X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Basketball Deeper-League Waiver Wire Adds for Week 13: Kevon Looney, Daniel Gafford, Alec Burks

Deeper fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups and sleepers for Week 13 of the 2022-23 NBA season. Antonio's top free agent options for 14-team fantasy leagues or deeper.

The deeper a fantasy basketball league, the harder it is to hit a winner with your last few picks. It is also harder to find decent help from the waiver wire if your late-round picks don't do you justice. If you picked up a few stinkers, don't lose hope just yet. I will try to help you pick up a winner.

Here are my deeper league fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups for the upcoming week and your fantasy basketball teams. These NBA players should be available in most leagues and they might just help you out, whether it's a few weeks rental or a long-term fix to a problem your team is having.

If a guy on your team is frustrating you with his weak performances, give some of them a go. They might just be worth it.

Upgrade To VIP: Win more with our NBA and DFS Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! Jamie Calandro and Dan Palyo lead the RotoBaller team in 2024-25 with exclusive DFS picks, Prop picks and more. Gain VIP access to our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, DFS Cheat Sheets and VIP Chat Rooms. Go Premium, Win More!

 

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Targets for Week 13

Kevon Looney (C, GSW) - 14% rostered

I have been fading Kevon Looney for a while now. Not anymore, though. Looney might be one of those super-particular, special types of players in the NBA and the fantasy realm, but he's doing more than enough to consider adding and playing him at least in some deeper leagues.

As a big man in the ever-small Golden State Warriors, it's not that Looney profiles as the best fantasy asset out there. That's why I have not been so convinced about recommending an addition/start of his talents. Things have not really changed that much for him as of late, but his numbers have been up a tick, throwing him into consideration for those struggling in the classic big-man cats.

Looney's minutes have gone from 23 MPG in the first 20 games of the season to a similar 24 MGP in the last 20. Again, not a lot has changed. His production, though, has been getting better for a while now on a per-minute basis, with Looney going from a league-average 0.90 FP/min to a much better 1.07 FP/min in those two aforementioned spans.

Having his first dub-dub of the year on Nov. 25, precisely on his 20th game of the season, Looney has since dub-dubbed three more times. In the last 20 games, Looney has scored 10+ points five times (average of 7.5 PPG) while he's pulled down 10+ rebounds in 10 different outings.

In games played after Christmas (seven of them), Looney is averaging a season-high 13+ RPG to go with 8+ PPG. He's grabbed 9+ rebounds in six consecutive games through Saturday and he's pulled down 11+ in his last five outings. Just last Monday, he had his second-best game of the season in fantasy terms to the tune of a 14-20-4 with a block to spare.

Don't expect a huge usage rate nor tons of shots per game, but clearly count on some reasonable points and mostly gaudy rebounding numbers nightly getting into Looney's stat line. The Warriors are a very known commodity and they won't change a thing ROS, Stephen Curry back or not.

Looney should keep his production steady without much fluctuation, so pounce if he offers what your team is lacking.

Daniel Gafford (C, WAS) - 8% rostered

While Daniel Gafford scared every living (Wizards) soul last Tuesday by leaving the game against the Bucks early with an apparent shoulder injury, he returned without any visible issue on Friday against OKC and had the game you would have expected from him considering his latest exploits.

Gafford has started nine games in a row for the Wiz, accruing 223 minutes of play in that span compared to 452 in the prior 31 games he'd been part of earlier in the year. Yes, that means he's gone from playing around 14 MPG off the pine to nearly 25 MPG while on the starting five. Not bad for a change.

The Wizards' big man has done it all in the games he's started. He's swatting almost 1.5 BPG and dishing out some dimes (1+ APG), but mostly doing heavy damage on the boards (approaching 7.0 RPG) and the scoreboard (nearly 12 PPG).

Since the start of December, Gafford has appeared in 18 games with an average per-game stat line reading 10-6-1 and adding 1.5 BPG to that. Through Saturday's games, Gafford is one of only seven players with 28+ shots blocked starting to count from Dec. 1. He's done it in 389 MP compared to the next-lowest playing time of 403 MP.

Gafford won't give you any sort of three-point upside because he never ever stretches the floor. That said, he's one of five players with 190+ points and 25+ blocks since the start of December, and one of only four (Christian Wood, Myles Turner, and Brook Lopez are the others) adding 100+ rebounds to those other two totals.

Max Strus (SF, MIA) - 8% rostered

The Miami Heat found themselves lacking warm bodies in November and that helped Max Strus rack up as many as 12 consecutive starts back then, only missing on doing so on Nov. 1 (though he still had himself a day playing off the pine). Strus is more of a bench player than a starter these days, but he's retained most of his value.

Strus has started three games after Christmas while playing four more coming off the pine. In this recent seven-game span, Strus has stayed on the court for an average of 28 MPG while putting up a daily 14-3-2-1 stat line. Not bad! Strus has been on both sides of the shooting coin recently, though, having three games of sub-33% shooting from the floor and two above 53% with nearly nothing in the middle.

The guard/forward has enjoyed Tyler Herro's recent absences and is coming off a start on Friday against Phoenix in which Strus got to play 38 minutes, scoring 19 points (including five three-point shots) to go with a packed stat line reading 19-2-3-1-1.

The Heat have their bench wild card in Max Strus this season, with the oft-reserve playing 30+ MPG over the year. He can cover the two-through-four positional spectrum so that's a bonus when it comes to Coach Spoelstra giving him minutes, and he can do a bit of everything when on the court.

Strus is one of just four players (min. 900 MP through the season) along with Al Horford, Kevon Looney, and Monte Morris to average 3+ RPG, 2+ APG, and fewer than <1 TOPG per game.

Alec Burks (SG, DET) - 7% rostered

Alec Burks isn't getting even remotely close to starting games for Detroit, which is completely reasonable. Burks is a veteran with murderous off-the-pine scoring tendencies, so his role with the Pistons was always expected to be the one he has precisely taken on this year.

After missing the first three weeks of play, Burks finally debuted back in mid-November after getting traded to Motown. Getting back to the most recent days, Burks has played seven games after Christmas and he's been his best self.

Burks scored at least 13 points in all games prior to Friday's outing against the Spurs (nine points), averaging an actual 17.3 PPG (!!!) in that seven-game span. Burks has scored at least one 3-point shot in each of the last 11 games he's played (the last time he didn't was on Dec. 16) and he's hoisting 10+ FGA per game after Xmas.

With Cade Cunningham out for the season and no better alternative on the Pistons bench when it comes to the two-guard/small-forward position, Burks will keep getting his 20-to-25 MPG and dumping points in bunches ROS. Count on some 3+ RPG and 3+ APG to go with the scoring, but keep in mind that Burks' role is a microwave-shooter one.

Zach Collins (C, SAS) - 2% rostered

Zach Collins started his first game in nearly a month (Dec. 12) for the Spurs and did so in fantastic fashion: 18 points and 12 rebounds in a 35-minute dub-dub to go with five dimes on the spot. Collins had not grabbed more than eight boards since his last start in mid-December but he proved once more how capable of putting up numbers he is when given enough time.

On a per-minute basis, Collins is averaging an extraordinary 1.05 FP/min (league average at 0.90) this season. In fact, barring a Jan. 2 stinker against Brooklyn, he's scored more than 0.90 FP/min in all other of his last seven games for an average of 1.10 per-minute fantasy production.

Collins can hit the odd three-point shot but he's more comfortable operating in the paint, dumping easy buckets, and pulling down boards. The blocks also come here and there but they tend to do so in low volume.

The big man has missed more than a bunch of time recently recovering from massive injuries in the past handful of months, so it's not that we can demand a lot in such a quick fashion.

That said, he's doing more than enough for needy fantasy GMs with teams in deeper leagues and with upside for even more if San Antonio decides to über-tank the year and trade Jakob Poeltl before the deadline a month from now.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy basketball mobile app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, lineup notifications & DFS articles. All free!

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis


By popular demand, RotoBaller has aggregated all of our fantasy basketball NBA waiver wire pickups into a running list of NBA waiver options, so bookmark the page and check back often for updates.



POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

NHL

Mikael Granlund Moves to Anaheim on Three-Year Deal
Jacob Wilson

Scratched With Hamstring Soreness
NJ

Jake Allen Signs Five-Year Extension With Devils
VAN

Brock Boeser Remains in Vancouver on Seven-Year Deal
Conor Garland

Signs New Six-Year Deal with Canucks
Thatcher Demko

Signs Three-Year Extension with Canucks
Brandon Woodruff

Ready for Season Debut
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary Agrees to Seven-Year Extension with Capitals
Garrett Mitchell

Out for the Rest of the Season
MLB

Brewers-Mets Postponed on Tuesday
MLB

Tigers-Nationals Postponed on Tuesday
Zach Neto

Returns to Tuesday's Lineup
Milwaukee Bucks

Gary Harris Inks Deal With Bucks
MLB

Padres-Phillies Postponed on Tuesday
Charlotte Hornets

Mason Plumlee Heading Back to Charlotte
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Hunter Goodman

Back Behind the Dish on Tuesday
Jakob Poeltl

Agrees to a Contract Extension With Raptors
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Jason Day

is a Fine Play With Limited Upside at John Deere Classic
Vasilije Micić

Vasilije Micic Dealt to Bucks on Tuesday
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Luke Clanton

Looks to Have Another Strong Week at TPC Deere Run
Pat Connaughton

Traded to Hornets
Atlanta Hawks

Luke Kennard Lands in Atlanta
Breece Hall

Aiming to Prove He is "Still One of the Best in the League"
T.J. Watt

Steelers Not Planning to Trade T.J. Watt
Sacramento Kings

Dennis Schroder Set to Join Sacramento
Bo Bichette

Out Again on Tuesday
Trent Grisham

Likely Heading to Injured List
Boston Celtics

Luke Kornet Agrees to Contract With San Antonio
Jonas Valančiūnas

Nuggets Trade for Center Jonas Valanciunas
Royce Lewis

Twins Activate Royce Lewis
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Signs Massive Extension With Oklahoma City
Corbin Carroll

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
New York Knicks

Knicks Pick Up Guerschon Yabusele
Yordan Alvarez

Could Return Early Next Week
NFL

Negotiations on 18-Game Season Not Expected Until Next Year
Indiana Pacers

Myles Turner Leaves Indiana, Signs With Milwaukee
Kerry Carpenter

Shelved with Hamstring Issue
Tyler Boyd

Steelers Have Talked With Tyler Boyd
Milwaukee Bucks

Damian Lillard Waived By Milwaukee
Darren Waller

Coming Out of Retirement to Play for Dolphins
Alexander Romanov

Islanders Retain Alexander Romanov on $50 Million Contract
Andrei Kuzmenko

Signs Up for One More Year with Kings
Morgan Geekie

Signs Long-Term Extension with Bruins
Ivan Provorov

Stays in Columbus on Seven-Year Deal
Alex Pietrangelo

Stepping Away From Golden Knights for Health Reasons
Matias Maccelli

Maple Leafs Bring in Matias Maccelli
Evan Bouchard

Inks $42 Million Contract with Oilers
Vladimir Tarasenko

Wild Acquire Vladimir Tarasenko From Detroit
Patrick Kane

Signs New One-Year Deal with Red Wings
Brad Marchand

Lands Six-Year Extension
Aaron Ekblad

Remains a Panther on Eight-Year Deal
Mitchell Marner

Heads to Vegas
Randy Arozarena

Homers Twice, Plates Four Monday
Shea Langeliers

Hits Three-Run Homer In Return From Injured List Monday
Wilyer Abreu

Belts Grand Slam and Hits Inside-the-Park Home Run
Philadelphia 76ers

Trendon Watford Lands in Philadelphia
New York Knicks

Jordan Clarkson Expected to Sign With Knicks
Zack Wheeler

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings, Punches Out 10
Santi Aldama

Remains with Grizzlies
Atlanta Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Lands in Atlanta
George Springer

Exits Early Monday With Neck Injury
Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Clippers

Brook Lopez Strikes Deal With Clippers
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
Terry McLaurin

Commanders, Terry McLaurin Not Close on Contract Extension
Hunter Goodman

Likely Headed to Injured List
Chicago Bulls

Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Trent Grisham

Exits With Hamstring Tightness
Atlanta Hawks

Caris LeVert Joining Pistons
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF