“Streaming” is a strategy to maximize a fantasy basketball team’s performance. It’s an art that requires constant research. The goal is to gain a competitive edge by strategically adding and dropping players from the waiver wire. Streaming can involve exploiting favorable matchups, filling specific stat categories, or compensating for injuries on your roster.
Successfully Streaming in Fantasy Basketball
Here are six ways streaming works:
- Identifying Weaknesses: Fantasy managers assess their team’s strengths and weaknesses, including categories such as points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, three-pointers made, and field goal percentage, among others. For Points league managers, weekly “weakness” could be your fantasy studs only playing two games.
- Monitoring Matchups: Keeping an eye on the NBA schedule to identify teams or players with favorable matchups for the upcoming week or specific days. For example, if your team needs more three-pointers, you might target players who are “on fire” from beyond the arc or facing teams with weak three-point defense.
- Adding/Dropping Players: Fantasy managers make temporary roster moves by adding players who should excel in the desired categories for a specific period. They often drop players who are not contributing significantly or have unfavorable matchups during that time. Points league managers, don’t be afraid to drop struggling players for over-performing players and ride the wave.
- Utilizing Daily or Weekly Transactions: Streaming is more common in daily transaction leagues, where you can change your roster daily. However, those who play in weekly leagues can still stream by planning and targeting players with favorable schedules.
- Maximizing Games Played: Managers aim to maximize the number of games their players participate in during a specific week. It involves streaming players with a busy schedule with multiple games in a short time frame. Points league managers, maximize the number of games played, especially if you don’t have a “Maximum Games Played” rule.
- Monitoring Player Performance: It’s essential to closely monitor the performance of streamed players and adjust your strategy accordingly. If a player exceeds expectations, you might consider keeping them on your roster beyond the initial streaming period. Be open to streamers sticking around for more than one game. They can either bolster your team or be a potential trade piece.
While you should use all six ways to determine a viable streamer, my favorite is utilizing daily transactions. In an NBA world where players are constantly taking games off, managers need the ability to add/drop on a dime. While there’s no Victor Wembanyama to tank for, teams won’t stop resting players to gain more ping-pong balls. If your league setting doesn’t allow daily transactions, fix that immediately.
For those stuck in a Weekly Transactions league, streaming requires intense research. The best way to plan for the week is to check who’s playing well and if they have favorable matchups.
There is no greater joy in life than hitting on a streamer. Streaming is a low-risk/high-reward proposition. Not only will you improve your chances of winning, but you could find a long-term piece for your team.
The last pick of your draft should either be a high-upside player or someone you can drop immediately to stream. A successful fantasy manager scours the waiver wire and adds/drops players religiously. If you don’t have enough room on your roster, consider making a 2-for-1 trade to open an extra roster spot. Never be satisfied with the player at the end of your bench, especially in a Points league where you want to ensure victory by playing more games than your opponent.
Streaming is a strategic approach that requires a solid understanding of player matchups, team schedules, and your team’s needs. It’s effective in gaining an edge in a category or Points leagues for managers aiming to outperform their opponents.