The Final Word: NBA Supercoach week 2, trades, skippers, strategy


<p>The first week of NBA and SuperCoach is in the bag and how good was it!! </p>



<p>I can’t remember a better opening to the season with multiple overtime thrillers and all the big guns coming to play. </p>



<p>Giannis, Luka, SGA, Steph, Ant Man and KD were rolling while The Joker was a little down from a SuperCoach perspective.</p>



<p>We also had confirmation that aliens do indeed exist. What is there left to say about Wemby? We are watching something very very special! </p>



<p>Owned by 36.3% and captained by just 12.7% including yours truly, you cannot wait another week to bring him in. If you started with The Joker it’s an easy swap and splash the cash elsewhere.</p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="http://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2402783" srcset="https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1-640x360.jpg 640w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1-800x450.jpg 800w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 98vw, (max-width: 1199px) 64vw, 770px" /></figure>



<p>My two guns and midrange strategy had a mixed result. Wemby and Luka produced the monster scores for &#8216;The Closers&#8217; while Donovan Mitchell and my Super POD Austin Reaves repaid the faith. In devastating news for anyone who looped Luka, he is now out for at least a week.&nbsp;</p>



<p>My Boston Boys Pritchard and White didn’t set the world alight and one may need to go. My other Super POD Porzingis was ruled out of a back to back due to illness. </p>



<p>This after giving an interview two days earlier about how relieved he was to have overcome last season’s lingering mystery illness. Very frustrating. To add insult to injury, Brandon Miller went down with a shoulder injury.</p>



<p>I managed to snag all the relevant cheapies with Flagg, Harper and a phenomenal VJ Edgecombe leading the way.</p>



<p>My initial plan was a centre rotation policy based on schedule however it’s crystal clear three games per week for Wemby will be more than enough. His price may also be out of reach in a month.</p>



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Breaking: Luka Doncic is out for at least one week with a left finger sprain and lower left leg contusion, per <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShamsCharania</a>. <a href="https://t.co/GWwDrmR5IO">pic.twitter.com/GWwDrmR5IO</a></p>&mdash; ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1982528949209952263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Guns</strong></h2>



<p>I’ve spoken enough about Wemby. Just make it happen. The same goes for Luca. His revenge tour is in full swing, although it may need to wait a week with an injury concern.</p>



<p>If you own Giannis at PF he’s an obvious hold. If you don’t own you could get him now or wait until week 3 where the schedule opens up. SGA was probably looking at some modest scores before he was bailed out by two double OT’s. As someone who faded it was a tough watch. With the schedule and a negative breakeven he’s a buy if you don’t own.</p>



<p>Steph is gonna Steph and he is Stephing. Got it? Great schedule and a great buy if you can do it. Sengun flashed what he can do in the first game but came crashing back to earth in the 2nd. Tough schedule, not yet.</p>



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hopefully this is precautionary but this is why Andrew Nembhard isn’t finishing tonight’s game. Tough break for the Pacers. <a href="https://t.co/sGfJuDKTVY">pic.twitter.com/sGfJuDKTVY</a></p>&mdash; Kory Waldron (@FullAccessHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/FullAccessHoops/status/1981534306490048642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mid-range</strong></h2>



<p>In my midrange article last week I advised against taking Nembhard and pushed Mathurin as the better option. Easy to crow with the injury to the highly owned Nembhard however he was shooting poorly before his exit and Mathurin looked really good before going down with an injury of his own. It didn’t look too serious hopefully so if you own keep an eye on the injury report.</p>



<p>For many it was a choice between Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker or Jaylen Brown heading into week 1. Mitchell was the clear winner here and has a great schedule. The Suns are bad, really bad, and this has not translated into the production we were expecting from Booker. As I predicted last week, Brown’s usage hasn’t improved from last season so he has minimal value.</p>



<p>Lots of love for Utah’s Markkanen and Kessler after their 1st week. I warned against the Markkanen play but with a great break even and a good schedule, I’m reconsidering.</p>



<p>Chet Holmgren looks really good and is an obvious add with the schedule. Aaron Gordon is an interesting one. With a break even that matches his ridiculous shooting and 360 duck from the first two games, he’s a great cash grab this week.</p>



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">V.J. Edgecombe tonight:<br><br>15 Points<br>8 Assists <br>6 Rebounds <br>3 Steals<br>1 Block<br>40 Minutes <a href="https://t.co/SB7xUqawOg">pic.twitter.com/SB7xUqawOg</a></p>&mdash; Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1982268969001402799?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cheapies</strong></h2>



<p>If you dropped the ball on V. J. Edgecombe you need to right that wrong this week. Harper and Flagg should also be in your squads. The other interesting adds are Ajay Mitchell, Egor Demin and Cedric Coward. </p>



<p>It&#8217;s hard to know exact roles and minutes here with different reasons contributing. In terms of security, I think Egor’s role and minutes are locked but Cedric could be hard to pass up.</p>



<p>There will be someone out there with a team containing Nembhard, Kevin Porter Jr, Zaccharrie Risacher and Brandon Miller. Ouch, such is fantasy. But don’t fret, I have the perfect solution for you. Matas Buzelis or Kyshawn George. Both priced under 8mil and both set to make you good cash.</p>



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LaMelo Ball was a STANDOUT in Charlotte&#39;s win tonight:<br><br>🐝 38 PTS<br>🐝 13 AST<br>🐝 13 REB<br><br>He becomes the 1st player in <a href="https://twitter.com/hornets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hornets</a> franchise history to record a 35-point triple-double! <a href="https://t.co/LoblZmIMzW">pic.twitter.com/LoblZmIMzW</a></p>&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1982617665731793399?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>PODs</strong></h2>



<p><strong>Jimmy Butler GSW &#8211; 4.3% owned</strong></p>



<p>A happy Jimmy is a productive Jimmy and while the vibes are high in Golden State he’s an option with their great schedule.</p>



<p><strong>LaMelo Ball – 3.5% owned</strong></p>



<p>I spoke about needing to get this guy at the right time. That may be now. His last two games have been exceptional and he’s very fun to own.</p>



<p><strong>Jaren Jackson Jr MEM &#8211; 3.3% owned</strong></p>



<p>Looked good in week 1 coming off a limited pre season. The second option behind Ja with a good schedule.</p>



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AUSTIN REAVES TONIGHT:<br><br>51 POINTS<br>10 REBOUNDS <br>9 ASSISTS <br>12/22 FGM<br>6/10 3PM<br>21/22 FTM<br><br>CAREER-HIGH. 🔥🔥🔥🔥 <a href="https://t.co/8k7eF8KFvQ">pic.twitter.com/8k7eF8KFvQ</a></p>&mdash; Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1982653132275671366?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Super PODs</strong></h2>



<p><strong>Jonathan Kuminga &#8211; 2.9% owned</strong></p>



<p>A surprise starter after a disrupted training camp. Steve Kerr has a love/hate relationship with the athletic forward and now may be the time to jump on.</p>



<p><strong>Ja Morant &#8211; 2.3% owned</strong></p>



<p>The only concern here is the injury history. A risky upside play for those with the stomach for it.</p>



<p><strong>Austin Reeves &#8211; 1.7%</strong></p>



<p>Ridiculously low ownership for a guy who’s production is significantly increased without Lebron. Now with Luka out, he’s almost a must buy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Schedule</strong></h2>



<p><strong>Best (4 and 4 games over next 2 weeks)</strong></p>



<p>GSW, BOS, MEM, OKC, PHI</p>



<p><strong>Good (4 games this week)</strong></p>



<p>ATL, CHA, CHI, CLE, LAL, NOP, ORL, PHX, TOR, UTA II GSW, BOS, MEM, OKC, PHI</p>



<p><strong>Bad (2 games this week)</strong></p>



<p>LAC</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Trade &amp; Skipper Plans</strong></h2>



<p>With Luka going down I will need to assess which 2<sup>nd</sup> gun I bring in or do I cash in on a LaMello type? Decisions decisions</p>



<p>As mentioned earlier, with uncertainty surrounding the health of Porzingas once again, I’ll be moving him on for Chet Holmgren or Jaret Jackson Jr.</p>



<p>My 3rd trade will be a move to bring in Laurie Markkanen for Brandon Miller. Yep, last week I said don’t do it however things change quickly in SuperCoach and being Stubborn gets you nowhere.</p>



<p>Remember, stay patient.</p>


The Final Word: NBA Supercoach week 2, trades, skippers, strategy

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Mid-range analysis: Supercoach NBA, buy, monitor, avoid