This article is part of our NBA Waiver Wire series.
All-Star weekend is a tempting time for fantasy mangers to smash the snooze button. However, those thinking about unplugging for a few days may want to double check the waiver wire before doing so, as there are several solid players who remain widely available.
The dust from the trade deadline is still settling, to a certain extent. Still, this week's fantasy basketball waiver wire column will focus in part on some early trends and takeaways. Without further ado, here are eight players to consider adding heading into the All-Star break.
Oshae Brissett, Indiana Pacers (50% rostered)
Brissett is averaging 15.6 points, 7.6 boards, 2.0 assists, 1.8 threes, 1.2 blocks, and 0.8 steals across 34.0 minutes during the last five 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.
Monte Morris, Denver Nuggets (49% rostered)
Morris made a truly triumphant return to the lineup following a three-game absence due to a concussion, as he sank the buzzer-beating, game-winning shot in Denver's win over the Warriors on Wednesday. Moreover, Morris managed 13 points, six dimes, four boards, and two treys across 31 minutes of action. Though there is optimism that Jamal Murray (knee) will be able to return before the end of the regular season, I expect Morris to keep chugging along and maintain (or even
All-Star weekend is a tempting time for fantasy mangers to smash the snooze button. However, those thinking about unplugging for a few days may want to double check the waiver wire before doing so, as there are several solid players who remain widely available.
The dust from the trade deadline is still settling, to a certain extent. Still, this week's fantasy basketball waiver wire column will focus in part on some early trends and takeaways. Without further ado, here are eight players to consider adding heading into the All-Star break.
Oshae Brissett, Indiana Pacers (50% rostered)
Brissett is averaging 15.6 points, 7.6 boards, 2.0 assists, 1.8 threes, 1.2 blocks, and 0.8 steals across 34.0 minutes during the last five 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.
Monte Morris, Denver Nuggets (49% rostered)
Morris made a truly triumphant return to the lineup following a three-game absence due to a concussion, as he sank the buzzer-beating, game-winning shot in Denver's win over the Warriors on Wednesday. Moreover, Morris managed 13 points, six dimes, four boards, and two treys across 31 minutes of action. Though there is optimism that Jamal Murray (knee) will be able to return before the end of the regular season, I expect Morris to keep chugging along and maintain (or even improve upon) his current production for the entire campaign. Boasting career-high averages in scoring (12.7 PPG), assists (4.3 APG), rebounds (3.0 RPG), threes (1.6 3PG), and minutes (30.0 MPG), it's a wonder he's this widely available.
Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies (47% rostered)
Clarke has scored in double figures in nine of the last 10 games while posting 13.4 points, 6.6 boards, 1.5 dimes, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 22.2 minutes during that same stretch. While Steven Adams has been a positive contributor all year and will likely continue to earn most of the minutes at center, the on-court combination of Clarke and Jaren Jackson Jr. has been superb, as the two players complement each other impeccably on both ends of the court.
Patrick Beverley, Minnesota Timberwolves (37% rostered)
Beverley's impressive play this season was recently rewarded, as he just signed a one-year, $13 million extension. With averages of 9.2 points, 4.9 assists (career high), 4.4 boards, 1.4 threes, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 block (also a career high) in 26.4 minutes, the 33-year-old guard is arguably having the best year of his career, both in real life and from a fantasy perspective.
Kelly Olynyk, Detroit Pistons (35% rostered)
Having returned somewhat recently following a bout with COVID, Olynyk mostly struggled during the nine-game stretch heading into the All-Star break. However, he showed some encouraging signs in Wednesday's win over the Celtics, totaling 15 points, six boards, three treys, two steals, and one dime in 17 minutes against his former team. Detroit will likely prioritize the development of sophomore center Isaiah Stewart going forward this season. Nevertheless, even if Olynyk only ends up earning 20-25 minutes per night from here on out, he'll likely hold decent value in most formats.
Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans Pelicans (25% 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 (C.J. 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 rigid, rim-protecting, big-body-banging, last-man-of-defense responsibilities associated with the center position. With averages of 13.5 points, 5.5 boards, 1.0 block, 0.9 assists, and 0.6 steals in 26.7 minutes over the last 10 games, Hayes is a high-flyer worth taking a flier on, particularly in deep leagues.
Javonte Green, Chicago Bulls (22% rostered)
With any luck, Chicago will be welcoming back key cogs in Zach LaVine (knee) and Alex Caruso (wrist) in the coming weeks, and later down the road Lonzo Ball (knee) as well. However, for the time being, Green has been a crucial ingredient to the team's continued success, averaging 12.8 points, 5.1 boards, 1.4 assists, 1.0 three, 1.0 steal, and 0.9 blocks in 30.3 minutes over his last 10 appearances. It may not last for much longer, but Green is a good add in deeper leagues.
Deni Avdija, Washington Wizards (18% rostered)
Avdija has earned at least 30 minutes in four of his last five outings while averaging 12.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 dimes, 1.4 threes, 1.0 steal, and 0.8 blocks in 30.8 minutes. 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.
Recent recommendations rostered in less than 50 percent of leagues: Justise Winslow, Davion Mitchell, De'Anthony Melton, Royce O'Neale, Chuma Okeke, Cameron Johnson, Matisse Thybulle, Dorian Finney-Smith, Kevin Huerter, Alperen Sengun, Cam Thomas, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Reggie Bullock, Maxi Kleber, Jonathan Kuminga, Hamidou Diallo, Kevon Looney, Thaddeus Young, Grayson Allen, Lance Stephenson, Aleksej Pokusevski, Raul Neto, Ish Smith, Goran Dragic
