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Fantasy Basketball Risers and Fallers for NBA Week 21

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.

Now, starting from this week I'll be taking over this column for a great fantasy basketball expert and fellow RotoBaller writer, JT Rosales. I hope I can at least fill one of his shoes with both my feet, give you guys some relevant fantasy info and help you do well in your leagues.

Upgrade To VIP: Win more with our NBA and DFS Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! Jamie Calandro and Dan Palyo lead the RotoBaller team in 2024-25 with exclusive DFS picks, Prop picks and more. Gain VIP access to our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, DFS Cheat Sheets and VIP Chat Rooms. Go Premium, Win More!

All three of our risers for this week are ranked in the top-11 for the last 7 days in my H2H 10-cat (double-doubles) league, and in the top-12 for the last 14 days. That's no fluke!

On the other hand, our fallers have a high ceiling and their current fall in production shouldn't worry their owners too much, but it still warrants caution.

These are the risers and fallers in the top-100 midway into Week 21 of the NBA season.

 

Mid-Week 21 Fantasy Basketball Risers

RISER - Paul George (F, IND) - Owww yeahhh! PG13 is back! He is ranked outside of the top-25 on the season, but it doesn't feel like it for the last week or two. In his previous seven games he has averaged 28.3 points with 3.6 3-pointers on 54.5% from the field and 96.7% from the stripe, 8.4 boards, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.1 blocks and 3.7 turnovers in 36 minutes a game. He even double-doubled in four of those games, for all of us who're keeping track. His surge did coincide with Myles Turner's mini-slump, but I don't think that Myles coming out of it will have much effect on George. If his owners managed to claw their way into the playoffs with their first round pick producing on a third round level for most of the year, they have to be ecstatic to have their star back at just the right time!

RISER - Ricky Rubio (G, MIN)Ricky Rubio is another player who was feeling under the weather in the beginning of the season, but is making it rain now! Ever since the trade rumors stopped with the deadline, and maybe even a little bit before then, he has been killing it. He's been averaging a double-double for over a month now, but he has been especially good lately. It all started with a triple-double against the Spurs and continued into his next five for averages of 18.3 PTS with 1.5 3PM on 48.1 FG% and 90.0 FT%, 5.2 REB, 11.5 AST, 1.7 STL, no blocks and 2.7 TO in 35 minutes per outing. I really hope you didn't drop him during his ice-cold November rain.

RISER - Marvin Williams (F, CHA) – Marvin's teammates have been injured more often than not, making him work really hard for his paycheck. First Cody Zeller was out. Then Frank Kaminsky. And when it finally looked like the Hornets will be at full strength, and Marvin might get a chance to take a breather, Nicolas Batum went down. His heavy workload hasn't affected his efficiency and his fantasy game has increasingly flourished along with the rise of playing time. In the last 14 days Charlotte has played seven times and Williams has 12.9 points with 0.9 threes on 50.0 field goal percentage and 88.9 free throw percentage, 11.6 boards, 3.1 dimes 0.6 steals, 1.3 blocks and 0.9 turnovers in 37 minutes per game. Not too shabby for a guy who was picked as the 104th pick on average. He is probable to continue to impress for his owners who definitely hit a jackpot.

Mid-Week 21 Fantasy Basketball Fallers

FALLER - Serge Ibaka (F/C, TOR) – From a Riser to a Faller in a matter of days, Ibaka has really left his owner's scratching their heads. First it was a pretty common opinion that he will have a drop off with the Raptors following his mid-February trade. He proved everyone who taught so wrong and made those who bought low on him at that time easy winners. Then everybody was sure he will keep filling it, especially when Kyle Lowry went down. He will have to step up, won't he? He proved everyone wrong again and has slumped hard in his last three getting a modest 9.3 PTS with 0.8 3PM on 36.8 FG% and no misses in two attempts from the line, 4.8 REB, 0.8 AST, no steals, 1.8 BLK and 2.8 TO in 29 minutes per game. The blocks are the only silver lining in Ibaka's dark, dark cloud. His owners can only hope that a ray of sunshine makes it's way through soon.

FALLER - Kristaps Porzingis (F/C, NY) – Now don't get me wrong, Porzingis hasn't been THAT bad when he's on the court, and has been insane on the blocking front, leading the NBA by far with 4.7 a game in the last 7 days. The problem is that he was scheduled to play only two games in the first week of the default fantasy playoffs. First of those two games saw him score 11 points on 5-of-17 shooting, no attempts from the line, one three-pointer, three rebounds, three assists, one steal, three blocks and two turnovers. But he injured his thigh and left early after only 24 minutes on court in that game. The injury caused him to miss the second and last game the Knicks had this week. If you're in a tough matchup, the Zinger didn't help you much.

FALLER - Giannis Antetokounmpo (almost every position, MIL) – In the light of Giannis getting PF eligibility in Yahoo leagues, he's decided to celebrate by limiting his limitless contribution to a moderate top-75 value in the last seven days. His owners, including your's truly, didn't see that coming. He has been leading the Bucks in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks for the course of the entire season, but has been the leader of his team only in points over that period, and that's with just 18.3 PTS, well below his season average of 23.0. He is still very useful with 5.5 REB, 5.3 AST, 1.5 STL and 1.0 BLK, but his owners were expecting him to annihilate their opponents, so these type of lines from the Alphabet are sort of a let-down. Let us hope that the Greek Freak gets back to his usual ways in time to save our Fantasy Freak behinds.


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.



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
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OF
SP
RP

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