Weeks 18 and 19 Schedule: Games Played
5 Games: BKN, BOS, DEN, DET, HOU, LAC, NOR, PHX, WAS
4 Games: ATL, CHA, CHI, DAL, GSW, IND, MEM, MIA, MIL, MIN, NYK, OKC, PHI, POR, SAC, SAS, TOR, UTA
3 Games: DAL, LAL, ORL
Note: Weeks 18 and 19 are combined in the vast majority of fantasy leagues due to the All-Star break occurring in the middle of them.
Weeks 18-19 Back-to-Backs:
Sunday (Feb.14th)-Monday: N/A
Monday-Tuesday: LAC, MIL, NOR
Tuesday-Wednesday: ATL, BOS, IND, MEM, MIN, PHX
Wednesday-Thursday: BKN, HOU, WAS
All-Star Break: Feb. 18th-Feb. 23rd
Thursday (Feb. 24th)-Friday: OKC, PHX
Friday-Saturday: MIA, SAS, TOR, WAS
Saturday-Sunday: BOS, DEN, DET,
Waiver Wire Pickups:
*To qualify for this list, players have to be available in over 60% of Yahoo Leagues.
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Devin Vassell (31%)- The Spurs moved Derrick White to the Celtics in exchange for Josh Richardson and a first rounder, and that tells me two things. First, this confirms that the Spurs are focused on their long-term development rather than chasing a play-in spot. And second, it tells me that they wanted to clear the runway for Devin Vassell. The second-year SG should run circles around a washed-up J-Rich, and I think workloads with minutes in the 30s could become the norm. Get ready for a surplus of 3s, steals and blocks from this exciting young talent.
Donte DiVincenzo (8%)- The Kings have been trying to get Donte DiVincenzo for years and finally got their man on Thursday. At first glance, the backcourt in Sacramento may seem crowded with De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell, but keep in mind that Donte can play positions 1-3 and that the Kings aren’t shy about using 3-guard lineups. Donte has mid-round upside for his elite steal rate and ability to chip in some dimes, boards and 3s, so he’s a huge fantasy winner if the Kings give him a full workload like I’m expecting.
Brandon Clarke (34%)- His minutes are still way too low, so he’s becoming the De’Anthony Melton of forwards. Despite the low workloads, Clarke is sitting on 9th-round numbers over his last seven games in only 20 minutes. If you are targeting FG%, rebounds and blocks, you can’t go wrong here.
Jonathan Kuminga (25%)- Otto Porter Jr.’s value has tanked in recent games and Kuminga is back on coach Steve Kerr’s good side. With Draymond Green still a few weeks away from a return, Kuminga has a nice little window to keep churning out fantasy value. Over his last five, the rookie averaged 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.2 dimes, 0.4 steals, 0.4 blocks and 1.2 triples on 56% from the field and 66% from the line.
“He has the potential to be a great player in this league and that’s everybody’s goal in this organization, to help him reach that status,” Kerr said. I’d like to see more steals and blocks from him given his absurd athleticism, but I think he’ll unlock that part of his game very soon.
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Aleksej Pokusevski (8%)- He’s 20 pounds away from being 20 pounds away, but Pokusevski is finally getting some run in OKC after spending some time in the G League. A seven-footer who can bring the ball up the floor, facilitate and block shots, Poku has a lot of upside in the future and just needs to put it all together on a consistent basis. He averaged 15.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 dimes, 2.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 3.0 triples in his last two games, and the Thunder have no reliable frontcourt depth other than Darius Bazley. Just like the end of 2020-21, I think Poku could make some serious noise in the final couple months.
Thomas Bryant (12%)- With Montrezl Harrell in Charlotte, Bryant could be a big deadline winner. Daniel Gafford only played 21 minutes per game when he was the starter, so there’s plenty of room for Bryant. The question we need answered is what position Kristaps Porzingis will play, but in theory, the Wizards could move Kyle Kuzma to the three and let KP play his preferred PF spot. Bryant showed us plenty of upside before his knee injury and just needs minutes in the mid-20s to have top-100 potential.
Isaiah Jackson (32%)- Myles Turner wasn’t moved at the deadline which is a buzzkill to all the Jackson truthers, but the veteran is out until at least early March and the Pacers may bring him along slowly if they have nothing to play for. I don’t view Jalen Smith as a legitimate threat to Jackson, and I don’t think the Pacers are as high on Goga Bitadze as they are on Jackson. The only problem right now is the health of Jackson’s ankle, so once that’s in the rear-view mirror we could see a monster finish.
Goga Bitadze (22%) As I said earlier, Jackson is the long-term play in Indiana, at least until Myles Turner is back. As for Goga, he’s one of the few healthy bodies in the frontcourt which helps him in the short term. He has some flaws based on the eye test, but he’s a quality fantasy producer when given minutes and had 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, three blocks, two steals and two triples in 30 minutes of his last outing.
Jaden McDaniels (34%)- Jarred Vanderbilt’s emergence this season has dampened Jaden’s fantasy appeal, but he’s showing signs of becoming a productive 3-and-D player for fantasy managers. Over his last six games, Jaden was near top-100 territory with 11.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 dimes, 0.8 blocks and 2.0 triples in 27 minutes. His steal/block numbers will be the key to Jaden taking the next step, but we know he has it in him with plays like this (link)
“If guys haven’t seen it, I don’t know what you’re all watching,” D’Angelo Russell said. “The more comfortable he gets, the better he’s going to be. The older he gets, the better he’s going to be. Simple as that... I love his game.”
Grayson Allen (21%)- Donte DiVincenzo is out of Milwaukee and Pat Connaughton (wrist/hand) could reportedly miss several weeks. The thing I like most about Grayson is how reliable he is. You never have to worry about him creating any drama, getting suspended or kicking and tripping people. He just goes out there, keeps his head down and fires away from deep. Jokes aside, if you can stomach the idea of rostering this guy, he can get you 15 points, a few triples and a steal on a nightly basis.
Dorian Finney-Smith (37%)- My jaw hit the floor when I saw the return Dallas got in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis, but the one thing they did right on Thursday was to sign DFS to an extension worth $52M over four years. DFS is the glue to this roster and does all the little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet. He’s also a decent fantasy asset with Porzingis off the floor, posting a per-36 line of 11.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 dimes, 1.6 steals, 0.6 blocks and 2.1 triples.
Matisse Thybulle (33%)- The 76ers had to sacrifice some of their depth to make way for James Harden who is traveling to Philly as we speak. The 76ers refused to include Thybulle in the trade talks which is pretty telling, and now his workloads are going to be more secure. He may have an offensive game that would make only Semi Ojeleye jealous, but Thybulle is the best source of pure “stocks” in the NBA with 2.4 steals and 1.5 blocks per 36 minutes.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (25%)- Bradley Beal’s season is over and Spencer Dinwiddie is taking his 11 shots per game on 37% shooting to Dallas. Have fun with that one, Jason Kidd. KCP had 13 points on 4-of-10 shooting in his last outing with five rebounds, two assists, one 3-pointer and two steals in his last outing, and lines like this could become the norm. With Beal and Dinwiddie off the court this season, KCP averages 18.6 points per 36 minutes with 3.2 triples.
Javonte Green (33%)- Javonte is one of the most surprising players of the last month. Green has always been a freak athlete but only recently started to show some upside in fantasy hoops. He’s coming off a couple duds, but over his last nine games he ranks inside the top-60 for 9-cat with 11.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 dimes, 1.1 steals, 1.0 blocks and 0.3 triples on 57% from the field and 87% from the line.
Raul Neto (3%) and Ish Smith (2%)- Insert the “let them fight” meme here. Neto vs. Smith isn’t going to be must-see TV, but as the only PGs left standing in Washington, fantasy managers are forced to at least monitor this situation. While a value-killing timeshare could be on the table, I would take a flier on Neto if I had to choose between the two. Neto also has a bit more upside and we saw that on Thursday when he had 21 points, one rebound, six assists, one 3-pointer and three turnovers through 31 minutes.
Deni Avdija (4%)- Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. was asked what direction the Wizards will go at PG and mentioned that he plans to use Avdija as a point forward for stretches. That’s a really exciting development for the second-year forward because it’s a skill he hasn’t been able to utilize up until now. Avdija had 13 points (5-of-11 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, two triples, one steal and one block over 32 minutes in his last outing and has a per-36 line of 13.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.9 dimes, 1.1 steals, 0.5 blocks and 2.0 triples with Beal and Dinwiddie off the court.
Hamidou Diallo (25%)- We may be getting a preview of Detroit’s silly season with Cade Cunningham (hip) out. Diallo has been lighting up box scores in recent games, averaging 16.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.0 dimes, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks over his last four. Do I think he holds much value when Cade returns? Probably not, but I wouldn’t rule it out either if the Pistons dial back their veterans in the final couple months. Right now he’s simply getting the job done as a streamer.
Maxi Kleber (15%)- This one is easy. Unless Davis Bertans comes in and suddenly starts shooting above 14% from deep, Kleber’s role in the frontcourt is safe. He’s ramping back up again after some knee swelling, so it’s just a matter of time before he’s getting full workloads. Kleber is way better in category leagues than he is in points formats, but give him a look if you need boards, 3s, steals and blocks.
Garrison Mathews (15%)- Eric Gordon (heel) is on the shelf and will be a prime shut-down candidate after the Rockets failed to move him at the deadline. Garry Bird has been solid over his last three with 16.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 dimes and 3.0 triples.
Kenrich Williams (2%)- There was plenty of interest in Kenrich from contenders at the deadline, but the fact that he’s staying in OKC is great for his value. He’s not going to win your fantasy matchup, but he’s a warm body that contributes across the board for this team with 8.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.2 dimes, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.0 triples over his last five.
Watch List:
Zach Collins (13%)- Collins has looked really strong in limited minutes for the Spurs, but he’s still limited as a backup behind Jakob Poeltl. If the Spurs are open to using Collins at the four, he suddenly becomes much more interesting.
Cam Thomas (21%)- He’s been one of Brooklyn’s best players in recent games, but does he maintain a stable role when Seth Curry and Ben Simmons are cleared? Plus, Kevin Durant should be back right after the break.
Thaddeus Young (24%)- The Raptors are playing their starters all 48 minutes apparently. If Young can get close to 20 minutes, he’ll have a shot at late-round value. This may be bad news for Chris Boucher.
Marvin Bagley (24%)- He’s not very good, but neither is Isaiah Stewart.
Justise Winslow (24%), Dennis Smith Jr. (2%) and CJ Elleby (4%)- The Blazers are a mess right now and we won’t know their actual rotation for a few more games. These three names will give the Lakers nightmares though.
