Derrick White (PG, BOS) - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 16

January 29, 2023

Derrick White is worth considering as a fantasy basketball waiver wire pickup heading into Week 16 of the 2022-23 NBA season.

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 48% of leagues

ANALYSIS: It's been nearly a week (January 24) since an injury report about Marcus Smart hit the airwaves speaking of a potential return "in a week or so," which has yet to happen. Smart has missed the last four games and although he must be nearing a comeback, we have yet to see that happen, and when he does, the Celtics might ease him back at least for a couple of games.

The main winner here has been Derrick White, who has logged four consecutive starts at the point in Smart's absence even though he didn't quite need such an opening to crack the starting lineup. White, just in case, has started 84% of the games he's appeared in this season, but he did at the two-guard instead of the point position.

This change in role has allowed White to rack up dimes and also get more shots under his belt with Smart out. White has scored 11+ points in all last four matches, hitting 2+ three-point shots in each of those. He's averaging nearly a 15-4-4 per-game stat line to go with 1.5 BPG, and he's shot 46.5% from the floor this week.

White will probably see his numbers go down a bit when Smart returns if only because he will see a downtick in volume and usage. Nothing remarkable, though, nor killing his overall upside as White is better used as a little guard with shot-blocking prowess (nearly 1.0 BPG through the season), good steal numbers, and 3+3 APG+RPG averages.

More Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 15 (2024-25): February 3 - February 9

If you're like me, you woke up to one of the biggest trades in recent NBA history (Luka for AD) and are still trying to make sense of it. It will likely be the biggest trade of the week, but it won't be the only deal made this week as Thursday's NBA trade deadline looms. […]

Dan Palyo February 2, 2025

League Winners: Second-Half Trade Targets and Stashes - 2025 Fantasy Basketball

Things have not gone as planned for fantasy basketball managers who drafted players like Joel Embiid or Jimmy Butler. But there's plenty of basketball left to be played and it's time to reassess how we view players going forward. If you want to win that fantasy basketball league championship, worry less about where your players […]

Dan Palyo January 30, 2025

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 14 (2024-25): January 27 - February 2

We flip the calendar to February this week and edge closer to both the All-Star break and the NBA trade deadline. Some of the moves you can make in the next few weeks could greatly impact your team's ability to compete for a fantasy championship in March or April! Most leagues have a weekly moves […]

Dan Palyo January 26, 2025

League Winners: Players To Stash For the Stretch Run - 2024 Fantasy Basketball

The All-Star Break is upon us and while it's nice to have some time off from setting lineups, making DFS lineups, and placing bets. It's also a nice time to look ahead and what moves you can make to put your team in the best position possible to win a fantasy basketball title. Remember, the […]

Dan Palyo February 19, 2024

Trendon Watford (PF, POR) - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 23

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: According to Shams Charania of The Athletic (reporting on Sunday morning), the Portland Trail Blazers are leaning toward shutting down Damian Lillard for the remainder of the season. The Blazers, mind you, have been without Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons, Lillard, and Jusuf […]

Antonio Losada March 27, 2023