Rotoworld Fantasy Basketball Podcast

(03:00) – Top Headlines: Analyzing Rui Hachimura traded to L.A., sneaky Kings options, Bruce Brown intrigue, Jonathan Isaac’s long awaited return and more(18:00) – Injury roundup: Steven Adams, Marcus Smart, Bobby Portis, Kristaps Porzingis + Anthony Davis’ return(26:45) – Waiver Wire adds this week: T.J. McConnell, Dennis Smith Jr., Delon Wright and Tari Eason(32:05) – Buy, Sell or Hold: Jalen Duren, John Collins, Jalen Brunson and R.J. Barrett

(01:15) - Top headlines this week: Jayson Tatum and Walker Kessler’s huge games + injury updates Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo and more(13:45) - Schedule breakdown: Teams to target and avoid this week + streaming options(18:55) – Buy, Sell or Hold: Nikola Vucevic, Walker Kessler and Alperen Sengun(26:45) – Trade deadline teams to monitor: Suns, Mavericks and Trail Blazers   

(01:30) – Injury roundup: Analyzing who will see more time with Kevin Durant, Tyrese Haliburton and Jaylen Brown out(18:15) – Week 14 Scheduling Breakdown: Busy week for the Raptors + teams with 4-games(23:15) – Waiver Wire Intrigue: Duane Washington Jr., Naji Marshall, Chris Boucher, Jae’Sean Tate, Kenyon Martin Jr., Royce O’Neale, Dario Saric and Quentin Grimes(31:55) – Buy, Sell or Hold: Michael Porter Jr., Tyrese Maxey, Wendell Carter Jr., Kyle Lowry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Oladipo and De’Anthony Melton

(01:45) – Breakout performances and notable headlines: Steven Adams, Lauri Markkanen, Jimmy Butler and Jaren Jackson Jr. go off + Zion and Devin Vassell injury replacements(12:30) – Week 13 schedule breakdown: Notable teams with four, three and two game weeks(21:30) – Key injury updates: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Brandon Ingram and Karl-Anthony Towns(38:30) – Streamers + Waiver Wire Add/Drops: Naji Marshall, Jeremy Sochan, Jalen Williams, Immanuel Quickley, Quinten Grimes and Jalen McDaniels(43:00) – Buy, Sell or Hold: Scottie Barnes, Christian Wood and Evan Mobley

(03:30) - Pivotal Week 10 schedule: Christmas slate coming up.(07:00) - Lakers dealing with Anthony Davis injury: Pickup Thomas Bryant?(11:20) - Timberwolves dealing with injuries all over the roster: Anyone worth streaming?(18:30) - Looking at the Atlanta Hawks: Should one look at AJ Griffin's availability?(25:10) - OKC without both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey: Would Isaiah Joe be worth considering?(29:00) - Nikola Jokic sharing company with Wilt Chamberlain: Is he the top Fantasy player?(37:25) - Brooklyn Nets discussion: Joe Harris or Seth Curry?(46:15) - Wizards on a losing streak: Will they be active at the Trade Deadline?

With Roundball Stew set to go on hiatus, we have a quick update on where things stand with the show.

Matt Stroup, Raphielle Johnson and Steve Alexander discuss some of the latest key injury updates in fantasy hoops (including Christian Koloko's emergence with Pascal Siakam sidelined), plus some notable waiver wire pickups, and a very unclear timetable for Kawhi Leonard's return. Also on this episode: the outlook for Tari Eason, Bones Hyland, and the landscape in Phoenix with Cameron Johnson headed for knee surgery.(01:55) - Pascal Siakam injured: Pick up Christian Koloko?(04:15) - Cameron Johnson having surgery: Is there anyone on Phoenix one should pick up?(07:45) - Russell Westbrook playing better lately. Can we trust this version of him?(14:30) - Kawhi Leonard's return still up in the air. What to do?(22:45) - Waiver wire leftovers.(31:35) - Drop-worthy candidates.

Matt Stroup, Jonas Nader and Ryan Knaus highlight some of the top pickups to consider near the end of Week 3 of the NBA season, including Chris Boucher, Grant Williams, Patrick Williams and Tari Eason. Also on this episode: the fantasy impact in Philly with James Harden injured, and in Brooklyn with Kyrie Irving suspended.(01:05) - James Harden out for at least a month. Give De'Anthony Melton a look?(04:40) - Kyrie Irving suspended.  Patty Mills or Edmund Sumner could be good roster options.(13:10) - Marcus Morris has been playing well lately for the Clippers.(22:30) - Grant Williams should be getting added to more and more rosters.(31:30) - A look at Denver's Bruce Brown.(35:10) - The case for Tari Eason. 

Matt Stroup, Jared Johnson and Steve Alexander discuss some of the latest injury news from around the NBA, our levels of panic on some big-name players, and players to consider adding/dropping at the start of Week 3. Among the names we cover in detail on this episode: Devin Vassell, Kawhi Leonard, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis, Brook Lopez, Christian Wood, Zion Williamson and more.(01:45) - Injury status of San Antonio's Devin Vassell(04:05) - A frustrating early season for Kawhi Leonard(08:45) - Anthony Davis played on Sunday, but still showing discomfort(17:55) - Christian Wood level of concern?(25:05) - Brook Lopez off to a hot start to the season(31:30) - Check in on Zion Williamson's season so far(36:10) - Waiver wire leftovers 

Matt Stroup, Jonas Nader and Noah Rubin highlight some of the top pickups in fantasy basketball for Week 2, including Bol Bol (probably already gone), Jalen McDaniels, Grant Williams and Shaedon Sharpe. Also on this episode: the case for picking up Malik Monk, Talen Horton-Tucker and Dyson Daniels.(01:40) - Bol Bol has had a big impact so far this season in Orlando.(07:45) - How should we view Lonnie Walker on the Lakers?(17:20) - Jalen McDaniels' performance this season in Charlotte.(24:10) - Talen Horton-Tucker one of the overachieving Jazz.(37:45) - What is Jalen Williams' upside in OKC?(46:45) - Dyson Daniels worth streaming?

Matt Stroup, Raphielle Johnson and Zak Hanshew pick up the pieces of our collective fantasy rosters after an eventful opening week of the NBA season, discussing underrated rookies Jaden Ivey and Bennedict Mathurin, waiver pickups/drops to consider, and the fantasy factory that is... the Utah Jazz. Also on this episode: fallout from injuries to Zion Williamson, Josh Giddey and others.(03:25) - Oklahoma City dealing with a lot of injuries, including Josh Giddey.(07:10) - Zion Williamson injures his hip on Sunday night.(16:05) - Sorting through some rookies: Jaden Ivey and Bennedict Mathurin.(23:45) - Waiver pickups/drops to consider(31:30) - Is this guy droppable?  Conversation begins with Tari Eason and James Wiseman 

Matt Stroup, Jonas Nader and Raphielle Johnson highlight some of the top waiver pickups in fantasy hoops, including Jalen Duren, Walker Kessler, and Trey Murphy. Also on this episode: what to do (or not do) if you drafted Kawhi Leonard with an early-round pick, and the outlook for Cam Reddish, Bruno Fernando, Joshua Primo and other early-season standouts.(06:05) - Pistons: Jalen Duren(10:10) - Jazz: Walker Kessler(13:20) - Grizzlies: Tyus Jones(16:10) - Knicks: Cam Reddish(21:20) - Wizards: Daniel Gafford(30:05) - Hornets: Nick Richards(37:40) - Spurs: Jeremy Sochan(42:45) - Bucks: Grayson Allen 

Matt Stroup, Dr. A and Jared Johnson discuss some big takeaways (and ongoing debates) from our fantasy drafts so far, including the outlook for Bradley Beal, Terry Rozier, OG Anunoby, Myles Turner and more. Also on this episode: some of our favorite/most-intriguing late-round fliers, with Jalen Smith, Tari Eason and Caleb Martin at the center of that conversation.(03:05) - Tyrese Haliburton: How excited should we be?(10:10) - OG Anunoby: His outlook for this year.(17:15) - Bradley Beal: How to judge him coming off a down year.(22:10) - Al Horford: Could be a good late value pick.(31:30) - Looking at a bunch of intriguing late round fliers including Jalen Smith.(43:35) - Tari Eason discussion.(52:10) - Wrapping up with Caleb Martin as a late round option. 

Matt Stroup, Jonas Nader and Ryan Knaus discuss some key fantasy questions we need to answer in the Northwest and Southwest leading up to the NBA season, including Jalen Green (at ADP) vs. Kevin Porter Jr., Karl Anthony-Towns (at ADP) vs. Anthony Edwards, and what impact the return of Zion will have on the rest of the Pelicans this season. Also on this episode: our reaction to Nikola Jokic's wrist injury, how to approach the tank in Utah and OKC, plus our concerns about Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. coming off injuries.(01:40) - Jazz tanking: Walker Kessler is a rookie to look for(05:50) - OKC also not expected to be a factor: Should you stay away from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander(12:05) - Portland's situation: Anyone worth taking other than Damian Lilliard?(16:20) - Denver studs returning from an injury: What to do with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.?(21:10) - Minnesota's top guys: Would you rather have Karl Anthony-Towns or Anthony Edwards?(28:25) - A look at Memphis: Desmond Bane's stock(35:00) - Spu

Matt Stroup, Noah Rubin and Steve Alexander discuss some Yahoo ADPs that stand out as too high or too low in fantasy drafts so far, including Damian Lillard, Zion Williamson, Michael Porter Jr. and Dejounte Murray. Also on this episode: the outlook for rookies Keegan Murray and Jabari Smith Jr., as well as late-round options Jalen Smith, Nic Claxton, and Cameron Johnson.(03:05) - Damian Lilliard conversation(15:30) - A look at Zion Williamson(25:10) - Michael Porter Jr. discussion(32:07) - What to make of Gary Trent Jr.?(43:20) - Nic Claxton outlook  

Matt Stroup is joined by a panel of 12 expert drafters (Jay Croucher, Steve Alexander, Nat Edie, Kurt Helin, Jared Johnson, Dan Titus, Josh Lloyd, Noah Rubin, Raphielle Johnson, Drew Dinkmeyer, Dan Besbris and Jonas Nader) for a 9-category head-to-head fantasy draft. We break down the reaches, the panic picks, and the surprises, with in-depth discussions on Bam Adebayo, Zion Williamson, Josh Giddey, Michael Porter Jr., Clint Capela, and more. (03:10) - Rounds 1-3: Where will Kevin Durant go?(22:15) - Rounds 4-6: Jakob Poeltl intrigue(41:30) - Round 7-9: The Lauri Markkanen sales pitch(55:40) - Rounds 10-12: Monte Morris discussion(67:17) - Wrap-up of the Draft:  Ayo Dosonmu was "Mr. Irrelevant"  

Jonas Nader (@JonasNader) and Noah Rubin (@NoahRubin22) and Adam King (@adamking91) of Fantasy Basketball International conduct a 12-team points league mock draft. The trio analyze Zion Williamson as a 1st round pick, the ceiling for Scottie Barnes and Tyrese Maxey, expectations for multiple rookies this season and much more. (3:10) – Rounds 1-3: Nikola Jokic as the unquestioned 1st pick, James Harden and Zion Williamson go early, expectations for Dejounte Murray in Atlanta(12:00) – Rounds 4-6: Scottie Barnes’ sophomore season, Tyrese Maxey’s ceiling and continued Alperen Sengun intrigue(21:17) – Rounds 7-9: Breaking down rookies Jabari Smith and Keegan Murray, concern over Anfernee Simons’ sluggish preseason, Jalen Suggs as a value pick(30:38) – Rounds 10-12: Expected workload for De’Anthony Melton with the 76ers, Onyeka Okongwu and Bones Hyland as breakout candidates

Matt Stroup, Raphielle Johnson and Noah Rubin discuss some key fantasy questions and storylines from the Pacific Division, including the outlook for LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole, Kawhi Leonard and Deandre Ayton. Also on this episode: Can De'Aaron Fox bounce back from a disappointing 2021-22, and what kind of impact will Keegan Murray make as a rookie?(01:45) - Golden State: How to project Klay Thompson and Draymond Green for Fantasy?(08:50) - Clippers: Who do you trust more between Kawhi Leonar and Paul George?(16:40) - Lakers: Who are you more confident in between LeBron James and Anthony Davis?(28:30) - Suns: The complicated  relationship between the tam and Deandre Ayton.(39:40) - Kings: De'Aaron Fox looking to bounce back.

Matt Stroup, Raphielle Johnson and Steve Alexander highlight some key fantasy storylines to follow in the NBA’s Southeast Division, including the outlook for LaMelo Ball, Trae Young, Dejounte Murray and Bam Adebayo during the upcoming season. Also on this episode: Can Bradley Beal bounce back from a disappointing year, and we react to the recent injury updates on Lonzo Ball, Robert Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. (01:32) - Miami's Big 3 of being called that (Butler, Adebayo, and Lowry)?(09:15) - How high do we value Victor Oladipo?(12:20) - Potential negative Fantasy impact in Atlanta's backcourt(24:30) - LaMelo Ball a 1st rounder?(27:05) - Terry Rozier valuation status in Charlotte(33:45) -  Bradley Beal: Will he bounce back this season?(42:15) - A look at Magic now that they have Paolo Banchero(55:10) Quick look at around the NBA   

Matt Stroup, Jared Johnson and Zak Hanshew discuss some of the most intriguing fantasy storylines and position battles from the NBA's Central Division, including the wild upside of Evan Mobley and Tyrese Haliburton, who will stand out at center for the Bucks, and differing expectations for Cade Cunningham heading into year two. Also on this episode: The DeMargument — Jared and Zak debate whether DeMar DeRozan will be worth an early-round pick coming off his career-best (and very rare) season in 2021-22.(02:20) - Brook Lopez & Bobby Portis playing together in Milwaukee(06:05) - Evan Mobley expectations this year in Cleveland(11:35) - "The DeMargument" over DeMar DeRozan(29:05) - Tyrese Haliburton's upside on Indiana (40:45) - Cade Cunningham's second season in Detroit upcoming