The Cut List - Who To Drop for Fantasy Basketball Week 17

February 4, 2023

Alex's fantasy basketball players to drop when making waiver wire moves in Week 17 (2022-23). He helps fantasy NBA managers decide on who to cut from rosters.

What's up, RotoBallers! We're creeping up on All-Star Weekend festivities and a nice little break in the action. Hopefully, all of your teams are still firmly in contention for the fantasy league championship.

The Drop List returns for another week, and it might not be kind to some of your rosters. Each week, I'll take a look at a handful of NBA players that can be dropped from your fantasy team.

Without further ado, let's get to the fantasy basketball drop list. Every Saturday, we'll have a list of NBA players and a small dive into why they can be cut from some or all fantasy formats. Please take into account: each fantasy league is different. Make sure you check out the waiver wire and have a player in mind to replace one of the following players that you may drop.

Players to Consider Dropping or Replacing

T.J. McConnell (PG, IND) - 34% rostered

Starting things off with a bit of a no-brainer. Everyone has heard by now that Tyrese Haliburton is back to reclaim his starting position and isn't even on a minutes restriction.

T.J. McConnell valiantly filled in for many fantasy teams as he averaged 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game with a triple-double and a couple 20-point games peppered in. On the flip side, when Haliburton has been in the lineup, McConnell only averages 5.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.

So, unless Haliburton needs to miss any more time, McConnell can be swapped out for a more useful option on the waiver wire.

Harrison Barnes (SF/PF, SAC) - 79% rostered

Once a top 65 player in terms of per-game value and top 100 in total value, Harrison Barnes has fallen from fantasy grace a long time ago. Somehow, he's still rostered in 79% of leagues, so most of these leagues must have 14 or more teams because that's where he has the most value.

Barnes still provides sheer volume as he averages 32.8 minutes per game, but as the back half of the fantasy season approaches, higher efficiency and higher value are needed. His only positive values compared to the league average are free throw percentage, threes, and turnovers. Over the last week, he averaged 37 minutes per game across four games and only produced enough to be ranked 125th in category leagues.

Other players around his fantasy rank that are available in more leagues are players like Keegan Murray, Donte DiVincenzo, Jalen Williams, Kelly Olynyk, and even Derrick White. All of which are also more valuable when it comes to dynasty formats.

Grayson Allen (SG/SF, MIL) - 20% rostered

As shown by the fact that he's not widely rostered, a lot of fantasy managers know by now that Grayson Allen is only valuable when injuries roll around. He's probably in the top five for least effective starters in fantasy basketball.

If we're being completely honest, he might be better at 'tripping' opposing players than he is in fantasy.

Even all of those in deeper leagues can just let him go.

De'Andre Hunter (SF/PF, ATL) - 57% rostered

If you're in a league with more than 12 teams, then this suggestion does not apply. De'Andre Hunter is a curious case because he has the tools to be a great fantasy contributor and when it comes to actual basketball, he does contribute to wins for the Atlanta Hawks.

His scoring inconsistencies along with the fact that he hasn't played 60 or more games since his rookie season and has already missed nine games so far while appearing on the injury report almost regularly. His only categories that are higher than the league average value are free throw percentage and turnovers per game while the rest are mostly well below that line.

Hunter's last two weeks have been the best five games of his fantasy season so far as he's averaging just 18.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. That's the type of statline that can be found on multiple teams' bench and plenty of starters. Right now, he's ranked at 176th in category formats, but could be of value in points leagues since his proficiencies are in the stats that usual count for negative points.

With that being said, fantasy managers in those not-so-deep leagues can look toward Isaiah Stewart, Naz Reid, Josh Richardson, Jabari Smith Jr., and even Drew Eubanks while Jusuf Nurkic (calf) is out for an extended period of time.

Dennis Schroder (PG, LAL) - 34% rostered

One of those guys that everyone leaves out until he just drags you right back in with a one or two-week stretch where he looks amazing. Dennis Schroder, we're not here to get bamboozled for another season!

Let's talk about the fact that over the last two weeks he was ranked just 222nd in category leagues and his only positive values come from assists and turnovers. Even his free throw percentage wasn't great for a guard over the same period. Schroder only mustered 11.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game over that stretch with his season averages slightly worse than that.

Now, there's talk about a trade for Kyrie Irving that would ship out Russell Westbrook in the process. Irving is going to take the starting role and minutes that Westbrook wasn't getting which means less time for Schroder. Sell those stocks in him now before it's too late!

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