Walker Kessler (28%) made his first career start Wednesday and boy did he make the most of it! The big man finished with 10 points (5-of-6 FG), 12 rebounds, an assist and five swats. Lauri Markkanen was out, and the Jazz mixed things up with a starting five that included Kessler and Kelly Olynyk while Jarred Vanderbilt hit the bench. Vandy has been serviceable this season, but he hasn’t wowed and dazzled like Kessler has. There’s a chance Kessler’s role in this rotation continues to grow even when Markkanen returns. The defense is just too strong to ignore.
The best shot-blocker in college basketball last season, Walker Kessler has made the transition to the NBA look seamless, already ranking as the NBA's most prolific shot-blocker with a gaudy 4.3 blocks per 40 minutes. ESPN rookie power rankings: https://t.co/djrJUS6alz pic.twitter.com/uA69CDbJtK
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) December 5, 2022
“The Ranger” averaged 21.3 minutes across three games prior to Wednesday’s start, and in those contests, he averaged 11.0 points, 7.7 boards and 3.0 blocks while shooting 63.2% from the field. He’s ranked 31st in per-game fantasy value over the last week thanks to his elite big man stats, and fantasy managers should finally take notice and make him a priority pickup.
Here are some other notable names to consider adding off the waiver wire:
Moritz Wagner (14%): He posted a strong 20/13 double-double Wednesday and showed off his dunking ability in the process. Wagner has started four straight games and averaged 15.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists along the way. As long as Wendell Carter Jr. is out, Wagner will have strong streaming appeal.
Mo Wagner rips down a BIG SLAM 🔨
— NBA (@NBA) December 8, 2022
LAC - ORL live now on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/1pomQZN8Pi pic.twitter.com/cPp3iyrm0x
Andrew Nembhard (55%): He didn’t have the best night Wednesday, but even with Tyrese Haliburton healthy, Nembhard has a chance to stick in Indiana’s starting lineup.
Tari Eason (25%): Did you blink and miss it? Yep, the Bucket from the Bayou has been a top-90 fantasy option over the last week behind averages of 13.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals and just 0.3 turnovers while shooting 58.6% from the floor. The Eason revolution is upon us.
It's not very common to see a rookie dominate a defensive stat. But it's true with Tari Eason, the steal percentage leader of the NBA: 3.6%
— Ersin Demir (@EDemirNBA) December 7, 2022
The Rockets got a homerun pick with him. pic.twitter.com/1WKrb1sLiU
Thomas Bryant (14%): Tommy B delivered a strong performance in Wednesday’s loss, and over the last two games, he’s averaged 17.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks. Can he stick in Los Angeles’ rotation when Anthony Davis and/or LeBron James is healthy? We’ll soon find out.
Naji Marshall (2%) finished with 17 points, five boards, an assist, a steal and two swats across 30 minutes Wednesday, making the most of his opportunities with Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones still out. Jose Alvarado sustained a rib injury and left after 21 minutes. Marshall could find even more minutes and looks available for him in upcoming games. The Pels face the Suns on Friday and Sunday to close out the fantasy week.
Wait just a freakin' *minute* Naji Marshall pic.twitter.com/danMpeUiNx
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) December 8, 2022
