Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 21

March 4, 2019

Week 21 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 down to the final week of the fantasy basketball season. Hopefully most are able to move onto the playoffs following this week. With that said, owners should be looking at every realm of possibility to improve their team's chances of locking in a playoff berth. Make use of the daily streaming options and do anything it takes to keep you alive week to week. It's time to drop the dead weight and scout for the waiver wire for any production that would be helpful for your team. Looking into Week 20, there are a couple of must-add players that you shouldn't leave behind on your waiver wire.

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 21 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 ahead. 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 21.

Week 21 Schedule

4 Games - Suns, Sixers, Knicks, Pelicans, Timberwolves, Bucks, Heat, Mavericks, Bulls, Hawks

3 Games - Celtics, Nets, Hornets, Nuggets, Pistons, Warriors, Rockets, Pacers, Lakers, Grizzlies, Thunder, Magic, Trail Blazers, Kings, Spurs, Raptors, Jazz, Wizards

2 Games - Clippers, Cavaliers

Week 21 Standard Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups

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

Kelly Olynyk - PF/C, HEAT (37% Ownership)

With Hassan White (hip pointer) out for the foreseeable future, Olynyk will remain in the starting lineup and has been on fire lately, making 9-of-13 from the field for 25 points with six rebounds, four assists, one steal, two blocks and three treys on Saturday night. He's been a top-15 player in nine category leagues for the past week and a top-40 player over the last two weeks. This upside is real and it's just a matter of the opportunity to get minutes for Olynyk. Get him in your lineup if he's available on your wire. The Heat plays four times this week.

Joakim Noah - PF/C, GRIZZLIES (39% Ownership)

Noah finally found a team that was willing to give him meaningful minutes, and could be a sneaky add that can turn your fantasy season around. Over his last month, the former Gator is averging 12.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 59.7% from the field and 80.5% from the foul line. We seen this level of upside before when he was healthy in Chicago, and the injury to Jaren Jackson J.R. (quad) could mean this is sustainable for a while.

Dwyane Wade - PG/SG, HEAT (36% Ownership)

We are appreciative for Wade's contribution to the league, and his last season has been a joy to witness. Aside from beating the Warriors on a game winner this past week, Wade County is averaging 14.8 points, 4.0 boards, 3.8 assists with 1.0 blocks and 1.6 steals per game over the last five contests. He's going to go out like a true champion and those numbers are absolutely roster-able in most leagues to help fantasy owners.

Luke Kennard - SG/SF, PISTONS (10% Ownership)

Kennard caught fire on Saturday, hitting 6-of-7 from deep on route to 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting. He doesn't do much outside of pointers and 3-pointers, but the minutes has slowly increased, which is encouraging. At this point of the season, we're going to have to gamble on guys like him.

Bam Adebayo - C, HEAT (29% Ownership)

Like Olynyk, anytime that Hassan Whiteside (hip pointer) is out, Bam is going to be a must-player in daily formats. He's going to hit shots at a high percentage, all while having contributions in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Adebayo had 16 boards in a start against the Nets on Saturday, adding nine points, six assists and two blocks in 28 minutes.

Dwight Powell - PF/C, MAVERICKS (37% Ownership)

Ever since being inserted into the starting lineup, Powell is averaging 16.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game over the last five games. That puts him in at must-own territory given that he'll have high field-goal percentage, all while being able to trickle in blocked shots. Get him in your lineup as he's been a top-75 player over the last month and was ranked #21 this past week.

Robin Lopez - C, BULLS (34% Ownership)

Lopez revived his season over the past month, as he's playing fantastic lately. Over the last six games, Lopez is averaging 19.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 assists per game, all while shooting 66.1 percent from the field. He's going to cool off at some point, but he has to be added given how well he's played. At this point of the fantasy season, owners need to be making quick decisions when it comes to getting players who are contributing.

Mitchell Robinson - C, KNICKS (64% Ownership)

If Robinson is still on your waiver wire, change that immediately. He's going to challenge the league for most blocked shots post All-Star break and he's only going to continue to get better as the leash gets shorter for the tanking Knicks.

Dion Waiters - SG/SF, HEAT (15% Ownership)

I'm not sure how long it could last, but Waiters has scored in double-figures in six straight contests. Goran Dragic (knee) returned and could make things complicated in the Heat rotation, but he should be added right now given how well he's playing.

Cody Zeller - PF/C, HORNETS (45% Ownership)

Zeller has played well lately, and he should remain in the starting line up the rest of the way. He's not going to have any popcorn stat lines, but can be useful given that he's a double-double threat with a block every night. He's worth a roster spot in most 12 team leagues.

Week 21 Deeper Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups

Reggie Bullock - SG/SF, LAKERS  (17% Ownership)

Bullock was traded before the trading deadline and he remains in the starting lineup with the Lakers as a floor spacer. He doesn't do much outside of 3-pointers, but he's still logging enough minutes on a team that desperately needs his shooting. Give him a look in 14+ team leagues.

Mason Plumlee - PF/C, NUGGETS (16% Ownership)

Coach Mike Malone started playing Plumlee at the power forward position next to Jokic, and that's worked well. He'll contribute in multiple categories in field-goal percentage, rebounds, and assists from a center position so he should be added in most leagues.

Landry Shamet - PG/SG, CLIPPERS (9% Ownership)

The Clippers are committed making Shamet their starter the rest of the way, so he's a useful add if you are in need of 3-pointers. He'll offer a hint of upside in steals and assists, but can be looked at mainly as a 3-point specialist. The Clippers do however play only twice this week.

Dirk Nowitzki - PF/C, MAVERICKS (22% Ownership)

You're not dreaming, because Nowitzki can actually be useful if you're in deeper leagues. The Mavericks play four times this week and there are no back-to-back sets, meaning Nowitzki should be able to get all four games in. The legendary hall of famer can help a bit in pointers, 3-pointers and boards.

Mikal Bridges - SG/SF, SUNS (23% 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.

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