Fantasy Basketball Mid-Week Streamers: Week 19

Mike Barner looks at some mid-week waiver wire options for fantasy basketball leagues. These players may be free agents to target on waivers in Week 19.

The NBA closes out the week with a packed schedule. Most teams will play two games each, while three teams have three games remaining. There is just one team that will only take the floor one time.

Let’s look at the remaining schedules for each team and discuss some players to consider streaming. For those in daily lineup leagues, streaming players with favorable schedules can be key to having a winning week. However, be sure to be aware of your league rules. If you have games played cap for the week, then streaming too much might not be ideal.

All roster percentages used in this article are from Yahoo.

Weekly Schedule: Thursday to Sunday

Teams that play only game (AVOID): Utah

Teams that play two or three games (TARGET): Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Golden State, Houston, Indiana, LA Lakers, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, Toronto, Washington

Teams that play back-to-back (TARGET): Charlotte, LA Clippers, Portland

Shallow League Streaming Options

Nick Richards, C (46%)

It feels like Richards lives in this column. He recently missed one game with a foot injury but returned to log 27 minutes against the Magic on Tuesday. While his numbers don’t jump off the charts, he has averaged 11.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks over the 11 games that he has played since the trade deadline. Mark Williams (back) could be done for the season, so Richards has a secure role not just for the Hornets’ remaining two games this week but for the duration of the campaign.

Caris LeVert, SG/SF (45%)

LeVert continues to lead the Cavaliers’ second unit, averaging 14.0 PTs, 3.8 REBs, and 4.7 assists per game. They might need even more production from him moving forward. Donovan Mitchell (knee) is going to miss at least one more game, and Evan Mobley (ankle) will be sidelined for at least a week. Expect LeVert to be busy over their final two games of this week and potentially far beyond.

Duncan Robinson, SG/SF (45%)

The Heat are another team that still has three games remaining. That’s stellar news for Robinson, who is a deadly three-point shooter. With the team battling through injuries, Robinson has averaged 34 minutes over the last nine games. During that span, he averaged 15.3 PTs, 4.3 ASTs, 1.1 STL, and 3.4 three-pointers. With so many games in such a short timeframe, expect Robinson to continue to spend a lot of time on the floor.

Okay, Duncan Robinson 👀

(via @BallyHEAT)pic.twitter.com/OuaeVUrFYs

— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) March 6, 2024

Jaden McDaniels, SF/PF (42%)

McDaniels hasn’t been a great fantasy option this season. He provides very little in terms of rebounds and assists, and he’s even averaging two fewer minutes per game than last season. However, he is shooting 50.5 percent from the field and providing 10.5 PTs and 1.2 three-pointers per game. The Timberwolves are one of the teams that still has three games remaining, so McDaniels is a viable option for fantasy managers who are searching for offense.

Deep League Streaming Options

Tre Mann, PG/SG (33%)

LaMelo Ball (ankle) remains without a timetable for a return. Given the Hornets’ place in the standings, we might have seen the last of him this season. Mann has started all 11 games since joining the team, averaging 11.6 PTs, 5.2 REB, 4.7 ASTs, 1.6 STLs, and 1.5 three-pointers along the way. That type of production is not always easy to find on the waiver wire, so don’t hesitate to add him.

Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF/C (23%)

The Nets are the third team that still has three games remaining. Their depth is going to be challenged with Ben Simmons (back) and Cam Thomas (ankle) out. Cameron Johnson was also forced out of Tuesday’s game against the 76ers with an ankle injury and has been ruled out for at least Thursday’s game against the Pistons. Finney-Smith isn’t likely to put up eye-popping stats, but with him averaging 10.6 PTs, 6.0 REB, 2.7 ASTs, and 1.7 three-pointers over the last seven games, he’s a viable option in deeper formats.

Vasilije Micic, PG (13%)

Ball isn’t the only guard who is currently sidelined for the Hornets. Seth Curry (ankle) and Cody Martin (ankle) are both expected to miss at least two weeks. Micic has moved into the starting lineup with them out the last two games. First, he posted 12 PTs, six REBs, and two STLs over 36 minutes against the Raptors. Then he recorded 21 PTs, five REBs, four ASTs, and two STLs over 29 minutes against the Magic. No need to overthink this one. Not only is Micic a terrific option in deeper leagues, but he might even be worth rostering in 12-team formats until the Hornets get healthy.

Vasilije Micic is kinda nicepic.twitter.com/JJ5U83v9pK

— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) March 6, 2024

Lonnie Walker IV, SG/SF (10%)

Thomas is averaging 20.9 PTs per game for the Nets, so his absence has created a significant void in their offense. Walker can score in bunches, averaging 11.1 PTs and 2.1 three-pointers in only 18 minutes per game this season. He logged 30 minutes against the 76ers on Tuesday, chipping in 19 PTs and four three-pointers. He could be a difference-maker from behind the arc in deep leagues with three games on tap.

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis