Two of Sunday’s top pickups hail from the nation’s capital, where the Wizards have been playing great basketball and are winners of five straight. Both of these guys are worth picking up, but we’ll add a caveat.
Washington plays only two games next week - fewest in the NBA. That’s not great for guys ranked right around 100 in per-game fantasy value, but both should be on your radar, especially if you want to stream them Tuesday against Milwaukee and drop for another rest-of-week streamer.
Rui Hachimura has the most volatility moving forward due to Bradley Beal‘s eventual return, but Daniel Gafford should remain a solid source of blocks and FG% for the foreseeable future after his move to the starting lineup alongside Kristaps Porzingis. Gafford’s ankle injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win isn’t considered serious, but we’ll keep an eye on him ahead of Tuesday’s rematch with Milwaukee.
Wes Unseld Jr. says Daniel Gafford's injury was "a little tweak" and isn't considered serious.
— NBC Sports Wizards (@NBCSWizards) January 2, 2023
His second answer on beating undermanned teams is also quite good 👀 pic.twitter.com/sJK4eeQ3l7
Rui Hachimura (36%): He’s been a top-100 fantasy option over the last two weeks, and over his last four games, he’s averaged 20.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 triples. Those aren’t huge numbers, but Hachimura’s been uber efficient by shooting 59.6% from the field and 87.5% from the foul line while committing a single turnover per game. Hachimura is in rhythm right now, and he should see enough playing time and shot opportunities to remain a viable fantasy option even when Bradley Beal returns.
Daniel Gafford (38%): Just like Rui, Danny G aka “The Landlord” has been a top-100 guy over the last fortnight behind averages of 10.7 points, 6.0 boards and 1.8 blocks while shooting a ridiculous 79.4% from the field. The guy takes high-percentage shots like this one:
Daniel Gafford starting the new year with a BANG 💥@WashWizards and Bucks in Q1 on the NBA App!
— NBA (@NBA) January 2, 2023
➡️ https://t.co/0rrSPxPfsy pic.twitter.com/NB4JJF2ZQR
His run as a starter isn’t just a flash in the pan, and fantasy managers should strike while the iron’s hot and add Danny G before the rent is due.
Three more:
Immanuel Quickley (48%): Quickley has averaged 25.3 points, 9.7 dimes, 5.0 boards, 3.3 triples and 1.7 steals over his last three games while logging a ridiculous 44.7 minutes per contest. This type of playing time won’t be available forever, but it’s clear IQ has the trust of coach Tom Thibodeau, and he should continue to post useful numbers even when his minutes start to regress back to the mean. Pick him up and continue to stream for as long as either Jalen Brunson or RJ Barrett are sidelined.
"You asked the question the other night; to me it's when you impact winning, then it becomes important. He scored…pushed the pace…got into the paint…attacked the zone…it's what he did for our team…really good"
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 1, 2023
— Thibs on Immanuel Quickley, 25.3p | 9.7a | 5r on the road trip pic.twitter.com/stdc4tsLFD
For the record, Immanuel Quickley is the best add of the bunch and still rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues, but we’ve featured him before, so we’re showing some love for a couple guys who are more under-the-radar.
Victor Oladipo (17%): Dipo went off in Saturday’s win over the Jazz, logging 35 minutes and posting 23 points, five boards, five dimes, three steals and a block. He’s looked good when given ample playing time this season, and he’s averaging 1.8 steals across 26.3 minutes per contest in 2022-23. Miami’s injury report is typically the longest in the NBA, and a number of key players are listed on it ahead of Monday’s tilt with the Clippers. Make sure to scoop up Oladipo and stream him Monday if opportunity comes knocking once again.
VICTOR OLADIPO WITH THE DUNK OF 2022 🤯
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) January 1, 2023
Oladipo is just in time to close out the year with a POSTER in Utah...@MiamiHEAT | #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/yeJzUAH31y
Tyus Jones (30%): Jones went off for 18/6/8 Sunday and hit five triples off the bench as Memphis defeated Sacramento. He’s worth a look as long as the Grizzlies’ injury report is as full as it was Sunday. Desmond Bane, Ziaire Williams, Santi Aldama and Brandon Clarke all missed the matchup with Sacramento, freeing up plenty of playing time for Jones.
Tyus Jones is the first player in #NBA history to have multiple career games as a reserve with:
— Shawn Coleman (@StatsSAC) January 2, 2023
5+ 3s
5+ boards
5+ assists
0 turnovers
This has only been done 15 times in league history, 13 others have done it once.
Jones second such career game was tonight.
