The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, leaving a trail of blockbuster deals and unexpected shakeups in its wake. Superstars and key role players alike found themselves on the move, creating a ripple effect across the fantasy basketball landscape. But with chaos comes opportunity, and Week 17’s waiver wire is brimming with potential as a result.
Whether you’re looking to fill the void left by injuries, capitalize on newly created roles or simply bolster your roster for the stretch run, this week’s waiver wire offers a wealth of options.
But there’s a twist. With the NBA All-Star break taking place this weekend, it’s a short week for most fantasy leagues, and your Week 17 matchup likely extends into next week. This makes strategic waiver wire additions even more crucial, as you’ll need players who can contribute both this week and next.
Let’s dive into the top pickups and uncover the hidden gems that can elevate your team and propel you toward a championship. It’s time to take advantage of the post-trade deadline landscape and the unique scheduling circumstances to maximize your team’s potential.
We’ll look at players you should consider picking up who are rostered in four different roster tiers:
- 50-60%
- 30-49%
- 15-29%
- 0-14%.
What’s more, I’ll give you a breakdown of how many games each team has for the upcoming week, so you can maximize the minutes of your streamers. Without further ado, let’s dissect the waiver wire, starting with the schedule for next week.
Check out the latest fantasy basketball expert consensus rankings
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 17)
Three games:
DAL, GSW, MIA, MIN, NOP, OKC, SAC, WAS
Two games:
ATL, BKN, BOS, CHA, CHI, CLE, DEN, DET, HOU, IND, LAC, LAL, MEM, MIL, NYK, ORL, PHI, PHX, POR, SAS, TOR, UTA
Rostered in 50-60% of Leagues
Payton Pritchard is making a strong case for Sixth Man of the Year, and his consistent contributions off the bench have made him a valuable fantasy asset. He’s been a steady source of scoring, playmaking and rebounding all season long, averaging 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Pritchard provides a spark for the Boston Celtics whenever he steps on the court. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways makes him a valuable addition to any fantasy roster.
Over the Celtics’ last three games, Pritchard has been particularly impressive, ranking second on the team in scoring with 18.3 points per game. He’s also contributing 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game during this stretch, showcasing his well-rounded skill set.
Rostered in 30-49% of Leagues
Bilal Coulibaly (SG, SF – WAS)
With Kyle Kuzma now out of the picture in Washington, Bilal Coulibaly has a prime opportunity to showcase his talents and become a focal point of the Washington Wizards’ offense. Kuzma led the team in usage percentage over their last five games. But his departure means Coulibaly is poised to step into a larger role and see increased opportunities to handle the ball and create scoring chances.
Coulibaly has already been impressive in recent games, averaging 16.8 points, 6.4 rebounds 4.6 assists and two steals per game over his last five outings. This sophomore from France is a dynamic player with a versatile skill set. He can score from multiple levels, rebound effectively and contribute as a playmaker. This is Coulibaly’s chance to prove why he was a lottery pick and solidify his place as a key building block for the Wizards’ future.
Jaden McDaniels is quietly becoming a crucial component of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ success. His recent performances have solidified his status as a must-roster player in fantasy leagues. He’s been a force on both ends of the court, showcasing his versatility and contributing across the board. In his last five games, McDaniels has averaged an impressive 36.2 minutes per game, highlighting his importance to the team.
During this stretch, McDaniels has stuffed the stat sheet, averaging 19.8 points, nine rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He’s a long, athletic forward with a smooth shooting stroke and a knack for getting to the basket. McDaniels is also a disruptive defender who can guard multiple positions and contribute on the boards. With his well-rounded game and a secure spot in the starting lineup, he’s poised to continue seeing heavy minutes for the remainder of the season.
Rostered in 15-29% of Leagues
Jordan Clarkson (SG, SF – UTA)
Jordan Clarkson is a walking bucket, and his recent scoring outburst has him back on the fantasy radar. This veteran guard has always been known for his ability to fill it up, and he’s proving it once again with the Utah Jazz. Over his last three games, Clarkson has been the team’s leading scorer, averaging 25.3 points per game to go along with 3.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Clarkson is a microwave scorer who can heat up in a hurry, capable of knocking down shots from all over the court. He’s a threat from beyond the arc, can attack the basket with fearlessness and has a knack for drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line. With his combination of scoring prowess and ability to contribute in other areas, Clarkson is a valuable asset for any fantasy team in need of scoring.
Rostered in 0-14% of Leagues
With Zach LaVine now with the Sacramento Kings and Lonzo Ball‘s health unfortunately uncertain moving forward, Matas Buzelis has a golden opportunity to shine for the Chicago Bulls. The rookie is finally getting his chance to showcase his talents, and his recent performances suggest he’s ready to make a significant impact. In his last three games, Buzelis has averaged 18 points, 3.7 rebounds and two blocks per game, demonstrating his ability to contribute in multiple categories.
Buzelis is a versatile forward with a smooth shooting stroke and a knack for attacking the basket. He’s also shown flashes of defensive potential, using his length and athleticism to disrupt opponents. With increased playing time and a chance to prove himself, Buzelis has the potential to be a valuable asset down the stretch.
While the Brooklyn Nets didn’t make any major moves at the trade deadline, the buyout of Ben Simmons‘ contract opens up opportunities for other players to step up. Keon Johnson is ready to seize the moment. Johnson has been a bright spot for the Nets this month, leading the team in scoring with 17.8 points per game. He’s also contributing 6.4 rebounds and three assists per game, showcasing his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
Johnson is a dynamic guard with explosive athleticism and a knack for attacking the basket. He’s a threat in transition, capable of finishing with authority or finding open teammates for easy baskets. With increased playing time on the horizon, Johnson’s fantasy value is on the rise.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ unexpected decision to rescind the Mark Williams trade has thrown their center rotation into flux, but it’s a situation that could greatly benefit Jaxson Hayes. With both Williams and Anthony Davis out of the picture, Hayes is poised to take over as the Lakers’ starting center and see a significant boost in playing time and opportunity.
In the three games where neither Davis nor Williams suited up for the Lakers, Hayes averaged a healthy 26 minutes per game, showcasing his potential with 8.7 points, seven rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
Hayes is a young, athletic big man with the ability to run the floor, finish around the rim and protect the paint. This is a golden opportunity for Hayes to prove his worth and solidify his place in the Lakers’ rotation, making him an intriguing waiver wire target for fantasy managers seeking a center in deep leagues.
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