Fantasy Basketball Stock Up Stock Down: Jaime Jaquez Jr. breaking out

The NBA season is picking up steam and moving along quickly. Sample sizes are getting bigger, rotations are becoming clearer, and as a result, there’s plenty to read into as it pertains to fantasy basketball.

For our Week 3 Stock Up, Stock Down, we explore the east and west coasts while visiting the south in the process.

NBA: Charlotte Hornets at New Orleans Pelicans
Rookie Kon Knueppel has made the most of his opportunities early into the 2025-26 season.

Watch the NBA Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock:The Celtics take on the 76ers at 8pm ET, followed by the Nuggets at the Kings at 11 pm ET. Both games are available on Peacock. Check your local listings for the NBC game in your area.

STOCK UP

Grayson Allen - SG/SF, Suns

Here are some numbers for you to digest: 107 points, 10 steals, 19 assists, and 27 three-pointers — those are the November totals for Grayson Allen through five games. Essentially, for any fantasy managers out there needing a high-volume three-point shooter that can make contributions in other statistically relevant categories for fantasy leagues, Allen’s the guy. He’s kept his starting spot in every one of the Suns’ 11 games this season and maintained his role, regardless of which other players have been in or out of Phoenix’s lineup. What he’s providing seems sustainable — he’s simply doing what he’s done well throughout his career, which is shoot the ball with high accuracy from deep. The playmaking bump this season has been an added bonus. Nonetheless, Allen could be a solid roster addition in fantasy leagues, even if it's just for streaming purposes.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. - SG/SF/PF, Heat

Jaquez Jr.’s third NBA season is going about as well as anyone could have imagined, especially after a somewhat disappointing sophomore season in which he could hardly crack the nightly rotation by its end. Despite not starting in any of Miami’s 11 games thus far, he’s played nearly 30.0 minutes per contest and ranks second on the team in assists per game and third in rebounds per game, all while being one of four Heat players to average more than 17.5 points per contest. These are all career-best marks for the former UCLA Bruin, who’s been on triple-double alert the last three games. The three-point production has dipped, but that may be a non-issue for those looking to add talent to their fantasy rosters.

Karl-Anthony Towns - PF/C, Knicks

I almost included KAT in last week’s “Stock Down” section, but figured I could probably wait. My patience was rewarded, apparently, as the seasoned 11th-year forward has since put up some fantastic numbers. He’s up to 24.0 points and 12.5 rebounds per game across New York’s current four-game winning streak, while also averaging 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 4.0 assists over that time. The three-point shooting is one of the last parts of his game yet to arrive this season. If Towns can return to form, or even improve slightly on what’s been career-worst three-point accuracy to this point, his fantasy production would take another bump.

NBA: Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia has a two-game week, which lowers the fantasy value of its deep-league options.

STOCK DOWN

Desmond Bane - SG/SF, Magic

The early-tenure results for Bane and the Magic likely haven’t gone the way either party had expected. Orlando traded for the sharpshooting wing in hopes that his proven track record as a scorer would help take the Magic to the next level. There have been flashes, but instead, the sixth-year player is having his least productive season on offense since his rookie campaign. His 43.7 field-goal percentage is the lowest of his career, as is the rough 27.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Such struggles have led Bane to a big decrease in points per game, with his assists, rebounds, and minutes per game also taking a hit. Bane did score 22 points and sink a game-winning three-pointer on Monday night to help the Magic beat the Trail Blazers – perhaps that’ll serve as the turning point in what’s been a slow start.

Ja Morant - PG, Grizzlies

The discourse surrounding Ja Morant has been very loud of late for several reasons. Over his last five games, he's averaging 15.0 points, has shot just 3-of-28 from beyond the arc, and hasn’t shot above 35.0% in any of the five games. Add to that the 4.4 turnovers per game, and you get a player who has provided fantasy managers with much value of late. He’s sustained high-level production throughout his career and is obviously talented enough to get back on track here rather quickly. But it’s already been a bumpy ride for Morant and the Grizzlies over the first few weeks of the season. The pathway to a quick turnaround isn’t necessarily straightforward.

Daniel Gafford - C, Mavericks

Maybe it’s unfair to put this lob-threat, play-finishing type of center in the “Stock Down” category, given his late start to the season due to a previous ankle injury, and the Mavericks’ current point guard situation. However, Gafford’s been in the lineup for six games now, with neither Anthony Davis (calf) nor Dereck Lively II (knee) available to take reps away from him, and he’s proceeded to produce the type of scoring and rebounding averages that would mark his lowest since 2020-21 if the season ended today. He probably needs a table-setter out on the floor with him in order to see a noteworthy increase in production, but that seems more like wishful thinking than something that’ll become a reality anytime soon.

Embiid ruled out for Sixers-Celtics with right knee soreness

Embiid ruled out for Sixers-Celtics with right knee soreness originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Joel Embiid is sidelined with a new knee issue.

The star big man has been ruled out for the Sixers’ game Tuesday night vs. the Celtics because of right knee soreness. Embiid is being evaluated by team doctors, a Sixers official said early Tuesday afternoon.

Embiid did not appear on the Sixers’ initial injury report Monday night. He’d sat out the team’s’ loss Sunday to the Pistons with a “left knee injury management” designation and generally been unavailable for both legs of back-to-backs. 

After a season plagued by left knee problems, Embiid’s minutes had been restricted to begin the 2025-26 campaign. He played a season-high 26 Saturday and scored 29 points in the Sixers’ win over the Raptors. Overall, Embiid’s made six appearances for the 6-4 Sixers and averaged 23.3 minutes. He’s posted 19.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest.

The Sixers also ruled out Paul George (left knee surgery recovery), Dominick Barlow (right elbow laceration) and Johni Broome (right ankle sprain) against Boston.

Both George and Barlow took jumpers following the Sixers’ Tuesday morning shootaround. Barlow’s presence (with a sleeve around his right elbow) is a notable development. The 22-year-old forward had been unable to participate in any basketball activities for weeks and needed to wear a large brace on his right arm. On Friday, a Sixers official had said George was set to meet with doctors over the weekend to determine his next steps.

Warriors' Draymond Green praises ‘great' hometown Pistons team amid hot start

Warriors' Draymond Green praises ‘great' hometown Pistons team amid hot start originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Detroit Pistons have been dwelling in the depths of the NBA’s Eastern Conference for much of the last decade. 

But that seems to be changing in a big way. The Pistons are 9-2 to start the 2025-26 NBA season on the heels of a playoff appearance. 

Draymond Green, on the latest episode of his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” said his hometown team is taking the next step and could be championship contenders this season. 

“[The] Pistons should have [beaten] the New York Knicks,” Green said. “And when you come out of a series knowing everything that you did wrong… you’re coming into that next year, you’re saying amongst each other, ‘Yo, we’re ready to take this next step…’”  

“… ‘We know we did X,Y and Z wrong, and if we can correct those things, we’re in the Eastern Conference Finals. We’re giving ourselves a chance.’ And so, they’re coming out with that type of energy and that type of attitude, and they look great. They look incredible.” 

Green notes that the Pistons, led by All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, have the team construction that a contender needs for success in the playoffs. 

“Anytime you’re gonna compete for a championship, guess what you must have? You must have an MVP candidate. Cade Cunningham is definitely that right now,” Green explained. “You usually have a second All Star, Jalen Duren is showing that he’s going to be that this year….”  

“…You usually have a great defender, Ausar Thompson is putting his fork in the ground. You must have a good bench, Caris LeVert is coming off that bench scoring. You must have some shooting. So, when you start to look at the team, you look at the schedule and yeah it is what it is, but these boys [are] coming.” 

The Pistons’ makeup of young, emerging players is an encouraging sign of good things to come. Green mentioned that their loss to the more-experienced Knicks in the first round of last year’s playoffs is akin to the Warriors’ playoff exits against the veteran-led San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers when the Golden State core was coming of age. 

The disappointing playoff exit is a learning lesson for the young Detroit core. 

“It’s beautiful to watch, man… the Pistons are taking that next step, and I’m looking forward to watching it all year,” Green said. 

The Pistons’ 9-2 record through 11 games is the best in the Eastern Conference heading into Tuesday, and is the second-best in the NBA behind the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder (10-1). 

Green’s Warriors will face the Pistons twice this season, first on Jan. 30 in Detroit and next on Mar. 20 in Golden State. 

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Warriors' Draymond Green strongly defends Nico Harrison before Mavericks firing

Warriors' Draymond Green strongly defends Nico Harrison before Mavericks firing originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Dallas Mavericks made a bold front office move that should appease the majority of their fan base, but was it the right move?

Dallas officially fired general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday, nine months after he stunningly traded superstar guard Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in a move that sent shockwaves throughout the NBA and angered a large portion of the Mavericks’ fan base.

To put it lightly.

Despite Dallas’ productive offseason, which included shockingly landing the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, which it used to select consensus top prospect Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks have been abysmal to start the 2025-26 NBA season, going 3-8 through the team’s first 11 games, which prompted fans to chant “Fire Nico!” with the general manager in attendance for Monday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Well, they got their wish.

However, Warriors forward Draymond Green explained on the latest episode of his “The Draymond Green Show” podcast, which was recorded before Dallas fired Harrison, why it might not be the right time to make such a move.

“When stuff is going wrong, everyone is quick to jump and try to pounce on it and that’s just what people do in this business,” Green said. “Quite honestly, the team that Nico has placed his bet on, and I say that no pun intended, but the team he’s constructed to go win a championship hasn’t been on the court. Nobody assumed Kyrie Irving would tear his ACL. [Anthony Davis] started off with the eye [injury] as of late. The team hasn’t really been out there.”

Trading Dončić, understandably, was not received well by Mavericks fans and those around the league, but Green believes, on paper, Harrison was able to construct a team led by Irving, Davis and Flagg that, when healthy, could be competitive and that Harrison deserved to see his plan play out this season.

“I find it weird that everybody’s just like Luka’s playing great, everybody was s–tting on Luka last year,” Green added. “Now Luka’s playing great and everybody wants to take that opportunity to s–t on Nico because Dallas is playing bad. But it’s not apples to apples. The team he constructed to be out there isn’t out there.”

“Y’all just want to go point the finger at Nico because that was a storyline, now let’s make that a storyline again. That s–t is whack to me. So next year, that full team that Nico intended to be out there, and they have success, then what? … They have great pieces. So let’s see it all together before we yell ‘Fire Nico.’ Let’s see if it actually works. Because if it works next year, what are y’all gonna say?”

While Harrison will not be able to see his plan play out as general manager, Green believes that if the Mavericks eventually have success this season, and in the near future, the former executive deserves his flowers.

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With team in the cellar, Mavs fire GM Nico Harrison 9 months after Luka trade

With team in the cellar, Mavs fire GM Nico Harrison 9 months after Luka trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Dallas Mavericks confirmed they fired general manager Nico Harrison during a scheduled meeting with team governor Patrick Dumont on Tuesday morning, confirming recent rumors of a change in the front office.

ESPN insider Shams Charania announced the team’s plan to fire Harrison and replace him in the interim with executives Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi. The team confirmed the interim placements and said a comprehensive search will begin for a permanent general manager.

“This decision reflects our continued commitment to building a championship-caliber organization, one that delivers for our players, our partners, and most importantly, our fans,” said Dumont of Harrison’s firing.

Harrison had been the team’s GM and president of basketball operations for the last four seasons, which included two trips to the Western Conference finals, a trip to the NBA Finals and the unforgettable blockbuster trade that led to fans screaming for his ouster.

Nine months ago, Harrison traded superstar Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The backlash was swift and unrelenting. For months after the trade, disenchanted Mavericks fans protested the trade and chanted “Fire Nico” at every opportunity.

In April, at the season-ending press conference, Harrison said he stood by the deal but didn’t realize how much fans loved the 26-year-old Slovenian.

“I did know that Luka was important to the fan base,” Harrison said. “I didn’t quite know it to what level.”

Harrison said in April that he’d hoped the team he put together, which included Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II, would be improved by the addition of Anthony Davis from the Lakers. Because of injuries, that team never really materialized, and the Mavs fell flat.

Even after winning the lottery for the No. 1 draft pick and selecting Cooper Flagg, the Mavs are among the worst teams in the NBA and are ranked second to last in the Western Conference with a 3-8 record (2-5 at home) and five straight losses, including Monday night’s 116-114 loss to Milwaukee where fans renewed the chants calling for the team to “Fire Nico.”

The Mavericks’ next game is at home against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

With team in the cellar, Mavs fire GM Nico Harrison 9 months after Luka trade

With team in the cellar, Mavs fire GM Nico Harrison 9 months after Luka trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Dallas Mavericks confirmed they fired general manager Nico Harrison during a scheduled meeting with team governor Patrick Dumont on Tuesday morning, confirming recent rumors of a change in the front office.

ESPN insider Shams Charania announced the team’s plan to fire Harrison and replace him in the interim with executives Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi. The team confirmed the interim placements and said a comprehensive search will begin for a permanent general manager.

“This decision reflects our continued commitment to building a championship-caliber organization, one that delivers for our players, our partners, and most importantly, our fans,” said Dumont of Harrison’s firing.

Harrison had been the team’s GM and president of basketball operations for the last four seasons, which included two trips to the Western Conference finals, a trip to the NBA Finals and the unforgettable blockbuster trade that led to fans screaming for his ouster.

Nine months ago, Harrison traded superstar Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The backlash was swift and unrelenting. For months after the trade, disenchanted Mavericks fans protested the trade and chanted “Fire Nico” at every opportunity.

In April, at the season-ending press conference, Harrison said he stood by the deal but didn’t realize how much fans loved the 26-year-old Slovenian.

“I did know that Luka was important to the fan base,” Harrison said. “I didn’t quite know it to what level.”

Harrison said in April that he’d hoped the team he put together, which included Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II, would be improved by the addition of Anthony Davis from the Lakers. Because of injuries, that team never really materialized, and the Mavs fell flat.

Even after winning the lottery for the No. 1 draft pick and selecting Cooper Flagg, the Mavs are among the worst teams in the NBA and are ranked second to last in the Western Conference with a 3-8 record (2-5 at home) and five straight losses, including Monday night’s 116-114 loss to Milwaukee where fans renewed the chants calling for the team to “Fire Nico.”

The Mavericks’ next game is at home against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

With team in the cellar, Mavs fire GM Nico Harrison 9 months after Luka trade

With team in the cellar, Mavs fire GM Nico Harrison 9 months after Luka trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Dallas Mavericks confirmed they fired general manager Nico Harrison during a scheduled meeting with team governor Patrick Dumont on Tuesday morning, confirming recent rumors of a change in the front office.

ESPN insider Shams Charania announced the team’s plan to fire Harrison and replace him in the interim with executives Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi. The team confirmed the interim placements and said a comprehensive search will begin for a permanent general manager.

“This decision reflects our continued commitment to building a championship-caliber organization, one that delivers for our players, our partners, and most importantly, our fans,” said Dumont of Harrison’s firing.

Harrison had been the team’s GM and president of basketball operations for the last four seasons, which included two trips to the Western Conference finals, a trip to the NBA Finals and the unforgettable blockbuster trade that led to fans screaming for his ouster.

Nine months ago, Harrison traded superstar Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The backlash was swift and unrelenting. For months after the trade, disenchanted Mavericks fans protested the trade and chanted “Fire Nico” at every opportunity.

In April, at the season-ending press conference, Harrison said he stood by the deal but didn’t realize how much fans loved the 26-year-old Slovenian.

“I did know that Luka was important to the fan base,” Harrison said. “I didn’t quite know it to what level.”

Harrison said in April that he’d hoped the team he put together, which included Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II, would be improved by the addition of Anthony Davis from the Lakers. Because of injuries, that team never really materialized, and the Mavs fell flat.

Even after winning the lottery for the No. 1 draft pick and selecting Cooper Flagg, the Mavs are among the worst teams in the NBA and are ranked second to last in the Western Conference with a 3-8 record (2-5 at home) and five straight losses, including Monday night’s 116-114 loss to Milwaukee where fans renewed the chants calling for the team to “Fire Nico.”

The Mavericks’ next game is at home against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

Pair of rivalry games top a stacked week with 7 matchups between AP Top 25 teams

The second week of the 2025-26 season will feature two rivalry games among the seven games between AP Top 25 teams. No. 12 Louisville and No. 9 Kentucky have had one of the sport's fiercest rivalries through the years and it will continue on Tuesday in Louisville. The Cardinals made it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six years in their first season under coach Pat Kelsey a year ago and are off to fast start with a revamped roster.

Baylor’s Nicki Collen: Bears are ‘a work in progress’ despite win over Duke

Baylor coach Nicki Collen knew her team could be something special this year even before the Bears went to Paris to tip off their season against Duke last week. After a win over the Blue Devils, the Bears moved up nine spots to No. 7 in the AP Top 25 this week, but the work was done in the offseason. Baylor players spent a lot of time this summer bonding and playing basketball.

No. 3 UConn tops Columbia 89-62 behind Ball and Karaban

Solo Ball had 23 points and Alex Karaban added 20 points and six rebounds as third-ranked UConn topped Columbia 89-62 on Monday night. Tarris Reed Jr. had 19 points and eight rebounds while Jayden Ross scored 10 points off the bench for the Huskies (3-0). Miles Franklin and Blair Thompson had 10 points each for Columbia (1-1).

Watch wild ending in Miami: Mitchell ties game with wild 3-pointer, Wiggins wins it on alley-oop at buzzer

Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell thought he had already taken one of the wildest games of the season to another level by hitting a corner 3 to tie the game 138-138 with 0.4 seconds left in the first overtime.

Then a brilliant play design by Heat assistant Chris Quinn — one Erik Spoelstra has been waiting to use — set up Andrew Wiggins to end it with an alley-oop.

It may not have made up for Cleveland sweeping Miami in the playoffs last season, but the Heat will take the 140-138 win.

"That's a chess game. Chess match. You've got to give them credit," Mitchell said (via the Associated Press). "They made an excellent read, an excellent call and you learn from these things."

Norman Powell once again led the Heat with 33 points, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. continued his hot start with 22 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists off the bench. Wiggins' dunk gave him 23 points on the night.

Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 28 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, while De'Andre Hunter added 23, and Evan Robles scored 21 points with 10 boards. Calvaliers coach Kenny Atkinson got ejected in the third quarter, arguing with officials when the Heat got 21 free throw attempts in the frame to the Cavs' four.

Watch Desmond Bane sink off-balance 3-point game-winner at buzzer, lifting Orlando past Portland

Orlando brought in Desmond Bane to give them some much-needed shooting. He has struggled to do that so far this season, shooting 29.3% from beyond the arc, and then he started 0-of-5 from 3-point range on Monday against the Trail Blazers.

However, his sixth attempt was exactly what the Magic have been hoping for.

That shot spoiled a wild Trail Blazers comeback from nine points down with 2:32 left in the game behind an 11-0 run behind Devi Avdija, who hit a couple of 3-pointers and finished with 27 points on the night. Shaedon Sharpe led Portland with 31 points on 12-of-18 shooting on the night.

Orlando gets the win behind 22 points and seven assists from Bane, plus 28 points from Paolo Banchero.