TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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 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.



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

Andrés Muñoz

Andres Munoz a Top-Five Fantasy Closer After Another Dominant Season
Ronald Acuña Jr.

The Reward is Worth the Risk With Ronald Acuna Jr.
Joel Embiid

Officially Active on Monday
Onyeka Okongwu

Not Ready to Return on Tuesday Evening
Kevin Durant

Rockets Hoping Kevin Durant Can Return After Missing One Game
Kristaps Porzingis

Might Return on Tuesday
Emerson Hancock

to Enter Spring Training as a Starter
Vinny Nittoli

Red Sox Agree to Minor-League Deal With Vinny Nittoli
Valente Bellozo

Signs Minor-League Deal With Rockies
Luke Raley

Should Start Regularly Against Right-Handed Pitchers
Victor Robles

Appears Headed for Short-Sided Platoon Role
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Considered Questionable for Tuesday
Colton Ledbetter

Traded From Rays to Cardinals
Tai Peete

Cardinals Acquire Tai Peete in Three-Team Deal on Monday
St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals Land Pitching Prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje
P.J. Washington

Sidelined for Tuesday
Julius Randle

Available Against Grizzlies
Ben Williamson

Heading to Rays in Three-Team Deal
Brendan Donovan

Mariners Officially Acquire Brendan Donovan From Cardinals
Anthony Edwards

Cleared for Action Versus Memphis
Alexandre Sarr

Active for Tuesday
Kolby Allard

Guardians Re-Sign Kolby Allard to Minor-League Deal
Josh Giddey

Out Again on Tuesday Evening
Hurston Waldrep

Not Guaranteed Opening Day Rotation Spot
Brad Marchand

Anton Lundell Remain Out Monday
Morgan Rielly

Out Through Olympic Break
Avisaíl García

Avisail Garcia Announces his Retirement
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Resting Versus Indiana
Stephen Curry

Ruled Out for Tuesday's Matchup With Sixers
Keyonte George

Remains Out on Tuesday
Jonathan Drouin

Available Against Capitals
Logan Thompson

Expected to Return Thursday
Matthew Stafford

Doesn't Need Offseason Back Surgery
Matt Roy

Rejoins Capitals Lineup Monday
Devon Toews

Back for Avalanche Monday
Brendan Donovan

Mariners Nearing a Deal to Land Brendan Donovan
Martin Necas

Remains Out Monday
James Harden

Won't Play Monday
Mookie Betts

Says he Spent Time "Rewiring" his Body This Offseason
Jake Neighbours

Available Monday
CFB

Joey Aguilar Files New Lawsuit Against NCAA Seeking Sixth Year of Eligibility
Austin Reaves

Could Return Tuesday Against Nets
Trey Yesavage

Plans to Add a Curveball to his Repertoire
Sal Stewart

Expected to Split Time at First Base, Designated Hitter
Spencer Steer

to Serve in Utility Role in 2026
Ke'Bryan Hayes

Expected to Stay at Third Base
Davante Adams

Expected to Return to Rams in 2026
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Sign Sean McVay, Les Snead to Contract Extensions
Diego Lopes

Outclassed At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Dominates Diego Lopes
Dan Hooker

Stopped In The Second Round
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Extends His Win Streak
Rafael Fiziev

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Maurício Ruffy Gets Back In The Win Column
Morgan Geekie

Extends Point Streak to Seven Games With Big Performance
Nikita Kucherov

Tallies Four Points in Stadium Series Win
Chris Kreider

Pots Two Goals in Sunday's Win
Brandon Bussi

Makes History With Another Win
Shayne Gostisbehere

Sets Up Two Goals Sunday
Terrence Shannon Jr.

Still Sidelined Without Timetable for Return
Mikey Anderson

Hurt Versus Hurricanes
Isaiah Hartenstein

Cason Wallace, Isaiah Hartenstein Rejoin Thunder Starters
Anthony Cirelli

Fails to Finish Stadium Series Matchup
Jarrett Allen

Explodes for Career Night vs. Portland
Scotty Pippen Jr.

Remains Out Monday vs. Minnesota
De'Andre Hunter

Poised for Kings Debut Wednesday
Dennis Schröder

Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder Could Debut Wednesday for Cavaliers
San Francisco 49ers

49ers Set to Name Raheem Morris Their Defensive Coordinator
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Close to Naming Klint Kubiak the Next Head Coach
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Finalizing Deal to Make Mike LaFleur the Next Head Coach
CFB

Gus Malzahn Retiring from Coaching
Breece Hall

Jets Want to Re-Sign Breece Hall, Could Use Franchise Tag
Troy Terry

Ready to Return Sunday
Victor Hedman

Set to Return Sunday
Connor McMichael

Out Week-to-Week
Kris Letang

Out for Four Weeks
Nico Hischier

a Game-Time Call Saturday
Jack Hughes

Won't Play Saturday
Diego Lopes

An Underdog At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Set For UFC 325 Main Event
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Dan Hooker

Set For UFC 325 Co-Main Event
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Rafael Fiziev

Returns At UFC 325
CFB

Texas Lands Wake Forest Transfer Sterling Berkhalter
Kirk Cousins

Falcons Expected to Release Kirk Cousins
Chase Brown

Working on Extension With Bengals
Michael Penix Jr.

Hopes to be Ready for Week 1
Dalton Kincaid

Doesn't Need Offseason Surgery
Josh Allen

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Josh Allen

on Crutches, Wearing Walking Boot
CFB

Michigan RB Bryson Kuzdzal Withdrawing from Transfer Portal
Bo Nix

Expected to Resume Training in 4-6 Weeks
Michael Penix Jr.

Thinks he'll be Ready by April
Cleveland Browns

Browns Hiring Todd Monken as Next Head Coach
Sahith Theegala

Off to Much Better 2026 Start
Gary Woodland

an Intriguing Option at Torrey Pines This Week
Andrew Putnam

Hopes to Keep Momentum Rolling This Week
Matthieu Pavon

Seeks to Return to 2024 Form at Torrey Pines
Luke List

Still Looking For Birdies at Torrey Pines
Jake Knapp

Faces Stiff Challenge at Farmers Insurance Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Needs to Play Better at Torrey Pines
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Could Struggle at Farmers Insurance Open
J.J. Spaun

A Steady Option At Farmers Insurance Open
Andrew Novak

Looking For More Success At Torrey Pines
Denny McCarthy

A Wild Card At Farmers Insurance Open
Max Homa

Looks To Keep Resurgence Going At Torrey Pines
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF