Is Nigel Hayes-Davis a Must-Buy? | Can Crvena Zvezda reach the playoffs? | Fantasy basketball podcast
This week’s EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast is built around one question that every manager is asking: To Hayes-Davis or not to Hayes-Davis? Nigel Hayes-Davis arrives with instant hype after a cup MVP performance and clear “only way is up” talk, but there’s also that classic fantasy fear: when something looks too perfect, it sometimes isn’t. The panel breaks down why the matchup vs Paris could be ideal (fast pace, lots of possessions, a chance to “feed him” and get him comfortable), while also acknowledging the long-term uncertainty on a roster that still has Kendrick Nunn and plenty of mouths to feed.
The episode also zooms out to the cup week effect: which teams might suffer a letdown after emotional title runs and heavy schedules, and which teams benefit from rest. Baskonia is flagged as a potential trap after beating Madrid and Barcelona, while Valencia comes in motivated after a painful cup exit. On the flip side, there’s real intrigue around teams that didn’t play cups and had time to reset — most notably Dubai, who are positioned as a “perfect storm” fantasy spot at home against ASVEL, especially when you factor in rest, preparation time, and the coaching value angle.
Injuries, as always, can flip the entire round. Sasha Vezenkov’s back issue is treated as a major risk at a premium price — the kind of situation that can destroy a fantasy week if he’s limited or exits early. If Vezenkov sits, the message is simple: hello, Alec Peters, because high minutes usually equal high production. Add Milutinov’s thumb problem into the mix, and suddenly, managers are forced to consider secondary bigs like Donta Hall or Tyreek Jones, depending on availability and rotations.
Finally, the show hits several key fantasy narratives: Monaco’s momentum swing led by Mike James (playmaking included) and a strong cup from Daniel Theis; the debate over Trent Forrest as a must-buy vs his history of mixing monster games with duds; and how Fenerbahçe may adjust in the frontcourt without Melli, likely leaning even more into guard-heavy creation. It’s a round full of traps, pivots, and upside-down — exactly the kind of week that rewards managers who stay disciplined and react faster than the field.
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