-plus months, the fantasy season will end this coming Sunday. The few games ahead represent opportunities for NBA Fantasy — Salary Cap Edition general managers to end on a triumphantly high note.
Here’s what you need to know entering Week 25:
Global leaderboard
We could be in for a photo finish atop the worldwide standings. Adam Boustani’s “Dima Maghreb” and Jack Bones’ “Peace and Love” — both of the United Kingdom — have 31,373 and 31,352 total fantasy points (TFP), respectively.
The secrets to their success start with a shared emphasis on high-value players. Both of their rosters feature $5.6M guard Collin Gillespie (30.8 fantasy points per game) and $6.7M guard Ryan Rollins (38.6 FPPG), who have given fantasy general managers plenty bang for their buck.
But it also matters which superstars they’ve stuck with. Boustani and Bones committed most of their salary cap space to Nikola Jokić ($22.8M) and Victor Wembanyama ($19.0M). Those two centers, on average, combine for a remarkable 124 FPPG.
Peak performances
Wembanyama is putting his final touches on a masterpiece of a fantasy season, worthy of hanging in the Louvre. He racked up 84 fantasy points Saturday for the San Antonio Spurs (59-19) in a 136-134 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets (50-28). The two-time All-Star contributed 34 points scored, 18 rebounds, seven assists, five blocks and one steal. In his last five games, Wembanyama has put up an absurd 72.8 FPPG.
Another game-breaking player submitted mind-boggling numbers last week. That would be Jokić, who tallied 83 fantasy points in that same game against the Spurs. The seven-time All-NBA selection had 40 points scored, eight rebounds, 13 assists and three blocks in Denver’s victory, and entering this week, remains first with 68.9 FPPG and 4,276 TFP. He’s on a heater — 72.1 FPPG across his last seven games.
The Dallas Mavericks’ (25-53) fate is already sealed, but that hasn’t stopped Cooper Flagg from producing. He set a new personal best with 80 fantasy points Sunday in a 134-128 triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers (50-28). The 19-year-old rookie accounted for 45 points scored, eight rebounds, nine assists, one block and two steals, just one game after dropping 50 points for the first time in his career. Flagg has 43.4 FPPG to his name this season.
Transaction tips
If you haven’t added Daniss Jenkins yet, now is the time to do so. The second-year guard has consistently produced well above his $4.9M salary since stepping in for the injured Cade Cunningham. He’s averaged 43.4 FPPG across the Detroit Pistons’ (57-21) last nine contests, including a personal-best 54 fantasy points Saturday. With the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference locked up, it would be a shock to see Cunningham return to action this week.
Also consider acquiring Cody Williams for the home stretch. He’s become a regular starter at shooting guard for the Utah Jazz (21-58) these last few weeks. In doing so, he’s dramatically improved his fantasy production, averaging 35.7 FPPG in his past seven outings. That constitutes tremendous value for a player whose salary is just $4.9M. The Jazz have been out of postseason contention for a while, so it’s unlikely Williams will be pulled from the rotation, too.
Plenty of teams have four games this week, so if you’re going to add a superstar, you’ll want to invest in one from a team which still has a lot to play for. The Cleveland Cavaliers (49-29) are one game behind the New York Knicks (50-28) for the No. 3 seed, so invest in James Harden or Donovan Mitchell. In the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets (49-29) trail the Nuggets by one game for the No. 4 seed, so take a close look at Alperen Sengun or Kevin Durant.
