Not withstanding ‘max-games’ leagues, stashing a player like Rose on the bench significantly reduces your chances to win on a week-to-week basis because you are often playing 3-4 games less a week than your opponent. If you offer mid-tier players, you may be surprised what he or she would accept for a player that has not suited up once this season.

Is Beal for Real?
Rizzla discusses.

Before the draft, Harden’s expert consensus ranking was 18th overall. Harden was among the most efficient players in the NBA last year. Now that he has gone from the 3rd scoring option to the primary scorer for the Rockets, his offensive output should improve dramatically.

Brook Lopez is a year removed from a 82 game season where he averaged 20.4 points, 6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, while shooting 49% from the field. Yes, the six rebounds leaves a lot to be desired from the 7 footer, but so far this preseason, he has been impressive. In four preseason games with the Brooklyn Nets, Lopez has averaged 19 points and 9 rebounds.

Jonas should average 10 rebounds, along with 8 points and a block per game Why the high rebound forecast? Well, he is playing alongside possible the weakest rebounding big man in the league – Andrea Bargnani. Despite being 7 feet tall and averaging 33 minutes per game, Bargnani grabbed just 5.5 rebounds per game last season. That is even worse than Brook Lopez, who averaged 6 boards per game in the 2010-11 season (he was injured almost the entire 2011-12 season). Basically, Jonas Valanciunas will have little competition for rebounds this season.

Whether he is called “AI2,” from back when he was teammates with Allen Iverson or “mini-Lebron,” alluding to his ability to generate stats across the board, albeit to a lesser extent than Lebron James, Andre Iguodala will continue to be a key contributor in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and three-pointers in Denver.

Win My Fantasy League takes a look at some of the hottest pickups for fantasy basketball championship week.

In the last four games, Jason Thompson has averaged a double-double while shooting 69 percent from the field. With upcoming games against the big front lines of the Memphis Grizzlies (Gasol and Randolph) and the Utah Jazz (Jefferson and Millsap), expect Thompson to continue to log big minutes and provide help in points, rebounds, and close to 1.5 blocks/steals per game.

Gustavo Ayon has averaged 12.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block per game over the past three games. Yes, he may be a short term add because Okafor and Landry should be back on the court after the All-Star break, but don’t forget that New Orleans is among the worst teams in the NBA, meaning that the young players should get more minutes than normal. Also, current Hornets starting center Chris Kaman may be traded, further opening up the frontcourt minutes.

Foye has averaged 11.2 points, 1.9 three-pointers, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.9 blocks per game as a starter this season. Expect similar across the board numbers as the full-time starting shooting guard in Lob-City. Foye is a fantasy contender and should be picked up from the waiver wire in almost all formats.