Welcome to week 22 of the fantasy basketball season! Fantasy playoffs are now in full swing! Most leagues are moving onto round two while some leagues are just beginning. Congratulations on being in the dance! With March Madness taking over the nation, do not sleep on those waiver wire folks! It doesn’t get more intense than these playoff moments. Keep an eye on who plays more games, and you might want to avoid the suddenly hot Rodney McGruder as he only has two games on the week! Here are five players who are set to make significant impacts to your fantasy basketball rosters. Good luck to all!
Week 22 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire
Jaden McDaniels, SF/PF – Minnesota Timberwolves (63% rostered)
It’s Jaden McDaniels season in Minnesota everybody! McDaniels is fresh off a top-10 performance on the week and Anthony Edwards just went down with an ankle injury meaning extra opportunity for McDaniels this week. McDaniels has been great, scoring 14+ points in five-straight games and totaling at least five rebounds in three-straight games. In three of his last four games, McDaniels is averaging 20.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 3.3 3PTM. He’s also averaging a monster 36.5 minutes per game over his last three. Get him in your lineups.
*Kyle Anderson, SF/PF – Minnesota Timberwolves – Also, a great waiver wire add
Onyeka Okongwu, C – Atlanta Hawks (60% rostered)
If only Onyeka Okongwu could receive 30 minutes a game! We’d be talking about a fantasy star here. Clint Capela has capped the 22-year-old’s upside, but it hasn’t stopped Okongwu from being productive at times. With the season winding down and a potential off-season departure from Capela, maybe the Hawks explore some extra playing time for the 3rd-year pro. Regardless if you’re in need of rebounds and blocks then you need to add Okongwu who’s also enjoying his best scoring spurt of the season. Over his last three games, he’s averaging 17.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks including a block in six-straight games. Okongwu has received 20+ minutes in four straight games and it’s a four-game week for the Hawks so don’t leave double zero on the waiver wire.
Caris LeVert, SG/SF – Cleveland Cavaliers (47% rostered)
Caris LeVert is turning back the clocks to his 2020 scoring days as the 7-year pro is finally on a roll with the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeVert has scored double-digit points in five-straight games now and is averaging 20.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 3.0 steals, and 3.3 3PTM over his last three games. The steals and assist numbers make LeVert a great addition as he’s become a mainstay in this Cavs lineup. LeVert posted two 20-point games last week but more impressively was leading the team in points in Wednesday’s game against the 76ers ahead of scorers Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Pick him up, baby!
Xavier Tillman, PF/C – Memphis Grizzlies (43% rostered)
Xavier Tillman’s stats might not blow you away, but the big fella is getting the job done as the starting Center for the Memphis Grizzlies. Steven Adams is not close to a return and Jaren Jackson Jr. is dealing with some calf soreness making Tillman an even more intriguing addition off the waiver wire. Tillman is fresh off a 14-point, 10-rebound, five-assist, and two-steal performance on Saturday. I’ll take that line all day! Tillman has posted at least 10 points and six rebounds in five of his past seven games while totaling 8+ rebounds in four of those games. Tillman is top-25 in the league in rebounds over the last two weeks and can contribute solid shooting percentages and can chip in with points, steals, and blocks. I’m adding away this feisty Grizzly for the playoffs!
Aaron Nesmith, SG/SF – Indiana Pacers (13% rostered)
Make that back-to-back 20+ point performances for the 23-year-old Aaron Nesmith. Nesmith is taking full advantage of Bennedict Mathurin being out of the lineup with an ankle injury. Nesmith is averaging 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.0 3PTM in his last two games. He’s totaled at least five rebounds in three straight and is chipping in with a couple of steals and blocks making him a solid add to your fantasy roster. Especially since the Pacers have four games next week.