RADIO
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 advancing to the next round. 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 23, be mindful that you should be looking at every player that can help contribute on a nightly basis. At this point, games played is the the most important part.
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 23 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!
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 23.
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Week 23 Schedule
5 Games - Warriors
4 Games - Celtics, Hornets, Cavaliers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pistons, Rockets, Pacers, Heat, Bucks, Knicks, Kings, Spurs, Raptors, Jazz, Wizards
3 Games - Hawks, Trail Blazers, Suns, Sixers, Thunder, Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Lakers, Clippers, Bulls
2 Games - Nets, Magic
Week 23 Standard Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
I write my columns based on H2H 9-category standard size leagues:
Tyus Jones - PG, TIMBERWOLVES (25% Ownership)
Teague (foot) could be forced to sit out the rest of the year and Jones would become a must-add due to his contributions in 3-pointers, assists, and steals. It's time to pick him up until we hear more of Teague.
Kelly Olynyk - PF/C, HEAT (46% Ownership)
Olynyk has cooled off quite a bit, and struggled shooting the ball for the past few games. Still, he's doing enough picking up steals and 3-pointers to make up for the lack of production. Although the minutes has been unpredictable, he's a good hold for this week given the Heat plays four times this week.
Alex Caruso - PG/SG, LAKERS (3% Ownership)
Caruso has generated a lot of attention and it's warranted. He backed it up with on Sunday with 12 points, five steals(!), three blocks (!), three rebounds, two assists and one 3-pointer in 28 minutes vs. New York. The Lakers are surely going to take a deeper look into this roster after a miserable season, so Caruso could be a factor down the stretch. If you're not picking him up, someone else will.
Maximilian Kleber - PF/C, MAVERICKS (10% Ownership)
Kleber is coming off 3 straight double-doubles and could be another vital piece to winning your week. He can definitely help anchor your field-goal percentage with the upside to provide a difference in rebounds and defensive stats. Give him a look as the Mavericks play four times this week.
Jeff Green - PF/SF, WIZARDS (31% Ownership)
Green is only a pick-up because the Wizards has one of the best fantasy playoff schedule, so give him a look if you need some help in points and 3-pointers. He'll trickle in the occasional steals and blocks, but don't hesitate to drop him after the Wednesday-Thursday back-to-back set.
Landry Shamet - PG, CLIPPERS (12% 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. Keep in mind the Clippers play three times this week.
Emmanuel Mudiay - PG, KNICKS (18% Ownership)
Mudiay will continue to benefit from the injury of Dennis Smith J.R. (back) and he responded Sunday, making 8-of-11 field goals and 9-of-10 free throws for 28 point and adding eight assists, two rebounds with three 3-pointers. He hit two critical free throws to ice this game and he'll be worth streaming as long as Smith J.R is out.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG/SG, CLIPPERS (34% Ownership)
SGA has been heating up under the radar lately, averaging 13.4 points with 3.2 boards, 3.8 dimes, 1.4 steals and 1.0 triples on 54.3% shooting over his last five games. The Clippers being in the playoff picture hurts his outlook a bit, but his upside to contribute in multiple categories from a guard position is valuable.
Marvin Williams - SF/PF, HORNETS (52% Ownership)
The Hornets plays four times this week and although Williams struggled from the field on Sunday, he still chipped in three blocked shots. He'll chip in enough to give you some low-end value without hurting you in turnovers. Give him a look if you need 3-pointers with some defensive stats.
Jakob Poeltl - C, SPURS (24% Ownership)
Poeltl took forever to shine on the Spurs this year but he's certainly peaking right now for desperate fantasy owners. He has 10 total blocks in the last two games and you can't possible leave this type of upside on the wire. Poeltl will help anchor your field-goal percentage while also being able to rebound the ball. It's time to pick him up, especially with the Spurs playing four times this week.
Bam Adebayo - C, HEAT (45% Ownership)
Now inserted into the starting lineup, Bam is going to be a must-start player in daily formats. He's going to hit shots at a high percentage, all while having contributions in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
Dwight Powell - PF/C, MAVERICKS (59% 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 (46% 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.
Damyean Dotson - SG/SF - KNICKS (35% Ownership)
Dotson has been on fire and has been the best Knick for fantasy recently. Dotson dropped 25 points, six rebounds, one assist and three 3-pointers in a game-high 41 minutes on Sunday, and he's now averaging 22.5 points, 3.5 triples, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals in the past four games. Get him if he's somehow available in your league.
Mason Plumlee - PF/C, NUGGETS (14% 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, blocks and assists from a center position so he should be added in most leagues.
Mikal Bridges - SG/SF, SUNS (27% Ownership)
Bridges continues to be a very reliable steals specialist, and that's enough value to keep him owning in most standard leagues. However, the Suns only play three 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.
