As your courtside correspondent, I’m thrilled to report on an unprecedented development that’s sending shockwaves through the fantasy basketball community. Jalen “J-Dub” Williams has achieved something we haven’t seen since the days of LeBron James and Boris Diaw—earning eligibility across four different positions.
The Four-Position Phenomenon
Fantasy managers now have unprecedented lineup flexibility as they can slot the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rising star into SG, SF, PF, and C positions. This isn’t just a technical quirk—the numbers back it up. Williams has logged an impressive 179 possessions at center, outpacing his combined 176 possessions at shooting guard and small forward.
The Thunder’s bold experiment is paying off. Since Williams took over as starting center, they’ve posted a strong 3-1 record. His versatility is not only evident in the win column, but he consistently produces outstanding numbers across all categories:
- 20.8 points per game
- 6.4 rebounds
- 5.0 assists
- 51.3% field goal percentage.
- 40.3% from a three-point range.
- 2.0 steals
- 1.0 blocks
Stars On The Comeback Trail
While Williams is making history, several key players are working their way back to action:
Kristaps Porziņģis brings positive news for Celtics fans. The big man is progressing well from his ankle surgery and eyes a return in mid-to-late December. Even with limited minutes initially, his return will boost fantasy teams that took the draft-night gamble on him.
Dejounte Murray took a significant step forward Monday, returning to practice with the Pelicans. While he’s not yet cleared for contact, seeing him back on the court taking shots marks real progress in his recovery plan. The initial 4- to 6-week timeline puts him on track for an early December return.
Tyrese Maxey’s return couldn’t come soon enough for the struggling Sixers, who’ve gone 1-5 without their dynamic guard. The team’s offensive struggles have been evident as Joel Embiid and Paul George work to find their rhythm. Expect Maxey’s return this week, so fantasy managers should prepare to activate him.
Schedule Shake-Ups Ahead
Due to the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup tournament, fantasy managers need to prepare for an unusual schedule in Weeks 7 and 8.
Week 7 (Dec. 2-15) features:
- 15 teams are playing six games.
- 10 teams with five games
- 5 teams playing four games
Week 8 (Dec. 19-22) is marked by a dramatic shift:
- Most teams play only two games.
- Only the Kings and Pelicans will receive three games.
The schedule gap from December 16-18 accounts for the Emirates Cup Championship preparations and the event itself, making this a crucial period for fantasy managers to plan ahead.
Looking Forward
This season continues to challenge conventional fantasy basketball wisdom. Williams’ unprecedented position flexibility sets a new standard for versatility, while the returning stars could shift the competitive balance just as we head into the critical holiday period. Just like J-Dub himself, smart managers will remain flexible, adapting to these changes while closely monitoring the unusual schedule ahead.
Remember, in fantasy basketball, like on the court, the ability to adjust is often the difference between victory and defeat. Keep watching this space for more updates as we track these developing stories.
Table of Contents