Saddiq Bey has been highly effective off the Pelicans’ bench this season.
Injuries aren’t letting up across the NBA. It has made setting fantasy basketball lineups difficult, especially with several stars expected to be out for multiple weeks. Let’s try to help navigate these muddy waters by highlighting some players to consider adding in a variety of scoring formats who are all still available in the majority of Yahoo leagues.
9-Category League Targets
Aday Mara, Oklahoma City Thunder (42% rostered)
The Thunder aren’t just hit hard by a sheer volume of injuries. They have already lost three starters in Jalen Williams (leg), Chet Holmgren (knee) and Cason Wallace (shoulder), with Williams and Wallace possibly out for the entire season. Mara, who the team selected with the 12th pick in the 2026 Draft, will be one of the players tasked with picking up additional minutes in the frontcourt.
Even with the Thunder missing so many key players, they don’t need Mara to play 30+ minutes a night. They still have Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams in the fold. However, Mara has still averaged 23 minutes over their last five games. During that span, he provided 8.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks, while shooting 60.0% from the field and 77.8% from the free throw line. The main reason to add him is for his ability to rack up blocks, but he should at least be serviceable in points and rebounds, as well.
Brook Lopez, Los Angeles Clippers (31% rostered)
The Clippers went into the season with Isaiah Jackson as their starting center. He struggled in the role, while Lopez played well off the bench. The team has since made a change, bringing Jackson off the bench in their last two games. While he still played 26 minutes against the Raptors, he then logged only 13 minutes against the Heat on Wednesday.
Lopez has outplayed Jackson, averaging 13.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.4 three-pointers. After shooting a disappointing 42.8% from the field last season, Lopez has bounced back to shoot 56.0% through his first eight games. At his best, Lopez has been a great fantasy option in terms of the combination of threes and blocks that he provides out of the center position. At 38 years old, his days of regularly playing over 30 minutes a game are probably well behind him. However, if he can approach 25 minutes a game, he can still be a valuable fantasy option, especially if he continues with his improved efficiency from the field.
Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets (25% rostered)
The Rockets were forced to put Sheppard into a significant role when Fred VanVleet was sidelined for all of last season with a torn ACL. There were bumps along the way, but he finished with noteworthy averages of 13.5 points, 3.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.8 three-pointers. Known for his shooting prowess, he made 39.4% of his attempts from behind the arc.
With VanVleet back this season, Sheppard is only playing 22 minutes per game off the bench. He has been cold from behind the arc in his more limited role, shooting just 31.8%. Still, he averages 10.7 points, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.3 three-pointers. VanVleet has already been rested for one half of two back-to-back sets, which is a trend that could continue throughout the season. There will be ups and downs with Sheppard, but his production in steals and three-pointers still makes him worth rostering in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Points League Targets
De’Andre Hunter, Sacramento Kings (25% rostered)
Hunter only appeared in 45 games last season because of injury, splitting his time between the Cavaliers and Kings. He has been healthy out of the gate, filling a starting role that has seen him average 31 minutes. His 36.4% shooting from three is great, but him shooting 43.4% from the field and 64.0% from the free throw line isn’t helping matters in category leagues.
Hunter is playing enough to warrant adding him in points league. He already has two games with at least 24 points, while also averaging 4.8 rebounds a game. With defenses focused on slowing down Darius Acuff Jr. and Zach LaVine, there will be open looks for Hunter with how much he is playing. It’s possible the Kings try to trade him as the season moves along, but he’s locked into his current role for at least the foreseeable future.
Brayden Burries, Milwaukee Bucks (10% rostered)
The rebuilding Bucks are only 1-7. Their roster could look very different by the end of the season, with Tyler Herro, Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma all potential trade options. Milwaukee has already started to make changes amidst their struggles, moving Ryan Rollins to the second unit. Taking his spot in the starting lineup has been Burries, who the team has high hopes for after selecting him with the 10th pick in the 2026 Draft.
Even as a starter, Burries played just 26 and 22 minutes over the last two games. He shot a combined 7-for-22 from the field in those games. His efficiency has been a problem through eight games, with him shooting 41.1% from the field, 73.1% from the free throw line and 22.2% from behind the arc, making him a risky option in category leagues. However, in just 18 minutes a game, he averages 8.9 points and 4.5 rebounds. Not only could he regularly play around 25 minutes a game now, but he is a key trade or two away from logging 30+ minutes a game. Adding him now could pay off in the long run.
High Score League Target
Saddiq Bey, New Orleans Pelicans (41% rostered)
Bey isn’t a flashy name, but he’s not one who should be overlooked in fantasy. He has found a home in New Orleans, breaking out last season with averages of 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.1 three-pointers. This season, he has been one of the better bench scorers in the league. While playing 27 minutes a night, he averages 16.4 points and 1.8 three-pointers.
The Pelicans have rebounded from an 0-4 start to win four straight games. During their winning streak, Bey scored at least 22 points two times. That left him with three 20-point games already for the season. He will have the occasional scoring explosion off the bench, making him an ideal target in this format.
