🦃 BLACK FRIDAY - TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Basketball Risers and Fallers for NBA Week 15

JT Rosales looks at fantasy basketball risers and fallers for Week 15 of the NBA season. These can be lineup sleepers and busts for your fantasy NBA teams.

Throughout the season, players get hot and see an increased role while others struggle and fight to stay relevant. Experienced fantasy players know this happens every year.

In this weekly column, we’ll showcase those who have taken important steps forward and those who have taken steps back.

These are the risers and fallers in the top-100 heading into Week 15 of the NBA season.

Black Friday Special! Save 50% on any Big-4 Sports Premium Pass using discount code THANKS. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice for NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL from from proven winners! Dan Palyo leads the team with exclusive picks for DFS picks, Props, betting. Enhance your game with industry-leading tools like our Lineup Optimizers, Team Sync Platform, DFS Cheat Sheets and more. GAIN ACCESS

 

Post-Week 14 Fantasy Basketball Risers

RISER - Robert Covington (SF/PF, PHI)

Over the last seven games, Robert Covington has been a complete fantasy beast, averaging 14.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.6 blocks and 2.3 treys on 45.0 percent from the field. His shooting to start the season (37.7% overall) has been tough to swallow week-to-week, but it looks like he’s found his groove over the last two weeks. His Lordship has recorded a block, steal and three in his previous six out of seven games. Whether his shot drops or not, he’s got value in all formats. Covington’s nearly averaging a triple-one on the season and is a clear hold from here on in for his ability to rack up those rare-cat stats.

RISER - Kenneth Faried (PF/C, DEN)

Kenneth Faried is having his best stretch of the season. Since Jan 12, he’s averaging 13.3 points, 7.7 boards, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks on 68.1 percent from the field and 74.3 percent from the line. These lines aren’t world-breaking, but considering it’s coming from Faried, we’ll take it. The Manimal has benefitted from Nikola Jokic missing a few games last week and Jusuf Nurkic being relegated as the placeholding starter. Jokic is set to miss one more game, so we should be looking at a return on Wednesday or on the back-to-back which starts on Friday. With that in mind, it’s probably a good idea to float out some offers after Tuesday’s game. There’s a chance he gets moved to a better situation, but we’ve heard that story before. I’d be looking to sell while I can.

RISER - Jrue Holiday (PG, NOP)

It looks like the early stash to start the season has paid off for Jrue Holiday owners. He had his best game of the season last week and held down averages of 24.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 10.0 assists, 2.5 steals, 1.3 blocks and 3.3 treys on 59.1 percent from the field on 16.5 attempts. It was highlighted by a monstrous 33-6-10-3-2 line to lead the Pelicans past the Cavs. Holiday is returning top-60 value on the season, but easily has the ability to break into the top-50 as long as he stays healthy. Keep in mind, however, in the previous three seasons, he’s only been able to play 46 games. Although, from the looks of it, injuries look less of an issue this season, so I’d be sticking with him until the end. Just something to keep in mind.

 

Post-Week 14 Fantasy Basketball Fallers

FALLER - Kristaps Porzingis (PF/C, NYK)

Since missing four games with an Achilles injury, Kristaps Porzingis has been labouring the past couple of weeks. He’s averaging 13.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.5 blocks and 0.7 treys over his last six games. Not horrible, but he’s clearly been limited by the injury. Porzingis is also dealing with a swollen elbow on his shooting arm, so let’s hope he can heal up quick. He’s played better in his last two, so there’s no obvious panic for most owners. I just wonder if the injuries will hamper his rest of season outlook. It’ll be in the back of my mind, but isn’t worth dwelling on. Just see if owners in your league are getting cooler on him. It’s worth a shot.

FALLER - Thaddeus Young (SF/PF, IND)

It was a bit of a slide for Thaddeus Young last week as he posted averages of 8.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 3.0 steals and 0.3 treys on 41.2 percent from the field. Still, that was good enough for top-80 value in the week because of the steals and turnovers (0.5). If we’re looking at the counting stats though, it got a little ugly. With the exception of steals, Thad Young’s stats have seen a decrease across the board. It was slightly expected after being option two in Brooklyn last season. He’s still returning top-60 value on the season for his out of position steals and his above average rebounding numbers. Indiana acquired Young in the offseason for the 20th pick in the draft, which turned into Caris LeVert. It seemed liked a solid move at the time, but with LeVert’s potential starting to show, we’ll have to see.

FALLER - Taj Gibson (PF/C, CHI)

Taj Gibson hasn’t had a great 2017 with lingering ankle issues and averages of 8.0 points, 5.4 boards, 0.8 steals and 1.6 blocks on 41.7 percent from the field in the new year. Chicago as a whole is in a bit of an internal funk right now, but that should hopefully blow over. Before 2017, Gibson was returning top-100 value, but has fallen just outside because of the past couple of weeks. He’s Fred Hoiberg’s guy, so there’s really no threat behind him. His fate lies solely on his health, if that holds up, then he should return top-100 value without issue. Hold steadfast and true.


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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

DeVonta Smith

Listed as DNP on Tuesday
Vinnie Hinostroza

to Miss 4-6 Weeks
Pyotr Kochetkov

Dealing With Undisclosed Injury
Tristan Jarry

Expected to Be Available Wednesday
Evgenii Dadonov

Doubtful for Wednesday
J.T. Miller

Joins Team for Road Trip
Joel Kiviranta

Ready to Return Wednesday
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Expected to Return on Saturday
Marvin Bagley III

Ruled Out Versus Atlanta
Luke Kennard

Available on Tuesday Night
RJ Barrett

Unavailable Wednesday
Landry Shamet

Out for Wednesday
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Questionable for Wednesday's Matchup With Milwaukee
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic Considered Questionable for Tuesday
Jauan Jennings

Won't be Suspended
Draymond Green

Will be Questionable for Wednesday Against the Rockets
Goga Bitadze

Downgraded to Questionable
Dereck Lively II

Will Miss At Least 7-10 Days
Paul George

Will Not Play Tuesday against the Magic
Tyrese Maxey

Will Play Tuesday Against the Magic
Omarion Hampton

Chargers Open Omarion Hampton's Practice Window
Joel Embiid

Ruled Out Against Orlando
Lamar Jackson

Returns to Practice
DK Metcalf

D.K. Metcalf Will Be Limited Early in the Week
Isiah Pacheco

Set to Return on Thursday
J.T. Realmuto

Red Sox Showing Interest in J.T. Realmuto
Sonny Gray

Red Sox Acquire Sonny Gray From the Cardinals
Brian Thomas Jr.

Expected to Make his Return in Week 13
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Have "Great Optimism" Aaron Rodgers Will Play in Week 13
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Makai Lemon, Skyler Bell Named Biletnikoff Award Finalists
Jayden Daniels

has Been Throwing, Return Timeline Unclear
NFL

As Many as Three NFL Teams Could Have Interest in Hiring Bill Belichick
Tre Johnson

Out Indefinitely With Hip-Flexor Strain
Goga Bitadze

Active Tuesday in Philadelphia
Wendell Carter Jr.

Cleared To Play Against 76ers
Jalen Suggs

Ready to Return Tuesday in Philadelphia
Luke Kennard

Uncertain For Tuesday's Game Against Wizards
Adem Bona

Will Not Play Tuesday Against the Magic
Marvin Bagley III

Listed as Questionable vs. Hawks
Kyshawn George

Could Miss Tuesday's Game
Sam Reinhart

Extends Scoring Streak With Three-Point Effort
Adam Fox

Delivers Two Assists in Monday's Win
Brandon Hagel

Tallies Three Points Against Flyers
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Extends Winning Streak With Shutout Performance
Logan Cooley

Erupts for Five Points in Monday's Win
Mathieu Olivier

Sustains Upper-Body Injury Monday
Zach Werenski

Hurt Against Capitals
Paolo Banchero

Remains Out Tuesday
Isiah Pacheco

Targeting a Return on Thursday
Shohei Ohtani

to Play for Team Japan in 2026 World Baseball Classic
Lamar Jackson

Now Dealing With a Toe Injury
Jake Walman

to Remain Out Tuesday
Ridly Greig

Still Out Monday
Baker Mayfield

Dealing With Low-Grade Shoulder Sprain
Thomas Chabot

Misses Monday's Matchup
Kirill Marchenko

Out Monday
J.T. Miller

Unavailable Monday
Brayden Point

Out Against Flyers
Nikita Kucherov

Good to Go Monday
Chris Godwin

Buccaneers Plan to "Ramp Up" Chris Godwin's Usage
Colorado Rockies

Warren Schaeffer to Stick Around as Rockies Manager in 2026
Ashton Jeanty

Ankle Injury isn't Severe
Jayden Daniels

to Practice This Week, Considered a Long Shot for Week 13
C.J. Stroud

Remains in Concussion Protocol
Mike Evans

Could Return Before End of Regular Season
J.J. McCarthy

in Concussion Protocol
Tyrod Taylor

to Remain the Jets' Starting QB
Shedeur Sanders

to Make Another Start for Browns in Week 13
CFB

Chris Bell Out for Rivalry Matchup Against Kentucky
Ryan Helsley

Tigers Eyeing Ryan Helsley as a Starter
Dan Hooker

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Marcus Semien

Shipped to the Mets on Sunday
Arman Tsarukyan

Gets Submission Win
Brandon Nimmo

Traded to Texas
Belal Muhammad

Loses Back-to-Back Fights
Belal Muhammad

Ian Machado Garry Outpoints Belal Muhammad
Alonzo Menifield

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Volkan Oezdemir

Gets Back In The Win Column
Jack Hermansson

Gets Knocked Out
Jack Hermansson

Myktybek Orolbai Knocks Out Jack Hermansson
Shamil Gaziev

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Shines At UFC Qatar
Tagir Ulanbekov

Suffers Third-Round Submission Loss
Kyoji Horiguchi

Makes Triumphant UFC Return
Adolis García

Rangers Non-Tender Adolis Garcia on Friday
CFB

Beau Pribula Expected to Start Against Oklahoma
Dan Hooker

An Underdog At UFC Qatar
Arman Tsarukyan

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Ian Machado Garry

A Favorite At UFC Qatar
Belal Muhammad

Looks To Bounce Back
Alonzo Menifield

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Volkan Oezdemir

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Myktybek Orolbai

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Jack Hermansson

Makes His Welterweight Debut
Kyoji Horiguchi

Returns To The UFC
Elly De La Cruz

Played Through Partially Torn Quad to End 2025
Tarik Skubal

Tigers "Doubtful" to Trade Tarik Skubal

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP