Last Updated on January 13, 2026 1:29 am by Keston Paul | Published: January 13, 2026

We don’t need much of a prelude here but I will note that the stats and averages quoted are based on performances before Monday’s games.

As always here is a reminder of the differences in the scoring systems for ESPN Standard Points Leagues and Yahoo Standard Points Leagues.

Of course, we have a new format, which is Yahoo’s “High Score.”

The High Score System is: 
Points = 1 fantasy point each
Rebounds = 1 fantasy point each
Assists = 2 fantasy points each
Steals = 3 fantasy points each
Blocks = 3 fantasy points each

As a general rule: 

ESPN Standard Scoring will give a slight boost to players who are more efficient and get more defensive stats in addition the usual volume stats we want in points leagues.

Yahoo Standard Scoring will give a very slight boost to good rebounders and players who are high-volume offensive engines, even if they are inefficient, but turnovers still come at a cost.

High Score takes leaning into offensive volume at a higher level, meaning players who take a bunch of shots and get a ton of assists are greatly rewarded with absolutely no hits for inefficiency or turnovers.

Points League Adds

Aaron Gordon

Gordon started on Sunday, seeing 32 minutes for 23 points, six rebounds, four assists and two triples. The Nuggets have two back-to-backs this week so I am only expecting two appearances out of four possible games out of Gordon; however, he has legit rest-of-season upside that belongs on all rosters.

Anthony Black

Past four weeks: 38.1 (ESPN), 36.36 (Yahoo), 41 (High Score)

I imagine Black is already on a roster, but given most points leagues are likely at a 10-team depth, there is a chance that he isn’t rostered everywhere. The proof is in the pudding as they say, given his strong averages across an entire month of action.

I actually added him and dropped him in my High Score league, but does that matter? The waiver wire is always stacked in a High Score league.

Derik Queen

Past four weeks: 34.7 (ESPN), 35.45 (Yahoo), 39 (High Score)

We have spoken about Queen a couple of times before, so consider this a double-check option. He might especially be available in a High Score league. I added him in my own High Score league around two weeks ago. I highly doubt he is sitting around in a normal league.

Cam Spencer
(but only two games this week)

Past four weeks: 32.9 (ESPN) 29.72 (Yahoo), 35 (High Score)

I was actually surprised Spencer is averaging this many fantasy points per game in the past month. The big assists are likely responsible for that. As long as Ja Morant (calf) remains out, Spencer can be on your radar. Ty Jerome (calf) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) may presumably spoil things at some point.

Matas Buzelis

Past four weeks: 32.1 (ESPN), 29.97 (Yahoo), 31 (High Score)

This is a bi-weekly Buzelis article, huh? I am always curious to see what he is doing. I don’t think Buzelis is must-roster in a High Score format, but he remains a hold for ESPN and Yahoo Standard points leagues.

Ajay Mitchell

Past four weeks: 30.9 (ESPN), 28.43 (Yahoo), 31 (High Score)

Mitchell maybe isn’t an option for High Score, but those averages across an entire month would equate to around top-100 value for a points league. Mitchell maybe isn’t an outright must depending on your league size, but he isn’t the worst hold either.

Peyton Watson

Past four weeks: 30.8 (ESPN), 30.25 (Yahoo), 32 (High Score)

Getting into the nitty-gritty with Watson is fun. He has been even better in recent weeks.

Past two weeks: 37.0 (ESPN), 37.63 (Yahoo), 41 (High Score)

Watson was even named the Western Conference Player of the Week for his performances last week. This is not his level, but he does have some rest-of-season intrigue in my opinion. I think Watson is showing he is better than Christian Braun and if he can shoot better than Braun (which he has this season), he might start over Braun when the team is fully healthy. The usage won’t be as high, so Watson may end up projecting better in 9-cat, but I am holding him in my 12-team home points league for now.

Jake LaRavia
(Bonus: five games this week)

Past four weeks: 30.8 (ESPN), 28.51 (Yahoo) 30 (High Score)

LaRavia’s averages across the entire month also surprised me, but I knew he had been quite good recently.

Past two weeks: 33.8 (ESPN), 29.90 (Yahoo), 31 (High Score)

On top of this, head coach JJ Redick said Rui Hachimura (right calf strain) will come off the bench with a restriction initially and also indicated that he was uncertain if Hachimura would regain a starting place when the restrictions are lifted. I’m on the record stating LaRavia is better then Hachimura (both as a complement to the other starters and ability-wise). If LaRavia holds down a starting role, maybe it equates to top-100 points-league value. I do think LaRavia will be a better 9-cat option though, so he may not necessarily be a must-hold in a points format. For now, I would see where it goes.

Naji Marshall

PJ Washington (right ankle sprain) is apparently expected to miss another week. Marshall can likely provide around 28-plus fantasy points per game while starting if not more.

Goga Bitadze
Watch-list option with two games this week.
Subject to Wendell Carter Jr.’s health.

Do not go out and grab Bitadze immediately. However, wait to see if Carter is going to miss time. Bitadze is a double-double threat and that should equate to viable points-league value for a 12-team league or maybe at the end of a bench for a 10-team league as well.

Carter was questionable with a right hip strain before being ruled out on Sunday and Moe Wagner only managed to play 10 minutes in his return from an ACL tear.

Strong streamer-level or borderline roster-worthy options.

Sandro Mamukelashvili past four weeks: 28.6 (ESPN), 26.07 (Yahoo), 27 (High Score)

Ayo Dosunmu past four weeks: 28.5 (ESPN), 25.13 (Yahoo), 28 (High Score)

Cedric Coward past four weeks: 28.4 (ESPN), 28.55 (Yahoo), 31 (High Score)

Egor Demin past four weeks: 28.4 (ESPN), 26.19 (Yahoo), 29 (High Score)

Players like Isaiah Collier, TJ McConnell, Tre Jones, Sam Merrill, Aaron Nesmith, Jock Landale, Maxime Raynaud, Bub Carrington, Tre Johnson, Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie, Noah Clowney, Jay Huff, Jeremiah Fears and Caleb Love are also on the radar.

Obviously, I can’t name every single player here but you get the gist.

Moussa Diabate is a name who likely works out a little better in 9-cat, but after a performance like Monday night’s, you should give him a look. I have listed him as an add before but he has been on more of the low-end range for a points league.

Keegan Murray (low-end stash)

Season averages: 31.5 (ESPN), 31.41 (Yahoo), 32 (High Score).

Murray’s averages on ESPN and Yahoo equate to usable value for a 12-team league and for the end of a 10-team bench as well. If he was dropped and you can afford to stash him, he is a low-end IR stash. Murray hasn’t proven that he can maintain this level, but I’m willing to see if he can.

I would not say he is a must-grab in a points league though. He was dropped in my 16-team points league, so I figure he may have been dropped in some shallower ones, too.

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