👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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


Fantasy Basketball Risers and Fallers for NBA Week 23

Well actually, I think this one could be called "Who won/lost you your fantasy playoffs". These are mostly players that have served you well during the regular season and you counted on them to provide for you when the things get tough.

Some of them came through when needed, some of them didn't. Some of them you'll be picking out like a needle from a haystack come next years draft, and others, well... Let's keep things polite and just say we all learn from our mistakes.

So, let's take a look at who's been a valuable fantasy asset in the previous period, and who's been a disappointment. In other words, who's fantasy owners are smiling and are close to earning bragging rights for the next couple of months, and who's owners' throats have gone sore from swearing at their underachievers in these crucial times.

Featured Promo: New Novig users get a $25 purchase match (50% discount up to $25) on your first Novig deposit, and 6 free months of RotoBaller's "Big-4" Premium Pass (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) which includes exclusive tools for Betting, Props, DFS and more! CLAIM IT NOW

Welcome to the Weekend 23 edition of fantasy NBA risers and fallers in the top-100 here at RotoBaller.

Weekend 23 Fantasy Basketball Fallers

FALLER - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (G, DET) – Now this is a case more curious than that of Benjamin Button. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hasn't really disappointed that much. Don't get me wrong, he hasn't been the same guy he's been for the most of the season, averaging just 13.2 PTS with 1.5 3PM on 34.1 FG% and 82.4 FT%, 3.3 REB, 1.3 AST, 1.o STL, no blocks and 1.5 TO in 33 minutes a game. But if you look around the league, even if you look just in his own Pistons, you can find a bunch of players who did a much larger number on their respective fantasy owners.

Now the main reason KCP is on this list is because he got pulled over for a DUI, and while we don't have the facts straight yet, a suspension might be coming. Furthermore, the Pistons don't play again until April 5, so no games for the rest of the week with the first one coming on Wednesday. So, KCP is a faller without really actually falling.

FALLER - Marcin Gortat (C, WAS) – With two of their starters, Marcin Gortat and our faller from last week Otto Porter, playing so poorly, it's amazing that the Wizards are still deep in the mix for the third spot in the East and have clinched their first Southeast Division since 1979.

Marcin Gortat hasn't double-doubled in 11 straight. Moreover, he has scored 10 points just once in that period, all of the other games - single-digits. In that time he is posting just 6.5 PTS on 48.6 FG% and an unrecognizable 36.4 FT%, 7.9 REB, 1.2 AST, 0.4 STL, 0.3 BLK and 1.2 TO in 22 minutes a game. All this from a guy who had 35 double-doubles in 65 games and averaged 11.5 points, 11.2 boards, 1.4 combined steals and blocks and was shooting 58.0% from the field and 67.4% from the line before this cold streak.

The Polish Hammer has gone rubber.

FALLER - Darren Collison (G, SAC) – After starting the fantasy playoffs with a double-double, posting 19 points with 13 assists, adding a couple of threes, steals and a block to the mix, back on March 13, Darren Collison has really taken a turn for the worst. He did have two decent performances since then, but he also sat out two games to cancel those out.

After the aforementioned great performance, his averages have spiraled down to 11.6 PTS with 0.3 3PM on 45.5 FG% and 86.4 FT%, 2.6 REB, 4.0 AST, 0.7 STL, no blocks and 1.6 TO in 28 minutes per game. Mind you, these are averages from his seven out of nine games Sacramento had played in that period. Those two rest days have additionally hurt his fantasy owners.

If you managed to claw your way to the fantasy finals with your sixth-seventh round pick (in standard leagues) playing like this during your playoffs, my hat is off to you good Sir!

Weekend 23 Fantasy Basketball Risers

RISER - Nikola Mirotic (F, CHI) - Nikola Mirotic got hot at just the right time for all his fantasy owners that have made the playoffs, or are in a close Roto league which is coming down to the last week-or-so. He's been decent for the entire playoffs, but we have to commend his last few performances even more.

In his last four games he has scored exactly 28 points three times and is posting a team-leading 24.8 points with team-leading 5.0 three-pointers on team-leading 68.5 field goal percentage along with team-leading 6.8 boards. He is also hitting 83.3% of his free throws, dishing out 1.5 assists, getting 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks and turning the ball over 1.5 times in 35 minutes a game. That's some great contribution to both his Bulls and all of his fantasy teams as well.

Furthermore, Chicago plays on Saturday and Sunday, so there are two more games this week for Nikola to make his owners smile.

RISER - Trevor Ariza (G,F, HOU) – Despite Houston losing three of their last four, two of which were against Golden State though, Trevor Ariza was magnificent in all of those games. His 17.3 PTS with 3.0 3PM on 55.6 FG% and 87.5 FT%, 4.3 REB, 3.0 AST, league-leading 4.3 STL, 0.3 BLK and 1.5 TO in 38 minutes per contest were enough for him to flirt with top-5 value in that span.

His owners must be delighted with his output as he has probably single-handedly won them the steals category, while contributing very selflessly in most of the other cats as well. If you're an Ariza owner and are close to winning your fantasy league, I have no doubt that you think very fondly of him and that he will be very high on your personal Pre-Draft Rankings next year.

RISER - Gorgui Dieng (F,C, MIN) – Another unexpected top-10 player in the last seven days, Gorgui Dieng has saved the best for last. And while his recent great efforts probably won't be enough for his Timberwolves to reach the NBA playoffs, they might just be enough for his fantasy teams to win their's.

In his last four games, the 27-year-old has averaged 14.3 PTS with 0.8 3PM on 51.2 FG% and 80.0 FT%, 8.8 REB, 3.0 AST, 1.5 STL, 2.5 BLK and 1.3 TO in 40 minutes a game. Those are some beautiful lines from the big man from Senegal. Supreme boost in boards, field goal efficiency and defensive stats, good contribution in points, free throw percentage, threes and assists, especially for a frontcourt player with a decent turnover rate. A Rotisserie league dream.


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.



REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Munetaka Murakami

Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Aaron Rodgers

Signs One-Year Deal With Steelers
Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Jeremy Lauzon

Misses Saturday's Practice
Mark Stone

Doesn't Practice Saturday
Josh Manson

Misses Practice, Considered Day-to-Day
Brent Burns

Day-to-Day Ahead of Conference Finals
Cale Makar

Considered Day-to-Day
Alex Lyon

Likely to Start Game 6 Against Canadiens
Owen Power

Available Saturday
Isaac TeSlaa

Can Isaac TeSlaa Carve Out a Larger Role in Detroit Going Forward?
Troy Franklin

Facing Uphill Battle for Playing Time in Denver
Trevor Lawrence

Should Trevor Lawrence Be Valued as a Dynasty QB1?
Courtland Sutton

in Line for Reduced Role in Denver?
KC Concepcion

Can KC Concepcion Immediately Assume the WR1 Role in Cleveland?
George Pickens

' Dynasty Outlook Clouded by Uncertain Future in Dallas
Trevor Story

Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Brandon Aiyuk

a Huge Question Mark for Dynasty Managers
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Now Only a Gadget Player/Kick Returner?
Elic Ayomanor

Offseason Additions Hurt Elic Ayomanor's Dynasty Outlook
Tyler Warren

a Clear Top-Five Dynasty Tight End
Jonathon Brooks

a Dynasty RB to Target Despite Injury History?
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
Tyler Allgeier

Currently in a Dynasty Buy Window Amid Rollercoaster Offseason
A.J. Brown

Timing Becoming Key to Acquiring A.J. Brown in Dynasty
Quentin Johnston

Is Quentin Johnston on the Verge of a Dynasty Breakout?
Jahmyr Gibbs

Is Jahmyr Gibbs the Dynasty RB1?
Isaiah Likely

The Long-Called-For Isaiah Likely Breakout Could Finally Arrive in 2026
Duncan Robinson

Nets 14 Points With Four Triples
Cade Cunningham

Contributes 21 Points in Game 6 Win
Jalen Duren

Bounces Back With Double-Double
Anthony Edwards

Finishes Season-Ending Loss With 24 Points
Victor Wembanyama

Tallies 19 Points in Friday's Win
De'Aaron Fox

Highly Effective in Blowout Win
Stephon Castle

Shines in Series-Clincher
Kyle Schwarber

on a Heater, Hits Two More Homers to Take Major-League Lead
Clay Holmes

Suffers Fractured Fibula on Friday Night
Blake Snell

Heads to 15-Day Injured List
Austin Reaves

Could Command $40M Per Year With New Contract
Jalen Duren

Available to Finish Game 6
Yanic Konan Niederhauser

Not Expected to Be Ready for Start of Next Season
Jalen Williams

Declares Himself Healthy for Conference Finals
Terrence Shannon Jr.

Will Play Friday Night
Kevin Huerter

is Available for Game 6
Duncan Robinson

is Returning for Game 6
Caris LeVert

is Cleared for Game 6 on Friday
OG Anunoby

Practices in Full on Friday
Terrence Shannon Jr.

is Tagged as Questionable for Friday
Blake Snell

Scratched From Start on Friday for Undisclosed Reasons
Luther Burden III

Does Luther Burden III Have WR1 Dynasty Upside in Chicago?
MarShawn Lloyd

Can MarShawn Lloyd Emerge as a Top Dynasty Handcuff Option?
Emanuel Wilson

Can Emanuel Wilson Carve Out a Consistent Role in Seattle?
Max Fried

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Bone Bruise
Jaylin Noel

Playing-Time Outlook in Houston Remains Unclear
CFB

Julian Sayin Looking To Build Off Of Strong Debut Season
CFB

College GameDay Set for First Three Weeks
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Aiming For Ohio State Receiving Records
CFB

Keshaun Singleton Projects as Auburn's WR1
CFB

Jeremiah Cobb Impresses New Auburn Staff
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Very Likely to Start for Georgia Tech
CFB

Charles Woodson Jr. Commits to Michigan
Jordan Westburg

to Have Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Melquizael Costa

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Main Event
Arnold Allen

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 117
Daniel Santos

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Co-Main Event
MMA

Dohoo Choi Returns At UFC Vegas 117
Juan Diaz

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Malcolm Wellmaker

Looks To Bounce Back
Christian Edwards

Set For His UFC Debut
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Tarik Skubal

Resumes Playing Catch, Ahead of Schedule?
Karl-Anthony Towns

Making an Impact as Playmaker in Playoffs
Jalen Duren

Determined to Improve
Kevin Huerter

Tagged as Questionable for Game 6 Against Cavaliers
Caris LeVert

Considered Questionable for Friday
Lane Hutson

Contributes Two Assists in Game 5 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Amasses Three Points in Crucial Victory Thursday
Juraj Slafkovsky

Dishes Out Three Assists in Game 5 Win
Carter Hart

Stops 31 Pucks in Series-Clinching Win
Pavel Dorofeyev

Enjoys Second Consecutive Multi-Goal Game
Shea Theodore

Records Two Points in Game 6 Win
Mitchell Marner

Scores Special Goal in Series-Clincher
Ryan Johnson

Takes Over as Canucks GM, Sedins Promoted to Co-Presidents
Drew Helleson

Won't Play Thursday
Radko Gudas

Unlikely to Play Thursday
Jeremy Lauzon

Remains Out Thursday
Mark Stone

Misses Third Consecutive Game
EDM

Kris Knoblauch Fired as Oilers Head Coach
CFB

Virginia Tech Lands Commitment from Four-Star QB Peter Bourque
Byron Buxton

Scratched on Thursday With Hip Soreness
Cal Raleigh

Heading to Injured List With Oblique Strain
Francisco Alvarez

has Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss Eight Weeks
Quinn Hughes

Finishes Postseason With 15 Points
Cal Raleigh

Exits With Apparent Side Injury on Wednesday Night
Juan Soto

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Juan Soto's Ankle
Jacob Misiorowski

Pulled Early With Possible Leg Injury
CFB

NFL Veteran Tom Moore Joins Iowa Coaching Staff
CFB

Can Cam Cook Dominate in Return to Big 12?
CFB

ACC, Big 12 Support 24-Team College Football Playoff
CFB

Anthony Colandrea Looking to Elevate Nebraska Back to National Contention
CFB

Kwazi Gilmer Set for Big Impact at Nebraska
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of PGA Championship Despite Concerning Form
J.J. Spaun

Trending Up Ahead of PGA Championship
Adam Scott

Riding Strong Form Into PGA Championship
Patrick Reed

Looking to Make Another Run at PGA Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Looks to Build on Strong Finish at Truist Championship
Sam Burns

Must Keep Ball in Play at PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Complete Career Grand Slam at Aronimink
Brandt Snedeker

Not the Best Option for the PGA Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Volatile Option at PGA Championship
Maverick McNealy

Seeking Better Start in Philadelphia
Harry Hall

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Aronimink
Hideki Matsuyama

Attempts to Improve Over 2025 PGA Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Defend PGA Championship at Aronimink
Nicolai Hojgaard

Wants to Keep Momentum Rolling in Philadelphia
Ben Griffin

Attempting to Bounce Back After Truist Championship
CFB

Transfer Defensive Lineman Devarrick Woods Commits to Clemson
Harris English

Will Need His Putter to Thrive at Aronimink
Akshay Bhatia

Creative Flair Could Show Itself in Philadelphia
Keegan Bradley

Knows the Aronimink Golf Club Well
Si Woo Kim

Struggles at Truist Championship
Gary Woodland

Can Continue Incredible 2026 Season at PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele

In Excellent Form Heading to PGA Championship
CFB

Isaac Brown Has All-American Upside in 2026
CFB

Nyck Harbor Heading into Breakout Year?
CFB

Notre Dame, USC in Discussions to Resume Rivalry Series
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Has Eyes on ACC Title
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Gunshot Wound Not Viewed as Career-Threatening
Khamzat Chimaev

Suffers his First Loss
Sean Strickland

Recaptures Middleweight Title
Tatsuro Taira

Suffers Fifth-Round TKO Loss
Joshua Van

Defends Flyweight Title
MMA

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Drops Decision
Alexander Volkov

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Shane Van Gisbergen

Dominates Watkins Glen for First Win of 2026
Michael McDowell

Finishes Second for Best Run of the Year At Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Scores New Career-Best Finish of Third at Watkins Glen
Tyler Reddick

Continues His Strong Season With Fifth-Place Run at Watkins Glen
Austin Dillon

Earns his First Top-10 Finish of 2026 at Watkins Glen
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Sustains Gunshot Wound, in Stable Condition
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF