As the second week (and the first full one) of the Fantasy Basketball season comes to an end, roles are becoming more clear. However, there is still the need to navigate the tricky and every-changing injury statuses of the NBA. With Week 2 behind us, we’ll review how are suggestions did and then check out what the waiver wire has to offer us for Week 3!
Each week, I will suggest my favorite fantasy basketball waiver wire targets that are owned in less than 40-percent of Yahoo leagues. To be honest, I don’t play on ESPN so I can’t access their ownership numbers. I will also suggest a player that is eligible in each of the five positions (PG, SG, SF, PF and C.) Additionally, at least one suggestion will be owned in less than 10-percent of Yahoo leagues.
Week 2 Results
(Last Seven Day Averages)
Dennis Schroder, PG, Brooklyn Nets - 36 MPG, 24.8 PTS, 3.3 REB, 8.8 AST & 1.3 ST
Wendell Carter Jr., C, Orlando Magic - 30 MPG, 12.5 PTS, 8.5 REB, 1.5 AST, 1.0 ST & 0.5 BLK
De’Andre Hunter, SF/PF, Atlanta Hawks - N/A (Injured)
Jeremy Sochan, SF/PF, San Antonio Spurs - 32:15 MPG, 17.3 PTS, 8.3 REB, 3.8 AST, 1 ST & 0.8 BLK
Tre Mann, PG/SG, Charlotte Hornets - 26:4 MPG, 20 PTS, 2 REB, 4 AST, 0.7 ST & 0.7 BLK
Bilal Coulibaly, SG/SF, Washington Wizards - 35 MPG, 22 PTS, 6.3 REB, 2 AST, 1.7 ST & 0.3 BLK
Toumani Camara, PF, Portland Trail Blazers - 30:36 MPG, 9.2 PTS, 3.8 REB, 2.2 AST, 2 STL & 0.4 BLK
Week 3 Suggestions
Christian Braun, SG, Denver Nuggets (Owned in 41% of Yahoo Leagues)
Week 3 Schedule: vs. TOR, vs. OKC, vs. MIA & vs. DAL
I talk about it often when it comes to fantasy basketball, minutes are key. Simply put, guys can’t contribute if they’re no on the court. With that being said, in his first year as a starter filling the Kentavious Caldwell-Pope role, Braun has been a staple for the Nuggets to start the season. He’s averaging 35:10 minutes-per-game and contributes on both ends of the court. He’s also averaging 14.5 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and 1.2 blocks-per-game on the season. You’re getting a guy starting for one of the elite teams in not only the Western Conference, but the NBA here. The Nuggets also have a four game week ahead of them, all at home.
Nick Richards, C, Charlotte Hornets (Owned in 45% of Yahoo Leagues)
Week 3 Schedule: vs. MIN, @DET, vs. IND & @PHI
First off, I know Richards is owned in more than 40-percent of Yahoo leagues but all of that ownership is recent and as he sat out Saturday with a shoulder injury, that number may decrease as well. Anyhow, Richards has been a monster for the Hornets as Mark Williams remains sidelined. Excluding his last appearance against the Raptors when he left the game ealy with a shoulder injury, he had a three again stretch against the Hawks, Heat and Raptors where he averaged over 32 MPG, 16 PTS, 12.7 REB, 2.3 AST & 2.7 BLK. Act fast and utilize Richards until you can’t
Jose Alvarado, PG, New Orleans Pelicans (Owned in 28% of Yahoo Leagues)
Week 3 Schedule: vs. POR, vs. CLE & @ORL
The Pelicans are going through it right now. They’re currently dealing with injuries to the likes of Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones. Due to this, the likes of Alvarado have had to step up. In the two games as the starter in New Orleans, Alvarado has averaged 14 points, three threes, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals. Until the Pelicans find a way to get healthy, which doesn’t appear to be the case anytime soon, Alvarado is going to be a quality option.
Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF, Indiana Pacers (Owned in 26% of Yahoo Leagues)
Week 3 Schedule: @DAL, vs. ORL, @CHA & vs. NYK
Although Mathurin has only recently became a starter due to injuries elsewhere on the Indiana roster, his recent play just may play himself into a permanent starting role. On national television against the defending champions Boston Celtics, Mathurin casually went and dropped 30 points with 11 rebounds and four assists. He came out in the game following against the Pelicans to drop 19 points while grabbing six rebounds and adding three assists. Mathurin is relentless when driving to the rim and has an improved three-point shot. He also does well on the glass.
Payton Pritchard, PG, Boston Celtics (Owned in 38% of Yahoo Leagues)
Week 3 Schedule: @ATL, vs. GSW, vs. BKN & @MIL
Prichard has served as the sixth-man for the Boston Celtics to start the season and he has continued his strong play off the bench to this day. On the season he’s averaging 27:51 MPG, 15.7 PTS, three REB, 2.6 AST and 1.3 STL. The role is cemented for Pritchard and there will be no guessing game where his minutes come from, which can be our best friend when it comes to fantasy basketball. He may not be a starter, but he’s playing darn near starter minutes and producing for arguably the best team in the NBA.
Kyle Filipowski, PF, Utah Jazz (Owned in 8% of Yahoo Leagues)
Week 3 Schedule: @CHI, @MIL & @SAS
As Taylor Hendricks' season has come to an early end due to an ankle injury, Filipowski is the next man up in Utah. In his first start post Hendricks he played 25 minutes scoring 12 points and grabbing eight rebounds. He started the following game against the Kings where he played just 20 minutes but sat late as the Jazz were routing Sacramento. Filipowski has one of those skill sets that is ideal for fantasy as he does a bit of everything on the court. He isn’t going to be a superstar but he’s one of those waiver wire guys who is going to chip in from every direction when it matters.
Zaccharie Risacher, SF, Atlanta Hawks (Owned in 23% of Yahoo Leagues)
Week 3 Schedule: vs. BOS, vs. NYK, @DET & vs. CHI
The Atlanta Hawks are dropping like flies. De’Andre Hunter remains on the IR with a knee injury that originally saw Risacher enter the starting lineup for Atlanta but now the Hawks are without Dyson Daniels (Hip,) Bogdan Bogdanovic's (hamstring) and Vit Krejci (thigh.) We all know Risacher has struggled with efficiency to start his career, but he was the first overall selection for a reason. With wing options limited in Atlanta and as the Hawks have a four game week, he’s worth the risk.
Alex Sarr, PF/C, Washington Wizards (Owned in 34% of Yahoo Leagues)
Week 3 Schedule: vs. GSW, @MEM & @ORL
If there’s one thing to be true about the Wizards, it’s that they’re going to play their young guys as much as possible. After a slow start to his career, the 2024 second overall selection has found his groove. Over the last week, Sarr is averaging 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.3 blocks and 2 assists-per-game while playing 25:30 MPG. Sarr is going to get better so grab him while you can.
Jordan Hawkins, SG, New Orleans Pelicans (Owned in 27% of Yahoo Leagues)
Week 3 Schedule: vs. POR, vs. CLE & @ORL
Just as I talked about previously with Alvarado, the New Orleans Pelicans are currently dealing with a slew of injuries. Additionally, along with Alvarado, Hawkins has been one to step up for the Pelicans. In his last two games he’s averaged 38 MPG, 23 PTS, four REB and one assist. Obviously the sample size is small, but he can get buckets in a hurry. He isn’t a player that’s going to contribute in multiple categories but if you play in a points league, he’s an ideal candidate.
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