NBA Fantasy: 6 waiver wire targets ahead of Week 17
Over his last 14 games, GG Jackson from Memphis has been averaging 13.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.1 3-pointers.
We saw a flurry of moves Thursday ahead of the 2024 NBA trade deadline. With many players changing teams, there are plenty of fantasy basketball implications. Let’s discuss some players to consider adding off the waiver wire because of the trades.
Nick Richards, Charlotte Hornets (55% available)
Mark Williams, who is suffering from a back injury, remains without a scheduled date for his return. In his absence, Richards has secured his position as the Hornets’ starting center. During his 28 games in this role, Richards has averaged 9.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks.
Rumors had been circulating that the Hornets might trade Richards during the deadline. However, not only did he remain with the team, but they also traded P.J. Washington to the Mavericks. In exchange, the Hornets acquired Grant Williams, who is not expected to challenge Richards for playing time. Considering the possibility of Richards being the Hornets’ starting center for a considerable time, if not for the rest of the season, it’s surprising that he’s still available in so many leagues.
Marvin Bagley III, Washington Wizards (61% available)
This season, Bagley was traded from the Pistons to the Wizards. He is presently dealing with a back injury that has caused him to sit out three consecutive games, and he will not be playing on Friday either. Prior to his injury, he had an average of 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds across eight games, with an average playing time of 24.1 minutes per game.
At the deadline, the Wizards traded Daniel Gafford to the Mavericks and acquired Richaun Holmes, who is expected to serve as a backup at the five. This opens up a clear path for Bagley to become the starting center once he recovers from his injury. Considering the Wizards’ distinction as the fastest-paced team in the league, Bagley could potentially play around 30 minutes per game, making him a potential game-changer in fantasy basketball.
Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies (74% available)
The Grizzlies persist in their challenging season, dealing with a roster significantly diminished from its original state. Aldama is among the scarce healthy options remaining for the team, although he too has grappled with injuries occasionally. He has been part of the starting lineup in his last nine games, recording an average of 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 3-pointers during this period.
Despite their depth problems, the Grizzlies transferred Xavier Tillman Sr. to the Celtics on Wednesday and traded David Roddy to the Suns the following day. Although Tillman was dealing with an injury, he managed to average 26.0 minutes per game in his last nine games. On the other hand, Roddy averaged 26.9 minutes per game in his last 15 matches. With these changes, Aldama is expected to play approximately 30 minutes each night, making him an attractive option for waiver-wire selection.
GG Jackson II, Memphis Grizzlies (83% available)
Jackson’s performance has been a delightful unexpected bonus for the Grizzlies. Despite not getting a lot of playtime, he has averaged 23.9 minutes in his last 14 games. Capitalizing on his chances, he has managed an average of 13.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.1 three-pointers per game. He’s played for at least 25 minutes in eight games, during which he averaged 18.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 three-pointers.
Jackson, similar to Aldama, stands to gain from the absence of Tillman and Roddy. However, unlike Aldama, Jackson has not been dealing with recent injuries. If the Grizzlies choose to give some players a break towards the end, it’s unlikely Jackson would be sidelined. For those participating in more complex formats, Jackson makes a fantastic addition.
Marcus Sasser, Detroit Pistons (89% available)
The Pistons executed several actions during the deadline. They had a surplus of guards at the beginning but ended up trading Alec Burks and Monte Morris. In addition, they let go of Killian Hayes, who had been a starter averaging 24.0 minutes per game for the majority of the season.
Given the numerous guard changes made by the Pistons, Sasser is set to get a chance to play. His performance couldn’t have been much better against the Trail Blazers on Thursday, as he scored 17 points, made 11 assists, two steals, and three 3-pointers in 38 minutes as a substitute. Although he probably won’t be playing as much once Quentin Grimes, the newly-acquired player, joins in, he still has a clear opportunity to play at least 25 minutes per game going forward.
Simone Fontecchio, Detroit Pistons (93% available)
Earlier in the week, the Pistons obtained Fontecchio from the Jazz. In his last 20 games for the Jazz, Fontecchio started and averaged 9.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 3-pointers in 26.6 minutes per game. However, the Jazz had ample depth, including rookie Taylor Hendricks ready to assume a larger role.
Fontecchio could instantly take on a pivotal role for the Pistons. They have moved on from Burks, Morris, and Hayes, and have also traded Bojan Bogdanovic. Ausar Thompson is expected to have a bigger role as well, but considering the Pistons’ hesitation to give him substantial playing time, it wouldn’t be surprising if Fontecchio gets at least 25 minutes per game going forward. This could make him an important contributor to their three-pointer scores.
Tre Mann, Charlotte Hornets (96% available)
During his time with the Thunder, Mann experienced a consistent reduction in his playing time. His rookie year was marked by struggles with efficiency, reflected in his field shooting percentage of 39.3%. Nevertheless, he managed a 36.0% shooting rate from behind the three-point line. On average, he scored 10.4 points, made 1.6 three-pointers, and contributed 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, over the course of 22.8 minutes.
He has only participated in 13 games this season before being traded by the Thunder to the Hornets in exchange for Gordon Hayward. LaMelo Ball, currently sidelined due to an ankle injury, has a track record of injuries. The Hornets are now aiming for a high draft pick, making it unlikely for them to encourage Ball to play despite his injuries. There’s a chance that Mann could clock approximately 25 minutes of play per game in the future, making him a worthwhile consideration for addition in deeper leagues.
