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Lance Roberson looks at some early-week waiver wire options for fantasy basketball leagues. These players may be free agents to target on waivers in Week 18.
After an exciting start, it's already Week 18 of the 2023-2024 NBA season. While you want to have faith in the players you drafted, don't get too attached. You may feel confident about your draft decisions, but remember: stars are born and eroded every day. Take a moment to see what's on the other side of the waiver wire.
Most leagues limit how many players you can stream each week in daily leagues. If your league only allows three moves per week, you need to be very efficient with your moves and grab players who will help you maximize your games played and help you win an extra category or two of counting stats.
The goal of this article each Monday morning will be to help you plan your roster moves for the first half of the week. Planning is important, and I always include which teams play on optimal days for streaming in the very first section so you can look for additional players that I don't mention as well. All the rostered percentages used in this article are from Yahoo! Let's see who can help us start the week strong!
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Weekly Schedule: Monday to Thursday
Teams that play one game (AVOID): Boston, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland
Teams that play three games (TARGET): Brooklyn, Miami
Shallow League Streaming Option
Duncan Robinson - SG, SF (28%)
As one of the more consistent players on the Miami Heat, Duncan Robinson is rostered at a shocking 28 percent in Yahoo! fantasy leagues. Averaging 16 points on 50 percent three-point shooting in his last five games, the Most Improved Player of the Year candidate lives at the three-point line on eight attempts per contest. Slated for three games in the early portion of Week 18, Miami has the Sacramento Kings (coming off a Sunday night contest vs. the Los Angeles Clippers), Portland Trail Blazers, and the Denver Nuggets.
We don’t talk about these Duncan Robinson size up threes that always bail the offense out enough
Always seems to come in the 4th
This was a huge shot pic.twitter.com/9DsuJUIAYp
— Brady Hawk (@BradyHawk305) February 24, 2024
While Thursday's contest vs. the Nuggets appears to be the most challenging assignment for Robinson, the former two opponents should invoke confidence in fantasy managers everywhere. Noting the inferior defenses of two-thirds of the early-week matchups, you can bank on Robinson having a solid Week 19.
Bennedict Mathurin - SG, SF (45%)
Following a one-game absence due to a bruised right knee and an undisclosed illness, Bennedict Mathurin bounced back by scoring 29 points in his last two games. Aside from the scoring stats, Mathurin averaged 8.5 rebounds, five assists, and two steals since the All-Star break. As the Indiana Pacers face the Toronto Raptors on Monday, I suspect Mathurin will record an adequate shooting percentage against the eighth-worst defensive rating holder.
Jeremy Sochan - PG, PF (45%)
Jeremy Sochan has a long week ahead as the San Antonio Spurs face the two best teams in the Western Conference: the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. Regardless of the two opponents' apparent strength, Sochan can use his athleticism to combat both teams on the boards and cause havoc in transition.
Admittedly, expecting significant scoring from the once-perceived point forward renders you a foolish fantasy manager. However, despite the 38 percent field goal mark, Sochan averaged 30 fantasy points in his last three outings. For all his scoring deficiencies, Sochan combats the negative with a busy-body stat line.
Tre Mann - PG, SG (47%)
While the Charlotte Hornets won't achieve a postseason berth for the eighth consecutive year, they hold a 5-1 record in their last six games. Former Oklahoma City Thunder guard Tre Mann played in five of those matches. Mann averaged 12.8 points in those five outings, on a remarkable 47 percent from deep on four attempts per game. Mann is fitting in with his team while LaMelo Ball's recovery from an ankle injury keeps the one-time All-Star sidelined.
Tre Mann, ladies and gentlemen pic.twitter.com/up0p6FnhXo
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) February 23, 2024
Mann could receive a significant burn in garbage time if Ball suits up, as the Hornets play the Milwaukee Bucks twice in Week 18.
Deep League Streaming Options
Simone Fontecchio - SF (23%)
Becoming one of my favorite players to seek as a streamer candidate, Simone Fontecchio doesn't disappoint, especially for a struggling team such as the Detroit Pistons. Averaging 15.5 points since the All-Star break, Fontecchio makes the most of his role on the desolate Detroit basketball team. Slated for a back-to-back schedule starting Monday, Fontecchio will help deep-league fantasy managers.
Rui Hachimura - SF, PF (22%)
With the Los Angeles Lakers desperately fighting to stay in the playoff picture out west, the recent shooting streak from Rui Hachimura helps their cause in addition to the selfish needs of deep-league fantasy managers. Shooting a remarkable 66 percent from distance in his last four outings helps keep the Lakers in the Play-In window. Aside from his offense, the Los Angeles forward keeps opposing offenses honest by averaging a block per outing in the aforementioned stretch.
Moritz Wagner - C (13%)
Aside from the rare stinker against the Atlanta Hawks last Sunday, Moritz Wagner warrants a rental on the streaming circuit. Wagner is a worthy streamer candidate. However, the Orlando Magic's next two opponents make for an intriguing matchup for Wagner. The Magic play the Brooklyn Nets and the Utah Jazz in the early portion of Week 18, two teams equipped with a few physically imposing bigs.
As a member of the fourth-ranked defensive rating holder, Wagner will make life harder for the likes of Nic Claxton and Day'Ron Sharpe.
Kris Dunn - PG (11%)
If you're looking for defensive stats and decent three-point shooting on the margins, look no further than Jazz guard Kris Dunn. Recording an impressive seven steals in four games while converting 44 percent of his looks from the three-point area, Dunn demands attention as an end-of-the-roster option. Utah faces the inefficient defense of the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, and with Trae Young out due to a finger injury, expect plenty of action from Dunn.
