RADIO
We're in the final stretches of the NBA fantasy season for most, as a majority of leagues will start their playoffs starting on Week 22. Owners should be looking at every realm of possibility to improve their team's chances of locking in a playoff berth. It's time to drop the dead weight and scout for the waiver wire for any production that would be helpful for your team. Looking into Week 20, there are a couple of must-add players that you shouldn't leave behind on your waiver wire.
With that said, we're here to bless you all with everything you guys need to stay ahead of your opponents in all your fantasy leagues. Below are our recommended waiver wire pickups for Week 20 of the fantasy basketball season, for those looking to beef up their teams. We wish everyone the best of luck in your leagues and may the odds forever be in your favor!
It's the best time to start exploring trades, and get out ahead before it's too late! Sell high, buy low - trying to look for ways to improve your team despite where you are in the standings will go a long way for you in case injuries and cold streaks happen. As a reminder for most leagues, it's crucial to plan ahead. Waiver wire adds, scheduling and player injuries are all things to consider. Drop the dead weight, make an effort to improve your team by maximizing your weekly adds and utilizing streamer spots via the waiver wire. Don't be attached to short-term pickups when there is a hot player on the horizon, especially if a hot player can stick with significant minutes the rest of the season. Be wary of weekly streaming options and stay ahead of your opponents. Our staff at RotoBaller has great insight and daily columns on how to improve your squad and tips to make your team successful, so be sure to check them out! Now let's get prepared for Week 20.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers received five total writing awards and 13 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, tops in the industry! Congrats to all the award winners and nominees including NBA Writer of the Year, Best NFL Series, MLB Series, PGA Writer and Player Notes writer of the year. Be sure to follow their analysis, rankings and advice all year long, and win big with RotoBaller! Read More!
Week 20 Schedule
4 Games - Trail Blazers, Magic, Thunder, Pelicans, Timberwolves, Bucks, Heat, Grizzlies, Lakers, Clippers, Pacers, Rockets, Warriors, Pistons, Cavaliers, Bulls, Hornets, Nets, Celtics, Hawks
3 Games - Mavericks, Nuggets, Knicks, Sixers, Suns, Kings, Spurs, Raptors, Jazz, Wizards
Week 20 Standard Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
I write my columns based on H2H 9-category standard size leagues:
Tyler Johnson - PG/SG, SUNS (29% Ownership)
Johnson has logged consistent minutes since being traded to the Suns, and he blew up on Saturday with a season-high 29 points against the Hawks, adding five rebounds, four assists, two steals, one block and four 3-pointers. He's got the upside to put up top-100 numbers with the amount of minutes he's getting, and he should be added in standard leagues.
Joakim Noah - PF/C, GRIZZLIES (14% Ownership)
Noah finally found a team that was willing to give him meaningful minutes, and could be a sneaky add that can turn your fantasy season around. Over his last five the veteran power forward/center is averaging 14.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 57.1% from the field and 80.6% from the foul line. We seen this level of upside before when he was healthy in Chicago, and the injury to Jaren Jackson J.R. (quad) could mean this is sustainable for a while.
Ivan Rabb - PF/C, GRIZZLIES (11% Ownership)
Jaren Jackson J.R. (quad) is out indefinitely and that leaves a void for Rabb, who will be looking at a great opportunity to capitalize for the foreseeable future. Rabb scored 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 25 minutes on Friday and he should be added in most 12 team formats for his upside.
Miles Bridges - SF, HORNETS (5% Ownership)
Bridges suddenly got promoted into the starting lineup following the All-Star break and it's probably a move that could stick for the remainder of the season. Bridges fared well in his first start, scoring 14 points with six rebounds, one block, three steals and one 3-pointer then dealt with foul trouble the following night with only four points and four boards. Although his upside isn't great, a 26-28+ minute role down the stretch could pay dividends for owners who are in need of a healthy body.
Jonathan Isaac - SF/PF, MAGIC (72% Ownership)
Congrats to those who held him, because he's been terrible for much of the year. He's finally turned his performances into expectations, as he's now averaging 10.8 points, 8.8 boards, 1.3 dimes, 1.8 blocks, 1.3 steals and 1.2 treys over the last six games. He's a must-own player and looks to have a huge finish.
Robin Lopez - C, BULLS (25% Ownership)
Lopez revived his season over the past month, as he's playing fantastic lately. Over the last six games, Lopez is averaging 19.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 assists per game, all while shooting 66.1 percent from the field. He's going to cool off at some point, but he has to be added given how well he's played. At this point of the fantasy season, owners need to be making quick decisions when it comes to getting players who are contributing.
Avery Bradley - PG/SG, GRIZZLIES (18% Ownership)
Before the four-point dud on Saturday, Bradley has played well with his new team, scoring 17 + points in three straight games. There's not a lot of upside with Bradley, but as log as he's getting more than 25 minutes and hitting his shots, he can be useful in most nights.
Mitchell Robinson - C, KNICKS (47% Ownership)
If Robinson is still on your waiver wire, change that immediately. He's going to challenge the league for most blocked shots post All-Star break and he's only going to continue to get better as the leash gets shorter for the tanking Knicks.
Dion Waiters - SG/SF, HEAT (20% Ownership)
I'm not sure how long it could last, but Waiters has scored in double-figures in six straight contests. Goran Dragic (knee) returned and could make things complicated in the Heat rotation, but he should be added right now given how well he's playing.
Cody Zeller - PF/C, HORNETS (28% Ownership)
Zeller has played well lately, and he should remain in the starting line up the rest of the way. He's not going to have any popcorn stat lines, but can be useful given that he's a double-double threat with a block every night. He's worth a roster spot in most 12 team leagues.
Week 20 Deeper Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
Reggie Bullock - SG/SF, LAKERS (16% Ownership)
Bullock was traded before the trading deadline and he remains in the starting lineup with the Lakers as a floor spacer. He doesn't do much outside of 3-pointers, but he's still logging enough minutes on a team that desperately needs his shooting. Give him a look in 14+ team leagues.
Mason Plumlee - PF/C, NUGGETS (21% Ownership)
Coach Mike Malone started playing Plumlee at the power forward position next to Jokic, and that's worked well. He'll contribute in multiple categories in field-goal percentage, rebounds, and assists from a center position so he should be added in most leagues.
Landry Shamet - PG/SG, CLIPPERS (14% Ownership)
The Clippers are committed making Shamet their starter the rest of the way, so he's a useful add if you are in need of 3-pointers. He'll offer a hint of upside in steals and assists, but can be looked at mainly as a 3-point specialist.
Jake Layman - SF, BLAZERS (12% Ownership)
Layman has played incredibly well lately, and his improved play will force his coach to continue to play him meaningful minutes. The arrival of Enes Kanter hasn't hurt him yet, but he should be added until he completely cools off.
Mikal Bridges - SG/SF, SUNS (27% Ownership)
Oddly, Bridges minutes goes down without Devin Booker but goes up with Booker in the lineup. He's still contributing in the defensive stats to be added in deeper settings. At this point, he's worth a look in all 14+ team leagues given his defensive contributions and 3-pointers (1.8 steals, 0.8 blocks, 1.2 3-pointers over the last five) Keep your eyes on him and the tanking Phoenix Suns.
More Fantasy Basketball Analysis
By popular demand, RotoBaller has aggregated all of our fantasy basketball NBA waiver wire pickups into a running list of NBA waiver options, so bookmark the page and check back often for updates.
