Michael Carter-Williams (PG, ORL): Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add In 14-Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 1% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Let's make something clear before we keep discussing MCW: this is a bench player, full stop. Michael Carter-Williams should only be a target for fantasy owners playing deep leagues given his playing time (around 17 minutes per game) and a limited role on offense (around 19% usage rate on the season). Other than that, though, the production has been very nice for the run he gets nightly.

The best run of games from MCW came back in early-to-mid December, when he averaged 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in a span of five games. During his last five matches going back to Jan. 22, though, he's also leveled up and is having his best numbers since then. MCW is averaging 11.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, and 3.4 apg in those last five. His minutes have crossed the 21-mark in the last three and he's scored 10+ points in three of those aforementioned five matches.

While Markelle Fultz is the clear go-to guy for the Magic at the point, MCW versatility and size allows him to play the point and a little bit of SG/wing, so he will keep seeing a fair amount of minutes going forward and has some upside on the boards over other players at the position. Again, not a lock to add in sallow leagues, but definitely worth considering in deeper ones.