It’s been a big week in the NBA with the trade deadline rocking multiple rosters as buyouts, injuries and player closings created more rotational adjustments as we head into the stretch race. There are about five weeks left in the regular season, and there are some great options on the waiver thread that can push your Fantastic Team of the Season to new levels of success in the weeks to come. Each week you can find my top four pickups for the season’s fantasy basketball leagues, with more options to consider included at the bottom.
Looking at the week ahead, there are double-digit games for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Twenty-four of the 30 teams will play a total of four games in the coming week while the other six will play three times. No team is playing more than four games or less than three, so it’s another pretty balanced week overall. Remember to take into account the specific needs of your team and the league rules. Here are the four players that I think you should look for first that are available on most exemption threads.
C Moses Brown, Oklahoma City Thunder (v DAL, v TOR, at PHX, v POR)
He was already picked up in most active leagues. But, if there’s a way to go with Mo, he has to be the top priority for any team that needs a big man. Brown has shown flashes of potential throughout his second season in the NBA, and now the 21-year-old will have an extended hearing for Oklahoma City, who decided on Saturday to shut down Al Horford for the remainder of the season to throw a shot. eye. to their young players like Brown.
What can Brown do for you? In the seven games that went on Saturday, he produced 11.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.9 blocks while playing 28.1 minutes per game. He put up a pair of doubles-doubles last week and provides good defensive numbers. He also had a few gravel games during this time, but those were at the start of Horford. With more usage and consistent playing time, Brown should continue to produce a lot of production. The thunder can be blown out a lot over the next few weeks, but that shouldn’t affect his playing time.
PF Chuma Okeke, Orlando Magic, (at LAC, at NO, at UTA, at DEN)
Okeke, another young player lined up for a ton of use and opportunity for the rest of the season, is Orlando’s first choice in last year’s draft. He’s averaged 22.2 minutes per game in his 29 games this season, but played 37 minutes in his first game for the Magic after the trade deadline when the team sent off Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Evan. Fournier.
Okeke scored a career-high 22 points with six tables, four assists and two steals. He only had an 18.1% utilization rate, so there is still room for growth if he gets more work for the lite list in the future. Coach Steve Clifford has made it clear that he intends to give Okeke more post-up looks in addition to his opportunities as a slasher and rim striker. He’s had four three-pointers in each of his last two games and has long-term potential. It might not help your percentages, but its bulk over the next few weeks will likely make it very usable in countable categories.
PG / SG Malik Monk, Charlotte Hornets, (to NO, against PHI, against CLE, against ENT)
With LaMelo Ball out for the remainder of the season, Monk should have more work for the Hornets as a primary replacement for Devonte ‘Graham and Terry Rozier. Monk has a bit of pain in his foot, but it’s likely for Sunday’s game, so it doesn’t look like a huge concern going forward.
In each of the three games since Ball’s season-ending injury, Monk has played over 23 minutes and has taken at least 10 shots with a use rate of over 25%. Monk played his second game of the season with over 30 points, scoring 32 points on Friday in a win over the Heat. It offers a good score and heavy use in the second unit of the Hornets and has a very high cap. He’s yet to prove he’s a consistent option, but his advantage makes him a good waiver wire addition for an instant attack in the backcourt.
SG / SF / PF Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets (against MEM, at BKN, at BOS, against NO)
The Rockets have had all kinds of issues this season, but Tate has been one of the few bright spots. He’s been a consistent option and has shown a lot of versatility – both in terms of roles and production variety.
Entering Saturday’s action, Tate had started 32 of 44 games for the Rockets, averaging 28.4 minutes and producing 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per match. With Victor Oladipo traded, Tate will likely be lined up for more use, and the Rockets will continue to use him alongside Christian Wood, who is now back from his long layoff – although he was scratched late on Saturday. . Tate played 39 minutes in his first game since the trade deadline and had 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. He’s logged over 32 minutes in four of his last five games and is expected to continue to see plenty of runs for Houston next week.
Other options to consider
- SG / SF / PF Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks
- PF / C Khem Birch, Orlando Magic
- PF / C Isaiah Roby, Oklahoma City Thunder
- PG / SG Malik Beasley, Minnesota Timberwolves
- PG / SG Tomas Satoransky, Chicago Bulls
- SG / SF Grayson Allen, Memphis Grizzlies
- SF Aleksej Pokusevski, Oklahoma City Thunder
- SG / SF Josh Hart, New Orleans Pelicans
- PG / SG Reggie Jackson, Los Angeles Clippers
- PG / SG Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks
- PF / C Juancho Hernagómez, Minnesota Timberwolves
- PG / SG De’Anthony Melton, Memphis Grizzlies
- C Daniel Gafford, Washington Wizards
- PF / C Moritz Wagner, Boston Celtics
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