The NBA got a shake-up over the weekend with the New York Knicks trading for OG Anunoby. That move will have a massive impact on both them and the Toronto Raptors in fantasy for the star players and the role players.
Before getting into the standard waiver wire options, let’s take a look at the players that fantasy managers should add if available in your league.
After that this guide showcases three guards, forwards, centers and specialists to add to your rosters. As with every week this season, these are all players that are rostered on less than 50% of Yahoo Fantasy Hoops Leagues at the moment. If these players are not available, scour your waivers for the best options this week!
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New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors
Note: Some of these players are going to break the 50% rule, but are immediate adds to your roster if available.
Immanuel Quickley – Toronto Raptors (66% Rostered)
Four Games: Cleveland Cavaliers (Monday), @ Memphis Grizzlies (Wednesday), @ Sacramento Kings (Friday) and @ Golden State Warriors (Sunday)
This season Quickley has improved every week leading up to his best week of the season before being traded. The dynamic scoring guard adds quickness, self-creation and shooting to a Toronto roster that is built around big wings.
Quickley will likely be a long-term starter after getting into a rhythm with the team. He is immediately the team’s best shooter and guard, as well as the third best player.
Last week Quickley averaged 18.0 points, 1.3 assists and 3.0 assists per game. He very well could be energized after this trade and ready to spread his wings in a new environment.
Donte DiVincenzo – New York Knicks (30% Rostered)
Four Games: Minnesota Timberwolves (Monday), Chicago Bulls (Wednesday), @ Philadelphia 76ers (Friday) and @ Washington Wizards (Saturday)
New York will still revolve around Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, with Anunoby sliding into the usage of RJ Barrett, giving DiVincenzo an even bigger role.
While his last game is not a sign of the future (38 points, six rebounds, four steals and seven made three-pointers) it certainly is what he is capable of from time-to-time.
DiVincenzo will get a lot of the looks and shots that Quickley leaves behind. He will also be the benefactor of teams focusing the defense on Brunson, Randle and now Anunoby.
Other Players Impacted
Precious Achiuwa might not garner massive fantasy numbers this season, but is one to keep an eye on in the waivers. He will come in from day one as the team’s back-up center and power forward with Mitchell Robinson out with injury. Achiuwa lands on a team that is built on defense and values high energy, effort players, which is what he brings to the table.
One of Quentin Grimes, Miles McBride, who just signed a new contract or Malachi Flynn will get the minutes left behind by Quickley off the bench. While none of those four are going to be game changers, game-by-game or even week-by-week they might be strong waiver additions.
Guards
Craig Porter Jr. – Cleveland Cavaliers (14% Rostered)
Four Games: @ Toronto Raptors (Monday), Washington Wizards (Wednesday, Friday) and San Antonio Spurs (Sunday)
Over his last three games Porter Jr. has totaled 42 points, 20 rebounds, 16 assists and five steals. As a starter for the injured Darius Garland or as a reserve, Porter Jr. has proven he is a consistent fantasy option.
Porter Jr. also has the added benefit this week of playing three of four games at home where he has a high usage rate and per game counting stats this season.
Andrew Nembhard – Indiana Pacers (6% Rostered)
Four Games: Milwaukee Bucks (Monday road, Wednesday home), Atlanta Hawks (Friday) and Boston Celtics (Saturday)
Last week Nembhard started all three games averaging 11.0 points and 5.0 assists per game. Playing alongside Tyrese Haliburton in the starting lineup opens up Nembhard to hockey assists and easy attack lanes to score.
This week Nembhard faces two defenses (Milwaukee and Atlanta) in three games that struggle to defend the perimeter. Nembhard gives fantasy managers a steady utility player who has thrived as a starter.
Luke Kennard – Memphis Grizzlies (3% Rostered)
Four Games: San Antonio Spurs (Tuesday), Toronto Raptors (Wednesday) and @ Los Angeles Lakers (Friday)
After missing 20 straight games Kennard came back with 20 points, three rebounds, two assists and five made three-pointers. While a fair amount of that came in a 20-point loss, made-three pointers are made three-pointers.
His shooting will be a welcome addition to Memphis who is attempting to make the playoffs after a horrendous start. Memphis is 29th in the league in three-point percentage and 12th in makes per game. Kennard won’t single-handedly change that, but he can help.
Forwards
Patrick Williams – Chicago Bulls (44% Rostered)
Three Games: @ Philadelphia 76ers (Tuesday), @ New York Knicks (Wednesday) and Charlotte Hornets (Friday)
All of the attention has been on the play of Coby White as of late, but Williams has also taken a leap. During this stretch without Zach LaVine in the lineup Williams is averaging 14.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and a steal and block per game.
In 11 of those games he has scored in double-figures. Williams is shooting 51-46-71 splits during this stretch. He is a no-brainer waiver wire pickup and a potential season long keeper as a bench option.
Jonathan Kuminga – Golden State Warriors (32% Rostered)
Three Games: Orlando Magic (Tuesday), Denver Nuggets (Thursday) and Detroit Pistons (Friday)
While Golden State might be a mess, Kuminga has been steady as a fantasy option this season. He has scored in double-figures in 12 straight games with at least four rebounds in all but one of those games.
He is not going to hurt your shooting percentage either with only two games under 50% during this stretch. When Draymond Green returns this might change some, but for now Kuminga is a steal on the waivers today.
Derrick Jones Jr. – Dallas (20% Rostered)
Four Games: @ Utah Jazz (Monday), Portland Trail Blazers (Wednesday, Friday) and Minnesota Timberwolves (Sunday)
While Jones Jr. has cooled down a bit from three, he has the trust of Luka Doncic and head coach Jason Kidd. Before his last game (seven points), Jones Jr. scored in double-figures in four straight games and grabbed 21 rebounds in that stretch. On the defensive end Jones Jr. has a steal in four straight games, a block in three straight for a total of 12 STOCKS.
He can be found money with made three-pointers while giving your team double-figure scoring, rebounding, steals and blocks as a deep utility option.
Centers
Larry Nance Jr. – New Orleans Pelicans (14% Rostered)
Three Games: Brooklyn Nets (Tuesday), @ Minnesota Timberwolves (Wednesday) and Los Angeles Clippers (Friday)
Nance Jr. has returned from injury with back-to-back strong games. He totaled 20 points, 17 rebounds, five steals and three assists while making one three-pointer in each game.
He has the ability to be a pinball bouncing around the court for rebounds, steals and blocks, while improving as a three-point shooter. Nance Jr. is one to watch now that he is healthy and New Orleans inches towards full strength.
Trey Lyles – Sacramento Kings (3% Rostered)
Three Games: Charlotte Hornets (Tuesday), Orlando Magic (Wednesday) and Toronto Raptors (Friday)
Over his last two games Lyles has played a pivotal role for Sacramento with a shake-up to the starting lineup. He has seven made three-pointers, 31 points and nine rebounds in his last two games. Lyles will continue to get looks and shots as the backup five in this overwhelming offensive attack.
Luke Kornet – Boston Celtics (1% Rostered)
Three Games: @ Oklahoma City Thunder (Tuesday), Utah Jazz (Friday) and @ Indiana Pacers (Saturday)
This is a deep reach, but over Kornet’s last two games he has gone for 32 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and five blocks on 14/18 shooting in 47 minutes. One of those was a two point win and the other a blowout, showing Boston’s trust in the reserve big man.
Specialists
POINTS – Bennedict Mathurin – Indiana Pacers (47% Rostered)
Four Games: Milwaukee Bucks (Monday road, Wednesday home), Atlanta Hawks (Friday) and Boston Celtics (Saturday)
This season Mathurin has scored 26, nine and 14 points against Milwaukee. He has 14 points in the one game against Atlanta and barely played in a 51 point loss to Boston this season.
In his last three games Mathurin has totaled 45 points making six three-pointers, nine free-throws and shooting 15/28 from the field. This might be a huge week for the second year wing off the bench for Indiana.
THREE-POINTERS – Corey Kispert – Washington Wizards (8% Rostered)
Three Games: @ Cleveland Cavaliers (Wednesday and Friday) and New York Knicks (Saturday)
If Kispert is available in your league, jump on him immediately. This season the sharp-shooter has made multiple three-pointers in 19 games, at least one in all but four games he has played in and is one of the best shooters in the league.
Kispert has scored 13-plus points in five straight games, scoring not just as a shooter, but in a variety of ways. If this trend continues he could be a long-term keeper this season.
STOCKS – Kris Dunn – Utah Jazz (5% Rostered)
Four Games: Dallas Mavericks (Monday), Detroit Pistons (Wednesday), @ Boston Celtics (Friday) and @ Philadelphia 76ers (Saturday)
Over his last five games Dunn has at least one steal in three, one block in four and a steal and a block in three.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Dunn is also a threat to fill up the statsheet with points, assists and rebounds every game.
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