Fantasy NBA Fantasy: Start/Sit Guide for Week 20
RotoWire targets the best players to start at each position heading into Week 20 of fantasy basketball.
Juan Carlos Blanco, RotoWire.com
March 2, 2026 4:12 PM
The Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. is averaging 14.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists across 28.1 minutes over the past 15 games. Play Yahoo Fantasy High Score Today!
We’re about even this coming week in terms of teams with four- and three-game schedules, with the former slightly outpacing the latter. With a barrage of noteworthy injuries across the league at this point of the season – and non-contending teams in no rush to push key players back onto the floor – we have plenty of candidates to work across all roster spots once again.
Each week, we’ll aim to highlight a pair of Start candidates at each position for your fantasy rosters who may shape up as some tougher calls of the week to make, focusing on players with a start or roster rate of 50% or less in Yahoo leagues. Likewise, we’ll spotlight one Sit candidate at each position who would normally not be a consideration for a spot on your bench, often focusing on players with fewer game opportunities during the coming week.
TEAMS WITH FOUR GAMES:
Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards
TEAMS WITH THREE GAMES:
Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors
TEAMS WITH TWO GAMES:
Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers
Without further ado, let’s examine some tougher start/sit decisions for Week 20:
Guards
Start: Brandon Williams, Mavericks (18% roster rate)
Cooper Flagg missed a seventh consecutive game Sunday, and his absence could very well extend to Tuesday’s contest at minimum. That means Williams could be set for an additional run of starts after averaging 16.0 points, 6.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds across his previous six games. With four games and a potential starting role in all, Williams is certainly in play.
Start: Ace Bailey, Jazz (34% roster rate)
Bailey put together an impressive February, averaging 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals across 32.7 minutes. The rookie is expected to play all four games this week without Lauri Markkanen, brightening his prospects even further.
Sit: Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers (100% roster rate)
Mitchell missed a third straight game Sunday due to a groin injury. At least one more DNP could well be in the cards, potentially leaving him with just one other opportunity this week (vs. Celtics). Even with his upside, Mitchell carries plenty of risk this week.
Forwards
Start: Jaime Jaquez Jr., Heat (39% roster rate)
Jaquez has averaged 14.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists over the last 15 games. He enters the Heat’s four-game week in position to potentially start due to Norman Powell’s groin injury. Even off the bench, he should see ample minutes and extra usage.
Start: Saddiq Bey, Pelicans (45% roster rate)
Bey could benefit from Zion Williamson’s ankle sprain. He posted 14 points, six rebounds and two assists in Zion’s absence Sunday, and averaged 22.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists over the previous 11 contests. He could capitalize on any further absences during NO’s four-game schedule.
ALSO CONSIDER: Tari Eason, Rockets (41% roster rate)
Sit: Pascal Siakam, Pacers (100% roster rate)
Siakam is dealing with a wrist issue that has already cost him three games. With Indiana’s season going nowhere, he likely won’t be rushed back. With just three games on the Pacers’ schedule, a healthy four-game option involves less uncertainty.
Centers
Start: Neemias Queta, Celtics (37% roster rate)
Queta wrapped up Week 19 with a career-best 27-point, 17-rebound double-double (plus 3 blocks). Even with Nikola Vučević on the roster, Queta has kept a clear hold of the starting job and could continue thriving on Boston’s full schedule.
Start: Kyle Filipowski, Jazz (38% roster rate)
Filipowski is in position to benefit from Markkanen’s absence, averaging 14.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.8 steals over his current five-game starting run. He’ll likely draw another four starts this week.
ALSO CONSIDER: Bobby Portis, Bucks (35% roster rate)
Sit: Kristaps Porziņģis, Warriors (90% roster rate)
Porziņģis is ruled out for a fifth straight game due to illness. Given his spotty availability this season, he could miss Golden State’s remaining two games this week, making him a straightforward Sit candidate.
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