Last Updated on November 2, 2025 1:56 am by Keston Paul | Published: November 2, 2025

It’s the end of Week 2 and we’re looking to get that competitive edge to seal matchups or to prep for Week 3 if the win is already secure.

Top Pickups

This is the “general must-add” section regardless of the slate. If these players are being overlooked and remain chilling on the waiver wire, consider adding them to your squad.

Quenton Jackson (3%)

On Saturday, we got 25-6-10, three triples and three steals. He played a pivotal role in the comeback victory for the Pacers’ first victory of the season. Jackson showed flashes in the past and seems to have been ramping up this week after entering the season injured. Add him and figure it out later as he may have a real role to play in the short term and perhaps for the season (even if that’s just as a sixth man when the team is healthier). He is only 3% rostered on Yahoo.

Ryan Rollins (42%)

I got some eyes on the Kings-Bucks game on Saturday, but even in short glimpses of previous games, Rollins looks explosive from the eye test. I already believed he was the best defensive guard on the team, but he looks fast and strong as an offensive creator too. If this keeps up, I do not see how he doesn’t hold down a starting role the rest of the way. Sorry Kevin Porter Jr. and Cole Anthony.

Dennis Schroder (39%)

The role looks secure and most of what he is doing is fairly sustainable. I think he drops slightly, but the assists could keep him around the top-100 level in the longer term. We got 24-5-7, two steals and three triples in a win against the Bucks on Saturday where he played an integral role.

Aaron Nesmith (24%)

I don’t believe as strongly in this one, but 31 points and five triples deserves recognition. I’m not sure Nesmith is capable of absorbing extra usage, but that said, he actually got another creator (hello Quenton Jackson) to help alleviate that role more. Nesmith thrives as a play-finisher being on the end of actions and kickouts, but maybe more of that is coming. It’s a speculative add to see if he gets going.

Games

Pelicans – Thunder @ 3:30 ET
76ers – Nets @ 6:00 ET
Jazz – Hornets @ 6:00 ET
Hawks – Cavaliers @ 6:00 ET
Grizzlies – Raptors @ 6:00 ET
Bulls – Knicks @ 7:00 ET
Spurs – Suns @ 8:00 ET
Heat – Lakers @ 9:30 ET

Teams on Second Night of a Back-to-Back

Note: Teams on the second night of a back-to-back must submit their injury report by the release of the 4:30 pm ET Official NBA Injury Report. 

Hornets

Teams on First Night of a Back-to-Back

Nets, Jazz, Grizzlies, Knicks, Lakers

Top Stories to Watch

Ja Morant one-game suspension: That leaves us with questions at PG. Is it Javon Small? Is it someone else? Do the Grizzlies just start a wing like Cedric Coward and figure out the rest?

Pelicans’ Rotations: Kevon Looney is questionable and started games in preseason. If he is active, will he go right into the lineup and displace Yves Missi? Looney tops out as a deep-league rebounds specialist, but Missi’s upside is already being limited.

Does LaMelo Ball play the back-to-back? Ball was questionable, then probable and then played on Saturday. He played 33 minutes on Saturday night, so I’m not sure if he ends up sitting out, but Tre Mann could be the big beneficiary there if Ball sits out.

Trae Young out for four-plus weeks: Nickeil Alexander-Walker should be on a roster. Keaton Wallace looks like the deep-league guy for now. Luke Kennard is bound to pop off at some point. I was a bit disappointed that we got zero Vit Krejci minutes on Friday though.

Mitchell Robinson’s status: Robinson is questionable and should sit at least one leg of the back-to-back on Sunday and Monday. Who starts if he is out? I think the Bulls matchup is one for Josh Hart, but maybe it’s Miles McBride.

Kel’el Ware’s minutes: The crossover between Bam Adebayo and Ware has been limited at times, capping Ware’s upside because Adebayo is always going to be the priority as the better player. We need more crossover minutes for Ware to hold down 12-team value.

No Walker Kessler: Is Kyle Filipowski finally going to be unleashed? Only Kessler, Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George have been truly useful for us so far.

Is Chet Holmgren okay? That’s another absence, but I’m not expecting him to be out much longer.

Joel Embiid out and it is not a B2B: I tried to tell you guys I was worried about that knee. He still looks good when he is playing, but you have to hope he can be managed to 50 or 60 games.

Sixers beat writer Kyle Neubeck said this is a planned rest day for Embiid. 

Stay up to date on news for this slate with our NBA Blurb Feed! 

Check out our Live Injury Report to see who is probable, questionable, doubtful or sidelined for this slate!

Streamers

Since there are eight games on, it is likely most of you have the space for streaming today.

Standard Formats

Want full access to our Daily Fantasy Basketball Cheat Sheet with Pickups, Slate Notes & Streamers? You’ll need to have an Ethos 360, All-Sport or NBA FantasyPass membership. Click here to learn more and sign up! Premium Access Required  

Join the SportsEthos team! Fill out an application by clicking here!