NBA Waiver Wire: Top Adds For The Stretch Run

With three-fourths of the NBA regular season in the books, fantasy managers are gearing up for playoff runs. Some have already clinched playoff spots. Meanwhile, many will be fighting tooth and nail to clinch their place in the postseason over the next several weeks. As such, this week's fantasy basketball waiver wire column will focus on both long- and short-term options.

Without further ado, here are a dozen players to consider adding heading into Week 19.

Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns (50% rostered)

Devin Booker isn't the only Suns player set to enjoy a significant boost in fantasy value while Chris Paul (thumb) is sidelined; Johnson made that abundantly clear in Thursday's win over the Thunder, in which he totaled 21 points to go along with five dimes, four boards, four treys, and one block across 31 minutes. lIn Friday's loss to the Pels, Johnson followed up with 15 points, three three-pointers, one steal and one block in 29 minutes. This is not a drill: open a new tab now and double check on his availability. 

Other Suns to consider adding (or at least keeping an eye on) in the event that you miss out on Johnson include: Cameron Payne (wrist), Jae Crowder, and Aaron Holiday.

Oshae Brissett, Indiana Pacers (47% rostered)

Brissett is averaging 14.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 blocks, 1.0 steals and 1.5 threes over his last six games. His size and versatility as a two-way player allow him to slot in at multiple positions. Thus, even when (or if) the Pacers get closer to full strength, Brissett should hold onto a meaningful role. Add him now while you still can.

Patrick Beverley, Minnesota Timberwolves (37% rostered)

Beverley's impressive play this season was recently rewarded, as he signed a one-year, $13 million extension before the All-Star break. With averages of 9.1 points, 4.7 assists (career high), 4.4 boards, 1.4 threes, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks (also a career high) in 26.2 minutes, the 33-year-old guard is arguably having the best year of his career, both in real life and from a fantasy perspective.

Kevin Huerter, Atlanta Hawks (38% rostered)

Huerter struggled badly (nine points on 11 field-goal attempts) in Thursday's loss against the Bulls, but he bounced back Saturday against Toronto (14 points, four rebounds, three assists, four three-pointers) and, overall, he has been extremely efficient of late. Over the last 11 games, Huerter is posting 13.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.7 threes.

Atlanta's entire offense essentially revolves around Trae Young, so Huerter doesn't get to operate with the ball in his hands as much as fantasy managers might like. However, Huerter is a decent option in most formats thanks to his efficiency and potential for continued improvement and growth going forward.

Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans Pelicans (32% rostered)

Hayes has been one of the more under-the-radar beneficiaries of the events of the trade deadline. Swapping a multi-positional wing (Josh Hart) for a combo guard (CJ McCollum) has facilitated Hayes slotting in at power forward more often, where he can float and fly around the court more freely.

It seems like a more suitable role for the wiry and athletic but slender big man than the rim-protecting, big-body-banging, last-man-of-defense responsibilities associated with the center position. Hayes looks to be in position to continue starting alongside Jonas Valanciunas, as coach Willie Green said that he plans to keep Devonte' Graham in a reserve role coming out of the break.

Derrick Rose, New York Knicks (25% rostered)

With Kemba Walker shut down for the remainder of the season, the door of opportunity is ajar for most of New York's backcourt players—at least until Rose (ankle) rejoins the rotation. It is possible Rose won't play a ton of minutes down the stretch, depending on the team's position in the standings. Nevertheless, if the Knicks remain somewhat in the hunt for one of the play-in spots, expect coach Tom Thibodeau to rely heavily on Rose.

For the short-term, those in points leagues could turn to Alec Burks, who has been providing decent counting stats (albeit on awful efficiency) over the last 10 games. Or there's Immanuel Quickley, who delivered one of his better showings of the season right before the All-Star break, as he turned in 18 points, six boards, four dimes, four treys, and one steal in 21 minutes against the Nets. Or for those in need of treys in deeper formats, Quentin Grimes has been lighting it up from beyond the arc of late.

Deni Avdija, Washington Wizards (25% rostered)

Avdija is coming off of a complete dud in Saturday's ugly loss to the Cavs (zero points in 23 minutes), but prior to that he'd posted 12.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.5 threes and 0.8 blocks over his last six games (31.8 MPG).

A triple threat offensively, as well as a sturdy positional defender with good hands, Avdija should have every opportunity to showcase his skills over the last two months of the regular season. The combination of high floor and high upside makes Avdija one of my favorite pickups across all formats; add him now before it's too late.

Danilo Gallinari, Atlanta Hawks (18% rostered)

John Collins (foot) has missed five straight games and Gallinari has filled in admirably, scoring 25 points or more twice in the last four contests. While he's probably best reserved for deeper leagues when the Hawks are closer to full strength, Gallinari could be of use to managers in search of points and threes.

Bruce Brown, Brooklyn Nets (16% rostered)

Brown has stepped up for the injury-riddled Nets, averaging 13.2 points, 5.8 boards, 3.0 dimes, and 1.8 steals in 32.2 minutes over the last six games. It may not last long, but Brown has been stuffing the stat sheet across multiple categories and seems like a solid option for those in need of a short-term solution.

Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks (13% rostered)

Okongwu has seen fewer than 20 minutes in seven of his last 10 appearances while contributing modest averages of 7.6 points, 4.3 boards, 1.5 dimes, 1.2 block, and 0.8 steals in 18.7 minutes during that same stretch. So why am I recommending him as an add?

Mainly, because I think it's becoming clear that he's already better than Atlanta's current starting center, Clint Capela. Those in dynasty formats should scoop Okongwu up right away because his time is coming. It may not be this season—but I'm confident that it's only a matter of time before Okongwu solidifies himself as a top-notch big man. He played 27 minutes off the bench in Saturday's win over Toronto, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and a steal.

Tre Mann, Oklahoma City Thunder (9% rostered)

Small sample size alert! Over the last four games, Mann is averaging 21.8 points, 4.3 boards, 3.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.8 threes in 32.0 minutes. The return of Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle), who had missed the last 10 games, resulted in Mann coming off the bench during Thursday's contest against the Suns.

However, Mann replaced Aaron Wiggins in the first unit to begin the second half, and he also started Friday night's win over the Pacers. It (almost) goes without saying, but Oklahoma City is a team that fantasy managers should be keeping an eye on down the stretch; diamonds in the rough abound on bad teams.

Recent recommendations still rostered in less than 50 percent of leagues: De'Anthony Melton, Royce O'Neale, Chuma Okeke, Dorian Finney-Smith, Cam Thomas, Maxi Kleber, Alperen Sengun, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Isaiah Jackson, Jonathan Kuminga, Kevon Looney, Thaddeus Young, Hamidou Diallo, Grayson Allen, Raul Neto, Ish Smith, Goran Dragic