10 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Targets for Week 23
We're here once again to look at 10 of the most interesting players to emerge off fantasy basketball waiver wires over the past week.
As always, make sure you're checking out last week's edition (and the week before for good measure). We try not to repeat ourselves, but there are always some high-priority options to be found in previous iterations of this column who should still be on your radar if they're out there.
All rankings come courtesy of Basketball Monster.
Now, let's hit the wire.
Dwight Powell, PF/C, Dallas Mavericks
Yahoo Ownership: 60%
Dwight Powell joined the Dallas Mavericks' starting lineup 10 games ago, and he's been the 23rd-ranked player in nine-category leagues since then, if you can believe it.
Over that span, he's averaged 16.9 points, 1.3 three-pointers, 7.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 1.1 turnovers in 33.7 minutes per contest, while shooting a blistering 67.7% from the field and 75.0% from the free throw line.
He's somehow available in 40% of Yahoo leagues, despite having a clear path to early-round value from here on out. The Mavs go four times this week, so he should be your top add if you're in the fantasy playoffs and he's on your waiver wire.
Robin Lopez, C, Chicago Bulls
Yahoo Ownership: 45%
You would think that the Chicago Bulls would move off of their veterans this late in a rebuilding season, but Robin Lopez is still starting every game and consistently racking up over 30 minutes a night.
He's posting pretty solid fantasy returns with that opportunity as well. Over his last 20 games, he's been the 60th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 15.3 points, 0.1 threes, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.2 steals, 1.7 blocks, and 1.2 turnovers in 29.7 minutes per contest, while shooting 62.0% from the field and 78.3% from the line.
20 games is a pretty substantial sample size, so there's really no good reason for him to remain available in over half of the leagues on Yahoo. If you need a center, you could do a lot worse than RoLo.
Bam Adebayo, PF/C, Miami Heat
Yahoo Ownership: 45%
Bam Adebayo got on a bit of a roll while filling in for an injured Hassan Whiteside (hip) at the end of February, but the thought was that his value would crater once Whiteside returned to the lineup.
Not so much.
Bam has held down the starting center job for the Miami Heat for 10 consecutive games, including all seven since Whiteside's return. Over his last 11, Adebayo has been the 53rd-ranked player in nine-category leagues, with averages of 12.3 points, 0.0 triples, 7.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.1 blocks, and 1.5 turnovers in 26.0 minutes per contest, and a shooting split of 64.1% from the field and 77.8% from the line.
The two big men are still splitting the center minutes, but Bam is now getting the lion's share and posting mid-round value with the opportunity. He should be owned in all standard leagues at this point.
Jakob Poeltl, C, San Antonio Spurs
Yahoo Ownership: 25%
Jakob Poeltl has subtly been a fantasy dynamo since his insertion into the San Antonio Spurs' starting lineup seven games ago.
Over that span, he's been the 23rd-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 7.7 points, 0.0 threes, 7.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steal, 2.4 blocks, and a mere 0.4 turnovers in 26.5 minutes per contest, while shooting 71.4% from the field and 57.1% from the charity stripe.
He's not scoring very many points, and much of his value comes from his low turnover rate and high field goal percentage on minimal attempts, but it's hard to talk yourself out of those great defensive numbers. If you need help in that area, particularly blocks, Poeltl's your man.
Damyean Dotson, SG, New York Knicks
Yahoo Ownership: 35%
There hasn't been a single consistent fantasy asset on the New York Knicks in 2018-19, but there have been plenty of players who have put together solid stretches and been at least streamer-worthy.
The Knick who currently fits that bill is Damyean Dotson. Over his last four games, he's been the 42nd-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 22.5 points, 3.5 triples, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.0 blocks, and 2.0 turnovers in a whopping 38.4 minutes per contest, while shooting 47.3% from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line.
He has a consistent starting job, and the full complement of minutes that comes with that, but he could very well go back to being a borderline late-round asset like he usually is on a moment's notice. Feel free to add him now while he's hot, but temper your expectations.
Jalen Brunson, PG, Dallas Mavericks
Yahoo Ownership: 45%
Rookie Jalen Brunson is really hitting his stride as a starter for the Dallas Mavericks.
Over his last six contests, he's been the 31st-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 19.5 points, 2.0 threes, 3.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.0 blocks, and 2.0 turnovers in a healthy 33.9 minutes per contest, while shooting 57.9% from the field and a perfect 17-for-17 from the free throw line.
The former second-round pick has done an admirable job of filling the void left by Dennis Smith following the deadline deal that shipped him to New York. His current shooting split is far from sustainable, and the general lack of defensive numbers is a bummer, but the minutes, points, threes, and assists all look like they're here to stay. He's a great add for the Mavericks' upcoming four-game week if you're in need of a point guard.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG/SG, Los Angeles Clippers
Yahoo Ownership: 30%
Rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a consistent starter for the Los Angeles Clippers for most of the season, but his fantasy value has fluctuated throughout. He's on an upswing right now, however, ranking 68th in nine-category leagues over his last nine contests.
Over that span, he's averaged 13.8 points, 1.6 triples, 3.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 1.4 turnovers in 27.2 minutes per game, while shooting 54.5% from the field and 73.7% from the free throw line.
He might fall off again at a moment's notice, but while he's rolling like this, he's well worth an add in standard leagues.
Collin Sexton, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers
Yahoo Ownership: 55%
Collin Sexton has scored 23 and 28 points in each of his last five contests, and that's more than enough to justify picking him up in even the shallowest of leagues.
Over that five-game span, he's been the 35th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 26.4 points, 3.4 threes, 2.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.0 steals, 0.2 blocks, and 2.2 turnovers in 36.7 minutes per contest, while shooting 55.7% from the field and 89.5% from the charity stripe.
That shooting split is certainly unsustainable, and the complete lack of defensive stats is a gaping hole in Sexton's fantasy game, but people in need of a boost in points or threes should look past those shortcomings and ride the hot hand.
Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, New York Knicks
Yahoo Ownership: 25%
Dennis Smith has been sidelined the Knicks' last two games with a back issue, and Emmanuel Mudiay has stepped up in his absence.
Over his last three games, Mudiay has been the 51st-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 21.0 points, 2.7 three-pointers, 3.3 boards, 4.7 assists, 0.0 steals, 1.0 block, and 3.0 turnovers in 33.7 minutes per contest, while shooting 53.8% from the field and 92.9% from the line.
DSJ's eventual return will surely relegate Mudiay back into fantasy purgatory, but Mudiay is certainly worth riding until that day comes.
Alex Caruso, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
Yahoo Ownership: 5%
The Los Angeles Lakers are pretty well lottery-bound at this point -- they're 9.5 games back of a playoff spot with 12 games to go, and we give them a 0.0% chance of making it -- so they're trying to see what they've got in their young guys from here on out. One example of this is Alex Caruso, who has been getting more playing time recently.
Over his last three games, Caruso has been the 18th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 14.7 points, 1.3 triples, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.3 blocks, and 0.7 turnovers in 26.3 minutes per contest, while shooting 50.0% from the field and 84.2% from the free throw line.
Those defensive numbers are likely not sustainable, but it is worth mentioning that he's averaging 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per-36-minutes on the season as a whole, so he could still contribute plenty in those areas if the minutes stick. Deep-leaguers can take a flier on him and see where this goes.
