Fantasy Basketball Mid-Week Streamers: Week 21

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 21.

The vast majority of teams will play two more games this week. There are three teams that will play just one game each, making it difficult to roll with the players from those squads in fantasy.

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): Charlotte, Dallas, Memphis

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

Teams that play back-to-back (TARGET): Boston, Portland, San Antonio, Toronto

Shallow League Streaming Options

Bruce Brown Jr., PG/SG/SF (49%)

The Raptors’ depth chart is a mess right now. It’s very possible that they will play their final two games this week without four of their five starters. That should leave them with no choice but to have Brown in an expanded role. With their options dwindling, he has averaged 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists over the last five games. That’s enough to warrant rostering him in most leagues.

Aaron Nesmith, SF/PF (47%)

The Pacers playing at the second-fastest pace in the league provides a significant boost to the fantasy value of the players on their roster. Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder) is also out for the season, removing one of their most productive bench players from the equation. Since he went down, Nesmith has averaged 13.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.9 three-pointers over seven games. The Pacers still have two games remaining this week, making Nesmith a viable target on waivers.

Dalano Banton, PG/SG (44%)

The tanking Trail Blazers have turned to Banton to log significant minutes down the stretch. Over the last 12 games, he has averaged 30 minutes while both starting and coming off the bench. The added playing time helped him average 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers. The Trail Blazers will play two more games, making Banton one of the more appealing players to add.

OH MY, DALANO BANTON 🤯 pic.twitter.com/OhrNs0u4rc

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 21, 2024

Trayce Jackson-Davis, PF/C (43%)

Jackson-Davis has shown flashes during his rookie campaign and stepped up in a big way when Draymond Green was suspended earlier in the season. As the team got healthier and Green returned, Jackson-Davis started to see his minutes dwindle. He has been leaned on more again lately, averaging 23 minutes over his last nine games. During that span, he averaged 11.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 blocks, while shooting a staggering 81.7 percent from the field. He’s a bit of a risky add, but if he remains in this role, he is worth adding, with the Warriors set to play two more times.

Deep League Streaming Options

Justin Champagnie, SG/SF (18%)

Injuries have crushed the Wizards down the stretch. One player they know they won’t be getting back is Bilal Coulibaly (wrist), who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Champagnie has played at least 25 minutes in each of the last three games, providing 13.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 2.3 three-pointers during that span. He’s likely earned himself added playing time moving forward.

Larry Nance Jr., PF/C (16%)

The Pelicans are the only team that has three games remaining this week. That puts Nance in play in deeper formats. He hasn’t excelled in any one particular area, but he has averaged 6.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.9 steals over his last 11 games.

Georges Niang, PF (13%)

The Cavaliers will play at least their final two games this week without Donovan Mitchell (nose) and Evan Mobley (ankle). There also has been no timetable given for the return of Max Strus (knee). With the team missing so many players, Niang has started eight straight games. He has thrived in the role, averaging 14.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.8 three-pointers.

GEORGES. NIANG. AND 1 FOR THE LEAD. 😤 #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/VEN55rb77L

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 21, 2024

Jose Alvarado, PG (3%)

Those desperate for steals in deep formats might want to consider adding Alvarado with the Pelicans still having three games remaining. He is averaging 1.1 steals over just 18 minutes per game this season. He has actually been even more productive in that department down the stretch, averaging 1.5 steals over his last 13 games. If he were to get even a slight uptick in playing time as the Pelicans look to ease off the minutes for some of their starters, Alvarado could really be an asset in the steals department.

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