Deandre Ayton and the Lakers have five games on the schedule in Week 13.
We’re set for an interesting Week 13 on the fantasy front, as the schedule is very unique. While we have the unprecedented development of having four teams with just two games on their docket, we also have one five-game squad, a host of injuries, some rotation changes and even consummated/potential trades around the league that help inform some of our start and sit suggestions.
Each week, we’ll aim to highlight a pair of Start candidates at each position for your fantasy rosters who may shape up as some tougher calls of the week to make, focusing on players with a start or roster rate of 50% or less in Yahoo leagues.
Likewise, we’ll spotlight one Sit candidate at each position who would normally not be a consideration for a spot on your bench, often focusing on players with fewer game opportunities during the coming week.
TEAM WITH FIVE GAMES: Los Angeles Lakers
TEAMS WITH FOUR GAMES: Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz
TEAMS WITH THREE GAMES: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards
TEAM WITH TWO GAMES: Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic
Without further ado, let’s examine some tougher start/sit decisions for Week 13:
Guards
Start: Kon Knueppel, Hornets
18% start rate
The Hornets have finally achieved full health on their first unit again, but Knueppel remains a very appealing option thanks to his ability to contribute across multiple categories. Heading into Week 13, Knueppel has averaged 20.9 points on 50.5% shooting, including 47.7% from 3-point range, over his last 14 games, complementing those figures with 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists. He also has a pair of three-steal efforts in that span, and the fact he’s sharing the floor with all of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges may actually be beneficial by keeping defensive attention off him. With a four-game week that could include some high-scoring affairs out west, Knueppel should be a consideration.
Start: Ayo Dosunmu, Bulls
26% roster rate
Dosunmu continues to consistently offer versatile production off the Bulls bench, delivering 15.6 points (on 51.6% shooting, including 43.2% from distance), 5.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 steals across 26.5 minutes per contest over the last eight games. The ongoing absence of Josh Giddey (hamstring) certainly opens up some extra usage for the fifth-year guard, who’s averaging a career-high 14.5 points on a career-best 45.0% success rate from behind the arc. With Giddey out again to start the Bulls’ four-game week, Dosunmu is a viable option that has both guard and forward eligibility in Yahoo leagues.
ALSO CONSIDER: Naji Marshall, Mavericks (21% roster rate)
Sit: Ja Morant, Grizzlies
53% start rate
The fantasy vibe around Morant is far from positive heading into Week 13. Not only did the star guard miss his fifth consecutive game Sunday due to a right calf contusion, trade rumors are starting to swirl, and it’s possible Morant continues to be held out even if he is healthy enough to play. Additionally, the Grizzlies are one of the teams with just two games this week, making Ja a pretty clear bench candidate.
Forwards
Start: Noah Clowney, Nets
23% start rate
Clowney is one of the bright spots in a generally difficult season for the Nets, averaging a career-high 13.1 points, a co-career-high 3.9 rebounds and a career-best 1.9 assists while also logging just under 29 minutes per contest. The third-year forward’s shooting is still very much a work in progress, but his ability to supplement his production through other means – Clowney has multiple steals in eight games and multiple blocks in 10 contests as well – could help him to a productive week that features very favorable matchups against the Pelicans and the Bulls (twice).
Start: Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets
42% start rate
Smith continues to be a key complementary contributor on an impressive Rockets squad as the season’s third month nears completion, as he’s boasting a career-high 15.0 points while averaging a career-high 34.6 minutes per contest as well. Smith is also pulling down a solid 6.9 rebounds and dishing out 1.9 assists per game, and despite a couple of atypical recent single-digit scoring tallies, he’s outpacing his season-long numbers with averages of 15.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists across 36.8 minutes per contest in his last 15 games. The Rockets draw a pair of particularly favorable matchups against the Pelicans and Bulls during Houston’s four-game Week 13, adding to his appeal.
ALSO CONSIDER: Josh Hart, Knicks (28% start rate)
Sit: Desmond Bane, Magic
92% start rate
Bane is part of the dreaded two-game club this coming week as well, and while there’s no denying the veteran wing’s talent, Morant’s old backcourt mate is likewise a good candidate for a rare benching during the coming scoring period. Bane’s production can be erratic as well, with the latest example coming during a current five-game sample where he’s posted 15 points or fewer in three games and 23- and 31-point tallies in the two other contests. Bane’s typical production is solid but far from indispensable, so sitting him on a two-game week can be justified.
Centers
Start: Deandre Ayton, Lakers
28% start rate
Ayton has the rare benefit of a five-game week, which automatically puts the big man in our sights. Granted, his performance has been a bit all over the place recently, but Ayton certainly has the ability to contribute a double-double anytime he’s on the floor, and he could be due for a nice bounce-back this week with especially favorable positional matchups against the Kings, Hawks, Hornets and Trail Blazers. The first three teams are all ranked in the bottom 10 in points in the paint allowed, and Portland is 12th in that category, which bodes well for a low-post presence like Ayton.
Start: Zeke Nnaji, Nuggets
6% roster rate
Nikola Jokić will remain out this coming week, and Jonas Valanciunas is likewise sidelined due to a calf strain. DaRon Holmes II had his opportunity to take hold of the starting job but essentially fizzled, leaving Nnaji in a position to capitalize. The 2020 first-round pick has played well, posting four consecutive double-digit scoring efforts and posting a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double with a starter-level workload of 28 minutes off the bench against the Bucks on Sunday. Nnaji also posted a pair of steals and blocks apiece for the third time in four games versus Milwaukee, and he therefore heads into Denver’s four-game schedule with a head of steam.
ALSO CONSIDER: Daniel Gafford, Mavericks (19% roster rate)
Sit: Myles Turner, Bucks
84% start rate
Turner has been a solid addition for the Bucks, but he still went into Sunday’s action averaging markedly fewer points (12.4) and rebounds (5.3) than he did over his last three seasons in Indiana, while also shooting a career-low 42.2%. Turner’s typical numbers can certainly be helpful when he’s on a full schedule, but given his two-game schedule this coming week and the fact he can certainly put up a clunker from time to time (12 single-digit scoring efforts in 39 games), he can be left on the bench in Week 13 if you have a viable three- or four-game option at your disposal.
