Welcome back to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who to add off the waiver wire and get in your lineup for the upcoming week in fantasy basketball.
Every league is different — sometimes a 75% rostered player hits waivers, whether by mistake or because they’ve hit an intolerable slump. If they fit your build, get ’em. But for this column, we’re focusing on players under 50% rostered who can help you win in Week 18 or beyond.
Reminder: The default Yahoo Fantasy basketball trade deadline ends Thursday, March 5. Get those offers out there before it’s too late!
Fantasy basketball pickups and advice.
🎧 Who’s in My Rotation: High Score
GG Jackson II – FC, Memphis Grizzlies (26%)
Jackson is an easy must-add across all leagues. The Grizzlies are extremely thin in the frontcourt, which has opened a prime opportunity for Jackson to showcase his fantasy-friendly skill set. He’s scored at least 35 fantasy points in his last three outings, including a 47-point fantasy performance on Saturday. Whether he’s coming off the bench or starting, GG’s racking up counting stats across most categories and fantasy managers can trust him with four games this week. Ty Jerome is the other guy I’d add in High Score from the Grizz.
Reed Sheppard – G, Houston Rockets (38%)
The Rockets play four games, with three of them falling on lighter slates in Week 18. Sheppard has been more consistent in points leagues, averaging 14-3-4 with almost 2 stocks per game over his last five games. In that span, he’s scored at least 32 fantasy points in four of those contests. Now that the shot is falling, fantasy managers in shallow leagues should pick him up. The Rockets need someone to stretch the floor besides Kevin Durant, so if Sheppard’s efficiency holds, his minutes will start to climb above 25 per night.
[High Score is a new way to play Fantasy Basketball on Yahoo with simple rosters and scoring. It’s not too late to create or join a league]
Gui Santos – FC, Golden State Warriors (18%)
Santos has been making an impact in fantasy since late January, averaging 15-5-4 with over 2 stocks per game in his previous 10 games. On Sunday, Golden State was without Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Kristaps Porziņģis. It’s a role-player party, led by Santos, who has quietly been the Dubs’ most consistent player in February. Between his efficiency and attention to detail on the defensive end, he’ll continue filling up the box score for the short-handed Warriors.
🎧 Who’s in My Rotation: Deeper league adds
Cason Wallace – PG/SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder (27%)
Four games are on tap for the Thunder this week, plus Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams aren’t ready to play yet. Wallace had the first double-double of his career in Sunday’s win over the Cavs — the right momentum you’ll wanna take advantage of to start the week. I can see people wanting to pass this off as an outlier performance since he totaled 15 points in his previous three outings. But he’s still one of the best steal specialists in fantasy, and with more usage and shot volume, he’s worth streaming before the main guys return to the lineup.
Marvin Bagley – PF/C, Dallas Mavericks (18%)
I see Bagley available in too many 12-teamers. He’s double-doubled in three of his last five contests, despite playing under 26 minutes in each of them. He’s the better player of the timeshare between him and Daniel Gafford, and fantasy managers need to add him with four games on deck in Week 18. Bagley has a good amount of runway with the Mavs nowhere close to contention and without Cooper Flagg (foot) for the time being.
Precious Achiuwa – PF/C, Sacramento Kings (14%)
Sacramento’s frontcourt is looking bleak at best, leaving Achiuwa to handle the interior for the floundering franchise. He was great in Week 17, ranking 51st in 9-cat, thanks to his diverse numbers on both ends of the floor. The Kings’ schedule is favorable, and playing minutes in the upper 20s are more than enough to sustain his value as a priority add in 12-team 9-cat or points leagues. There could be league-winning potential here.
Nique Clifford – SG/SF, Sacramento Kings (13%)
It’s good to see fantasy managers taking notice of his expansive role. Given his shooting struggles, he’s been more valuable in points leagues than 9-cat formats. However, he’s played at least 30 minutes in six straight games, indicating he’s not going anywhere. Between the injuries on the wing and the Kings’ record, Clifford’s spot in the rotation looks secure. He offers some appeal for assists, rebounds and steals, but don’t discount his upside as he scored 30 a couple of weeks ago. The Kings play on Monday and Wednesday to begin Week 18, two lighter slates where his counting stats will be of use.
De’Anthony Melton – PG/SG, Golden State Warriors (11%)
As long as Steph Curry isn’t ready to play, Melton is a must-roster player. Those fighting for a playoff spot might want to leave Melton on the wire because he’s not playing back-to-backs (the Warriors have one on Tuesday and Wednesday) in a three-game week. If you’re well-positioned for a playoff spot or a bye, don’t be concerned about Melton’s 25-minute restriction because he’ll stuff the stat sheet in points leagues while also being useful in 9-cat for points, 3s and steals.
Scotty Pippen Jr. – PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies (9%)
Like his teammate GG, Pippen Jr. is a schedule-based add for Week 18. He finished 80th in 9-cat across Week 17, doing a mix of everything from scoring to dishing out six assists while generating 3 stocks per game. The Grizz have no back-to-backs, which is a plus for Pippen, who remains capped at around 20 minutes and hasn’t played in consecutive nights since returning in early February. Fantasy managers can also look at Ty Jerome in shallow leagues, plus Cam Spencer and Walter Clayton Jr. in deeper leagues.
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