Week 16 was massive for us on the waiver wire fore-front. A few things fell into place for some of the players we suggested and because of that, some huge numbers have been put up. Cam Reddish hasn’t been able to show what he’s made of since we highlighted him last week as he’s been out since with a concussion. Shabazz Napier was included in the D’Angelo Russell blockbuster trade and ended up in Washington. Although he played just 18 minutes in his Wizards’ debut, he put up 14 points. Starter Ish Smith played 30 minutes. I believe their minutes will get closer-and-closer the more Napier gets familiar with the system. Jalen Brunson continues what he does best and produces with Luka Doncic out. I don’t think the team will rush Doncic back with just two games left before the all-star break so use Brunson until you can’t any longer. Christian Wood is the biggest winner here, as Andre Drummond was finally traded from the Detroit Pistons. This freed up starter minutes for Wood and in the past week he’s managed to average 19 points and 7.3 rebounds-per-game in his new role. Malik Monk was a player I thought would be traded prior to the deadline but was not. However, he still had a nice week for the Hornets going for 13.7 points-per-game and playing just under 30 minutes-per-game.
*To qualify for this article, players must be owned in less than 40% of Yahoo and/or ESPN leagues.
Week 16 Results (Last 7 Day Average)
Cam Reddish, PG/SG/SF, Atlanta Hawks - 0 PPG, 0 RPG, 1 APG & 2 BPG in 7 MPG (Injured)
Shabazz Napier, PG/SG, Minnesota Timberwolves - 14 PPG, 6.7 APG, 3.3 RPG & 1.3 SPG in 27:19 MPG
Jalen Brunson, PG, Dallas Mavericks - 17.8 PPG, 5.3 APG & 3.5 RPG in 30:15 MPG
Christian Wood, PF/C, Detroit Pistons - 19 PPG, 7.3 RPG & 0.5 BPG in 29:15 MPG
Malik Monk, PG/SG, Charlotte Hornets - 13.7 PPG, 5 RPG, 2 APG & 1 BPG in 28:19 MPG
Week 17-18 Suggestions
Ky Bowman, PG, Golden State Warriors - Owned in 10% of Yahoo and 5% of ESPN leagues
Bowman is a player that earlier in the season we were high on. He’s one that was featured in a very early edition of the waiver wire articles. Now, after the Golden State Warriors sent D’Angelo Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Bowman is once again relevant, as he’s taken over the starting point guard spot. On top of that, once the Russell trade went through, the Warriors rewarded Bowman’s play with a multi-year contract. When he did see the court earlier this season, he was putting up good numbers. As the Warriors are obviously geared toward their future, expect the likes of Bowman to log as many minutes as possible to finish out the season.
Week 17-18 Schedule: vs. MIA, @PHO, vs. HOU & vs. NO
Josh Hart, SG/SF, New Orleans Pelicans - Owned in 40% of Yahoo and 40.4% of ESPN leagues
Josh Hart has been coming off the bench for the Pelicans in a sixth man aspect but has averaged 27:10 minutes-per-game over the last two weeks. If you play in category leagues, Hart is the guy for you. He’s a top 100 player in nine-categories. He really does it all. Over the last two weeks he’s averaging just shy of 10 points-per-game but grabs 7.5 rebounds and dishes 2.2 assists. He does all of this while snagging 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks-per-game. He also doesn’t turn the ball over as he’s averaged just 0.8 turnovers-per-game over the last 14 days as well.
Week 17-18 Schedule: vs. POR, vs. OKC, @ POR & vs @ GSW
De’Anthony Melton, PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies - Owned in 13% of Yahoo and 5.6% of ESPN leagues
The Grizzlies performed a three-for-three trade with the Miami Heat. However, the only player of significance that left the Grizzlies was Jae Crowder. In all of the movement, the biggest winner in terms of fantasy relevance was Melton. He’ll slide into Crowder’s vacated starting spot. Justise Winslow came over in the trade from Miami but hasn’t played in two months and has missed most of the season with a multitude of injuries. There is no current timetable for his return. Dion Waiters, also received from Miami, is expected to either be waived or bought out. It is also presumed that Grayson Allen’s injury will keep him out for the rest of the season as people such as Coach K have implied such. Melton will, by default, see the bulk of minutes for the remainder of the season in the starting lineup in Memphis.
Week 17-18 Schedule: vs. POR, @SAC & @LAL
Moritz Wagner, PF/C, Washington Wizards - Owned in 9% of Yahoo and 7.4% of ESPN leagues
Wagner was someone everyone in the fantasy basketball world was scrambling to grab earlier in the season. Now he’s readily available once again for you to grab. The second year big man is recovering from an injury, playing 12 and 18 minutes in his first two games back. He has three more games before he hits the all-star break in his attempt to get back to 100%. Prior to his ankle injury that has kept him out for over a month, Wagner was averaging 12.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in over 22 minutes-per-game in the 13 games before he went down on Dec. 10. The time is now to grab this guy as once he gets back to 100% post all-star break will be too late, and you’ll regret it.
Week 17-18 Schedule: vs. CHI, @NYK, vs. CLE & @CHI
Glenn Robinson III, SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers - Owned in 27% of Yahoo and 21.1% of ESPN leagues
This one is a shot in the dark as we’re unclear as to what Robinson’s role will be in Philadelphia. What we do know is that the 76ers were in desperate need of some shooters and playmakers and Robinson fits that bill perfectly. Reports also suggest that the Warriors were more reluctant to move Robinson than they were D'Angelo Russell. Not sure how true that is to be, but all I know is Robinson is a baller. He’s expected to make his 76ers’s debut on Tuesday against the Clippers. If he can come off the bench and play around the 22-to-24 minute mark, he’ll have a ton of fantasy relevance.
Week 17-18 Schedule: vs. LAC, vs. BKN & @MIL