26/27 Oct. 25 Box Score Analysis (7 Games)

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Austin Reaves: Obviously, Luka was the story in this game, but Reaves managers should be thrilled as well. Reaves scoring 29 on a night Luka went nuclear is an excellent sign. Doncic is limiting his backcourt partner, but Reaves is doing so much in the non-Luka minutes that it doesn’t matter. With Doncic on the floor, Reaves is producing 24.0 PP36 and 4.8 AP36 and is sporting a usage rate of 19.7 percent. When Luka sits, Reaves’ production jumps to a ridiculous 29.2 PP36 and 10.1 AP36 and his usage rate spikes to 37.2 percent. All of those numbers can be found using EFB’s On/Off Tool. The first round is in play this year, in both points and category leagues. The only guards that are locks to be more productive than Reaves in category leagues on a per-minute basis are Luka, SGA, and Maxey. Only Luka, SGA, and Cade will be notably more valuable in points leagues.

Ziaire Williams (Pick Up in 16+ team leagues): This was the second game in a row in which Williams hit the 30-minute mark. As long as Doncic and Reaves are healthy, Williams’ upside will be limited. However, if the minutes stick, he should do enough in points, threes, and steals to be a solid 16-team league option. Over his first three games, Williams has averaged 11.3 PPG on 52.2 FG%, 1.7 3PG, 3.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, and 1.3 SPG.

Matisse Thybulle (Pick Up in 16+ team leagues): Thybulle’s role has been very consistent so far. He’s started and played at least 23 minutes in all three of the Lakers’ games. As long as he is in his current role, he will be a must-roster in 16-team leagues, and an elite defensive categories streamer in shallower settings. In punt points setups, he’s fine to roster in shallower leagues as well. Through three games, Thybulle has given us 9.0 PPG on 50.0 FG%, 2.3 3PG, 2.0 SPG, and 1.0 BPG. In points leagues, where steals are less valuable, he has no value.

Quentin Grimes (Drop): Grimes can be dropped in both 12- and 14-team leagues. In 16-team leagues, it’s fine to give him a couple more games, but he could end up useless there as well. He’s not playing as much as he was expected to, and his usage rate has been nonexistent. Over his first three appearances of the season, the Laker has averaged just 8.7 PPG on 53.3 FG%, 1.0 3PG, 3.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, and 0.7 SPG. Grimes needs an injury to one of the top two to have any shot at being useful in shallower settings.

Collin Sexton: Sexton looks like he’s going to be stuck in a 20 MPG role. Like Grimes, he should be viewed as a so-so points and threes streamer, even in deep leagues. He will be worth a flier if one of the top two goes down.

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