Fantasy Basketball Mid-Week Streamers: Week 23

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 23.

The NBA closes out the week with a packed schedule. All teams will play at least two games, while eight teams will take the floor three times each.

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): None

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

Teams that play back-to-back (TARGET): Brooklyn, Cleveland, Detroit, LA Lakers, Memphis

Shallow League Streaming Options

Miles McBride, PG (53%)

Last call here on McBride. The fact that he’s not rostered in more leagues already is a bit surprising. Since he entered the starting lineup, he has averaged 45 minutes over eight games. He used his hefty playing time to put up 19.8 points, 3.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 4.0 three-pointers per game. He also shot 51.4 percent from the field and 94.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Knicks are one of the teams that still have three games left this week, so don’t hesitate to add McBride if you still can.

Miles McBride tied his career-high with 6️⃣ threes… 9 minutes into the game 🤯pic.twitter.com/uVHLaZJn4l

— Covers (@Covers) March 28, 2024

Norman Powell, SG/SF (48%)

There should be no surprises that come with rostering Powell in fantasy. He provides very little in terms of rebounds, assists, and defensive stats. However, he has averaged 16.1 points and 2.3 three-pointers across his last 14 games. For those looking for a jolt of offense, Powell could provide it with the Clippers scheduled to play three more times.

Harrison Barnes, SF/PF (42%)

The Kings are limping toward the playoffs, with Kevin Huerter (shoulder) and Malik Monk (knee) both sidelined. The Kings need more scoring from Barnes, and the early returns have been promising. Over their last three games, he scored at least 20 points twice. An increased usage rate and three more games on the schedule this week should result in Barnes being a viable fantasy option.

Duncan Robinson, SG/SF (34%)

Robinson recently dealt with a back injury that forced him to miss five straight games. He has been quiet since making his return, scoring exactly six points in both of his last two games. However, he did nail two three-pointers in both contests. He is averaging 2.8 three-pointers per game for the season, and the Heat are another one of the teams with three games left to play this week. For leagues in which Powell is already gone, taking a chance on Robinson could be worthwhile.

Deep League Streaming Options

Brandin Podziemski, SG (32%)

There was a stretch earlier in the season in which seeing Podziemski available in this many leagues would be blasphemy. However, with the Warriors the healthiest they have been in a long time, he has recently seen a decline in playing time. Despite his diminishing role, he has still averaged 7.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 three-pointers over his last seven games. The Warriors also have three games left this week, so Podziemski has enough upside in multiple categories to be worth rostering in deeper formats.

Keon Ellis, SG/SF (31%)

Ellis has moved into the starting lineup with Huerter sidelined. He is starting to look more comfortable in the role, averaging 9.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 three-pointers over his last six games. He also shot 48.7 percent from the field and 81.8 percent from the free-throw line during that span. Although he doesn’t have tremendous upside, playing three times over the remainder of the week at least makes him someone to consider in deeper leagues.

Cam Whitmore, SF/PF (13%)

Whitmore had been playing well before missing nine straight games with an ankle injury. Before suffering the ailment, he had averaged 14.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.0 three-pointers over his previous 21 games. The good news is, he picked right back up where he left off. He recorded 13 points, five rebounds, three steals, and two three-pointers in his return against the Mavericks. Then, he finished with 14 points and three three-pointers against the Timberwolves on Tuesday. The Rockets are another team with three games left, making Whitmore an appealing streamer.

Cam Whitmore is on fire from deep 🔥pic.twitter.com/jVMIgTPz5c

— Rockets Nation (@RocketsNationCP) April 3, 2024

Trey Lyles, PF/C (6%)

Lyles is not shy about shooting. However, playing time has been an issue for him. He is only averaging 20 minutes per game for the season, which is actually an increase from the 17 minutes per game that he averaged last season. The Kings need more scoring from him now, but he recently missed nine games with a knee injury. When he returned Sunday, he registered 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three three-pointers over 19 minutes against the Jazz. He followed that up with 15 points, four rebounds, five assists, and three three-pointers against the Clippers on Tuesday. For those in especially deep leagues, don’t be afraid to take a chance on Lyles.

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