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 16: Walker Kessler, Chris Duarte, Seth Curry

Deeper fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups and sleepers for Week 16 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 16

Walker Kessler (C, UTA) - 24% rostered

Can you imagine a future in which the Gobert Trade is actually the Walker Kessler trade? We might be getting there, folks! Well, maybe not, but bear with me for a minute as WK couldn't be playing better and more surprising basketball for the Jazz since arriving in Salt Lake City as part of Utah's rebuilding firesale.

The first month-and-change of play wasn't really one to drool about Kessler's skill set. He didn't reach 350 total minutes of play through his first 22 games, averaging just 16 always playing off the pine. Things changed on December 2 and they have never gone down for him since that day.

Kessler put up a 20-11 double-double against Indy on December 2, his first dub-dub of the year in just 25 minutes coming off the bench. He hit 7-of-7 shots and 7-of-8 freebies. From that day on, Kessler is averaging a nightly 9-9-1 with 2+ BPG on top of that.

Two players are putting up that line since December 1. One is Kessler, and the other one is not Gobert, but rather another young gun (Nic Claxton.) Kessler has been sublime for the Jazz, who might actually be thinking why the hell did they trade for Kelly Olynyk in the first place--unless of course, they can flip him for assets before the February 9 trade deadline.

Kessler has started nine consecutive games through Saturday, playing 27 MPG and putting up a nightly 11-10-1 stat line with 2.3 BPG. Since he became a daily starter on December 10, only Kessler, Claxton, and Embiid have played 8+ games while averaging a double-double and 1.5+ BPG.

Thomas Bryant (C, LAL) - 22% rostered

The return of Anthony Davis finally happened last Wednesday, January 25. AD has yet to start for the Lakers after returning to the rotation after two games played this week, but you can expect that to happen sooner rather than later with AD ramping up his efforts and playing 26 MP on Wednesday and already 34 (with OT) on Saturday.

We're here discussing Thomas Bryant, though, and now that Davis is back you should 1) definitely bump him down in the pecking order of your fantasy priority list but 2) keep him in mind as a more than a viable asset to have around in case AD goes down again. Even if Davis manages to stay healthy ROS, odds are Bryant has done enough to earn a sustainable role going forward off the pine in the Lakers' second unit.

Obviously, AD's return meant Bryant dropped his minutes to 21 and 19 in the last two games even as a starter. He went from averaging 10+ FGA per game to a measly four FGA in the past two outings combined.

You can forget about more dub-dubs hitting Bryant's stat lines any time soon, but you can at least count on extraordinary shooting percentages with the odd three-pointer here and there and reasonable points and rebounds for a 20-minute backup on low usage rates.

In the nine games (both starting or off the pine) this season in which Bryant got a usage rate below 15%, he finished with an average of 20 FPPG and an 8-6-1 average stat line. Again, nothing great but more than viable for those managing in deeper leagues.

Seth Curry (SG, BKN) - 20% rostered

The Brooklyn Nets keep winning games even with Kevin Durant still healing his injury. Ben Simmons got canned from Saturday's lineup against the Knicks and Seth Curry proved more than capable of shooting the ball, something Ben doesn't have a clue what is about.

In other words, Curry is here to stay and to keep firing and getting buckets while KD's scoring prowess is missing in BK (he's not expected back until after the All-Star break). Curry has started three games this month, but he's an off-the-piner by nature. Not that we are concerned about that, though, far from it.

Curry has scored at least eight points in all matches played this month. That's the bad angle, mind you. The good one: he's scored at least 11 points in 11-of-12 games staged in January for an actual average of 16+ PPG this month. Uh oh. Seth has also hit 1+ 3PM in 13 consecutive games going back to New Year's Eve.

The younger of the Chefs is averaging 2.8 three-pointers per game this month along with those 16 points and a 2+ RPG, 2+ APG, and 1+ stock a pop through the month. The shooting is ridiculous with Seth hitting 72-of-135 FGA in January for a 53.3% accuracy from the floor while hitting treys at a 50.7% clip this month.

Nobody has hit a higher percentage of long-range shots in January while taking at least 65 3PA through Saturday. Only Keegan Murray and Harrison Barnes (system babies as both play for the Kings) have topped a 50 3P%.

Precious Achiuwa (C, TOR) - 8% rostered

It happened recently, but it happened. OG Anunoby got injured in the wrist last Friday facing the Warriors and has not returned to the Raptors lineup yet. This is not expected to be a long-term injury or anything like that, but you have to take advantage of what you can.

In this case, that is the ascension of Precious Achiuwa to a new usage-rate plane. Don't get this wrong, though, or as a fluke. From January 21 on, in the five games played from that day through Saturday, Achiuwa has started three and played an average of 34 MPG. This is not just a one-game wonder, is what I'm saying.

Achiuwa has scored in double digits seven times in a row and in 10 of his last 11 games played going back to January 10. He's also pulled down 11+ boards in four of his last fives, all of those matchups ending in sound and solid double-double outings for the youngster.

The shooting is rather good for someone hitting the odd three-pointer here and there (he's hit 0.9+ 3PM per game getting back to January 10) while the points and rebounds are always there in bunches, starting or coming off the pine.

The steals and blocks are sublime for someone rostered in so few leagues, though, so that's a tasty added bonus to consider when pondering whether or not to add this Precious man to your squad.

Chris Duarte (SG/SF, IND) - 4% rostered

Chris Duarte missed more than a month from early November to mid-December but he came back before Christmas and has stayed healthy even since. After spending his first three weeks after returning on a very precarious role (14 MPG in 11 games), he's now played 17+ MP in all last 10 matchups from January 11 on.

Duarte is enjoying his best run of the season by a good mile. You can compare his first eight games (22 MPG starting four of those) to his last 10 (25 MPG starting four more) and see for yourself. He averaged 16 FPPG to start the year but he's put up an average of 22 FPPG in the most recent span.

The changes in Indy's roster (aka Tyrese Haliburton) definitely impacted Duarte's upside and the fact that Buddy Hield is still playing Pacers basketball isn't helping him either. Good for him, he's found a little niche as a forward-tweener between the SF and PF possessions with cameos sizing down to the two-guard slot.

In the last 10 games he's played, Duarte is averaging 12 PPG to go with 1.7 3PM a pop. The full stat line sits at 12-3-2-1 but the shooting percentages have been a bit brutal, as has been the case all season long: 39% from the floor on 9+ FGA in his last 10 games and season-wide splits sitting at 35/30/84. Just for context, 73 players in the NBA have launched as many FGA as Duarte while matching those splits--nothing remarkable, that is.

Duarte's calling card is his steals (1+ in five consecutive games), three-point shooting (2+three-pointers in three straight games), and assists for a big guard (three, five, and six in his last three outings, all of them starting at the SF position).



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

Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
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
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Jalen Williams

will Undergo Surgery on Right Wrist
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Deandre Ayton

Finalizing Contract Buyout with Portland
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
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
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Heads to Free Agency
Santi Aldama

Receives Qualifying Offer
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner has Team Option Declined
Jabari Smith Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Jusuf Nurkić

Hornets Trading Jusuf Nurkic to Utah
Collin Sexton

Heading to Charlotte
Cam Thomas

Set for Restricted Free Agency
Milwaukee Bucks

Bobby Portis Staying in Milwaukee
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Los Angeles Clippers

James Harden, Clippers Agree on a New Contract
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
Minnesota Timberwolves

Julius Randle Signs Three-Year Extension
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Opts into Player Option
Luis Robert Jr.

Heads to Injured List
Gabriel Arias

Carted Off on Sunday
Bryce Harper

Faces Live Pitching
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Remains Out on Sunday
Utah Jazz

Bojan Bogdanovic Retiring From Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers

Dorian Finney-Smith Declines Player Option
Jaylin Williams

Signing Three-Year Extension
LeBron James

Accepts Player Option
Anfernee Simons

"a Possible Re-Trade Candidate"
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
Yordan Alvarez

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
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
Quinn Priester

Fans 11 in One-Hit Gem
Spencer Schwellenbach

Dominant in Victory
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
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
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
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
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF