I want to be clear about something before we get into it. These are not my picks. These are your picks. We had 439 votes cast across all categories, which blew me away. That is a real statement from this community and I’m grateful for every single one of you who participated.

So let’s hand out the awards. Category by category. With the actual numbers.

Fantasy MVP

Winner: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets — 60% of the vote

This one was not close. Jokic ran away with it at 60% and honestly it makes sense. He averaged 27.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.9 assists per game. That’s a triple-double average for the second straight season. He also gave you 1.4 steals and 1.8 threes per night from the center slot. Every week you started him, you were already winning multiple categories before anyone else pulled up the matchup.

The community recognized what the stats showed all season. He’s the safest fantasy asset in the game right now.

2nd place: Luka Doncic — 13%

Luka actually edged out Wemby in the voting at 13%. That tells you how much the community respects his scoring and playmaking production even in a season with some noise around him. SGA and Jalen Johnson each pulled 8%, and then somebody nominated Joel Embiid, who got 2% of the vote. I think we all know who that was.

3rd place: Victor Wembanyama — 10%

Wemby got 10% of the vote and honestly I think he deserved more consideration. He averaged 3.1 blocks per game in just 29 minutes a night. Nobody else in the league was even at 2.0 blocks. He’s a category destroyer. But the community went with the floor and the balance that Jokic provides, and I understand that completely.

Defensive Player of the Year

Winner: Victor Wembanyama — 85% of the vote

This one was not a conversation. Wemby ran away with 85% and it’s hard to argue with that. Three straight seasons averaging at least 3.0 blocks and 1.0 steal per game. No other player in the league averaged 2.0 blocks. Chet Holmgren, Evan Mobley, and Jay Huff were the next closest at 1.8. In category leagues he hands you the blocks column every single week.

2nd place: Kawhi Leonard — 4%

Kawhi got 4% of the vote. When healthy he’s still one of the better two-way options in the game and the community acknowledged that. Jalen Duren came in at 2%. And yes, someone nominated Joel Embiid again. We’re moving on.

Most Improved Player

Winner: Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks — 31% of the vote

I’ll be honest with you. When I pulled up the results live, I had this one wrong initially. I thought Keyonte George had it. But Rollins came in at 31% and George was right behind him at 27%. That’s a close race and the community got it right.

Rollins started the season undrafted in 87% of leagues. Kevin Porter Jr. got hurt nine minutes into game one. Giannis played only 36 games. All of that opened up a massive role and Rollins stepped into it and never looked back. He played 73 games and averaged 17.2 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 2.5 threes while shooting 47.3% from the field and 40.9% from three. That’s a top-60 player out of nowhere.

2nd place: Keyonte George, Utah Jazz — 27%

George averaged 23.6 points, 6.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 2.5 threes, and 1.1 steals after shooting just 39.1% from the field over his first two seasons. This year he shot 45.6%. Everything else followed. He only played 54 games because Utah was tanking, but the per-game production was undeniable. Watch his situation closely in 2027.

3rd place: Nickeil Alexander-Walker — 18%

NAW had a really good season and the community saw it. He’ll show up again in a minute. Tyrese Maxey came in 4th at 8% and everyone else was under 4%.

Rookie of the Year

Winner: Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets — 50% of the vote

Exactly half the community went with Knueppel. And the margin over Flagg was just 5 percentage points, which tells you how real that debate was all season.

Knueppel averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 3.4 threes per game. He shot 48.1% from the field, 86.2% from the line, and 43.0% from three. He set an NBA record for most threes made by a rookie. He played 78 games. That last one is what put him over the top in the community vote and in my mind too. Availability is a stat.

2nd place: Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks — 45%

45% is not a distant second. Flagg averaged 21.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 threes in 66 games. He dropped a 51-point game at some point this season as a 19-year-old. The community was split almost down the middle and I respect both sides. Flagg is a first-round pick in 2027 drafts. That’s already decided.

3rd place: VJ Edgecombe — 5%

Edgecombe pulled 5% of the vote. Distant third but worth noting he got enough community support to show up. Good rookie season in a quiet way.

Second-Year Leap Award

This is one of my favorite categories and it’s unique to our community.

Winner: Donovan Clingan — 47% of the vote

Clingan ran away with this one. 47% is not close. The community watched him take a real step in year two and rewarded him for it.

2nd place: Stephon Castle — 23%

Castle got 23% and I think he earned that. The Spurs are building something and Castle is a big part of it.

3rd place: Alex Sarr — 21%

Sarr was right behind Castle at 21%. Those two were neck and neck for second and third.

Waiver Wire Pickup of the Year

Winner: Nickeil Alexander-Walker — 49% of the vote

NAW ran away with this one at 49%. That is not a close race. He was a coming-out party kind of season. The community saw it all year and rewarded him accordingly.

2nd place: Ryan Rollins — 24%

Rollins shows up again. Two awards in one night is a statement. He was the most impactful waiver pickup of the season from a pure production standpoint, but the community gave the headline to NAW and I can see why.

3rd place: Collin Gillespie

Gillespie had a really solid season. Distant third in the voting but he earned a mention.

Other nominees included Jayson Tatum, Cam Spencer, Dejante Murray, Sadiq Bey, and Reed Sheppard. That’s a deep class of waiver wire contributors this year.

Fan Favorite

Winner: Jalen Johnson — 44% of the vote

The community loves Jalen Johnson and that 44% says everything. He ran away with this one.

2nd place: Cade Cunningham

Cade came in second which makes sense. He carried fantasy teams for most of the season before the injury hit late.

3rd place: Tyrese Maxey

Just three points behind Cade. Those two were close all night. Jamal Murray got an honorable mention in fourth.

Get Well Soon Award

Winner: Cade Cunningham — 55% of the vote

The community voted for this one with care, not anger. And that’s how it should be read. Cade played at a high level all season and then went down late. Nobody is mad at Cade. That 55% is the community saying we’re pulling for you next year.

Joel Embiid came in second and AD came in third. Both of them show up on these lists every year and you know the story with both of them by now.

Bust of the Year

Winner: Domantas Sabonis

The community made their feelings clear.

2nd place: Trae Young

Trae made it to game five before going down with an injury. Came back, played a handful of games, got traded to Washington, and basically disappeared. 15 games played total. Career lows in points at 17.9 and assists at 8.0. If you took him late first or early second round, you know how that felt.

3rd place: Tie — John Morant and Cameron Johnson

Both landed in the same spot. The community had opinions on this whole list. Jaylen Green, Devin Booker, Zion, Giannis all got votes. Personally I had Devin Booker as my bust. He played a lot and I thought he was going to do more. But injuries dominated the top of this category, which is its own conversation.

Should Have Been Traded Award

Winner: Domantas Sabonis — 61% of the vote

Stinking up the joint.

2nd place: Giannis Antetokounmpo

36 games played. If you built around Giannis expecting a full season, you felt it. The community noticed.

3rd place: Josh Giddy

Giddy rounds out the top three. I flagged him as a risky pick going into the season and the community agreed in hindsight.

What This Season Meant

64 championships reported in our community this year. More than any season in our history. More than the 52 we had in 2025 which was already a record. More than the 35 we had in 2023.

That number doesn’t happen without the people who show up every week, vote in the awards, and actually play the game the right way. Thank you for that.

Season six starts now. We’re going right into dynasty and keeper content, mock drafts on Sleeper, and more points league focus than ever before. The work that wins championships doesn’t start in October. It starts now.

Robbin Marx

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Robbin Marx

NBA Fantasy Analyst

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The Week 22 Schedule

Daily game counts:

• Monday: 10 games

• Tuesday: 4 games

• Wednesday: 12 games

• Thursday: 3 games

• Friday: 10 games

• Saturday: 6 games

• Sunday: 9 games

The main pressure points are easy to spot.

• Wednesday is the big clog day with 12 games.

• Monday and Friday are 10-game days, so they are often streamable for most teams but not guaranteed.

• Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday are much more favorable for roster flexibility.

There are also very few back to backs, which helps with rest risk but makes it harder to create huge streaming chains.

Team Game Counts

Four games (20 teams)

• Atlanta

• Brooklyn

• Charlotte

• Chicago

• Denver

• Detroit

• Golden State

• Houston

• Indiana

• The Clippers

• Memphis

• Miami

• Milwaukee

• New Orleans

• Oklahoma City

• Orlando

• Portland

• Sacramento

• Toronto

• Utah

Three games (8 teams)

• Boston

• Cleveland

• Dallas

• The Lakers

• The Knicks

• The Sixers

• The Spurs

• Washington

Two games (2 teams)

• Minnesota

• Phoenix

That split is the backbone of the week. Four game teams are fine. Three game teams need to be evaluated by timing. Two game teams are where the real decisions get brutal.

Why The Wolves Are A Trap

Minnesota is one of the ugliest schedule spots on the board. They have only two games, and one of them lands on the 12-game Wednesday. That means the team effectively gives you one usable game early in the week and then leaves you with almost nothing.

• Fringe Wolves players are not worth protecting in a playoff week.

• Even useful real life contributors can become lineup dead weight if they only help you once.

• If you can turn that roster spot into Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday production, you should strongly consider it.

Why Phoenix Is Better But Still Flawed

Phoenix also has only two games, but their shape is different. They play Tuesday, then have three days off before their next game. That makes the team more usable than Minnesota in some formats, but it is still not a great spot to hold fringe players.

• Keep the true core option if you need him.

• Move on from the obvious low-end pieces.

• Do not cling to role players just because they have a recognizable name.

Phoenix is better than Minnesota because there is at least some timing usefulness. But once you get into the bottom of the roster, the two-game schedule still crushes value.

How To Read The Three-Game Teams

Not all three-game teams are equal. That is a major theme here.

The three-game teams are:

• Boston

• Cleveland

• Dallas

• The Lakers

• The Knicks

• The Sixers

• The Spurs

• Washington

Among those, New York stands out because its three games are on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. That makes it different from the others, which all have at least one game on Wednesday.

Why that matters:

• If a team plays Wednesday, it is harder to stream around them.

• If a team avoids Wednesday, you can use that roster spot more aggressively on the other days.

So even when two teams both have three games, the timing can make one much more streamable than the other.

The Core Streaming Plan

The simplest approach this week is to turn one slot into six total quality games.

The standard route looks like this:

1. Start with Monday and Tuesday.

   • Use one stream to cover the Monday-Tuesday back to back.

   • The Monday-Tuesday pool includes Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio and Washington.

2. Ignore Wednesday.

   • Wednesday has 12 games, so that is your dead day.

   • You are not trying to force a streamer into that spot.

3. Move into Thursday and Friday.

   • A second stream can cover the Thursday-Friday block.

   • New Orleans is one of the better options here.

4. Finish with Saturday and Sunday.

   • There are only three teams in that weekend back to back cluster: Charlotte, Milwaukee and Sacramento.

   • You can use that as your final move or, if needed, stream Sunday as a one-off.

That is the basic shape of the week. One slot, four moves, six games.

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Robbin Marx

NBA Fantasy Analyst

Experience: NBC Sports - Rotoworld, HashTag Basketball, Bleav Network

If you are reading this, chances are you have made it to the most exciting part of the fantasy basketball season. The playoffs are underway, and for many managers that means the finals or at least the semi finals are staring you right in the face.

This is the moment when every roster move matters. One streaming pickup, one defensive stat, or one unexpected breakout performance can swing an entire matchup. In this episode of the BLEAV in Fantasy Basketball podcast, host Robbin Marx breaks down several under the radar players who could give your team that extra push toward a fantasy championship.

From defensive stat machines to players with favorable weekly schedules, here are some names worth paying close attention to as you navigate the most important week of the fantasy season.

Keon Ellis Emerging as a Defensive Stat Contributor

Let’s start with a player who has quietly produced over the past couple of weeks: Keon Ellis.

Ellis previously developed a reputation as a useful waiver wire option during his time with the Sacramento Kings. Known for his defensive activity, he often provided fantasy managers with valuable steals along with some supplementary scoring and assists.

Recently, he has been carving out a stronger role while seeing increased minutes. Over the last seven days, Ellis has averaged 27.6 minutes per game. That represents a significant jump compared with his season average of just 19.4 minutes.

With that extra playing time has come noticeable production. Over the past week, Ellis has averaged:

• 11.4 points per game

• 3.4 rebounds per game

• 1 assist per game

• 0.8 steals per game

• 1 block per game

While the assist numbers may not jump off the page, the defensive categories certainly do. Ellis has recorded at least one block in each of his last three games, including a two block performance against the Dallas Mavericks on March 13. He has also recorded at least one steal in four of his last five games.

That kind of defensive production is gold in fantasy basketball, especially during playoff matchups where every stat counts.

One note to keep in mind is that Ellis was not starting in Monday’s game this week. Because of that, he may be better suited as a streaming option later in the week depending on your roster needs.

Royce O’Neale and the Value of a Five Game Week

Next up is a player whose value is boosted by one very important factor: volume.

The Phoenix Suns have five games scheduled this week, and that alone makes their role players incredibly intriguing for fantasy managers.

One name that stands out is Royce O’Neale.

Over the last seven days, O’Neale has been logging serious minutes, averaging 30 minutes per game. During that stretch he has contributed:

• 11.3 points per game

• 5.3 rebounds per game

• 2.5 assists per game

• 1.5 steals per game

• 0.8 blocks per game

Those numbers represent well rounded production across several categories. Defensive stats are again a big highlight, with O’Neale averaging one and a half steals per game over the past week.

What makes this pickup even more appealing is his availability. O’Neale is currently rostered in only about 15.6 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues.

The Suns also begin the week with a back to back set of games on Monday and Tuesday. If he is sitting on your waiver wire, he can immediately help fill lineup spots early in the matchup.

Sometimes fantasy success is simply about maximizing games played. O’Neale offers a perfect opportunity to do exactly that.

Cameron Johnson Trending Up at the Right Time

Another intriguing option comes from veteran forward Cameron Johnson.

Marx admits that he was very high on Johnson during the offseason and even drafted him on several teams. Early struggles eventually forced many fantasy managers to drop him, leaving him floating around waiver wires for much of the season.

However, Johnson is beginning to show signs of life just as fantasy playoffs arrive.

Over the last seven days he has averaged:

• 30.5 minutes per game

• 14 points per game

• 3.5 rebounds per game

• 2.3 assists per game

• 0.8 steals per game

• 0.8 blocks per game

Johnson may not be the flashiest name available, but he contributes across multiple categories and is currently rostered in only about 20.6 percent of ESPN leagues.

The real appeal here is scheduling. Johnson’s team plays on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday this week. Those days are extremely valuable in fantasy because they often have fewer NBA games scheduled, meaning managers are more likely to have open roster spots.

Saturday slates are usually packed, but Sunday and Friday frequently require streaming help. Johnson fits perfectly into that schedule strategy.

Robert Williams III Providing Elite Block Production

If you are looking for a player who can dominate a single category, look no further than Robert Williams III of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Williams has been on a tear lately, particularly in the shot blocking department.

Over the last week, he has averaged:

• 20.3 minutes per game

• 8 points per game

• 9.7 rebounds per game

• 0.7 assists per game

• 2.3 blocks per game

That block production alone can swing a weekly matchup.

There are some risks involved with Williams. His injury history means he occasionally sits out games unexpectedly. Even so, the recent trend is encouraging. Over his last five games he has missed only one and has played at least 20 minutes in each appearance.

For fantasy managers in need of rebounds and blocks, Williams is an extremely appealing option.

Baylor Scheierman Flying Under the Radar

Finally, there is a name that many fantasy managers might not have considered yet: Baylor Scheierman of the Boston Celtics.

Scheierman is currently rostered in just 6 percent of ESPN leagues, which means he is widely available.

Marx recently watched him play and came away impressed. Scheierman passes the eye test and appears comfortable contributing in multiple ways.

Over the last seven days he has averaged:

• 30 minutes per game

• 9 points per game

• 8 rebounds per game

• 2.5 assists per game

• 0.5 steals per game

One fun fact about Scheierman is that he was also an outstanding high school quarterback at Aurora High School in Nebraska. During his senior season in 2018 he threw for 3,924 yards and an incredible 59 touchdowns.

That athletic versatility has carried over to basketball, where he has begun carving out meaningful minutes.

There is also an opportunity factor at play. As the Celtics manage minutes for stars like Jayson Tatum, players like Scheierman may see additional playing time. Even when Tatum is active, Scheierman appears capable of providing useful depth production.

Final Thoughts: Winning the Margins in Fantasy Playoffs

Fantasy basketball championships are rarely won by the biggest stars alone. During the playoff weeks, success often comes from winning the margins.

Streaming the right player for an extra game. Picking up someone who can deliver defensive stats. Finding a contributor with a favorable schedule.

Players like Keon Ellis, Royce O’Neale, Cameron Johnson, Robert Williams III, and Baylor Scheierman may not dominate headlines, but they can absolutely swing a matchup when used at the right time.

As you prepare for your finals or semi finals matchup, keep these names in mind. A timely waiver claim could be the move that brings home your fantasy basketball championship.

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The Week 21 Schedule: Every Day Is Live

Daily game counts:

• Monday: 8 games

• Tuesday: 8 games

• Wednesday: 9 games

• Thursday: 8 games

• Friday: 6 games

• Saturday: 10 games

• Sunday: 5 games

The takeaway is simple.

• You can realistically stream on every single day.

• Saturday is the only borderline one, but most builds will still have at least one open spot.

• There is no 11 or 12 game night that kills flexibility.

So this is a “pure streaming” week. You do not need to dodge any specific day the way you did with earlier 11 game Tuesdays or Sundays.

Game Counts: Five-Game Weeks, Four-Game Core, Two Types Of Threes

This week splits out like this:

Five game teams

• Phoenix

• Washington

Four game teams (14)

• Atlanta

• Boston

• Brooklyn

• Denver

• Golden State

• Houston

• The Clippers

• The Lakers

• Memphis

• Minnesota

• New Orleans

• Orlando

• Portland

• San Antonio

Three game teams (14)

• Charlotte

• Chicago

• Cleveland

• Dallas

• Detroit

• Indiana

• Miami

• Milwaukee

• New York

• Oklahoma City

• Philadelphia

• Sacramento

• Toronto

• Utah

No one has six or seven. It is a clean five, four, three environment. The problem is the illusion created by one of the five game teams.

Phoenix vs Washington: Not All Five Game Weeks Are Equal

Phoenix and Washington both show five games on the grid. That is where the similarities end.

Phoenix

• Good team.

• Still pushing for playoff positioning.

• You can trust that actual rotation players will play most nights and that their minutes will matter.

Washington

• Full-on chaos.

• Constant G League shuttling.

• No reason to prioritize vets winning games.

• Back to back management and shutdown risk everywhere.

In Washington’s case, the question is not “who has five games” but “will anyone actually play five.”

Examples of what is going wrong there right now:

• Popular late season adds have already been sent back to the G League.

• The most likely candidates to play all five are young wings and guards who are not guaranteed steady minutes or roles.

• Core names that people drafted or stashed may only play three games, and some might play two.

So on paper Washington is a five game dream. In practice, it is closer to a “two or three game lottery” for most individual players. Treat Phoenix as the real five game edge. Treat Washington as a place to fish for short-term runs but not a steady foundation.

Streaming Reality: Volume Still Beats Names

He spends time in this episode showing exactly how much streaming can beat “I like this player” thinking. The test he references is simple:

• One dedicated streaming slot, following a sensible weekly plan.

• After four days, that slot produced around 133 fantasy points.

• Most of the “tough to drop” fringe players he flagged could not get close to that.

Even someone on a hot streak with two or three big games fell short of what the churned streaming slot did, especially once you factor that one of those hot games landed on a high volume day where you might not have started them anyway.

The bottom line for this week:

• A streaming slot can easily outproduce a popular name on a three game or even a two game schedule.

• Your finals opponent will not beat you with a name if you are beating them with five to seven extra games of production from your last roster spot.

This is the week where you have to be willing to cut deep.

Stream Plan: Turn Three Games Into Seven

Because every day is streamable, you can use the classic four move pattern and get big volume from one slot.

You want to:

• Take one player from any of the 14 “three game” teams.

• Turn that spot into seven games with four moves.

The cleanest pattern for this particular week:

1. Monday–Tuesday back to back

   • First move: grab a player from a team that plays both Monday and Tuesday.

   • Options include Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio and Washington.

   • That gives you two games immediately.

2. Wednesday–Thursday back to back

   • Second move: move that spot to a Wednesday–Thursday back to back.

   • Teams available include Chicago, the Clippers, the Lakers, New Orleans and Utah.

   • That adds two more games, taking you to four.

3. Friday–Saturday back to back

   • Third move: shift to a Friday–Saturday back to back.

   • Teams like Atlanta, Golden State, Houston and Memphis are in this cluster.

   • Now you are at six games from that one slot.

4. Sunday single stream

   • Final move: use your last add on any viable Sunday player with a good role and matchup.

   • That is your seventh game.

Result:

• One three game slot becomes seven games.

• That is more than double the volume from that roster spot, which is extremely hard for your opponent to match if they do not stream aggressively.

You can modify the exact team choices based on your wire and categories, but the pattern stands.

Early Week And Late Week Landmines

Two teams create very specific timing issues this week.

Chicago

• Plays three games in four nights to start the week.

• Then does not play at all on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

• That means Bulls players look fine on volume early, then become dead spots during the days when titles are often decided.

Detroit

• Plays early, but is completely off on Saturday and Sunday.

• Same idea: they can be fine early week streaming fodder but should not be sitting in your lineup when your opponent is still putting up numbers on the weekend.

Practical takeaway:

• Load up on those teams early if you want the front-loaded volume.

• Be fully prepared to cut them before the last three days so you can stream weekend back to backs or single games instead.

If this is your finals week, you should already have circled Friday through Sunday as the window where you cannot afford to have dead roster spots.

How To Think About This Week In A Finals Mindset

This is one of those weeks where volume, timing and trust beat almost everything else.

• Phoenix’s five game week is a real advantage. Use it.

• Washington’s five game “week” is mostly noise. Stream there carefully, but do not build your core around it.

• Four game teams with stable rotations are where you want your lineup anchored.

• Three game teams are where you should be hunting for cuts to feed your streaming slot.

• Bulls and Pistons are front loaded and then vanish. Use them early, move on quickly.

• Back to backs and two-way limits mean some “four game players” are really only going to give you two or three games.

If you are willing to drop fringe names from three game teams and teams that disappear on the weekend, and you run a tight, deliberate streaming chain, you can easily get seven games from one slot and eight extra games if you open a second spot late in the week. That is the kind of edge that wins finals even when your opponent has “better names” on paper.

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Robbin Marx

NBA Fantasy Analyst

Experience: NBC Sports - Rotoworld, HashTag Basketball, Bleav Network

Congratulations! If you’re reading this, chances are you made it to the fantasy basketball playoffs. That alone is an accomplishment. But as every seasoned fantasy manager knows, getting here is only half the battle. Now comes the real challenge.

This is the point in the season when championships are won by the managers who refuse to coast. While others in your league start to run out of gas, the sharpest players are digging into the waiver wire, searching for the hidden gems that can swing a matchup.

In this latest episode of BLEAV in Fantasy Basketball, several intriguing under-the-radar players were highlighted by host Robbin Marx as potential difference makers. Some are stepping into bigger roles after the trade deadline. Others are quietly putting together strong stretches that many fantasy managers have overlooked.

Here are the key names you should be watching closely as the playoff race heats up.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper: Opportunity Is Knocking

The first player worth highlighting is Olivier-Maxence Prosper of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Prosper has been heating up in a big way since the trade deadline. Before that point in the season, he was seeing limited playing time, averaging about 16 minutes per game. Since the deadline, however, his role has expanded significantly, and with it has come increased production.

He is now averaging roughly 26 minutes per game, which is a massive jump in opportunity.

The scoring boost has followed. On the season, Prosper has averaged about 7.8 points per game. Since the trade deadline, that number has climbed to 14.2 points per game in his expanded role.

That type of jump is exactly what fantasy managers look for during the playoffs. A player stepping into more minutes can quickly become a valuable contributor, especially in deeper leagues.

Even more surprising is how widely available he still is. Prosper is rostered in only about 4.7 percent of ESPN leagues. In other words, a huge portion of fantasy managers are still sleeping on him.

If you need a player who could provide a late-season boost, Prosper is absolutely worth a look.

Oso Ighodaro: Quietly Producing in Phoenix

Next up is a player who may have slipped under the radar for many fantasy managers: Oso Ighodaro of the Phoenix Suns.

In fact, this is one of those waiver wire additions that the host personally grabbed during an active matchup. Sometimes the best moves come from trusting the recent trends and holding onto a player who is steadily producing.

Over the last seven days, Ighodaro has been logging an impressive 29.7 minutes per game. That is a notable increase compared to his season average of 20.8 minutes.

More minutes have translated into meaningful fantasy production. Over that same stretch he is averaging:

• 12.3 points per game

• 9.7 rebounds

• 2.7 assists

• Just under one steal per game

• About one block per game

For points leagues especially, that kind of stat line can add up quickly.

When a player contributes across multiple categories like scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, and blocks, fantasy managers often describe it as “filling the stat sheet.” That’s exactly what Ighodaro has been doing lately.

If he’s available in your league, he could be a sneaky addition that helps stabilize your roster during the playoff push.

Saddiq Bey: The Red Alert Option

Now we move to a player who may not be available in every league, but still deserves attention: Saddiq Bey.

Bey is currently rostered in about 58.9 percent of ESPN leagues, so in competitive 12-team formats he is likely already taken. Still, strange things happen during the playoffs. Managers sometimes drop productive players when they need to maximize games played in a given week.

If Bey ever appears on your waiver wire, it should trigger an immediate red alert.

Over his last 11 games he has been playing heavy minutes, averaging about 33 minutes per night. During that span he has also been producing impressive numbers:

• 21.5 points per game

• 5.6 rebounds

• 3.3 assists

• 2.8 three-pointers made

Those numbers make him valuable in both category leagues and points leagues.

The key message here is simple. If Bey somehow becomes available in your league, move quickly. Players producing at that level rarely stay on the waiver wire for long.

Brandin Podziemski: Huge Minutes in Golden State

Another name worth monitoring closely is Brandin Podziemski of the Golden State Warriors.

Podziemski has been seeing enormous playing time recently. Over the last seven days he has averaged an eye-popping 38.7 minutes per game.

Any time a player is on the floor that much, fantasy managers should take notice.

His recent averages include:

• 7 points per game

• 7.5 rebounds

• 3.3 assists

While the scoring might not jump off the page, the rebounds and assists from a guard position can be extremely valuable depending on your league format.

Another interesting factor is roster management during busy schedule days. If Podziemski plays on a high-volume night when many teams are active, some fantasy managers might be forced to bench him. In certain cases, that leads to difficult roster decisions and even drops.

He is currently rostered in about 48.6 percent of ESPN leagues. That means there is still a real chance he could appear on your waiver wire.

If that happens, be ready.

Brandon Williams: A Hot Stretch in Dallas

Next on the list is Brandon Williams of the Dallas Mavericks.

Williams has been on a strong run lately and is receiving solid playing time. Over the last 10 games he has averaged about 24 minutes per contest.

During that stretch he has put up:

• 15.1 points per game

• 3.1 rebounds

• 4.6 assists

Over the last week alone, he has averaged about 14.8 points per game.

Situational factors have also played a role. Injuries and lineup changes can open the door for players like Williams to step into larger roles temporarily. Even if that role does not last forever, it can still provide valuable fantasy production during a crucial playoff week.

Keeping an eye on those short-term opportunity windows can be the difference between winning and losing a matchup.

Collin Sexton: The Explosive Scoring Option

Finally, we arrive at a player who has been absolutely scorching lately: Collin Sexton of the Chicago Bulls.

One thing that stands out immediately with Sexton is his energy. His motor on the court is relentless. When he gets into a rhythm, he can turn into a streaky scorer capable of huge performances.

Over the last seven days he has averaged:

• 27 minutes per game

• 21.5 points per game

• 2 rebounds

• 2.3 assists

• 1.3 steals

Recent performances show just how explosive he can be.

On March 5 against the Phoenix Suns, Sexton played 38 minutes and finished with 30 points, three rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

A few days earlier on March 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks, he logged 32 minutes and recorded 22 points, three rebounds, two assists, and three steals.

Those kinds of performances can shift an entire fantasy matchup in your favor.

Even if his team’s schedule is not ideal early in the week, Sexton remains the type of player who can explode for a massive stat line when you need it most.

Final Thoughts: Stay Active and Stay Aggressive

Fantasy basketball championships rarely come down to the draft alone. More often, they are decided by the managers who stay aggressive throughout the season and keep searching for value.

The waiver wire becomes even more important during the playoffs. Roles change, injuries happen, and unexpected players step into opportunities.

Whether it’s Olivier-Maxence Prosper gaining minutes in Memphis, Oso Ighodaro filling the stat sheet in Phoenix, or Collin Sexton catching fire in Chicago, these are the kinds of players who can quietly swing a playoff matchup.

So stay alert. Watch those waiver wires closely. And if you want to keep sharpening your edge, be sure to check out the latest Top 50 rankings episode for even more insights.

Because when the fantasy playoffs arrive, every roster move counts.

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Weekly Schedule And The One “Bad” Day

Daily game counts:

• Monday: 5 games

• Tuesday: 11 games

• Wednesday: 6 games

• Thursday: 9 games

• Friday: 8 games

• Saturday: 7 games

• Sunday: 7 games

In most daily lineups:

• Tuesday, with 11 games, is the one day you treat as non streamable.

• Every other day is a quality streaming day where you can usually get someone into your active lineup.

Everything you do this week should lean into avoiding Tuesday for your streamers and stacking volume on the other six days.

Game Counts By Team

This is how many games each team plays in Week 20:

Five games

• Philadelphia

Four games (15 teams)

• Brooklyn

• Cleveland

• Dallas

• Denver

• Detroit

• Golden State

• Indiana

• The Clippers

• Memphis

• Milwaukee

• Minnesota

• New York

• Sacramento

• Toronto

• Utah

Three games (13 teams)

• Boston

• Charlotte

• Chicago

• Houston

• The Lakers

• Miami

• Oklahoma City

• Orlando

• Phoenix

• Portland

• San Antonio

• Washington

• One more three game team in that group

Two games

• New Orleans

On the surface, that is a standard “five versus four versus three versus two” week. The catch is when those games actually land.

Quality Games: Who Really Has An Edge

Quality games are the nights where your lineup is not jam packed and you can actually use an extra player. In this week, that really means “games that are not on Tuesday.”

Among the three game teams:

• Oklahoma City and Orlando avoid Tuesday completely.

  • That gives them three quality games.

• All other three game teams play one game on Tuesday.

  • That leaves them with two quality games.

Among the four game teams, some avoid Tuesday entirely:

• Cleveland

• Denver

• The Clippers

• New York

• Utah

Those teams give you four quality games because they do not touch the 11 game Tuesday.

Philadelphia plays five games but does have one on Tuesday. That means:

• Core players there can still feel like a true five game edge.

• Fringe players from that team are effectively four game pieces, because you are unlikely to use them on Tuesday.

That is the key subtlety. Five looks huge, but for backend players it usually behaves like four.

Timing Within The Week: Why Three Games Are Not All Equal

Even among teams that share the same total and quality game count, the pattern matters.

Oklahoma City

• Three games

• Three quality games

• Pattern between Tuesday and Saturday: one game in five nights

Orlando

• Three games

• Three quality games

• They do not play on Monday or Tuesday, then play three times in four nights in the middle of the week

On paper they both look like three game, three quality game teams. In practice:

• Oklahoma City gives you a long dead stretch in the middle of the week.

• Orlando gives you a dense, stream friendly block where you can use them three times quickly and then drop for the weekend if needed.

So you are not just asking “how many games” and “how many quality games” but also “when do those games happen and can I chain streams around them.”

Streaming Plan: Turning Two Quality Games Into Six Or Eight

There are 12 teams this week that only give you two quality games because one of their three games is on Tuesday. That makes their fringes prime candidates to turn into streaming fuel.

Core idea:

• Use three or four moves to turn one two quality game spot into six games.

• If you open up a second spot late in the week, you can push that to eight.

A clean pattern looks like this:

1. Monday–Wednesday “pseudo” back to back

   • Avoid Tuesday entirely.

   • Target a team that plays both Monday and Wednesday and avoids Tuesday.

   • You get two games from one move while skipping the bad day.

   Teams in that bucket include:

   • Cleveland

   • Denver

   • The Clippers

   • New York

   • Utah

2. Thursday–Friday back to back

   • After the Wednesday game, move that stream slot to a Thursday–Friday back to back.

   • There are several four game teams sitting in that cluster.

3. Weekend finish

   • You can either:

     • Use a Saturday–Sunday back to back from a team that plays both days, or

     • Stream Saturday and Sunday separately.

That gives you:

• Monday

• Wednesday

• Thursday

• Friday

• Saturday and or Sunday

Six games from a roster spot that would have given you two quality games if you held a fringe piece from a bad schedule.

If you go one step further and open up a second streaming slot for the weekend by dropping players on teams that do not play Saturday or Sunday, you can:

• Run two back to backs over the weekend.

• Turn your four moves into eight extra games instead of six.

That is especially realistic because several teams do not play at all on the weekend. Those weekend zeros are perfect candidates to become extra streams.

How To Handle The Five Game Team

Philadelphia is the only five game team this week, but they do play once on Tuesday. The framework for them:

• Core options

  • You assume four or five usable games. Even if you cannot use them Tuesday, four games is still strong.

• Fringe players

  • If you cannot fit them into your Tuesday lineup, they behave like a four game player in practice.

  • That puts them in the same tier as backend options on Cleveland, Denver, the Clippers, New York and Utah, who also give you four quality games.

So the five looks great in the lobby, but for stream level players the actual edge over a four game, four quality team is smaller than it seems.

Two Game Teams In A Playoff Week

New Orleans is the only two game team this week. In a playoff setting:

• In daily formats, you almost never want your streaming slot tied to that schedule.

• In weekly lock, they become “stars only, if at all” and you still compare them to four game options at the same position and category mix.

With 16 teams at four or five games and many of those offering three or four quality games, it is very hard for any non elite player on a two game team to compete.

Good luck in the playoffs this week. Stay ruthless with low-volume spots, lean into the teams that give you the most usable games, and keep your moves flexible so you can react instead of guess.

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Robbin Marx

NBA Fantasy Analyst

Experience: NBC Sports - Rotoworld, HashTag Basketball, Bleav Network

Let me guess. Your fantasy roster looks like a trauma unit right now. Key players are hurt. Rotations are shifting. And you are staring at your matchup thinking, how am I supposed to win like this?

Here is how: You play the waiver wire. Hard.

As we head toward the fantasy basketball finals, this is the time of year where championships are won by managers who stay aggressive. It is silly season. Opportunity is everywhere. And the players who were barely drafted in October can absolutely carry you home in March.

Let’s walk through the names you need to know right now.

Will Riley Is Quietly Breaking Out

First up, let’s talk about Will Riley. He has been absolutely cooking lately for the Washington Wizards, and somehow he is only rostered in 3.9 percent of ESPN leagues.

Over the last seven days, Riley is averaging 32.8 minutes per game. Let that sink in. On the season, he has averaged just 17.5 minutes per game. That kind of jump in opportunity is exactly what we look for at this point in the year.

Over that same seven day stretch, he is putting up 15.5 points, six rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Toss in about half a steal per night and you have a player who is delivering real value, especially in points leagues.

One standout performance came on February 26 against Atlanta. In 36 minutes, Riley finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and a steal. That is the kind of stat line that swings a matchup.

Injury situations will impact usage, of course. But even with players returning to the lineup, Riley has carved out a significant role. If he is sitting on your waiver wire, he should not be there much longer.

Maxime Raynaud Brings Double Double Stability

Next, we move to the Sacramento Kings and big man Maxime Raynaud.

Raynaud is rostered in 31.4 percent of ESPN leagues, which means there is still a decent chance he is available in yours. Over the last week, he is averaging 29.7 minutes, 14.3 points, and nine rebounds per game.

While his defensive numbers are modest at 0.3 steals and 0.3 blocks, the steady scoring and rebounding give him a near double double floor most nights. He also chips in 1.3 assists, which is always a nice bonus from the center position.

Down the stretch, consistency matters. Raynaud might not be flashy, but he can stabilize your lineup when you need dependable production.

Precious Achiuwa Is Heating Up at the Right Time

Let’s stay with Sacramento and talk about Precious Achiuwa.

Rostered in just 20.8 percent of ESPN leagues, Achiuwa is on an absolute heater. Over the last seven days, he is averaging 32 minutes, 19 points, and 11.3 rebounds per game. That alone makes him a priority add.

But there is more. He is also contributing 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and just under a block per game.

Achiuwa has often been labeled as waiver wire filler in past seasons. But this is the time of year where those so called boring names win championships. Fantasy history is full of players who were barely rostered in March and ended up being league winners.

Achiuwa is playing with confidence and opportunity. If you need rebounds, points, and defensive stats, he should be firmly on your radar.

Gui Santos Is Doing a Little Bit of Everything

Now let’s head to the Golden State Warriors and talk about Gui Santos.

Santos is rostered in just 22.8 percent of ESPN leagues, and he is bringing serious multi category juice. Over the last week, he is averaging 30 minutes, 15.8 points, six rebounds, 4.3 assists, one steal, and one block per game.

That is across the board production.

He has logged at least 26 minutes in each of his last five games and even played 39 minutes on February 24 against New Orleans. With Steph Curry sidelined, there has been more opportunity, and Santos is taking full advantage.

Here is a quick snapshot of a three game run that turned heads:

• February 22: 17 points, five rebounds, seven assists, one steal
• February 24: 15 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals, three blocks
• February 25: 17 points, three rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block, just one turnover

That kind of versatility is gold in fantasy playoffs. If the minutes stay strong, Santos could shift the balance of power in your matchup.

Javon Small Is Emerging in Memphis

From the Memphis Grizzlies, keep an eye on Javon Small.

Only rostered in eight percent of ESPN leagues, Small is averaging 24.5 minutes, 13.3 points, five rebounds, and 5.3 assists over the last seven days. He is also adding 0.8 steals per game.

On February 23 against Sacramento, he exploded for 21 points, six rebounds, and nine assists in just 25 minutes.

Nine assists.

If you need playmaking down the stretch, Small is the type of upside add that can swing an assist category or boost your points league total in a big way.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Is Piling Up Steals

Now let’s talk about Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Atlanta Hawks.

He is rostered in just 7.2 percent of ESPN leagues and averaging 32 minutes per game over the past week. During that span, he is posting 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.

But here is the eye popping stat.

He is averaging four steals per game over the last seven days.

Four.

Now, will he keep that up? Probably not. But even if that number dips, he is clearly in a groove defensively. In category leagues, a sudden spike in steals can win you a matchup by itself.

If you are chasing defensive stats, Alexander-Walker deserves serious consideration.

Guerschon Yabusele Is Finding Opportunity

Guerschon Yabusele is a name worth watching in Chicago.

He is averaging 25.3 minutes, 10 points, 7.3 rebounds, two assists, and 1.3 steals over the last week for the Bulls. On March 1 against Milwaukee, he put up 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 23 minutes.

With injuries and roster changes creating opportunity, Yabusele is stepping into a meaningful role. He might not be a household fantasy name, but the minutes and production are trending in the right direction.

Dejounte Murray Is the Ultimate Hold or Drop Dilemma

Finally, let’s talk about the biggest question mark of them all: Dejounte Murray of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Rostered in 43.1 percent of ESPN leagues, Murray has been a roller coaster. Injuries have made it difficult to hold him, especially if you are short on IR spots. Some managers dropped him. Others held on and hoped.

He has recently returned, rested in a couple of games, and flashed upside with a big performance. The question is simple. Do you hold?

The answer is context.

If you are comfortably ahead in your matchup and can afford patience, holding Murray makes sense. His ceiling could absolutely swing a championship week.

But if you are fighting for survival and cannot stash an injured or inconsistent player, tough decisions may be necessary.

If he is available in your league, this could be the moment to grab him and see how it plays out.

Final Thoughts: Stay Aggressive and Trust the Process

Fantasy championships are rarely won by playing it safe. They are won by managers who pay attention, act quickly, and embrace the chaos of silly season.

Minutes matter. Opportunity matters. Trends matter.

Whether it is Will Riley’s breakout, Maxime Raynaud’s steady double doubles, Gui Santos’ all around surge, or taking a calculated gamble on Dejounte Murray, this is the time to lean in.

Play the waiver wire like it owes you money. Stay active. Trust your instincts. And most of all, enjoy the ride.

Your championship might be sitting on the wire right now.

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The Week 19 Schedule

Daily game counts:

• Monday: 4 games

• Tuesday: 10 games

• Wednesday: 6 games

• Thursday: 9 games

• Friday: 7 games

• Saturday: 6 games

• Sunday: 10 games

There are no 11 or 12 game slates. With 10 games or fewer each day, most daily-change lineups will have at least one active spot open, even on the busiest nights.

Bottom line:

• All seven days are quality streaming days.

• You do not need to dodge specific days.

• Games played this week basically equals quality games.

  

Team Game Counts

This is a classic “four game week versus two game week” setup.

Four games (16 teams)

• Boston

• Charlotte

• Dallas

• Detroit

• Houston

• The Clippers

• The Lakers

• Miami

• Milwaukee

• New Orleans

• New York

• Orlando

• Phoenix

• San Antonio

• Utah

• Washington

Three games (12 teams)

• Brooklyn

• Chicago

• Denver

• Golden State

• Indiana

• Memphis

• Minnesota

• Oklahoma City

• Philadelphia

• Portland

• Sacramento

• Toronto

Two games (2 teams)

• Atlanta

• Cleveland

There is no quality game “trick” this week. Four games really is four usable games. Two games really is only two.

Playoff Mindset For Volume

At this point of the season, you have to think in terms of games, not just names.

• Four game teams are your foundation.

• Three game teams are fine, but they lose to similar level options on four game teams.

• Two game teams are a problem, especially in tight playoff matchups.

In early playoff rounds you might still hold stars on two game teams, but you should be ready to churn fringe players from those rosters into streaming spots. In later rounds or a championship week, even high profile names with two games become fair game to cut if that slot can be turned into six or seven games instead.

The closer you are to an elimination matchup, the less you can afford to carry low-volume pieces.

Stream Plan: One Slot To Seven Games

Because every day is streamable, your goal is simple. Take one roster spot from a two or three game team and turn it into seven games with four moves.

Most managers tend to chain back to backs like this:

• Monday–Tuesday

• Wednesday–Thursday

• Friday–Saturday

• Single Sunday

That works, but it forces you into tiny player pools on some days. A better pattern is:

1. Monday: single day stream

   • Use your first move on any team playing Monday.

   • You avoid locking into a narrow Monday–Tuesday back to back and keep your options wide.

2. Tuesday–Wednesday back to back

   • After Monday’s game, move that slot to a team that plays both Tuesday and Wednesday.

   • Teams with a Tuesday–Wednesday back to back include:

     • Charlotte

     • Memphis

     • New York

     • Oklahoma City

     • Philadelphia

   • That one move adds two more games, taking your total to three from that spot.

3. Thursday–Friday back to back

   • Drop that streamer after Wednesday and grab a team that plays both Thursday and Friday.

   • Options here include:

     • Dallas

     • Denver

     • Houston

     • The Lakers

     • Miami

     • New Orleans

     • Phoenix

     • San Antonio

   • Now you are at five games from that one roster slot.

4. Saturday–Sunday back to back

   • Use your final move to pick up a team that plays both Saturday and Sunday.

   • That cluster includes:

     • Detroit

     • Milwaukee

     • Orlando

   • Two more games brings the total to seven.

Net result:

• One low-volume spot becomes seven games across the week.

• You keep a wide menu of teams to pick from at every step instead of fighting over one or two back-to-back options.

In formats with seven moves, you can often apply a similar pattern to a second roster spot and push your total from those two slots up to 13 games.

How To Treat Two-Game Teams

With Atlanta and Cleveland only playing twice:

• In daily formats you almost never want your streaming slot tied to those teams. Back-end players from those rosters should be among the first cuts.

• In weekly lock formats, you build around four game teams first, then three game teams. Two game teams only come into play for truly elite options, and even then only if you have no comparable four game alternatives.

In semifinal or final weeks, when the season is on the line, even very good players on two-game schedules can be outscored by an average streamer who plays six or seven times. That is the tradeoff you need to be willing to make if your matchup looks close.

Back-to-Back Awareness

Even in a week with no “bad” days, back to backs can quietly cut your expected games. A few patterns to keep in mind:

• Early in a return-from-injury window, teams often sit key players for one side of a back to back, especially bigs and stars.

• Late-season teams in the middle or bottom of the standings can become more conservative on back to backs to protect long term health.

Practically, that means:

• Do not just assume a star or core piece is giving you two games on a back to back if they are returning from a recent ankle, calf, knee or abdominal issue.

• When you design your stream chain, pick back-to-back clusters that have multiple teams you can tap. That way if one team rests players, you can pivot to another without blowing up your plan.

You are not avoiding back to backs. You are just not counting them as “guaranteed two games” for the riskiest profiles.

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Robbin Marx

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Fantasy Fam,

Apologies for the resend, but we needed to make a quick correction after Alex Len (Real Madrid) was mistakenly mentioned in the previous version of this article. We use some AI tools to help with our YouTube summaries, and that one slipped through. Thanks to the subscriber who caught it! Appreciate your patience, and enjoy the updated version. -Robbin Marx

Watch Here - Waiver Wire Gold: Players Most Managers Are Sleeping On

If you are gearing up for the fantasy basketball playoffs, this is the time to get aggressive. Championships are rarely won on draft night. They are won on the waiver wire. This past weekend was all about digging deep, scanning box scores, tracking rotations, and identifying the players who are quietly stepping into opportunity.

What BLEAV in Fantasy Basketball host Robbin Marx found is exciting. Injuries, rest days, and the approaching “silly season” are opening doors across the league. If you are ready to take advantage, here are the players you need to have on your radar right now.

Golden State Opportunity: Brandin Podziemski

Let’s start with the Golden State Warriors and Brandin Podziemski.

Many fantasy managers drafted Podziemski earlier this season with high hopes. It did not quite click at first, and in a lot of leagues he ended up on the waiver wire. But situations change quickly in fantasy basketball.

With Steph Curry sidelined, Podziemski has stepped into an expanded role. The minutes are secure, and the production is following. Over this recent stretch, he is scoring in the mid-teens while adding strong rebounds, assists, and even some steals. That across-the-board contribution is exactly what you want from a waiver pickup.

The key here is opportunity. As long as Curry remains out, Podziemski has a clear runway to minutes and usage. If you just need a solid all-around contributor, he is worth adding and holding until the Warriors’ rotation shifts again.

Portland’s Upside Play: Scoot Henderson

Next up, let’s talk about Scoot Henderson of the Portland Trail Blazers.

After returning from a hamstring injury, Henderson initially operated under a minutes restriction. That is no longer the case. The restriction has been lifted, and he is now free to ramp up.

Even in limited minutes, he has been scoring in the low teens and chipping in solid assist numbers. As his workload increases, the upside becomes very real. Portland is in development mode, and as we head toward the end of the season, young players often get extended opportunities.

This is where “silly season” comes in. If you are new to the term, it refers to the final stretch of the fantasy calendar when teams out of contention begin resting veterans and experimenting with younger players. That can lead to sudden usage spikes for high-upside talents like Henderson.

He is the kind of player who could explode down the stretch and swing a playoff matchup. If you have room to stash upside, he fits the bill perfectly.

Sacramento’s Injury Boost: Devin Carter

The Sacramento Kings are dealing with a wave of injuries, and that has opened the door for Devin Carter.

With Zach LaVine out for the season and Domantas Sabonis sidelined, there is a massive amount of opportunity to soak up. Carter’s role has been growing, and he is taking advantage. He is contributing rebounds, assists, and steals while providing scoring punch from the guard spot.

If you need points plus some dimes and defensive stats, Carter is a strong short-term add. Sacramento has bodies missing, and someone has to fill the stat sheet. Right now, Carter is doing just that.

Short-Term Scoring in Denver: Cameron Johnson

Let’s shift to the Denver Nuggets and Cameron Johnson.

With injuries impacting Denver’s rotation, Johnson has been given extra opportunity and he is making the most of it. He is scoring efficiently in the mid-teens, grabbing boards, dishing a few assists, and adding steals.

He profiles as a strong short-term addition. If you are looking to capitalize on a temporary opening while other players are out, Johnson can help stabilize your lineup during this stretch.

Indiana’s Youth Movement: Jarace Walker

We have talked about Jarace Walker of the Indiana Pacers before, and we are going to keep talking about him.

Indiana is giving more run to its young players, and Walker is benefiting from that shift. With veterans sitting, he has stepped into a more featured role. The result is strong stat lines with points, rebounds, and multi-category contributions.

Walker brings versatility, and that is gold in fantasy. If he is somehow still sitting on your waiver wire, it is time to correct that. He needs to be rostered while the Pacers continue to evaluate their youth.

Chicago’s Clear Path: Jalen Smith

Over in Chicago, Jalen Smith is another name to circle.

With Nikola Vucevic no longer in the picture and after working his way back from a calf injury, Smith has a clear path to minutes and fantasy value. Since returning, he has been productive right away. We are talking double-digit scoring, strong rebounding, plus defensive stats in the form of steals and blocks.

Opportunity plus production is the formula. Smith checks both boxes and should not be lingering on waiver wires as we head into the most important stretch of the season.

Deep League Value: Jay Huff

Another Indiana Pacers big worth discussing is Jay Huff.

We mentioned him last week, and he continues to return value. Huff contributes across multiple categories, and what makes him especially intriguing is his ability to stretch the floor with the three ball.

If you need a big who can provide outside shooting along with other contributions, Huff is an interesting option. In deeper formats, he can absolutely make a difference.

Silly Season Gem: Precious Achiuwa

One more Sacramento name to close things out: Precious Achiuwa.

With Sabonis out, frontcourt minutes are available, and Achiuwa is the type of player who thrives when given 30 or more minutes. When he crosses that threshold, he has consistently shown the ability to post double-doubles while also adding defensive stats.

His hustle and energy keep him on the floor, and coaches love that. During silly season, that kind of player often becomes a hidden gem. If he is available, he is worth a serious look, especially if you need rebounds and defensive production.

Bringing It All Together

This time of year is about staying proactive. Injuries, rest days, and team priorities are shifting rapidly. The managers who win championships are the ones who react first and take calculated risks.

Whether it is Brandin Podziemski stepping up with Steph Curry out, Scoot Henderson ramping up for a bigger role, Jarace Walker benefiting from Indiana’s youth movement, or the Sacramento Kings offering multiple waiver wire options due to injuries, the opportunities are there.

Now it is up to you to act.

Scan your league. Identify your needs. Do not be afraid to move on from underperformers if a high-upside player is sitting there waiting. The fantasy playoffs reward bold, informed decisions.

Make the right adds now, and you might just be the one holding that championship trophy when the season wraps up.

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If you are gearing up for the fantasy basketball playoffs, this is the time to get aggressive. Championships are rarely won on draft night. They are won on the waiver wire. This past weekend was all about digging deep, scanning box scores, tracking rotations, and identifying the players who are quietly stepping into opportunity.

What BLEAV in Fantasy Basketball host Robbin Marx found is exciting. Injuries, rest days, and the approaching “silly season” are opening doors across the league. If you are ready to take advantage, here are the players you need to have on your radar right now.

Golden State Opportunity: Brandin Podziemski

Let’s start with the Golden State Warriors and Brandin Podziemski.

Many fantasy managers drafted Podziemski earlier this season with high hopes. It did not quite click at first, and in a lot of leagues he ended up on the waiver wire. But situations change quickly in fantasy basketball.

With Steph Curry sidelined, Podziemski has stepped into an expanded role. The minutes are secure, and the production is following. Over this recent stretch, he is scoring in the mid-teens while adding strong rebounds, assists, and even some steals. That across-the-board contribution is exactly what you want from a waiver pickup.

The key here is opportunity. As long as Curry remains out, Podziemski has a clear runway to minutes and usage. If you just need a solid all-around contributor, he is worth adding and holding until the Warriors’ rotation shifts again.

Portland’s Upside Play: Scoot Henderson

Next up, let’s talk about Scoot Henderson of the Portland Trail Blazers.

After returning from a hamstring injury, Henderson initially operated under a minutes restriction. That is no longer the case. The restriction has been lifted, and he is now free to ramp up.

Even in limited minutes, he has been scoring in the low teens and chipping in solid assist numbers. As his workload increases, the upside becomes very real. Portland is in development mode, and as we head toward the end of the season, young players often get extended opportunities.

This is where “silly season” comes in. If you are new to the term, it refers to the final stretch of the fantasy calendar when teams out of contention begin resting veterans and experimenting with younger players. That can lead to sudden usage spikes for high-upside talents like Henderson.

He is the kind of player who could explode down the stretch and swing a playoff matchup. If you have room to stash upside, he fits the bill perfectly.

Sacramento’s Injury Boost: Devin Carter

The Sacramento Kings are dealing with a wave of injuries, and that has opened the door for Devin Carter.

With Zach LaVine out for the season and Domantas Sabonis sidelined, there is a massive amount of opportunity to soak up. Carter’s role has been growing, and he is taking advantage. He is contributing rebounds, assists, and steals while providing scoring punch from the guard spot.

If you need points plus some dimes and defensive stats, Carter is a strong short-term add. Sacramento has bodies missing, and someone has to fill the stat sheet. Right now, Carter is doing just that.

Short-Term Scoring in Denver: Cameron Johnson

Let’s shift to the Denver Nuggets and Cameron Johnson.

With injuries impacting Denver’s rotation, Johnson has been given extra opportunity and he is making the most of it. He is scoring efficiently in the mid-teens, grabbing boards, dishing a few assists, and adding steals.

He profiles as a strong short-term addition. If you are looking to capitalize on a temporary opening while other players are out, Johnson can help stabilize your lineup during this stretch.

Indiana’s Youth Movement: Jarace Walker

We have talked about Jarace Walker of the Indiana Pacers before, and we are going to keep talking about him.

Indiana is giving more run to its young players, and Walker is benefiting from that shift. With veterans sitting, he has stepped into a more featured role. The result is strong stat lines with points, rebounds, and multi-category contributions.

Walker brings versatility, and that is gold in fantasy. If he is somehow still sitting on your waiver wire, it is time to correct that. He needs to be rostered while the Pacers continue to evaluate their youth.

Chicago’s Clear Path: Jalen Smith

Over in Chicago, Jalen Smith is another name to circle.

With Nikola Vucevic no longer in the picture and after working his way back from a calf injury, Smith has a clear path to minutes and fantasy value. Since returning, he has been productive right away. We are talking double-digit scoring, strong rebounding, plus defensive stats in the form of steals and blocks.

Opportunity plus production is the formula. Smith checks both boxes and should not be lingering on waiver wires as we head into the most important stretch of the season.

Deep League Value: Jay Huff

Another Indiana Pacers big worth discussing is Jay Huff.

We mentioned him last week, and he continues to return value. Huff contributes across multiple categories, and what makes him especially intriguing is his ability to stretch the floor with the three ball.

If you need a big who can provide outside shooting along with other contributions, Huff is an interesting option. In deeper formats, he can absolutely make a difference.

Silly Season Gem: Precious Achiuwa

One more Sacramento name to close things out: Precious Achiuwa.

With Sabonis out, frontcourt minutes are available, and Achiuwa is the type of player who thrives when given 30 or more minutes. When he crosses that threshold, he has consistently shown the ability to post double-doubles while also adding defensive stats.

His hustle and energy keep him on the floor, and coaches love that. During silly season, that kind of player often becomes a hidden gem. If he is available, he is worth a serious look, especially if you need rebounds and defensive production.

Bringing It All Together

This time of year is about staying proactive. Injuries, rest days, and team priorities are shifting rapidly. The managers who win championships are the ones who react first and take calculated risks.

Whether it is Brandin Podziemski stepping up with Steph Curry out, Scoot Henderson ramping up for a bigger role, Jarace Walker benefiting from Indiana’s youth movement, or the Sacramento Kings offering multiple waiver wire options due to injuries, the opportunities are there.

Now it is up to you to act.

Scan your league. Identify your needs. Do not be afraid to move on from underperformers if a high-upside player is sitting there waiting. The fantasy playoffs reward bold, informed decisions.

Make the right adds now, and you might just be the one holding that championship trophy when the season wraps up.

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The Weekly Schedule At A Glance

This week starts on February 23 and the game flow looks like this:

• Monday: 3 games

• Tuesday: 11 games

• Wednesday: 6 games

• Thursday: 10 games

• Friday: 5 games

• Saturday: 5 games

• Sunday: 11 games

For most daily leagues with standard lineups:

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday are streamable.

• Tuesday and Sunday, with 11 games, are effectively non-streaming days because most lineups are already full.

So even though it is a full seven day week, you really have five true quality streaming days to work with.

Team Game Counts And Who’s Behind

This week is balanced in total games but not in opportunity. Here is the breakdown:

Four-game teams (14)

• Boston

• Brooklyn

• Cleveland

• Dallas

• Detroit

• Houston

• The Lakers

• Memphis

• Milwaukee

• New Orleans

• Oklahoma City

• Portland

• Sacramento

• San Antonio

Three-game teams (14)

• Atlanta

• Charlotte

• Chicago

• Denver

• Golden State

• Indiana

• Miami

• Minnesota

• New York

• Orlando

• Philadelphia

• Toronto

• Utah

• Washington

Two-game teams (2)

• The Clippers

• Phoenix

The two-game teams are at a clear disadvantage, especially when you factor in which days those games land on.

Quality Games: Who Actually Helps You

Quality games are the nights when your lineup is not jam packed and a streamer can realistically get into your active roster. For this week:

• Tuesday (11 games) and Sunday (11 games) are not quality days.

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday are.

Now look at how teams line up across those days.

Houston

• Plays four games and avoids both Tuesday and Sunday.

• That gives them four quality games. They are the only team with a true 4-for-4 quality schedule this week.

Utah

• Plays three games, and all three fall on quality days.

• In practice they function like a four-game team for streaming, because every game is usable.

Several four-game teams only give you two quality games because they land on Tuesday and Sunday:

• Boston

• Brooklyn

• Cleveland

• Dallas

• The Lakers

• Milwaukee

• New Orleans

• Oklahoma City

• Portland

For those teams, a fringe streamer is only realistically helping you twice, even though the team plays four times. A fringe Jazz player or Rocket has more functional value than a fringe piece off those schedules.

There are also nine teams that only have one quality game this week, because their games are clustered on the 11-game days:

• Atlanta

• Chicago

• Indiana

• Minnesota

• New York

• Orlando

• Philadelphia

• The Clippers

• Phoenix

If you are holding back-end players from those teams, you are basically getting one usable game from that slot this week.

Streaming Blueprint: One Game Into Five

With that structure, here is what you can do.

If you have a player who only gives you one quality game this week (for example a fringe guy from Atlanta, Chicago, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, the Clippers or Phoenix) you can turn that spot into five games using only three moves, four if you want to squeeze it.

Core pattern:

1. Monday plus Wednesday “pseudo back-to-back”

   • Tuesday is a dead 11-game day, so you ignore it.

   • Target a team that plays both Monday and Wednesday:

     • Detroit

     • Houston

     • Memphis

     • Sacramento

     • San Antonio

   • One move gives you two quality games, Monday and Wednesday.

2. End-of-week chain
   Then you have three quality days left: Thursday, Friday, Saturday. You can either:

   • Use a Thursday–Friday back-to-back (Brooklyn or Dallas) plus a single Saturday stream, or

   • Hit Thursday, Friday and Saturday as three separate one-day streams.

Both routes give you three more quality games from that slot.

So from one streaming spot, dropping a one-quality-game player, you can realistically get:

• Monday

• Wednesday

• Thursday

• Friday

• Saturday

Five games from one roster slot.

If your league gives you seven moves (like many ESPN setups), you can apply a version of this to two roster spots and turn two total quality games into ten. That kind of game gap in the playoffs is a real edge.

Who To Cut In Head-To-Head

This is playoff time for a lot of leagues. That means:

• You stop thinking “but he just had a big week” and start thinking “how many usable games does this spot give me right now.”

• Two-game teams are almost always on the chopping block for non-stars.

Examples of the types of players you move off without hesitation:

• Clippers or Suns role players who only have two games and just one quality day. You do not hold fringe Phoenix or Clippers pieces “because someone is out” when you can stream that spot into five games.

• Back-end options from Atlanta, Chicago, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Orlando or Philadelphia who only appear on one quality night.

It does not matter that someone played 34 minutes last week if they only help you once this week and you are fighting for your season. Volume wins.

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Robbin Marx

NBA Fantasy Analyst

Experience: NBC Sports - Rotoworld, HashTag Basketball, Bleav Network

If you’re anything like me, All-Star weekend was fun to watch but you barely had time to breathe before you were back to the real MVP hustle: fantasy basketball championship mode. While some of your league mates were lounging and scrolling social media, you were grinding through the waiver wire, trying to find the next breakout player who could give you the edge you need to win it all.

In this recap, we’ll walk through the most impactful waiver wire targets you should be scooping up right now. We’ll break down what’s driving their increased value, what they’ve been doing lately, and why they could be league-winning pickups at this stage of the season. All of this and more was courtesy of BLEAV in Fantasy Basketball host Robbin Marx.

Early Risers: Players Who Are Heating Up

Dylan Cardwell: Sacramento’s Energy Big

Let’s start with Dylan Cardwell, the Sacramento Kings’ rising center who has put together an unexpectedly productive stretch lately. With his minutes climbing compared to earlier in the season, Cardwell has shown you real value, especially in rebounds, steals, blocks, and hustling stats that matter in fantasy leagues.

Over the last seven days, he’s been playing big minutes, clocking around 29.5 per game compared to about 21 per game on the season, and filling up the box score. That includes 6 points per game, 10.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1 block per game. On the season, he’s averaging 1.6 blocks, which suggests that some of this defensive production can be sustainable. These contributions do not always grab headlines in real games, but they are fantasy gold, especially in category leagues.

Cardwell is only rostered in 7.1 percent of ESPN leagues, which means he is widely available. Sacramento is not expected to make major win-now moves, and that opens the door for lineup experimentation. Cardwell appears to be carving out a consistent role as the team evaluates different combinations.

Fantasy tip: If he’s available in your league, pick him up now. His rebounding and defensive stats can quietly win you a weekly matchup.

Nolan Traoré: The Nets’ Surprise Playmaker

Next up is Nolan Traoré from the Brooklyn Nets, who has been going off recently. Over the last seven days, he’s averaging 32 minutes per game along with 16.5 points and an eye-popping 10.5 assists per game. He’s also adding 2.5 rebounds and about 1 steal per contest.

Take a closer look at his recent games and you’ll see why this matters. He’s posted point totals of 20, 13, 15, and 21, while dishing out assist numbers like 8, 13, 4, and 7. In three of his last four games, he recorded at least one steal. That kind of consistent playmaking production can completely shift a matchup in head-to-head formats.

He’s only rostered in 6.5 percent of ESPN leagues, which makes him one of the most accessible high-upside guards on the wire right now.

Fantasy tip: If you need assists with solid scoring and a little defensive juice, Traoré is the type of late-season pickup who can swing a playoff matchup in your favor.

GG Jackson: Opportunity Knocks in Memphis

The Memphis Grizzlies made a major move by sending Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, and that trade has opened up a clear path for GG Jackson. Opportunity is everything in fantasy basketball, and Jackson is stepping into increased minutes because of it.

Over the last seven days, he’s averaging 25.5 minutes per game, up from 18.7 on the season. With that boost in playing time, he’s producing 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, along with about half a steal and half a block.

While he may not be stuffing every category, the steady minutes and balanced stat line are exactly what you want as teams experiment with rotations late in the season. He’s only rostered in 9.9 percent of ESPN leagues, so there is still time to act.

Fantasy tip: If he’s sitting on your waiver wire, grab him before someone else does. Increased minutes combined with a defined role make him a strong late-season add.

Emerging Talent to Hold Through the Stretch Run

Jarace Walker: A Potential League Winner

We’ve talked about him before, and it’s worth repeating. Jarace Walker from the Indiana Pacers is the kind of player who can become a league winner down the stretch.

Over the last seven days, he’s averaging 30 minutes per game and putting up 18 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. That level of production, especially with consistent playing time, becomes extremely valuable as the fantasy playoffs approach and teams begin to shift priorities.

As the season moves deeper into what many call silly season, teams that are not fully contending may give younger players extended run. Walker fits that mold perfectly. He is only rostered in 8.8 percent of ESPN leagues, which is surprising given the opportunity in front of him.

Fantasy tip: If you can add and hold Walker, do it. Players seeing 30 minutes per night with multi-category production are exactly what you want heading into the playoffs.

Jakob Poeltl: Do Not Overthink This

Last but definitely not least is Jakob Poeltl. If he is somehow still available in your league, especially in smaller formats like an eight-team league, you need to grab him immediately.

He’s rostered in about 50 percent of ESPN leagues, which means he is not universally taken. That alone is reason enough to double-check your waiver wire. While others are relaxing after All-Star weekend, you are looking for edges, and Poeltl is an edge if he’s available.

He provides reliable production in rebounds, field goal percentage, and defensive stats. In tight playoff matchups, that kind of steady center output can make the difference between advancing and going home.

Fantasy tip: Do not let someone else scoop him up because you hesitated. If he’s there, add him.

Final Thoughts: Stay Active, Stay Ahead

This is the time of year when fantasy championships are won by the managers who stay engaged. Teams are adjusting rotations, testing young players, and sometimes prioritizing development over wins. That creates chaos in real basketball, but opportunity in fantasy basketball.

Focus on players who are earning consistent minutes. Target multi-category contributors. Be willing to move quickly when a role changes or a trade opens up opportunity.

Most importantly, keep grinding. While others are snoozing, you are putting in the work. That effort can pay off in a big way when playoff matchups tighten up.

Now that you’ve got your waiver wire targets lined up, go make your moves and then check out the latest rankings episode to sharpen your strategy even further. Let’s go win that championship.

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What This All-Star Window Really Is

On most platforms this stretch is either:

• Broken into two tiny matchups around the break, or

• Combined into one long matchup that runs across 14 calendar days.

The important part is this. Even when it is treated like a two week block, you are not getting a true 14 day grind. You only have eight NBA game days that count for your matchup. That means:

• You get just one extra game day compared to a normal seven day week.

• You usually do not get extra moves to match the longer calendar. You are still sitting on something in the range of four adds for the whole thing.

So you have more dates on the calendar, but not a lot more opportunity. That is why you need to be more selective, not less.

Daily Schedule Around the Break

Here is the actual game flow around All Star:

First half

• Monday: 10 games

• Tuesday: 3 games

• Wednesday: 14 games

• Thursday: 3 games

Then the break hits and the league shuts down

• Friday: 0 games

• Saturday: 0 games

• Sunday: 0 games

• Monday: 0 games

• Tuesday: 0 games

• Wednesday: 0 games

Second half

• Thursday: 10 games

• Friday: 9 games

• Saturday: 6 games

• Sunday: 11 games

Two nights are basically dead for streaming.

• That 14 game Wednesday before the break.

• The 11 game Sunday at the very end.

On those nights most rosters are already full. You are not realistically getting a streamer into your starting lineup.

That leaves six true streaming days out of eight:

• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in the first half.

• Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the second half.

Everything you do should revolve around those six days.

Team Game Counts Over the “Two Weeks”

Over this full All Star window:

Five game teams (16 total)

• Atlanta

• Brooklyn

• Charlotte

• Chicago

• Cleveland

• Denver

• Indiana

• The Clippers

• The Lakers

• Milwaukee

• New York

• Oklahoma City

• Orlando

• Philadelphia

• Phoenix

• Portland

Four game teams (12 total)

• Dallas

• Detroit

• Golden State

• Houston

• Memphis

• Miami

• Minnesota

• New Orleans

• Sacramento

• San Antonio

• Utah

• Washington

Three game teams (2 total)

• Boston

• Toronto

So more than half the league is at five games. Another big chunk sits at four. Only two teams are stuck on three. That alone puts Boston and Toronto behind before we even talk about when those games fall.

Quality Game Days and Who Gets Hurt

This is where the gap really opens up. Quality games are the nights where your roster is not jam packed and you can actually use an extra player.

For Boston and Toronto:

• They each have three total games in this window.

• One game lands on that 14 game Wednesday.

• One game lands on the 11 game final Sunday.

• That leaves just one true quality game night for each team.

So if you are holding fringe players from those teams, they are realistically usable once across the entire All Star stretch. Once.

Most of the rest of the league looks very different.

Among five game teams:

• All of them give you three quality games, except for one team that gets four quality games out of its five.

Among four game teams:

• Most give you three quality games as well.

• Only three four game teams are stuck on two quality games: Minnesota, Golden State and Washington.

If you add that up you get a picture like this:

• Roughly two dozen teams are offering three quality games.

• Three four game teams are at two quality games.

• Boston and Toronto are stuck down at one quality game each.

So when you look at the bench of your roster, the worst place to stash low ceiling options for this stretch is on those three game, one quality day teams.

Streaming Reality with Limited Moves

You are working with:

• Eight total game days.

• Six of them realistically streamable.

• Four moves in many formats.

You cannot spam your way through this window. It is not the kind of week where you run eight or ten streams and see what sticks. You have to treat each add like a real decision.

There is a clear pattern in the schedule:

• The first half gives you two light days (three game Tuesday and three game Thursday) and a moderate Monday.

• The second half is heavy but still has one clear streaming spot in the six game Saturday, with Thursday and Friday often leaving room in lineups as well.

That makes it a tricky week to stream because:

• You have fewer moves than streamable days.

• Two of the eight days are essentially off the table for streaming.

You are trying to turn a roster spot that would only play once or twice usefully into something that produces on as many of those six days as possible.

Who Becomes Cuttable In This Window

This is where you zoom in on the low volume and low quality situations.

On Boston and Toronto, that means you have to start questioning almost everyone who is not a core star. Backup bigs, low usage wings, unsteady minute guys. Three total games and one quality day is not enough to justify hanging on to a fringe piece when fifteen plus teams are offering three quality games from the jump.

You can extend that same logic to the four game teams with only two quality days. Depth pieces from Minnesota, Golden State and Washington are also behind the field. If you can use that roster spot to pick up players who will actually play on three different quality days instead of two or one, the advantage is obvious.

The point is not that you blindly drop every player on those rosters. It is that this All Star stretch is one of the clearest spots all year to be cold about fringe pieces from bad schedule situations.

How to Think About the Week In Practice

So you have:

• One longer matchup.

• Eight game days.

• Six of them worth attacking.

• A small pool of teams stuck at three games and one quality day.

• A big group of teams giving you three quality games each.

The smart way to see it is simple. This is not just “the All Star break.” It is a schedule puzzle where some teams only really touch your lineup once and others show up three times in realistic, playable spots.

If you treat this stretch like every other week, you end up overvaluing “name” players from bad schedules and undervaluing very ordinary options who simply show up more often on the nights that matter.

If you treat it like a matchup with eight real game days and a tiered structure of quality games, you can rework your last few roster spots so they actually score for you multiple times instead of once. That is the edge hiding inside this awkward little two week window.

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Robbin Marx

NBA Fantasy Analyst

Experience: NBC Sports - Rotoworld, HashTag Basketball, Bleav Network

Every year around the NBA trade deadline, fantasy managers panic while the smart ones get prepared. The real life February 5th deadline may have passed, but your fantasy leagues deadline may still be a few days or even weeks from now. So, now is the time to look at stash candidates you should add before things really shake out. Some players are already making noise. Others are quietly poised to benefit from roster upheaval around the league. In this video for BLEAV in Fantasy Basketball, hosts D-Mac and Matty G break down a lineup of stash targets worth picking up now so you can get ahead of the competition and possibly win your league.

Why Stashes Matter Before the Deadline

As the trade deadline nears, minutes and roles can shift quickly. When a star gets traded, that suddenly opens up playing time for someone else. This is the essence of “silly season” in fantasy basketball. If you have the roster space, adding potential breakout guys now can pay huge dividends in the final weeks of the season.

Just like the hosts emphasize, this is prime time to look beyond the usual suspects and target players with upside and opportunity.

Top Stash Candidates to Target Now

Jalen Smith: Big Upside Big Man

One of the most talked-about stash players right now is Jalen Smith of the Chicago Bulls. If Bulls veteran Nikola Vučević is dealt, Smith could see a major increase in minutes and fantasy production. He has shown double-double ability and shot blocking in limited time, and a bigger role could turn him into a weekly starter in deeper leagues.

Even before any transactions, he has flashed efficiency and counting stats in limited minutes, making him a risk worth taking on your waiver wire.

Day’Ron Sharpe and Nets Frontcourt Options

Day’Ron Sharpe is another player with stash appeal, especially if the Brooklyn Nets decide to deal veterans like Nic Claxton or other big men. Sharpe has shown per-minute production that suggests he could flourish if given a larger role.

The Nets are in a weird spot this year with inconsistencies and possible tanking, so rookies and second-year players could see irregular minutes. Keep an eye on minutes patterns and add guys like Sharpe before someone else jumps on them.

Danny Wolf: Minutes Equal Production

Danny Wolf, another Nets forward, stands out because of his playing time; he’s been logging 28 to 29 minutes recently. That kind of volume opens up real fantasy value, especially in categories like rebounds, blocks, and even assists for a big man.

Rookie minutes are always a bit volatile, but Wolf’s increased minutes make him a particularly intriguing stash if his efficiency trends upward.

Jarace Walker: Rookie With Role Potential

Jarace Walker is a name to watch in deeper leagues. On a team that could be exploring youth and tanking scenarios, Walker has shown moments of scoring pop and defensive ability that could translate to consistent value if he earns a steady role.

Tanking teams often give younger players extended run late in the season, and Walker fits that profile as athletic, versatile, and capable of contributing across multiple stat categories.

Jazz Players to Watch

Ty Jerome: Sell High or Add Now

Ty Jerome has been making noise since returning from injury, with about 20 minutes per game and strong scoring efficiency. While his role might fluctuate depending on team needs and potential trades, he is a solid stash if available. He could even be a sell-high candidate in trade negotiations, but owning him now gives you flexibility either way.

Ace Bailey: Emerging Steal

Ace Bailey has had some big scoring nights and, despite occasional inefficiency, is playing enough minutes to be fantasy relevant. If the Utah Jazz continue to embrace youth or move veterans, Bailey could see his opportunity expand.

Kyle Filipowski: Big Man Minutes

Kyle Filipowski can be a useful stash, particularly if Jazz rotations shift due to trades or injuries. He has logged extended minutes in recent outings and can contribute rebounds, steals, and blocks when given the chance, all valuable for fantasy managers.

Other Interesting Stash Picks

Obi Toppin: Injury Return Upside

Obi Toppin has been dealing with injury this season, but he previously provided significant fantasy value when on the floor. If your league has an injured reserve spot, stashing him could be a savvy long-term play for when he returns.

Jeremiah Fears: Opportunity on Struggling Team

While Jeremiah Fears is not yet a household name, he has shown enough scoring and role growth for the struggling New Orleans Pelicans that fantasy managers might consider adding him if there’s room. Young teams out of playoff contention often give these players extended run late in the season.

Jonathan Kuminga: Trade Watch*

Jonathan Kuminga has been a name floating around trade discussions. While inconsistent due to injuries and rotations, a change of scenery via potential trade could unlock scoring and usage that make him a worthwhile stash for those in deeper leagues.

*Kuminga was traded to the Hawks following the recording of this video, meaning this could be the exact opportunity he needs to start balling out for fantasy managers

Guys to Keep, Not Rush to Trade

Lauri Markkanen: Hold for Value

Lauri Markkanen is nearly universally rostered and not technically available in most leagues, but if you have him, don’t rush to trade him just yet. Unless he gets moved to a contender and sees minutes chopped, holding Markkanen could position you to sell high after a strong performance or increased role.

Aaron Nesmith: Sprinkling Upside

Aaron Nesmith has been hot at times and fits well into some rotations due to his scoring ability. He has bounced in and out of waiver wires but is trending up and could make a difference down the stretch for those who pick him up now.

Final Thoughts Before the Deadline

The trade deadline is about more than big names getting swapped. It is about the ripple effects that create opportunity for the lesser-known players who suddenly find themselves with expanded roles. The guys listed here all have scenarios where increased minutes and responsibility could boost their fantasy value, but you have to add them before the news breaks.

Whether it is a young rookie like Jarace Walker or a big man like Jalen Smith, these players are worth watching closely and adding to your roster if available. Set alerts for every trade rumor by following reputable sources like Shams Charania and other NBA insider accounts.

Add now, stay patient, and get ready to watch your league advantage grow as the NBA’s wildest period of the season unfolds.

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Why Week 16 Is Different

Trade deadline week is chaos. Players get dealt, rotations get shaken up, and teams are suddenly playing with eight or nine active guys while the paperwork and physicals clear. That’s when random role players jump into 30–40 minutes and become the best streamers of the entire season for a night or two.

If you’ve already burned your moves trying to squeeze out an extra Monday or Tuesday game, you won’t have the flexibility to grab those high-leverage opportunities at the end of the week. You’re trading a tiny, early-week bump for the chance to miss the real difference-makers.

The Week 16 Schedule

Here’s how the week looks by day:

• Monday: 4 games

• Tuesday: 10 games

• Wednesday: 7 games

• Thursday: 8 games

• Friday: 6 games

• Saturday: 10 games

• Sunday: 4 games

There are no brutal 12–13 game slates, and there are no dead nights where you’re desperate just to get someone active. You can stream on any day if you want to.

By team game count:

• Four-game teams: Boston, Houston, Indiana, the Clippers, Memphis, Minnesota, New York, Philadelphia, Washington.

• Two-game team: Cleveland.

• Everyone else: 3 games.

It’s a three-game-heavy week with a few four-game pockets and one clear loser in Cleveland. The schedule gives you the option to stream all week, but the deadline context is what should stop you from doing it early.

Why “Save Your Moves” Is Optimal

Could you map out a traditional streaming plan and turn two or three games into seven from one roster spot? Yes. With four moves and one streaming slot, you can chain back-to-backs and single nights to get there.

But look at the quality difference:

• Early-week streams: fringe players, normal roles, one or two extra games that barely move the needle.

• Late-week moves:

  • Trade winners who gain long-term roles.

  • Players who suddenly have to play huge minutes because teammates are in transit.

  • Short-term starters on teams with gutted depth charts.

Those late-week opportunities are where you find real leverage. And you only get access to them if you still have moves in your pocket.

This is a positive-expectation week to wait. You might not use every move on a “league-winning” add, but the upside of having flexibility on Thursday through Sunday massively outweighs the value of a one-game Tuesday boost.

When You Should Use A Move Early

“Save your moves” doesn’t mean never touch your roster until Thursday. It means don’t waste moves on low-impact streams.

Go ahead and use a move early if:

• A clear long-term injury, suspension, or season-changer hits.

• A rest-of-season starter becomes available on your wire.

That’s not streaming, that’s reacting to major news. Replacing a core player with another long-term piece is more valuable than any hypothetical deadline winner.

What you want to avoid is using a move just to grab a random one-game Monday or Tuesday streamer when there’s no significant news driving it.

The “Wrong” Streaming Plan (And Why To Ignore It)

If this was a normal week, a four-move, one-spot streaming plan might look like:

• Monday–Tuesday: Back-to-back from Indiana or Philadelphia.

• Wednesday–Thursday: Back-to-back or staggered games from Houston, San Antonio, or Toronto.

• Friday–Saturday: Back-to-back from Memphis, Portland, or Sacramento.

• Sunday: Single-game stream to finish.

That’s how you turn two or three games from a back-end player into seven. Normally, that’s strong process.

In Week 16, doing this early is exactly what you want to avoid, because every move spent there is one you can’t use when:

• Trades create a clear winner you want to add.

• A player’s value evaporates after a second trade or a rotation twist and you need to pivot.

• Teams are short-handed and someone steps into a huge, temporary role.

You’re locking yourself into low-ceiling moves and giving up the ability to react when the board actually changes.

The Week 16 Mindset

For Week 16, your edge isn’t “more streams.” It’s patience.

• Don’t chase a tiny one-game bump on Tuesday.

• Do protect your flexibility for Thursday through Sunday.

• Use your moves on clear long-term changes and on the high-minute, short-handed situations that only appear once the trades are real.

You’re not playing scared. You’re playing disciplined. The managers who can resist the urge to “use every move early” are the ones who will be ready when the board tilts in the back half of the week.

GOOD LUCK MY GUY!

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Robbin Marx

NBA Fantasy Analyst

Experience: NBC Sports - Rotoworld, HashTag Basketball, Bleav Network

Week 15 of the NBA fantasy season has arrived, and that means the runway to the fantasy playoffs is getting very, very short. This is the moment where leagues are won and lost, often not because of one big move, but because of a handful of smart ones made at exactly the right time. In this episode, Matty G walks through his latest top 100 fantasy basketball rankings from the last two weeks and, more importantly, how to use them. Think trade deadlines, sell-high windows, buy-low opportunities, and the kind of roster creativity that separates contenders from everyone else.

Let’s walk through it together.

First Things First: Know Your Trade Deadline

Before we even talk players, the most important advice comes right out of the gate. Check your league’s trade deadline right now. Not the NBA’s. Your league’s.

In many formats, especially Yahoo leagues, trades must fully process before the deadline ends. If they do not, they simply disappear unless your commissioner manually intervenes. That means waiting an extra day or two could cost you the exact trade that would have pushed your team over the top. With the fantasy playoffs approaching fast, awareness here is everything.

The Top of the Rankings: Stars Doing Star Things

Shai, Luka, and the First-Round Foundation

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is back where he belongs at number one. Over the last two weeks, it has been SGA season in every sense. Luka Dončić slides in at number two, buoyed by strong free throw shooting and elite usage, even if turnovers remain part of the package.

Victor Wembanyama continues to show flashes of dominance, but inefficiencies still cap his ranking slightly. Nikola Jokić being out briefly opened the door for Kawhi Leonard to surge, and Kawhi continues to justify first-round status despite the ever-present injury risk.

Ja Morant, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid

Ja Morant’s injury uncertainty makes him a clear sell-high if you have him. Even a small window of elite production can be leveraged into safer early-round value.

Tyrese Maxey continues his breakout, validating preseason confidence that he could flirt with first-round value by season’s end. Joel Embiid has been phenomenal since returning, rewarding managers who stashed him in IR spots with elite production and consistent games played.

Sell High, Buy Low, and Read the Room

Anthony Edwards, Immanuel Quickley, and Darius Garland

Anthony Edwards sits inside the top ten, but this might be your moment to test the market. His upside is undeniable, but packaging him for a steadier superstar like Luka or SGA could make sense if the right deal appears.

Immanuel Quickley has vaulted into elite territory thanks to absurd efficiency and strong volume. This rise is real, but it is also a chance to explore sell-high offers if someone believes he is a permanent top-ten player.

Darius Garland is a classic buy-low. Limited games played have suppressed his ranking, but his rest-of-season outlook still screams top-50 value.

James Harden and Jusuf Nurkić

James Harden’s field goal percentage has been brutal, and that frustration is your opportunity. He is still scoring, drawing fouls, and producing across categories. This is not a true buy-low, but it might be the best deal you will get all season.

Jusuf Nurkić, on the other hand, is the definition of a sell-high. The free throw percentage is painful, and if someone is willing to overlook that, now is the time to cash out. His recent shocking string of triple-double stat lines don’t hurt his value right now either.

Respect the Legends and Trust the Numbers

Kevin Durant deserves more appreciation than he has been getting. The “Easy Money Sniper” remains exactly that, and recent play reminds us why doubting him on draft day was a mistake.

Players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, Evan Mobley, and Peyton Watson continue to provide strong value, though several of them fit best as trade pieces in the right package rather than untouchables.

Scottie Barnes is a fascinating case. The trade offers floating around for him have been wild, including packages bringing back Luka or SGA. Barnes is excellent, but if someone is willing to pay that kind of price, you listen.

The Middle Rounds: Where Leagues Are Won

This is where things get really fun.

LeBron James sits in a sweet spot where name value still matters, but Austin Reaves returning could slightly cap his ceiling. Julius Randle and Nikola Vučević both profile as sell-high candidates if you can extract strong value.

Donovan Mitchell stands out as one of the best buy-lows on the board. A few poor games have pushed him down to the mid-30s, but his true talent still suggests second-round upside.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been a revelation and might simply be a “ride it out” situation. Stephen Curry at 38 almost feels like a buy-low, which is wild to say out loud.

Injury Stashes and Playoff Chess Moves

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury opens a massive strategic door. If you are comfortably headed to the playoffs, targeting Giannis with depth pieces could be league-winning. Stash him, stream aggressively, and prepare for a monster return right when it matters most.

This same logic applies, on a smaller scale, to players like Tyler Herro, Zion Williamson, Jarrett Allen, and OG Anunoby. Injured stars scare managers fighting for playoff spots, and that fear is leverage.

Waiver Wire Gold and End-of-Roster Magic

Names like Jock Landale, Sam Hauser, Max Christie, Andrew Nembhard, and Jaylen Duren continue to provide sneaky value. These are the players who keep your weekly matchups alive while stars rest or miss games.

Derrick White is a textbook buy-low. The efficiency is ugly, but the threes, blocks, and steals from a guard remain elite. If his shooting normalizes even slightly, he rockets up the rankings.

Bub Carrington, Justin Champagnie, Moses Moody, and Cam Spencer are all worth attention depending on format and build. These are the kinds of adds that quietly swing playoff weeks.

Final Thoughts: Play Bold, Play Smart

As Matty G reminds us, fantasy championships are rarely won by standing still. With trade deadlines approaching and playoff races tightening, this is the moment to be proactive. Sell when the value is inflated. Buy when frustration sets in. Use IR spots creatively. Stream aggressively.

The rankings are not just a list. They are a roadmap. Use them wisely, trust your instincts, and most of all, enjoy the chaos. This is the best part of the fantasy season.

Take care, be well, and good luck heading into Week 15.

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Host of this BLEAV in Fantasy Basketball episode D-mac introduces the Week 14 buy-low trade targets and also notes the top 10 most traded players on Yahoo. Top 10 most traded players are De’Aaron Fox, LaMelo Ball, Pascal Siakam, DeMar DeRozan, De’Andre Hunter, De’Aaron Fox, De’Anthony Melton, De’Andre Ayton, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Trae Young — some are highlighted as sell high or avoid candidates.

D-mac from NBA Fantasy Bible then names his top 5 buy-low trade targets:

• Cade Cunningham - a prime buy low after a rough short stretch marked by poor shooting and uncharacteristically bad free throws, but his season long value still profiles as a first round caliber player, especially in points leagues and nine cat minus one formats. “Across the course of the season, outstanding… he’s a top 12 player and he’s 12th in nine cat minus one.”

• Domantas Sabonis - a buy low due to injuries, missed games, and suppressed production compared to last season, but his recent rankings are far below his true talent level and should normalize as he ramps up. “263rd in the last two weeks in nine cat is just not Sabonis. He’s much better than that.”

• Devin Booker - remains a buy low as his recent efficiency dip has lowered his value, but the return of another high usage teammate should ease defensive pressure and help his shooting, playmaking, and overall fantasy output. “I think Devin Booker is going to have some of the heat taken off of him… which will help the field goal percentage.”

• Giannis Antetokounmpo - a buy low particularly for managers punting free throws, as his recent downturn in minutes and scoring is viewed as temporary rather than a true decline in role or ability. “The numbers just don’t stack up over the last two weeks… I don’t think it’s going to take too long for Giannis to get back to where he needs to be.”

• Stephen Curry - identified as a buy low because his recent dip in volume and usage should reverse quickly, especially with a major teammate injury forcing him to shoulder more offensive responsibility. “Stephen Curry needs to step up… and I think he gets back to that first round value as well.”

Other buy lows to consider include Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr., both underperforming but with potential upside. Additional name drops as buy-low targets are Miles Bridges, Josh Hart, Franz Wagner, Jrue Holiday, Coby White, O.G. Anunoby, Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant.

Injury-based buy lows: Josh Giddey, Kawhi Leonard, Isaiah Hartenstein, Tyler Herro, Darius Garland, Jalen Williams, Keegan Murray, Austin Reaves, Nikola Jokić — all could offer value as they return.

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Read more

First, zoom out and look at the week as a whole. The daily game counts are:

• Monday: 9 games

• Tuesday: 7 games

• Wednesday: 7 games

• Thursday: 8 games

• Friday: 8 games

• Saturday: 7 games

• Sunday: 7 games

That’s what makes this week so friendly for streaming. There are no brutal 12–13 game nights where good players are stuck on your bench, and no two-game slates where you’re scrambling just to get anyone active. Every day is effectively a “quality game day,” which means:

• You’re very likely to have open starting spots on most nights.

• Almost every stream you make has a clear path into your active lineup.

• Streaming is limited by your moves and your planning, not by the schedule blocking you.

Team Game Counts (5, 4, 3, 2)

Now to the core of the week: how many games each team plays.

• One team plays 5 games.

• Sixteen teams play 4 games.

• Eleven teams play 3 games.

• Two teams play 2 games.

Those distributions alone create tiered value, before you even think about talent. More games equals more chances to accumulate points, rebounds, assists, and everything else that wins categories or head-to-head matchups.

Five-game team

There is only one 5-game team this week:

• Miami – 5 games

In a week like this, that team becomes the centerpiece of any aggressive streaming plan. A back-end player from a 5-game team can easily beat a stronger real-life player who only plays 2 or 3 times.

Four-game teams

These teams each play 4 games in Week 14:

• Boston

• Brooklyn

• Cleveland

• Dallas

• Denver

• Detroit

• Golden State

• The Clippers

• Milwaukee

• Oklahoma City

• Philadelphia

• Phoenix

• Sacramento

• San Antonio

• Toronto

• Utah

Four-game teams form your “safe volume” tier. In weekly formats, these are the teams you want to lean on for your core starters. In daily formats, these squads still matter because they show up over and over again when you look at back-to-backs and light slates.

Three-game teams

These teams have 3 games:

• Atlanta

• Charlotte

• Chicago

• Houston

• Indiana

• The Lakers

• Memphis

• Minnesota

• New Orleans

• New York

• Washington

Three-game teams are neutral. You don’t need to auto-drop players from these teams, but they become your primary candidates when you need to unlock a streaming spot at the back of your roster, especially if that player’s role is shaky.

Two-game teams

There are only two teams with 2 games this week:

• Orlando – 2 games

• Portland – 2 games

These teams are where you find your biggest streaming leverage. A fringe player from a two-game team is often better off as a streamable slot than a hold, because you can realistically turn that spot into five, six, or even seven games over the course of the week.

Strategy For Daily-Change Leagues

In daily leagues, the schedule is so flat that your focus should be entirely on total games from your last one or two roster spots. With four moves and one streaming slot, you can turn a 2-game player into 7 games. With more moves and two streaming slots, you can push that even further.

Step 1: Identify who to cut

Start by looking at your roster through a game-volume lens:

• Back-end players from Orlando and Portland are top drop candidates. They only play twice and those games come later in the week, which delays any payoff if you hold them.

• Marginal players from 3-game teams can also be sacrificed if they’re not difference-makers in your build.

The question isn’t “Is this player good?” The question is “Is this player good enough to justify giving up 3–5 extra games from that roster spot?”

Step 2: Build a 4-move, 1-slot plan

Use one roster spot as your “stream engine” and map out the entire week before it starts. A strong four-move blueprint can look like this:

1. Early Week – Monday–Tuesday back-to-back
   Target a team that plays both Monday and Tuesday. There are several options here, including Golden State, the Clippers, Miami, Philadelphia, San Antonio, and Utah.
   

   • Add a player from one of these teams before Monday’s games.

   • You get two games from this spot by the end of Tuesday.

2. Midweek – Wednesday single-game stream
   After Tuesday’s games, drop that streamer and grab anyone playing on Wednesday. Because it’s a balanced slate, you’re very likely to have a lineup opening.
   

   • That’s game number three from the same roster spot.

3. Late Week – Thursday–Friday back-to-back
   After Wednesday’s game, pivot to a team with a Thursday–Friday back-to-back. For this week, that cluster includes Denver, Houston, and Portland.
   

   • Add a streamer from one of those teams.

   • That gives you two more games on Thursday and Friday, taking the total to five from that one roster spot.

4. Optional Weekend Add – Saturday or Saturday–Sunday
   If your league allows enough moves and you’ve planned carefully, you can finish off with a weekend move. Dallas and Miami have a back-to-back on Saturday–Sunday, which is perfect if you still have one last transaction.
   

   • That can push the total to 7 games from a spot that would’ve given you only 2 if you held a player from Orlando or Portland.

   This type of plan is what turns “I’m down a couple categories” into “I just added five extra box scores on my opponent.”

Step 3: Multiple streaming spots

If your platform allows 6–7 moves per week and your league is competitive, it makes sense to open up a second streaming slot.

• With two streaming spots and seven moves, you can’t quite get 14 games, but you can reach up to 13.

• That might look like dropping two low-volume players (for example, from Orlando and Portland) and cycling those two roster spots through back-to-backs and single nights across the week.

The goal is to make sure those two spots are almost always active. When your opponent is getting 4–6 games from their bottom two players, you’re getting 10–13. That’s the kind of swing that decides tight matchups.

Bringing It All Together

Week 14 gives you everything you want as a streaming manager: balanced nights, a clear five-game team to target, a large pool of four-game teams, and only two teams dragging behind at two games. The managers who win this week will:

• Cut emotion from the equation and move on from low-volume teams like Orlando and Portland at the back of their roster.

• Script their moves around back-to-backs, especially Monday–Tuesday and Thursday–Friday, and look for weekend opportunities with teams like Dallas and Miami.

• In weekly formats, build their lineups around the 5- and 4-game teams first, then fill gaps with the best remaining options from 3-game squads.

Treat your last roster spots as levers, not keepsakes. If you squeeze every game you can out of them in Week 14, the schedule is set up to reward you.

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Robbin Marx

NBA Fantasy Analyst

Experience: NBC Sports - Rotoworld, HashTag Basketball, Bleav Network