Until Kawhi Leonard returns, Ja’Kobe Walter is a player that can be streamed with confidence. Over the last two games as a starter, Walter has averaged 18.0 points, 1.5 steals and 4.0 triples per game. The most recent timeline update for Leonard has him returning in late November, which may be the best case scenario. Walter should start until then.
There is long-term value here, but this weekend is also a favorable one for him. Toronto plays Orlando on Friday and the Lakers on Sunday, and the Raptors are currently fourth in the NBA in pace. More possessions means more stats.
Walter struggled during his rookie season but showcased real growth in year two and seems to have taken another step forward this year, despite the small sample size. His floor-spacing ability is valuable to this team with how it’s currently constructed, so he should play a large reserve role, even when Leonard returns.
The 12 teams that play two games this weekend include the Celtics, Nets, Hornets, Warriors, Rockets, Pacers, Clippers, Lakers, Timberwolves, Magic, 76ers and Raptors. If you’re looking to maximize your games played, prioritize picking up players from those teams.
Anthony Edwards and Jaren Jackson Jr. are among the stars that are set to miss extended periods of time.
Grayson Allen, G, Charlotte Hornets
Kon Knueppel (hamstring) is getting close to returning, so this could be the last weekend to stream Allen confidently. Allen has hit at least two three-pointers in every game this season, has scored at least 20 points twice and was even able to contribute two steals and two blocks in Charlotte’s last game. 49.5 percent of the Hornets’ field goal attempts this season have come from beyond the arc, which makes Allen a great fit. He’ll continue to be a reliable reserve for them all year, though when Knueppel returns, his minutes and shot attempts will likely be suppressed compared to his role now.
Keon Ellis, G, Brooklyn Nets
Egor Demin (leg) is set to miss a few games, which could allow Ellis to return to the starting lineup. In three starts this season, Ellis has averaged 2.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 triples per game. He’s not a high-volume scorer, though he has been able to get hot from deep in previous seasons. However, with how this roster is constructed, that won’t happen often. Ellis may have some streaming appeal at times this season, but Demin and Mikel Brown Jr. will be the priority when healthy, which will prevent Ellis from being a long-term play.
Terrence Shannon Jr., G/F, Minnesota Timberwolves
With Anthony Edwards (knee) set to miss north of two months, Ayo Dosunmu has replaced him in the starting unit, which has allowed Shannon to fill in as the team’s sixth man. Shannon has scored in double figures in every game this season and played a season-high 27 minutes in Minnesota’s last game, the first without Edwards. Shannon has also consistently knocked down shots from beyond the arc, averaging 2.2 triples per game this year. He should be a fringe option for a couple months until Edwards returns.
Tristan da Silva, F, Orlando Magic
He hasn’t been starting even with both Paolo Banchero (ankle) and Jalen Suggs (knee) sidelined, but da Silva continues to be productive and play big minutes. He has averaged 19.5 points and 4.5 triples per game over Orlando’s last two, which lines up with when Banchero went down. He has been on fire this year, which extends back to the preseason. The short-term value over the next few weeks should be appealing, and Orlando has two games this weekend.
Aaron Nesmith, F, Indiana Pacers
With Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) set to miss two weeks, the Pacers will be looking for everyone to step up on offense. Nesmith had 18 points in their last game and has scored in double figures in all but one game this year, which is when he had nine points in 20 minutes in the season opener. He played 27 minutes in their last game, which was a new season high for them. They had been careful with his minutes since he’s been managing his own hamstring injury, but he’s back to seeing a normal workload.
Tari Eason, F, Houston Rockets
Eason made his first start of the season on Wednesday with Alperen Sengun sidelined with a back injury. Sengun is questionable to play on Friday, but even if Eason doesn’t start, he’s been productive enough to be worth streaming in. He has averaged 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks per game this season, and if you don’t factor in the season-opener (since he was ejected after playing just three minutes), he has played 30.2 minutes per game. Could this be the Eason breakout we’ve been waiting for? It’s worth taking a chance on him, especially with two games on the docket this weekend.
Brook Lopez, C, LA Clippers
Outside of their last game, Lopez has been fantastic all season. Through the first three games of the year, Lopez averaged 18.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 2.0 triples per game. With two games scheduled this weekend, Lopez is worth taking a chance on, even if he continues to come off the bench. His production likely won’t be consistent enough to be worth keeping around all year, but he’s a high-upside option for short stretches.
Sandro Mamukelashvili, C, Los Angeles Lakers
It was a slow start to the year for Mamu, but he’s starting to get things going. It appears head coach J.J. Redick finally realized when he has in Mamu. Over the last two games, Mamu has averaged 15 points, six rebounds, one steal, one block and 1.5 triples per game. When he gets the opportunity, Mamu has been a fantasy stud in the past. Hopefully this trend will continue for him.
Jay Huff, C, Indiana Pacers
Huff has been the starting center with Ivica Zubac (ankle) sidelined, and while he hasn’t been great, the opportunity is too great to pass up. This is one of the riskier plays, but a starting center for two games with a history of productive fantasy lines, specifically as a shot blocker, is worth taking a chance on. As soon as Zubac is back, Huff should be dropped to the waiver wire.
