welcome back playlistyour weekly guide to the best exemptions adds 9 Cats and Standard Points League. And, as always: Many of the top Week 12 picks (Donte DiVincenzo, Isaiah Stewart, Nikola Jović, Ayo Dosunmu, Peyton Watson) have real value here, too. Before you dive in, double-check your lines—some of them shouldn’t be sitting in competitive leagues.
Okay, back to the topic. Here are the 50% and under plays that can help you win in Week 12.
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🎧 Who’s in my rotation: Shallow leagues
Aaron Nesmith – SF/PF, Indiana Pacers (27% played)
Nesmith needs to be supplemented as the Pacers will be without Benedict Maturin (thumb) for several weeks. On Sunday, he had his best all-around performance of the season, finishing with 25 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two blocks on 50% shooting.
Don’t expect That Plenty of assists every night; however, without Maturin, he will take on a larger offensive role in the short term. He’s a strong asset in nine games and scoring in Week 12 (and beyond) as the Pacers play all three of their games this week at their most comfortable.
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Jake LaRavia – SF/PF – Los Angeles Lakers (21% roster)
LaRavia is a must-have player until Austin Reeves is ready to return. He averaged 23.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 36 minutes per game in the Lakers’ past two games.
The Lakers will play three games in four nights from Tuesday through Friday, so there’s no chance LeBron James or Luka Doncic will get a day off. Either way, LaRavia could help fantasy managers in 9-cat or point leagues in Week 12.
Jay Huff – C, Indiana Pacers (17% of roster)
Huff may be out of the league due to inconsistent numbers, but when Isaiah Jackson was out with a concussion, I was streaming his blocks and 3-pointers. Huff’s scoring and rebounding contributions were sporadic. However, had he lasted longer than 20 minutes, he would have been in the top 100 in the 9-cat format.
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Indiana’s frontcourt injuries and schedule have made him a player who plays in fewer games. Huff has been a top-90 player for the past month.
De’Andre Hunter – small forward/power forward, Cleveland Cavaliers (20% roster)
Hunter is more of a live option in points league this week, with the Cavaliers playing on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Despite coming off the bench, Hunter’s usage rate remained at 21 percent, but his true shooting percentage actually improved.
That said, he’s playing less minutes as a backup, but in a week where every extra stat matters, give Hunter a look.
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Sandro Mamukelashvili – PF/C, Toronto Raptors (17% roster)
With Raptors starting center Jakob Poeltl sidelined with a back injury, “Mamu” is officially out of the deep flyer category. Mamu should be a target for anyone looking to play Monday as he is efficient and can make an impact whenever he is on the field.
Mamu played 32 minutes in Saturday’s win over Atlanta and had 13 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, one steal and three blocks. That’s the type of cap we’re seeing here, and in Week 12, you should select him for Monday’s game and let it take its course.
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🎧 Who’s in my rotation: Deeper leagues
Max Christie – SG/SF, Dallas Mavericks (13% played)
I love Christie’s Nine Cats and Points League. Last week, he cracked the top 50 in nine games, averaging 22/4/3 and shooting 66 percent from the field. He won’t stay that hot, but the playing time and opportunities are there.
Dallas plays Sacramento, Utah and Chicago on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, so keep an eye on Christie and other Mavericks players like Najee Marshall and Brandon Williams.
Kevin Huerter – SG/SF, Chicago Bulls (11%)
I’ve mentioned drafting Ayo Dosunmu from the Bulls before, with Huerter being my 1B with Josh Giddey and Coby White out. Huerter does a great job of filling some necessary gaps in rebounding and scoring.
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Through four games last week, Huerter ranked 77th in the 9-Cat League. His shooting percentages are hit and miss, but he can help you tally the stats. Regardless of the format, Huerter is an expensive option.
Clint Capela – C, Houston Rockets (4% of rostered players)
Look, Capela is definitely not a guy I want on my team in 2025, but here’s the thing: Next up. Alperen Sengün and Steven Adams are both dealing with ankle injuries. Stevens is available for Monday, but the Rockets still have a huge hole in the frontcourt. Houston has the option of playing small; however, Capela did make an impact in his 27 minutes on Saturday, proving he still has what it takes.
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He scored 8 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks. Even in a limited role, Capela is still a good rebounder and decent defender, making him an instant streaming value in a 9-cat or point league.
Sam Merrill – SG/SF, Cleveland Cavaliers (8% roster)
Merrill benefits from a good schedule (as discussed with De’Andre Hunter). However, fantasy managers need to understand that he is primarily a one-trick pony with the occasional steal.
If you pick Merrill, you go for his 3-point shooting. He hit five 3-pointers on Sunday, so he can certainly help fantasy managers gain an advantage in that area.
Other additions to consider:
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TJ McConnell – Point Guard, Indiana Pacers
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Per Larsson – SG/SF, Miami Heat
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Joc Landale – C, Memphis Grizzlies
