Welcome to Week 18 – where everything we’ve been preparing for comes into focus. The All-Star Break is behind us and the second half of the season is officially underway. This is the moment where knowledge meets execution. Where all the tools, strategies and insights you’ve gained are put to the test.

From this point forward, it’s not just about acquiring players, it’s about acquiring the right players at the right time for the right matchups. The window for simply stockpiling talent is closing. Now, it’s about maximizing your roster construction, understanding schedule advantages and making moves that put you in the best possible position to win.

The NBA has been chaos – rosters shifting, trades shaking the foundation of teams and unexpected stars emerging from nowhere. Right now, the league is wide open. Outside of the Wizards, every team in the Eastern Conference still has a shot at the playoffs. The fourth through 10th seeds are in a constant state of flux, with each night shifting the standings. The Pistons, sitting in sixth, are proof that the unexpected isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable.

Even the top teams – Cavaliers, Celtics, Thunder, Nuggets – aren’t guaranteed anything. One key injury, one hot streak, one moment can change everything.

Check out the latest fantasy basketball expert consensus rankings

Fantasy Basketball Category Analysis & Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 18)

No Fear. All Embrace.

Here’s the best part: We don’t fear change – we embrace it.

Whether we know or simply understand, one thing is clear: We will continue to learn, grow, and thrive.

This week, we pivot our focus. It’s no longer just about who is available, it’s about why and when to target them. Matchup context, multi-week schedules and strategic roster management will be the difference between finishing strong and falling short.

And yes, getting cute might be the best play.

This article is built to prepare you, challenge you and sharpen your approach as we head toward the finish line. Consider it your guide through the storm. Because when we return next week, we’re taking things to an entirely new level.

Thank You, From FantasyPros

To everyone who has been part of this journey – thank you.

For your engagement, passion, trust in the process and commitment to elevating your game. We appreciate you.

A huge shoutout to the FantasyPros team for their dedication and drive to push the limits. We’re locked in and ready to take this to the next level.

And to the FantasyPros community – this is for you. Your energy, feedback and support fuel the game. We’re honored to be part of your fantasy journey.

Welcome to the endgame.

Post-Trade Deadline Things to Consider

With the All-Star break concluded, we are gearing up for the second half of the season. With all of the competition brewing, it would be best to assume this is the start of the new season and no one is safe, including you, in your league.

Bold moves and sharp strategies are the name of the endgame. Consider these elements as you navigate it as they can help you remain a contender or become one:

• Target talent-rich teams in transition.
• Experimentation is a good thing; think differently.
• Revisit rookies poised for impact.
• Look for role players who will become main players.
• Adopt a weekly “0-0” record mindset.

What’s on the Horizon: Building Towards Week 18 and Beyond

As we approach Week 18, let’s take a moment to set the stage for what’s ahead.

Post-All-Star Adjustments: Sharpening the Strategy

After the All-Star break, we’ll level up with a new approach article, look, feel and recommendations:

• Matchup summaries and grades
• Strategic player acquisition frameworks
• Less talk and more show

New Next Week: Time to Say Goodbye… Growing Up

It’s time to look forward to the endgame. With that, we will adopt a new approach that builds on what we have worked up to this first half of the season. We are going to do a lot more showing, a lot less telling and a lot more of you calling your shots.

As we prepare and move toward the second half of the season, we will implement new terms and frameworks to support your continued success as a fantasy basketball player. This is taken from the article Fantasy Basketball Draft Advice: 8 Must-Have Players to Draft (2024). One such framework is the roster build frame code (BFC).

Articles to revisit for preparation (familiarity with possible terms/format of upcoming articles):

• Fantasy Basketball Draft Advice: 8 Must-Have Players to Draft (2024)
• Fantasy Basketball Draft Strategy & Advice: 8 Bounce-Back Players (2024)
• Fantasy Basketball Draft Strategy & Advice: Rookies (2024)

Fantasy Basketball Category & Waiver Wire Analysis

We will focus our attention more on matchup contexts, multi-week schedules and thoughtful player and roster management to give you an edge. It’s almost time when getting cute could be the best thing.

Fantasy Format

Scoring Type:

Head-to-Head (Most Categories)

Player Stat Categories:

• Points Scored (PTS)
• Total Rebounds (REB)
• Assists (AST)
• Steals (ST)
• Block Shots (BLK)
• 3-Point Shots Made (3PTM)
• Field Goal Percentage (FG%)
• Free Throw Percentage (FT%)

Roster Positions:

• Point Guard (PG)
• Shooting Guard (SG)
• Guard (G)
• Small Forward (SF)
• Power Forward (PF)
• Center (C) x 2
• Utility (UTIL) x 2
• Bench (BN) x 2
• Injured List (IL) x 3

Data Sources

• NBA Player Stats: NBA.com (2024-2025) – Stats taken on Sunday, February 16th, 2025 (Data subject to change.)
• Yahoo! Sports – Player List
• NBA G-League Site

Note:

• “On The Radar” considerations are replaced with the “Acquire…?” and Additional Considerations are in this article
• The Last Five Games Stats is generated based on a 25-minute+ requirement by players but can fluctuate depending on the last five games’ contexts and results to ensure reliable and valid numbers

Points

Max Christie (SG, SF – DAL): 42% Rostered | 9.5 Points Per Game – Rank: 194th

Acquisition Details

• League Level: Shallow
• Acquisition Type: Stream – Hold (Sth)
• Priority: Medium-High
• Stream/Hold Period: 3-4 Weeks

Category Build

• Primary: Points
• Secondary: Three-Pointers Made, Rebounds
• Auxiliary: Steals
• Category Class: Singular-Realist
• Roster Class: Specialist (Sp)

Week 18 Opponent Overview

• Total Games: 2
• Opponents: NOP, @GSW

Stats Last Five Games (Per Game*) | Avg. OPP PTS Rank: 10.2

*Minimum 25 minutes per game unless otherwise noted

• 35.2 minutes
• 17.8 points
• 4.4 rebounds
• 3.6 assists
• 1.2 steals
• 0.8 blocks
• 2.2 three-pointers made on 5.8 attempts
• 3.6 free throws made on 4.2 attempts
• 43.0% field-goal rate
• 37.9% three-point rate
• 85.7% free throw rate

Taking His Talent to the Next Level

The third-year talent out of East Lansing took his talents to the next level, entering his “junior” year with the Lakers. As a reward, Max Christie has taken his talents to Dallas, where he is quickly becoming another promising star in the making.

After entering the league after his single year as a Spartan, Christie demonstrated promise by having a solid season in the NBA G League as a member of the South Bay Lakers. He averaged 29.1 minutes, 14.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 41.6% from the floor, 29% from three and 71.4% from the line.

More than a Single-Year Stint of Success

Since his single-year stint, he has demonstrated positive growth across all statistical categories and has managed to bring things full circle heading into the back half of the season after getting traded to the Mavericks.

In the six games he has played with his new squad, Christie has averaged 34.5 minutes, 17.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the floor, 45.5% from three and 82.6% from the free-throw line.

Looking at Layers of Promise

Looking at additional layers, we see further elements that make Christie even more attractive as a long-term investment for our roster construction. He owns a +/- of +5.3, a player impact estimate (PIE)of 11.3 and a usage rate of 19.8%.

These stats take on new life, especially when you consider that the team is just newly formed and looking to get things right for their endgame run and are looking to navigate the outside pressures of moving on from Luka Doncic. They are now managing that path with several key injuries to frontcourt mates Daniel Gafford and Anthony Davis.

Trend of Growth

From his promising trend of growth in his cross-categorical stats to his ability to not only meet but surpass the production he hit in his single season in the NBA G League, Christie has demonstrated enough to warrant serious consideration for rosters as a key piece for bolstering points, with the potential to impact more.

Additional Considerations

• Brandon Boston Jr. (SG, SF – NOP): 3% Rostered | 10.7 PPG

Assists

Damion Baugh (SG – CHA): 1% Rostered | 3.0 Assists Per Game – Rank: 118th

Acquisition Details

• League Level: Shallow
• Acquisition Type: Stream (St)
• Priority: Low-Medium
• Stream/Hold Period: 1-2 Weeks (Week-to-Week)

Category Build

• Primary: Assists
• Secondary: Steals, Assists
• Auxiliary: Rebounds, Field-Goal Percentage
• Category Class: Singular-Realist
• Roster Class: Specialist-generalist (Spg)

Week 18 Opponent Overview

• Total Games: 3
• Opponents: @LA, @DEN, @POR

Stats Last Five Games (Per Game*) | Avg. OPP AST Rank: 2.0

*Single Game Played

• 27 minutes
• 16 points
• 5.0 rebounds
• 3.0 assists
• 1.0 steals
• 2.0 three-pointers made on 4.0 attempts per game
• 4.0 free throws made on 4.0 attempts per game
• 62.5% field-goal rate
• 50% three-point rate
• 100% free-throw rate

Constant Themes and New Talent Leagues

A constant theme this season, in addition to the harsh reality of the health-demic, is the overabundant sighting of new talent on the league’s horizon.

We have experienced first-hand single-game promise from young talent and new talent coming into their own or arriving in the league this season. Between coaching decisions, too pragmatic of a pragmatic playing opportunity or injuries, their ascension has been left in limbo as we have to suffer through the consistently inconsistent development path and talent deployment in today’s league.

The likes of Donovan Clingan of Portland, Daeqwon Plowden of Atlanta and Brandon Boston Jr. of New Orleans are prime examples of these occurrences.

First Opportunity Magic

The latest in this trend of exciting potential things to come is Damion Baugh, who was extended his first opportunity to get on the floor this past Wednesday against one of the growing and most competitive teams in the league in the Magic.

Playing 27 minutes in a game that, until the third quarter, remained pretty competitive, Baugh put up solid marks (see above stat line in last five games section).

Super Unclaimed Talent

The undrafted talent out of TCU in 2023 found his way to the league as a “G,” joining the South Bay Lakers in 2023-2024 and then the Westchester Knicks this season. In his two seasons participating in the developmental league, he averaged 32.6 minutes, 13.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 0.4 blocks, 1.2 three-pointers made and 1.2 free-throws made per game while shooting 45% from the floor, 30.3% from three and 81% from the line.

Considering he had similar marks during his time as a Superfrog, as a “G” and now as a professional, he becomes an intriguing asset to consider. This is especially true with the on-court and off-court presence of LaMelo Ball and the changing landscape of the Hornets’ backcourt through player trades, injuries and inconsistent play.

Multi-Categorical Anchor

Baugh’s ability to facilitate, crash the boards and play defense could be the anchoring the team needs to start seriously considering its rebuilding direction and how it views the management of its current assets and acquisition of new ones.

While he will undoubtedly need to take advantage of his opportunities, especially in what will certainly be a more competitive second half of the season, his talent is there.

The Interference of Big Three Things

The three big things that can interfere with his ability to successfully be sighted amongst the new talent on the league’s horizon are the harsh realities of coaching decisions, too pragmatic of a playing opportunity and injuries. He is worth taking a chance on if you are looking for a wild card multi-categorical asset in competitive deep-league play.

Additional Considerations

• Ben Simmons (PF, C – LAC): 27% Rostered | 6.9 APG
• Carlton Carrington (PG, SG – WAS): 20% Rostered | 4.0 APG
• Jose Alvarado (PG – NOP): 28% Rostered | 4.4 APG

Rebounds

Karlo Matkovic (PF, C – NOP): 9% Rostered | 3.6 Rebounds Per Game – Rank: 217th

Acquisition Details

• League Level: Deep
• Acquisition Type: Stream (St)
• Priority: Medium
• Stream/Hold Period: 2-3 Weeks (Week-to-Week)

Category Build

• Primary: Rebounds
• Secondary: Blocks, Field-Goal Percentage
• Auxiliary: Points
• Category Class: Singular-Realist
• Roster Class: Specialist (Sp)

Week 18 Opponent Overview

• Total Games: 2
• Opponents: @DAL, SAS

Stats Last 5 Games Averages (Per Game*) | Avg. OPP REB Rank: 10.7

*Only four games of 25+ minutes

• 29 minutes
• 9.0 points
• 8.5 rebounds
• 2.3 assists
• 0.8 steals
• 2.3 blocks
• 2.0 free throws made on 2.0 attempts per game
• 35.9% field-goal rate
• 36.4% three-point rate
• 100% free throw rate

Frustrating Surprise

Karlo Matkovic has the potential to be a pleasant surprise and another point of frustration as the Pelicans once again produce another solid player out of their seemingly bottomless pit of player potential.

With the team once again suffering another round of injuries that further complicate their plans for the remainder of this season, the team is once again showing just how resilient and primetime they can be. The 6-foot-10 versatile big out of Croatia now has his chance to demonstrate just how talented he is beyond the spot starts he has taken advantage of throughout this season.

Rich Bridge of Production

Matkovic had a rich career in basketball internationally and has done all of the things necessary to successfully bridge the gap between his international experience and the NBA. 

In 2017, he participated in the Jordan Brand Classic camp. Later in 2018, he participated in Basketball Without Borders. From 2018-2024, he established a productive professional career internationally, averaging 20.9 minutes, 11 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 63.9% from the floor.

He solidified that his bridge was successfully constructed after being drafted 52nd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Pelicans by participating in the NBA G League as part of the Birmingham Squadron. In the 11 games he played, nine of which he started, Baugh averaged 31.1 minutes, 17.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.9 blocks while shooting 62.1% from the floor.

Profiled Talent vs. the Big Three Themes

The arrival of Kelly Olynyk and the rising, albeit shaky rise of promising rookie Yves Missi, may seemingly threaten the reliability of his position in the rotation.

However, Matkovic’s ability to play multiple positions in the frontcourt — in light of injuries to the likes of Herbert Jones and the transition of Trey Murphy into more of a backcourt asset of the future — means he has the profile, talent and maturity that could make him a viable option for the Pelicans to build around as they move forward in shaping their franchise.

Again, the big three themes could threaten his potential, but he could be worth the investment.

Additional Considerations

• Alex Sarr (PF, C – WAS): 45% Rostered | 6.6 RPG
• Alex Len (C – LAL): 3% Rostered | 2.7 RPG

Blocks

Donovan Clingan (C – POR): 36% Rostered | 1.6 Blocks Per Game – Rank: 15th

Acquisition Details

• League Level: Shallow
• Acquisition Type: Stream – Hold (Sth)
• Priority: High-Low
• Hold Period: 3-4 Weeks

Category Build

• Primary: Blocks
• Secondary: Rebounds, FG%
• Auxiliary: Points
• Category Class: Singular-Realist
• Roster Class: Specialist-generalist (Spg)

Week 18 Opponent Overview

• Total Games: 2
• Opponents: LAL, CHA

Stats Last Five Games (Per Game*) | Avg. OPP BLK Rank: 19.8

*Last five games with 20+ minutes played

• 25 minutes
• 12.2 points
• 12.4 rebounds
• 1.2 assists
• 0.6 steals
• 1.8 blocks
• 0.4 three-pointers made on 0.6 attempts per game
• 2.2 free throws made on 2.8 attempts per game
• 68.5% field-goal rate
• 66.7% three-point rate
• 78.6% free-throw rate

It Doesn’t Matter, but We’re Going To Look Anyways

It doesn’t matter how we got here, what matters is that we are here. However, along the same lines, we are going to look anyway.

In Summer, Far Far Ago

• We are introduced to Calm Clingan.

You Had Me at Hello

• I saw you and put you on my radar.

It Got Serious, You Were Out of This World

• I saw you could be cut from the same cloth as another out-of-this-world talent.

You Blocked the Doubts and Rebounded the Favor

• Last week, you challenged and blocked the doubters. This week, you rebound the favor.

Navigating the Cross Roads

• You choose and successfully walk the paths made available to you.

You Remain the Example to Look Out for in the Trade Season

• You are on the radar and an example of rookies poised to make an impact.

The Birth of Dangerous Don

• You start to show you can do it all and that you can become “dangerous.”

My first Ride-and-Thrive

• “Swatson” Watson was phenomenal, but “Calm” Clingan was the first ride-and-thrive.

Here Now

• You made it.

Happy? Yes. Nothing But the Best? Yes. But. It’s Time!

I am happy I could organically navigate the season with this talent and acquire Donovan Clingan right when the health-demic came in.

While I wish nothing but the best for De’Andre Ayton and Robert Williams, their trade value moving forward would benefit from them showing they can stay healthy for long periods as they have both successfully demonstrated they can play.

It is time for the Trail Blazers to start looking forward and allowing Clingan to compete, especially now, if they hope to take advantage of the massive momentum they can create and ride should the team finally move and deploy the assets it currently has and could receive to bolster and advance its already promising front and backcourts.

Tale of Two Seasons and Future Franchise

This season is going to be a tale of two: The competition is going to be stiffer than ever and the Trail Blazers are in a solid position to be competitive and push for a postseason berth, seeing that they are seemingly doing too well to capture any benefit from executing a pure tank approach.

Tighten’ Up and Stop Playin’

If they tighten’ up their assets and streamline their rotations, leveraging both starting and secondary assets, like priority strategies, and are not complementary, they could be a team you hate to see coming your way as you fight for a play-in spot.

Stop playin’ with this man. The only thing that could stand in Clingan’s way is, yep, the health-demic. If that is the case, we are going to see just how far the rabbit hole goes, as the team has several more promising bigs, Jabari Walker and Duop Reath, who can also get the job done.

Additional Considerations

• Alex Sarr (PF, C – WAS): 45% Rostered | 6.6 BPG
• Karlo Matkovic (PF, C – NOP): 9% Rostered | 1.2 BPG

Steals

Kevin Porter Jr. (PG – MIL): 3% Rostered | 1.0 Steals Per Game – Rank: 124th

Acquisition Details

• League Level: Deep-Shallow
• Acquisition Type: Stream-hold (Sth)
• Priority: Medium
• Hold Period: 2-4 Weeks

Category Build

• Primary: Steals
• Secondary: Points, Rebounds
• Auxiliary: Assists, Field-Goal Percentage
• Category Class: Synergy-Realist
• Roster Class: Specialist-generalist (Spg)

Week 18 Opponent Overview

• Total Games: 3
• Opponents: LAC, @WAS, MIA

Stats Last Five Games (Per Game) | Avg. OPP BLK Rank: 16.2

• 30.8 minutes
• 15.4 points
• 5.2 rebounds
• 5.4 assists
• 1.6 steals
• 0.4 blocks
• 1.2 three-pointers made on 3.8 attempts per game
• 50.3% field-goal rate
• 31.6% three-point rate

Privilege Potential Not Promised

Privileged potential is not promised. I won’t lie; this one is close to my heart. Kevin Porter Jr. and I entered the “game” in 2019. He was in the league and I was in FantasyPros-filled with potential. Porter was one of the first players I recapped when I began writing. I began to develop my eye for seeing potential beyond numbers. Or what we like to say, numbers don’t lie but don’t always tell the whole story.

For the sake of brevity, I’ll say this: With great power comes great responsibility. While we can safely deduce from his stats that this quote relates to that aspect of Porter’s gifts, what’s further important is the responsibility that comes with life. One of my earliest recaps about him during his time with Cleveland tells, unfortunately, more about his story that seems to be following him even until recently with his last experience with the Clippers.

So Damn Talented

Porter is so damn talented that his talent keeps him in the league and outshines the character development opportunities that exist for him. His production is scary, especially considering he has been on four different teams over four years and entered the year during the bubble games in 2020. In his career since then, he has averaged 28.2 minutes, 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 43% from the floor and 34.8% from three.

Health-Demic!? He Beat a Pandemic

Not even the pandemic stopped Porter from making his mark. He holds the keys to achieving whatever he wants. Whether that’s on the court or elsewhere, he has the power of choice. I pray he continues to choose, so he can experience something different… not for the sake of our fantasy team or even the league but in life. It will be a road only he can travel, but prayerfully, he can figure it out.

Not Promised Potential is a Privilege

In terms of basketball, you need to pick him up. This Milwaukee team is starving for explosiveness and that next level to take their production over the top and outpace mentally sound teams like the Celtics and Nuggets. If Porter can lock in, maybe get Damian Lillard to be an example to him and show him what’s up, this team can run the table. But this isn’t a promise because potential is a privilege.

Additional Considerations

• Ben Simmons (PG, C – LAC): 27% Rostered | 0.9 SPG
• Caris LeVert (SG, SF – ATL): 27% Rostered | 0.9 SPG
• Markell Fultz (PG, SG – SAC): 3% Rostered | 1.0 SPG
• Marcus Smart (PG, SG – WAS): 12% Rostered | 1.2 SPG

Three-Pointers Made

Malik Beasley (SG, SF – DET): 41% Rostered | 3.9 3PTM Per Game – Rank: 4th

Acquisition Details

• League Level: Shallow
• Acquisition Type: Hold
• Priority: High
• Hold Period: 3-4 Weeks

Category Build

• Primary: Three-Pointers Made
• Secondary: Points
• Auxiliary: Steals, Rebounds
• Category Class: Singular-Realist
• Roster Class: Specialist (Sp)

Week 18 Opponent Overview

• Total Games: 2
• Opponents: @SAS, @ATL

Additional Considerations

• De’Andre Hunter (SG, SF – CLE): 42% Rostered | 2.1 3PTM
• Quentin Grimes (SG, SF – PHI): 20% Rostered | 1.7 3PTM
• Duncan Robinson (SG, SF – MIA): 8% Rostered | 2.5 3PTM

• 37 minutes
• 20.8 points
• 8.0 rebounds
• 4.2 assists
• 1.6 steals
• 0.8 Blocks
• 0.8 three-pointers made on 2.4 attempts per game
• 3.6 free throws made on 4.4 attempts per game
• 65.4% field-goal rate
• 33.3% three-point rate
• 81.8% free-throw rate

How do I say goodbye
To what we had?
The good times that made us laugh
Outweigh the badI thought we’d get to see forever
But forever’s gone away
It’s so hard to say goodbye
To yesterday

• Here
• Here
• Here
• Here
• Here
• Here

Additional Considerations

Additional Considerations

• Spencer Dinwiddie (PG, SG – DAL): 18% Rostered | 83.8% FT%