Man, if you listened to us last week and picked up one of Jordan Poole, Moses Brown or Bogdan Bogdanovic, good for you. Even Dwight Howard and Isaiah Stewart were productive in their shortened roles. I don’t know how many times I can say this, but when it comes to accuracy week-to-week on fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups, we’re the best in the business.
Each week, Nate with We Know Fantasy will present his must target waiver waiver suggestions. There will be at least five players listed each week with an attempt to cover all eligible positions. The rule of thumb is for players suggested to be owned in less than 40-percent of Yahoo and/or ESPN leagues - give or take. One player will also be owned in less than 10-percent of Yahoo and/or ESPN leagues to cater to all types of leagues. Additionally, Nate will reference both points and category strengths of all suggestions.
Poole continued to get buckets for the Warriors as he averaged 17 points over the last seven days. Brown did something I can’t comprehend; as he averaged 16.8 rebounds-per-game over the last seven days. That’s insane. He also averaged 14.3 points-per-game and added 1.5 blocks in that same span. Bogdanovic is getting more-and-more minutes as he returns from injury where he averaged 14.3 points over the last week. De’Anthony Melton didn’t get the minutes we thought he would. Howard is back below 20 minutes-per-game but averaged just shy of ten rebounds and a block across the last seven days. Stewart, serving as our player owned in less than 10-percent of leagues, averaged 8.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and a block as well.
Week 14 Results
Jordan Poole, SG, Golden State Warriors - 33:4 MPG, 17 PPG, 2.3 RPG & 3.7 APG
Moses Brown, C, Oklahoma City Thunder - 31:1 MPG, 14.3 PPG, 16.8 RPG & 1.5 BPG
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF, Atlanta Hawks - 24:4 MPG, 14.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.7 SPG & 1.3 SPG
De’Anthony Melton, PG, Memphis Grizzlies - 16 MPG, 8.8 PPG, 1.5 APG & 0.5 SPG
Dwight Howard, C, Philadelphia 76ers - 17:45 MPG, 5.3 PPG, 9.8 RPG & 1.0 BPG
Isaiah Stewart, PF/C, Detroit Pistons - 17:15 MPG, 8.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG & 1 BPG
Week 15 Suggestions
Chuma Okeke, PF, Orlando Magic - Owned in 37% of Yahoo and 19.5% of ESPN leagues
Week 15 Matchups: @LAC, @NO, @UTA & @DEN
The Orlando Magic unloaded anyone and everyone that had any form of value at the trade deadline. They’re now officially back into rebuilding mode - which I don’t think they ever left. Okeke is now in line for major minutes and a major workload. Okeke was the Magic’s first round selection a year ago and already saw 37 minutes in his first game since the trade deadline. In that game he scored 22 points, grabbed six rebounds and had two steals. As the Magic move forward throughout the remainder of the season, expect Okeke to see 30-plus minutes every single night.
Malik Monk, SG, Charlotte Hornets - Owned in 26% of Yahoo and 14.7% of ESPN leagues
Week 15 Matchups: @WAS, @BKN, @IND & @BOS
Now that LaMelo Ball is out for the remainder of the season, Monk will serve as the primary backup for the likes of Terry Rozier and Devonte’ Graham. In the three games thus far without Ball, Monk has averaged 23 minutes and took at least ten shots with over a 25-percent usage rate. He even went for 32 points against the Heat on Friday. He’s going to get a lot of points for the remainder of the season so if you play in a points league, Monk is a must add for you.
Rajon Rondo, PG, Los Angeles Clippers - Owned in 4% of Yahoo and 4% of ESPN leagues
Week 15 Matchups: vs. MIL, vs. ORL, vs. DEN & vs. LAL
Rondo has yet to make his season debut for the Los Angeles Clippers but when he does, you can expect meaningful minutes. Even at this part of his career, Rondo is one of the best assists and steals guys in the game. In category leagues, he’s a great add. Of course, there’s a lot of speculation on my end here, but have I been wrong much yet this season?
Khem Birch, C, Orlando Magic - Owned in 25% of Yahoo and 10.4% of ESPN leagues
Week 15 Matchups: @LAC, @NO, @UTA & @DEN
Hopefully you haven’t clicked off this article yet after seeing my second Magic player suggested. I can’t help myself, so much has changed from the team and so many minutes have opened up. Birch is a player I’ve followed all season and he’s played multiple stents in my fantasy teams across a multitude of formats. He’s now in line for a huge boost in minutes as both Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic moved from the team. In his most recent outing against the Trailblazers, he played 40-plus minutes.
Jae’Sean Tate, SF, Houston Rockets - Owned in 33% of Yahoo and 26.5% of ESPN leagues
Week 15 Matchups: vs. MEM, @BKN, @BOS & @NO
The Rockets are playing as one of the worst teams in the league, there’s no doubt about that. However, one of the bright spots on the team this entire season has to be Tate. Beyond what the team has become through the multitude of trades, Tate has started 32-of-44 games, averaging 28.4 minutes and putting up 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals-per-game. Victor Oladipo has recently left the team at the deadline. Tate should now see an increase in usage.
Dean Wade, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers - Owned in 2% of Yahoo and 0.5% of ESPN leagues
Week 15 Matchups: @UTA, vs. PHI, @MIA & @SA
The Cavaliers moved JaVale McGee and Andre Drummond is being bought out. This frees up a ton of minutes in the front court. Prior to Drummond’s departure, Wade was already averaging over 21 minutes-per-game. For now, Wade is the guy to own in this Cavaliers’ front court but watch out for Isaiah Hartenstein.