The Playlist: Week 12 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Pickups and Scheduling Tips – Yahoo Sports

Welcome to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who and what to play — music-wise or other things in my rotation — for the week ahead in fantasy basketball.

Each week, you’ll see a compilation of the pickups you need to make, roster notes (who’s in and out of rotations), followed by the key takeaways from the schedule.

So press play and browse the latest fantasy basketball news.

Conclusion of week 11

We can thank the Golden State Warriors for providing all the headlines in Week 11. For starters, Chris Paul is unfortunately expected to miss four to six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a broken left hand. Draymond Green is back and rejoined the Warriors on Sunday, and it only took Jonathan Kuminga airing his grievances to the public for him to see a record 36 minutes Friday night.

Great performances

Rumor machine

Silly season is underway, and it looks like we’ll have plenty of action between now and the February 8th trade deadline. Pascal Siakam, Dejounte Murray and Zach LaVine are all on the trade block, with the Kings looking to shed some veterans to make a serious push into the Western Conference. Sacramento is already a dangerous team, but a player like Siakam could take them to the next level.

But it’s too early to react to the discussions, so let’s focus on Week 12.

I want to be there – AZ

Program the things to know:

• There are 13 teams playing four matches each

• Ideal broadcast days are Monday (six games), Tuesday (five games), Thursday (five games), and Sunday (five games).

• The Cavaliers and Nets only play one game, and it’s in Paris, France! If you decide to stream a player from this game, don’t forget to set your lineup, because the game tips off at 2 p.m. ET.

• The Sixers play two games – Wednesday and Friday – which are larger slates, so keep that in mind.

• Suns and Trail Blazers play Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday (lighter slates)

WHO’S IN MY ROTATION: players must collect waivers that are listed at less than 50% in Yahoo leagues.

The essentials of week 12:

Donte DiVincenzo – SG/SF, New York Knicks (50% effective)

DiVincenzo has been playing quietly since RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickly left for Toronto, ranking 41st in nine-category leagues over his last six games. He has been extremely efficient all year and is a reliable source of steals and three-pointers. Nestled in his six-game sample without RJ or IQ was a 38-point outlier, but he’s nonetheless anchored as a starter, and his shooting and defense will keep him relevant in fantasy.

Nick Richards – C, Charlotte Hornets (33%)

Richards remains undervalued on the market, especially with Mark Williams without a timetable for his return. Richards has been one of the most efficient players in the league, ranking first in true shooting percentage and second in field goal percentage. Also a good rebounder, Richards is averaging 8.9 points and 8.7 rebounds with 1.3 blocks per game in 14 starts this season. If you need a big man in any format, he has a sure field and plays four games this week.

Cole Anthony – PG, Orlando Magic (45%)

With Franz Wagner likely out for a few games as he recovers from an ankle injury, expect Keith Lee to receive some additional usage (lol).

All joking aside, Anthony is already third on the team in usage behind Paolo Banchero and Wagner, at a respectable 24%. The Magic’s schedule is not ideal this week, facing the Timberwolves, Heat and Thunder. Anthony’s minutes are safe even with Markelle Fultz returning to the lineup on Sunday. He’s a bucket that can fill the score and while I prefer him in points leagues, he’s pretty good for category formats as well.

Aaron Nesmith – SF/PF, Indiana Pacers (34%)

I almost didn’t include it here, but I warmed to the idea that it has power. He is sixth in true shooting percentage in the league and has provided sixth-round value in nine-category leagues over the past two weeks. He rarely has a game where he doesn’t offer you something valuable. He’s averaging nearly three plays (two steals, one block) and is making 54 percent of his threes (2.7 per game) in 27 minutes per night over his last 10 games. He has started the last six games, and his dynamism and efficiency keep him on the field. He won’t blow your mind, but he’s a quiet stat collector in all formats.

Tre Jones – PG, San Antonio Spurs (49%)

There were a few injuries, but Jones Finally started a game for Spurs. He played a season-high 35 minutes and recorded an efficient 18 points (7-13 FG, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, six assists, one steal and three turnovers. He’s played over 27 minutes a night over his last five outings, and while he won’t help on lines and blocks, he’s been solid everywhere else and deserves to be played with Malakhi Branham.

Patiently Waiting (feat. Eminem) – 50 Cent

Week 12 Banners

Simone Fontecchio – SF, Utah Jazz (30%)

You probably didn’t realize that Fontecchio has gotten the fourth-most starts on Utah’s roster, starting 18 games this year. What is more important is that it improves month by month and thus gains more minutes. Since the start of the new year, Fontecchio is averaging nearly 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and 53% shooting from the field. He’s producing, and as long as that continues, the 28-year-old, in his sophomore campaign, should be slotted into 12-team leagues.

Jeremy Sochan – PG/PF, San Antonio Spurs (36%)

My friend Raphielle Johnson has him high on her watchlist, but I’m convinced Sochan is worth streaming in Week 12 with the Spurs playing the Pistons, Hornets, and Bulls. He’s better for point leagues, averaging 26 fantasy points per game (FPPG) over the last 10 games. You won’t find me complaining about 11 points, six rebounds and four assists with a three and a stock.

Kevin Love – PF – Miami Heat (22%)

I know he’s old, but the man does exactly what fantasy managers expect: scoring, rebounding, and draining threes. In his previous four outings, he averaged 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 threes and one steal per game. The Heat have four games this week and continue to deal with serious injuries, so stream Love even if he plays a little more than 20 minutes a night.

Jonathan Kuminga – PF, Golden State Warriors (46%)

That’s it baby, end of the road. I have no doubt that the return of Draymond Green will shake things up eventually, but not yet. Even though he was reinstated, he will need time to ramp up over the next week. In the meantime, Kuminga is out of the doghouse for two reasons: He’s been one of the Warriors’ best players of late and could be featured for a potential trade (or not). Regardless, he’s been pretty good in fantasy lately, posting 14.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 57% from the floor over his last 10 games. Don’t expect much from three or the stock department.

Grand Finale – DMX, Method Man, Ja Rule and NaS

Cody Martin – SG/SF, Charlotte Hornets (4%)

Four games on deck, and the Hornets are dealing with injuries on their perimeter. Martin is playing 34.5 minutes per game in his last two games, and as long as Brandon Miller is out, he will be burned. He’s a good source of steals and can hit threes, so with a soft Fantasy schedule in Week 12, he’s in a decent position to produce for Fantasy managers in deep leagues.

Other streaming options:

Watchlist for Week 12:

Rotation News

Warriors G Chris Paul should miss four to six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a broken left hand

The game: Brandin Podziemski will likely take on more ball-handling duties now that Paul is out so he can be held safely across all leagues.

Pistons G Cade Cunningham left Sunday’s game against the Nuggets with a left knee sprain

The game: Killian Hayes started the second half for Cunningham but I would prioritize Jaden Ivey or Alec Burks if Cunningham misses time. After the game, Pistons HC Monty Williams did not provide any updates on Cunningham’s knee. Hopefully it’s a minor injury, but add Ivey or Alec Burks if Cade faces an extended absence.

Bulls G Zach LaVine (foot) and C Nikola Vucevic (groin) returned to the field Friday

The game: Keep Andre Drummond for Monday’s game against Charlotte, but you might have to drop him later and that’s okay. Patrick Williams is a straw for me because he forgets how to play offense when LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are healthy.

Rockets F Tari Eason is day-to-day with leg injury

The game: If you like Eason, I would recommend Cam Whitmore. He tore up the G-League, and Dillon Brooks remains out. Whitmore has reached double figures with at least two assists, a three and a steal in limited minutes in his last three games.

Trail Blazers C Deandre Ayton (knee) remains out

The game: Duop Reath is currently the best streaming option at center, but Trail Blazers HC Chauncey Billups is “optimistic” that Ayton could join the team on its upcoming four-game road trip. Also keep an eye on Jabari Walker.

Heat F Jimmy Butler (toe) remains out

The game: Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s role is cemented, while Duncan Robinson is still worth playing as long as Butler is sidelined.

Sixers C Joel Embiid (knee) daily

The game: Assuming nothing new comes out regarding Embiid’s knee injury, I have a feeling he would return for Wednesday’s game against the Hawks. BBall Paul Reed will benefit the most if Embiid misses the extra time.

Daily games played

• Monday: 6

• Tuesday: 5

• Wednesday: 10

• Thursday: 5

• Friday: 10

• Saturday: 8

• Sunday: 5

13 teams play four matches: Bucks, Bulls, Celtics, Clippers, Heat, Hornets, Jazz, Kings, Pacers, Rockets, Thunder, Timberwolves and Trail Blazers

14 teams play three matches: Grizzlies, Hawks, Knicks, Lakers, Magic, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pelicans, Pistons, Raptors, Spurs, Suns, Warriors and Wizards

A team plays two matches: 76ers

Two teams play a match: Riders and Nets

Back-to-back teams:

• Monday/Tuesday: none

• Tuesday/Wednesday: Kings, Pistons, Raptors and Timberwolves

• Wednesday/Thursday: Celtics and Thunder

• Thursday/Friday: Trail Blazers

• Friday/Saturday: Bulls, Grizzlies, Hawks, Jazz, Magic, Pelicans, Rockets, Spurs and Warriors

• Saturday/Sunday: Bucks