Stephen Defries
NBA Fantasy expert, Supercoach veteran
Final Word | NBA Supercoach week 9, trades, skippers, strategy
Supercoach veteran Stephen Defries reveals his trades, captains and point of difference players to consider for Supercoach NBA week 9
NBA
December 22, 2025
After what felt like an eternity, a shortened week 8 of NBA SuperCoach finally arrived!
With 10 teams playing 3 games and the rest playing 2, it was a week where many chose to boost and try and make a move.
I held firm and am committed to not boosting before Rd 16.
As I’ve written previously, the back end of an NBA season throws up tanking, restings, shut-downs, and of course, injuries.
Having boosts over this period will be invaluable.
‘The Closers’ had a tough week with a failed captaincy decision of Sengun over Johnson and a POD trade in Bam Adebayo failing to fire.
A score of 691 moved us back 61 places to 665th overall.
50% of the top 10% of coaches were rewarded for captaining Jalen Johnson who produced 120 points.
This was tied first for the week with Kel’el Ware.
Coach Spo has been reluctant to start Bam and Ware together; however, this week he finally rolled the dice, and Ware reaped the benefits.
If he continues to start, he’s a potential trade-in, but use caution.
Ware is just as likely to be benched despite his great output.
His presence definitely hurt Bam’s scoring, which makes him a trade-out this week, unfortunately.
Popular purchase Sengun was disappointing, returning just 80 points for owners.
With 3 games in week 9, there are decisions to be made here.
Durant, Brunson, and Giddey rounded out the top 5 scoring players.
Well done to those who owned.
Crucially, there are no teams that had 3 games last week playing max games this week.
This should make for some great team diversity when it comes to trades.
GUN’s
I’m starting with Wemby.
In a total of 60 minutes across 3 games, he produced 87 Super Coach points. Absurd.
With his minutes ramping up as he returns from injury, grabbing him early before he goes into back-to-back 4-game weeks could be the play.
The Joker was a little quieter than his usual god like standards.
With 6 weeks of 4 games coming up, that’s our captaincy locked up for the foreseeable future.
Although Jalen Johnson only has 3 games this week, there is no way you should be trading out, as he also rolls into back-to-back 4-game weeks.
OKC rolls into 3 weeks of 4 games, making SGA a must-own.
There you go, I finally said it. Welcome to The Closers.
Luka is coming into a bunch of 3-game weeks and was injured last game out.
If you held, keep an eye on injury reports, but I think he’s probably a trade-out.
Midrange
Donovan Mitchell is heading toward gun territory.
Averaging 30 points a game and desperate for wins, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some big scores this week.
If you don’t own Deni Avdija, then you will want him for the next 2 weeks.
Often playing the point on a team that doesn’t have one, he’s a potential triple-double threat each night.
Usually a slow starter, Jamal Murray has had a brilliant start to the season and could be a sneaky trade in this week.
Plays 4 games p/w over the next 6 weeks.
Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, Trey Murphy, and Zion Williamson are also on the radar this week with great schedules.
Cheapies
Kevin Porter Jnr continues to be the gift that keeps on giving.
He’s set for another huge breakeven this week and is still a solid buy for cash generation.
News that Domantas Sabonis will miss a further 4-6 weeks means cheapie Maxime Raynaud has job security in the starting lineup.
Buy.
Bones Hyland is a potential bottom-dollar option.
PODs
Pascal Siakam IND – 5.2% owned
A shining light on a depleted Indiana team, Siakam is playing hard every night and putting up 25 SuperCoach points a night.
I don’t mind it.
Jamal Murray DEN – 4.4% owned
As mentioned above, Murray has started the season hot, especially from 3.
Capable of exploding for 40 points any night, whilst giving you a floor of 30.
I’m very tempted.
Super PODs
Trey Murphy III NOP – 1.9% owned
The Pelicans are starting to actually look decent. Trey Murphy has been on my radar all season. Averaging 30 in his last 3 games I think there is plenty of upside here.
Jaren Jackson Jr MEM – 0% owned
That’s right.
Nobody in the top 10% owns Jackson.
He looks like he’s finally getting used to coach Lisalo’s bizarre rotation policy.
I don’t think I can trust it, but one for the risk takers.
Schedule
Best (4 and 4 games over next 2 weeks)
CLE, DEN, IND, NOP, OKC, ORL, POR
Good (4 games this week)
DAL, DET, MEM, UTA
Bad (2 games this week)
BKN, LAC
Trade & Skipper Plans
At this stage, SGA and Trey Murphy are coming in for Bam and Barnes.
Final trade will likely be Donovan Mitchell in.
Captain Joker forever!
Good luck all and remember, stay patient!
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