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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 15

Week 15 fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups, adds and sleepers for the 2018-2019 NBA season. Dicky Fung recommends guards, forwards and centers to target through waivers or free agency in fantasy leagues.

We are past past half way into the fantasy week season, so it's critical to figure out how you can improve your team's success before it's too late. Looking into Week 15, there are a couple of must-add players that you shouldn't leave behind on your waiver wire.

It's never too early to explore trades to boost your team's chances, especially in head-to-head leagues. With that said, we're here to bless you all with everything you guys need to stay ahead of your opponents in all your fantasy leagues. Below are our recommended waiver wire pickups for Week 15 of the fantasy basketball season, for those looking to beef up their teams. We wish everyone the best of luck in your leagues and may the odds forever be in your favor!

It's the best time to start exploring trades, and get out ahead before it's too late! Sell high, buy low - trying to look for ways to improve your team despite where you are in the standings will go a long way for you in case injuries and cold streaks happen. As a reminder for most leagues, it's crucial to plan. Waiver wire adds, scheduling and player injuries are all things to consider. Drop the dead weight, make an effort to improve your team by maximizing your weekly adds and utilizing streamer spots via the waiver wire. Don't be attached to short-term pickups when there is a hot player on the horizon, especially if a hot player can stick with significant minutes the rest of the season. Be wary of weekly streaming options and stay ahead of your opponents. Our staff at RotoBaller has great insight and daily columns on how to improve your squad and tips to make your team successful, so be sure to check them out! Now let's get prepared for Week 15.

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Week 15 Schedule

4 Games - Bulls, Cavaliers, Mavericks, Rockets, Clippers, Grizzlies, Heat, Timbewolves, Knicks, Thunder, Suns, Trail Blazers, Kings, Raptors, Jazz, Wizards

3 Games - Spurs, Sixers, Bucks, Lakers, Warriors, Pistons, Nuggets, Nets, Celtics, Hawks

2 Games - Pacers, Hornets

 

Week 15 Standard Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups

I write my columns based on H2H 9-category standard size leagues:

Kenneth Faried - PF/C, ROCKETS (30% Ownership)

Faried is definitely one of the hottest pick-up this week, given that he's almost a perfect fit with the Houston Rockets. The Rockets are almost thin up front with Clint Capella (thumb surgery) out at least for another 4-6 weeks, so not only Faried has a great chance to start with this Rockets team, but he's looking at major minutes given that Coach Mike D'Antoni has never been shy to keep his rotations short. Faried is one of those must-add, think later waiver wire adds and he can boost a team's field-goal percentage and provide close to a double-double on a nightly basis.

Ante Zizic - C, CAVALIERS (14% Ownership)

Tristan Thompson (foot) and Larry Nance Jr. (knee) are both out, opening up the opportunities for Zizic to man the middle. He's done a solid job in three starts, having scored double-digit scoring in three straight, including a career-high 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field. He's an intriguing player to watch as the season goes on, where the Cavaliers have their sights on tanking their entire season to secure a high lottery pick this post season.

Luke Kennard - SG/SF, PISTONS (5% Ownership)

Kennard is now averaging 14.2 points and 2.6 triples over the past five games, and the fact that he's out-playing teammate Bruce Brown means he could eventually leap into the starting line up sooner or later. The high field-goal percentage isn't sustainable (57% over the last five), and he offers little to nothing in other categories so I wouldn't drop anyone with long-term value for Kennard. The Pistons play four games in Week 15.

Luke Kornet - PF/C, KNICKS (12% Ownership)

Kornet's upside isn't to be ignored, given that he can shoot 3-pointers and rack up defensive stats. However, it's the Knicks rotation and Coach Dave Fizzdale's lineup changes every week. The return of Mitchell Robinson gives the Knicks a 3-man rotation of centers to play with Enes Kanter as well, so it'll be surprising to see Kornet to continue to log heavy minutes. However, the Knicks do play four times this week so he's worth a look long for the short term.

Ivica Zubac - C, LAKERS (27% Ownership)

Zubac isn't starting for the Lakers, but he's closing games for them and continues to impress with his back-to-the-basket game as of late. He was instrumental in the Lakers win over the Thunder on Thursday, making 12-of-14 from the field for a career-high 26 points with 12 rebounds, one assist and four turnovers in 28 minutes. He followed up with another solid performance on Saturday, netting 17 points with seven rebounds, one assist and a block. He should be added given the Lakers are still without LeBron James (groin) and they are absolutely starving for any outside contributions in their young guys.

Rajon Rondo - PG, LAKERS (35% Ownership)

The Lakers just lost Lonzo Ball (Grade-3 ankle sprain) for at least 4-6 weeks, so Rondo's return will likely insert him into the starting line up until Ball is healthy again. Although it's unlikely he's going to suit up against the Warriors on Monday, there's a good chance he'll return at some point this week. He'll give owners a nice boost in assists, which is one of the hardest categories to find on the wire.

Bobby Portis - C, BULLS (43% Ownership)

Wendell Carter JR (thumb surgery) will knock him out for nearly 2-3 months, which means he's a clear drop in almost all fantasy leagues, excluding dynasty settings. Bobby Portis figures to be the main beneficiary with this news and this just solidifies his role with the Bulls for the remainder of the season. Portis will not be shy hoisting shots out there , and with 28 + minutes going forward he's a must-roster player.

Kevin Huerter - SG/SF, HAWKS (33% Ownership)

Huerter is as close to must-own as they come, as he's been fantastic over the past two weeks. He's putting in top-50 value in nine category leagues the past two weeks, with averages of 17.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals to go along with 3.2 triples per game. The 6-foot-7 rookie is averaging over 37 minutes per game over the past 10 games, and he looks to be a coach favorite to finish the rest of the season in this role. The Hawks seems to be focused on youth movement and Huerter shouldn't be on any waiver wires given his upside to contribute in multiple categories.

Kelly Oubre Jr. - SF, SUNS (64% Ownership)

Oubre Jr. may have found a nice home in Phoenix, having played heavy minutes out the gate since he's been traded from Washington. He's averaged over 20.4 points over the last five games, and it should be clear that the Suns are invested in developing him with some of the younger guys in Phoenix. He's certainly stepping up lately, so he's worth a look in most leagues as long as he's hot.

Thomas Bryant - C, WIZARDS (51% Ownership)

Thomas Bryant continues to thrive in the starting lineup, and the injuries to both John Wall (heel surgery) and Markieff Morris (neck) will shift the offense into a more free-flowing offense and added minutes for Bryant. His minutes are a bit up and down lately, but that hasn't stopped him from carving out low-end value. He's worth a long look in all 12+ team leagues given that he can anchor your field goal percentage and rebound and he'll have some upside in blocks and can stretch the floor with his ability to hit 3-pointers.

Derrick White - PG, SPURS (58% Ownership)

White has earned himself a must-own status, having played over 30 minutes in the new year and he's played a lot better as of late. Perhaps he's over his heel injury and has earned the trust of Coach Popovich again. White has been a top-50 player in nine-category leagues over the past two weeks with averages of 17.1 points, 3.7 boards, 3.3 assists, 1.1 triples and a block per game. He's become quite a two-way player at the point guard position and he must be owned in all leagues going forward.

 

Week 15 Deeper Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups

Jabari Parker - SF/PF, BULLS (45% Ownership)

Like Portis, Parker will be out of the dog house with this news. There's a small chance the Bulls could look to deal him, so they'll want to showcase him to opposing teams before the trading deadline. Problem is there are multiple deficiencies in Parker's game and teams will be reluctant to take a flier on him, especially with that contract. However, look for Parker to carve out a small role with the Bulls, as he's scored in double-figures in four straight contests. He's worth a look in all 14+ teams leagues.

Kyle Korver - SG/SF, JAZZ (12% Ownership)

Korver landed back in an ideal situation from Cleveland, where he's getting minutes in the mid-20s. He'll offer a much-needed spacing for the Jazz, and he's been hitting them at a nice clip, similar to J.J. Reddick. The sharpshooter didn't get it going on Friday against the Cavaliers, but he had three straight performances prior to that with over four triples each and he's worth a look in deeper leagues.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG/SG, CLIPPERS (37% Ownership)

Lou Williams (hamstring) and Danillo Gallinari (back) is due to miss a couple of games, and Avery Bradley hasn't played up to his standards, giving SGA another chance to creep back into the standard league discussion. Gilgeous-Alexander was playing at a high level earlier in the season, then hit somewhat of a rookie wall. He was terrific on Saturday with 24 points in a 112-94 loss to the Clippers, adding five assists, three rebounds, three steals and two turnovers in 43 minutes. The key was the 43 minutes, and it wouldn't be a terrible idea to pick him back up in the hopes he can get it going again.

Malik Beasley - PG/SG, NUGGETS (26% Ownership)

Beasley continues to roll despite the fact that Will Barton and Gary Harris is back into the rotation. He's averaged 35 minutes with 16.4 points and 3.8 3-pointes per game over the last five games. He's red-hot right now and he should be added until he cools off.

Justin Holiday - SG/SF, GRIZZLIES (32% Ownership)

Kyle Anderson (ankle) was hit with a 2-4 week timetable with a Grade-2 ankle sprain so Justin Holiday can get a chance to redeem some of the lost value when he got traded from the Chicago Bulls. It's not exactly encouraging since Holiday has been absolutely brutal lately, but he's worth a look to see if he can top 30 minutes per game over the next couple of weeks.

De'Anthony Melton - PG, SUNS (10% Ownership)

If you're looking for points, Melton may not be your guy. However, he's a strong add for those seeking defensive stats as he has the highest steal percentage in the NBA and is averaging 2.7 steals per 36 minutes. He's been losing a lot of minutes with Devin Booker back in the lineup but he's still worth owning in deeper leagues given his defensive contributions.

Mikal Bridges - SG/SF, SUNS (26% Ownership)

Oddly, Bridges minutes goes down without Devin Booker but goes up with Booker in the lineup. He's still contributing in the defensive stats to be added in deeper settings.  At this point, he's worth a look in all 14+ team leagues given his defensive contributions and 3-pointers (1.8 steals, 0.8 blocks, 1.2 3-pointers over the last five) Keep your eyes on him and the tanking Phoenix Suns.

Reggie Bullock - SG/SF, PISTONS (31% Ownership)

Bullock is hot again, averaging 14.0 points, 2.8 assists, and 3.0 3-pointers made per game over the last five. There's no one on the Pistons roster whose going to challenge Bullock for minutes, so he'll continue to log heavy minutes since the Pistons need him to space the floor. He won't offer much outside of points and 3-pointers, but he's worth a look as long as he's hot. The Pistons play four times this week.

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis


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

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

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