Welcome back to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who can add to the waiver wire and make your fantasy basketball lineup next week.
Every league is different – sometimes 75% of players are waived, either because of mistakes or because they hit an intolerable slump. If they fit your body type, buy them. But in this column, we’re focusing on the players in the lower 50% of your roster who can help you win in Week 18 or beyond.
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remind: The default Yahoo fantasy basketball trade deadline is Thursday, March 5th. Get those offers out before it’s too late!
Fantasy basketball pickups and advice.
🎧 Who’s in my rotation: High Scores
GG Jackson II – FC, Memphis Grizzlies (26%)
Jackson is an easy must-have player in any league. The Grizzlies’ frontcourt is extremely thin, which provides a perfect opportunity for Jackson to showcase his fantasy skills. He has scored at least 35 fantasy points in his past three games, including a 47-point fantasy performance on Saturday. Whether he comes off the bench or starts, GG has racked up statistics in most categories and fantasy managers can trust him in four games this week. Ty Jerome is another guy I’d add to my list of high-scoring Grizzlies.
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Reed Shepard – Guard, Houston Rockets (38%)
The Rockets have played four games, three of which were weak in Week 18. Sheppard is more consistent in the league standings, going 14-3-4 over the past five games and averaging almost 2 points per game. During that span, he scored at least 32 fantasy points in four of those games. Now that the shot is about to fall, fantasy managers in shallow leagues should catch him. The Rockets need someone besides Kevin Durant to stretch the floor, so if Shepard’s efficiency continues, his minutes will start to climb above 25 minutes a night.
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Gisontos – FC, Golden State Warriors (18%)
Santos has been making an impact in the fantasy world since late January, averaging 15-5-4 in his previous 10 games with over 2 stocks in each contest. The Golden State Warriors were without Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzis on Sunday. It’s a group of role players led by Santos, who has been the Warriors’ most consistent performer in February. Between his efficiency and attention to detail on defense, he will continue to fill the scoring for a shorthanded Warriors team.
🎧 Who’s in my rotation: Deeper leagues added
Carson Wallace – PG/SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder (27%)
The Thunder have four games left to play this week, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams aren’t ready to play yet. Wallace had his first career double-double in Sunday’s win over the Cavaliers — the right momentum you want to capitalize on as the week begins. I can see people wanting to see this as an outlier since he scored a combined 15 points in the first three games. But he’s still one of the best tackling specialists in the fantasy world, and with more usage and volume, he’s worth streaming before the main roster returns to the lineup.
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Marvin Bagley – PF/C, Dallas Mavericks (18%)
I think Bagley can play a role in a 12-man lineup. He has posted a double-double in three of the last five games despite playing under 26 minutes in each game. He’s the better player in the timeshare between him and Daniel Gafford, and fantasy managers need to play him in four games in Week 18. Bagley has plenty of running room, the Mavericks are still far from contention and will be without Cooper Flagg (foot) for the time being.
Precious Achiuwa – PF/C, Sacramento Kings (14%)
Sacramento’s frontcourt is lackluster at best, leaving Achiuwa to handle the interior of this struggling team. He had a strong performance in Week 17, ranking 51st in nine games, thanks to his diverse numbers on both sides of the ball. The Kings’ schedule is favorable, and playing time in the upper 20s is enough to maintain his value as a priority complementary player in a 12-team, 9-cat or point league. There could be league-winning potential here.
Nique Clifford – SG/SF, Sacramento Kings (13%)
It’s great to see fantasy managers taking note of his broad role. Given his shooting issues, he’s more valuable in a points league than in a 9-cat format. However, he’s played at least 30 minutes in six straight games, which suggests he’s not going anywhere. Given the injuries on the wings and the Kings’ record, Clifford’s spot in the rotation looks solid. He has some appeal in terms of assists, rebounds and steals, but don’t underestimate his upside as he scored 30 points a few weeks ago. The Kings will begin Week 18 with games on Monday and Wednesday, both of which are easier games in which his statistics will come into play.
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De’Anthony Melton – PG/SG, Golden State Warriors (11%)
As long as Stephen Curry isn’t ready to play, Melton is a must-player. Those vying for a playoff spot may want to put Melton in trouble because he won’t be playing back-to-back games in a three-game week (the Warriors have a back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday). If you’re in good position to make the playoffs or get a bye, don’t worry about Melton’s 25-minute limit, as he’ll fill up the stat sheet in points leagues while also being useful in 9-cat points, three-pointers, and steals.
Scottie Pippen Jr. – PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies (9%)
Like his teammate GG, Pippen Jr. is also a supplementary player based on the schedule in Week 18. He ranked 80th in nine games in Week 17, ranging from scoring to six assists and three shares per game. The Grizzlies aren’t playing back-to-back games, which is an advantage for Pippen, who’s still playing around 20 minutes and hasn’t played on consecutive nights since returning in early February. Fantasy managers can also look at Ty Jerome in shallow leagues, and Cam Spencer and Walter Clayton Jr. in deeper leagues.
