NBA Fantasy: Week 24 Start/Sit Guide

Fantasy NBA: Start/Sit Guide for Week 24 RotoWire targets the best players to start at each position heading into Week 24 of fantasy basketball.

Juan Carlos Blanco, RotoWire.com | March 30, 2026 6:20 PM

The Bulls’ Matas Buzelis is averaging 22.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.0 steals over the past 10 games.

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We’re entering championship week in many fantasy leagues, which makes a schedule that is top-heavy with four-game teams especially timely. We do have a pair of two-game teams to navigate – a trap that ensnares an elite fantasy producer in Nikola Jokić – but we have plenty of options to explore across all positions thanks to the deep player pool.

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, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards

TEAMS WITH THREE GAMES: Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings

TEAMS WITH TWO GAMES: Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers

Without further ado, let’s examine some tougher start/sit decisions for Week 24:

Guards START: Daniss Jenkins, Pistons (14% start rate)
Cade Cunningham remains without a firm timetable for return to action from a collapsed lung, which tees up Jenkins for a continuation of what has been a very productive starting tenure in his stead. The second-year guard is averaging 18.7 points (on 43.8% 3-point shooting), 7.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds over his last six games with the first unit. With Detroit still looking to hold off the Celtics for the No. 1 seed and four games on the docket, Jenkins is a very appealing play.

START: Naji Marshall, Mavericks (15% start rate)
The Mavericks are playing out the string on a non-playoff season, but Marshall’s emergence has been one of the bright spots. The veteran wing is averaging career highs in points (15.5), assists (3.3) and steals (1.1) while also shooting a career-best 51.6%. Marshall is heading into the final two weeks of the season running hot, averaging 20.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals per contest over his last eight games. He should continue playing a critical complementary role over Dallas’ four-game week.

SIT: Cade Cunningham, Pistons (61% start rate)
Cunningham remains sidelined due to his lung injury, and he’s not due for a reevaluation until late in the week. Detroit will have played three of its four games by that point, and it’s very likely the Pistons remain very cautious with the star point guard and potentially hold him out until the postseason. Consequently, keeping Cunningham on your bench is prudent despite the high stakes involved this week.

Forwards START: Kon Knueppel, Hornets (50% start rate)
Knueppel has already had a record-setting rookie season and has rewarded fantasy managers throughout the campaign. The Duke product has averaged 17.6 points (40.7% 3-point shooting), 5.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists across 30.4 minutes in his 14 March games. Charlotte is guaranteed a play-in spot but is still within striking distance of a higher seed, so Knueppel should remain busy and aggressive during the Hornets’ upcoming four-game week.

START: Matas Buzelis, Bulls (31% start rate)
Buzelis has enjoyed a breakout second season and is playing what is arguably the best basketball of his young career. The second-year forward has contributed 22.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.0 steals across 34.8 minutes per contest in the last 10 games. As that stat line corroborates, Buzelis is capable of contributing in every category, and Chicago’s tendencies to get into high-scoring battles ensure he’ll remain heavily involved.

SIT: Mikal Bridges, Knicks (52% start rate)
Bridges is healthy, but so are the rest of his star teammates and he has just three games this week. The veteran wing hasn’t exactly been churning out irreplaceable production, averaging 9.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists over the last 12 games. He deserves consideration for a seat on your bench if there are similarly talented three- or four-game options available.

Centers START: Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets (41% start rate)
Smith has become a rock-solid No. 3 option that has rewarded fantasy managers throughout the season with stellar multi-category production. Smith enters Houston’s four-game week having recorded back-to-back 20-plus-point outings and averaging 17.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest in his last 11 games. Feel confident in firing Smith in your lineup on a critical week.

START: Kyle Filipowski, Jazz (19% start rate)
Filipowski has been a prime beneficiary of the Jazz’s injury-hampered roster and is particularly thriving down the stretch. The second-year big has generated 25- and 26-point performances in his last two games. Over the last 11 games, he is averaging a well-rounded 15.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals. He’ll continue in a starting role during Utah’s upcoming four-game week.

SIT: Donovan Clingan, Trail Blazers (54% start rate)
Clingan has the ability to put up monster double-doubles. However, the Trail Blazers are saddled with a two-game schedule this week, and the big man’s scoring can fluctuate without warning. If you’re not in dire need of rebounds and/or blocks, consider a three- or four-game big man that may be capable of outpacing him with more opportunities.

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