Risers and fallers: Michael Porter Jr., Derrick White among hottest players this week

Understanding which players are improving each week, or going in the other direction, is crucial for ensuring you’re setting the best lineups daily. Every Friday, we’ll review the league to identify players to acquire or trade.

Value is what matters, and we’re searching for any method to find it, regardless of whether you’re in a points or category-based league.

This week, we’re focusing on how several teams are managing without their top scorers, along with which players you should think about proposing trade offers for.

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Risers

Michael Porter Jr., SF/PF, Brooklyn Nets (96% rostered in ESPN leagues)

Porter has been a dominant fantasy player in Brooklyn this entire season and has been remarkably productive over the past fortnight, averaging nearly 29 points per game with a shooting percentage of 52% (90% from the charity stripe), sinking almost five 3-pointers each game, pulling down nearly nine rebounds, and recording 1.5 steals a game while logging 35 minutes per night. MPJ has a history of injuries, and the Nets currently stand at 11-23 for the season. This signals «trade him while he’s on a hot streak and healthy,» but ultimately, he’s the backbone of fantasy teams at the moment. Managers must hope he maintains his health and continues to play through the season’s conclusion while also wishing for a trade before the deadline.

Derrick White, PG/SG, Boston Celtics (96% rostered)

White has been outstanding over the past two weeks, netting 18.9 points per game along with 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.6 3-pointers. He’s currently experiencing some shooting troubles, connecting on only 39% from the floor, but his 93% free throw efficiency helps mitigate that. His value is bolstered by the 1.9 steals and 2.4 blocks he’s achieved during this time. If his shot starts connecting, watch out.

Ryan Rollins, PG/SG, Milwaukee Bucks (87% rostered)

Rollins is frequently outshined by teammate Kevin Porter Jr., but he’s proving to be more than capable, averaging 17.0 points, 3.3 3-pointers, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.6 steals while shooting 50% from the field and 78% from the line. There’s no reason he can’t maintain this performance, so managers can just relax and enjoy the journey.

Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Portland Trail Blazers (97% rostered)

Avdija is having an exciting season, thriving as Portland’s temporary point guard, accumulating 29.3 points, 2.4 3-pointers, 7.9 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game in his last eight outings. He’s shooting at 49% from the field and 77% from the line during that timeframe, and managers must hope that Jrue Holiday or Scoot Henderson are not back from injury too soon to hinder his progress. Fortunately, the Blazers are currently in the No. 9 seed in the West, making it likely they will continue to rely on Avdija in hopes of a playoff run as the season wraps up.

Kel’el Ware, C, Miami Heat (75% rostered)

Ware’s playing time is somewhat erratic and he competes for big-man stats with Bam Adebayo, but he is holding steady with averages of 12.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 1.3 3-pointers on 53% shooting across his last seven contests. He’s also hitting 83% from the free throw line, and it’s exciting to consider what he could achieve if he were to play 35 minutes each game.

Matas Buzelis, SF/PF, Chicago Bulls (60% rostered)

I received some backlash for selecting Buzelis early in my drafts, and he’s had a bit of a rollercoaster season due to inconsistent playing time. However, he has played a minimum of 30 minutes in four consecutive games and has averaged 21.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.8 blocks, and 2.8 3-pointers per game during that period. His shooting percentages are slightly lagging, as he has only hit 41% of shots and 74% from the line in those four games, but consistently logging 30 minutes per match is a significant advancement.

Bilal Coulibaly, SG/SF, Washington Wizards (15% rostered)

Coulibaly has been performing better recently, with averages of 13.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 1.0 3-pointers in his last eight games. He’s currently hitting only 43% of his attempts, yet his 81% free throw accuracy helps cushion that shortcoming. With Trae Young injured and CJ McCollum now in Atlanta, Coulibaly’s performance might even improve as the season winds down. Consider picking him up.

Fallers

Myles Turner, C, Milwaukee Bucks (83% rostered)

Turner has emerged as one of the season’s most significant disappointments, largely due to poor shooting. He shot 46% in November, dropped to 38% in December, and has begun 2026 on a rough note, connecting on just 36% in his initial three games. In the past two weeks, Turner has averaged only 12.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 2.3 3-pointers. He was drafted to score, rebound, hit 3-pointers, and block shots, but his performance has left much to be desired, with awful shooting negatively impacting fantasy teams. There’s no indication he’ll turn it around soon.

Ja Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies (93% rostered)

Morant is contending with a calf injury that has sidelined him for the past four games, and he has only played in 18 of Memphis’ 37 contests this year. He appeared to be in pain when he aggravated his calf issue on Jan. 2 and hasn’t returned since. In the four games he has participated in over the last fortnight, he averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 assists, and 1.3 steals, but only 0.8 3-pointers and 2.3 rebounds. His injuries have derailed yet another season for Morant, and once he regains his health and has a couple of good games, it might be wise to try trading him for whatever value you can get. Memphis is barely hanging onto the playoff picture as the No. 10 seed in the West.

Paul George, SF/PF, Philadelphia 76ers (75% rostered)

George was once among the league’s most feared scoring threats, but he has averaged merely 14.9 points on 41% shooting over his last seven outings. He’s connecting on 2.9 3-pointers each game during this stretch, yet he’s only contributing 5.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game as well. With the return of Kelly Oubre Jr, things will only become more difficult for George. He is now further down the scoring hierarchy behind Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe, while Quentin Grimes and Oubre will also compete for opportunities. Given the history of injuries, one might anticipate another setback for the often-injured forward after staying fairly healthy since his mid-November debut. Consider attempting to trade him after his next significant performance, should it occur.

Jalen Williams, SF/PF/C, Oklahoma City Thunder (98% rostered)

Williams didn’t begin his season until November 28 due to a wrist injury, and it feels as though he’s yet to find his rhythm. In the last two weeks, he’s averaging only 16.4 points with 0.4 3-pointers accompanying 5.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.1 blocks with 47% shooting. The scarcity of offensive output and 3-point attempts is worrying, and it seems Oklahoma City’s lineup is too stocked for Williams to establish a groove. He may find his footing as the season progresses, but with the Thunder riding high at 31-7, they have little motivation to integrate Williams more progressively. It seems he will conclude the season as a fantasy disappointment after being drafted in the top 20 in many leagues.

Mark Williams, C, Phoenix Suns (68% rostered)

Williams has been rather quiet for the Suns this season, averaging just 10.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks over his last seven games. We hoped to see an average of 15 points, 10 rebounds, and a couple of blocks, but he’s logging merely 22 minutes a night and the statistics have been underwhelming. He’s adequate, yet you might discover a better center alternative on your waiver wire, especially in eight-team leagues.

DeMar DeRozan, SF/PF, Sacramento Kings (96% rostered)

DeRozan’s tenure in Sacramento seems to be coming to an end as the trade deadline approaches (Feb. 5), and the addition of Russell Westbrook is not benefiting him. Over the past seven games, DeRozan has averaged just 15.6 points with 0.7 3-pointers on 43% shooting. Additionally, he’s contributing only 4.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, making him a less appealing player to roster. It’s uncertain what his role will entail if he is traded, and his low scores, inefficient shooting, and absence of a strong fantasy skill set are all diminishing his value. If he manages to deliver a standout game, consider trying to trade him while the opportunity exists.

Cam Spencer, PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies (21% rostered)

Spencer has produced some impressive performances this season, and as Morant remains sidelined due to his calf issue, things should improve for Spencer. However, the Grizzlies have not been using Spencer as frequently as earlier in the season, and he’s averaged only 11.3 points on 44% shooting recently. In his last seven games, he’s averaged 1.7 3-pointers, 3.4 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 0.9 steals, but his recent numbers have dipped due to his shooting slump. I still have faith in Spencer and would advise keeping him, particularly given Morant’s injury, but it will be intriguing to observe if the eventual return of Ty Jerome affects him further. Ultimately, I think Spencer is simply experiencing a temporary slump right now.