Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the greatest show on hardwood. If you’re in the deep league business, I have eight players ready to be scooped up off your fantasy basketball waiver wire. Get your popcorn ready as we dive deep into some potential “silly season” fantasy heroes. It’s time to strengthen your bench with my fantasy basketball deep league waiver wire adds for Week 17.
Last week, I highlighted Malik Beasley, Corey Kispert, and Josh Green. Beasley and Kispert are now rostered in TOO many leagues to qualify for this list. Green makes this list again (spoiler alert), but barely, as his ownership has spiked +13% since last week.
The following players are rostered in < 50% of Fantrax leagues.
Deep League Waiver Wire Adds for Week 17
GG Jackson, PF – Memphis Grizzlies (49% rostered)
Jackson is on a HEATER over his last four games, averaging 19.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 three-pointers, and 1.5 steals. The Grizzlies seem content on giving the 19-year-old heavy minutes as he is averaging 29.0 minutes during that span. The undrafted rookie is making serious noise and is putting himself squarely in contention for a “silly season” fantasy award.
Josh Green, SG/SF – Dallas Mavericks (45% rostered)
If GG is on a heater, Green is on a furnace. The 23-year-old is averaging 15.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.3 three-pointers, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals in 31.8 minutes over the past six games. The Arizona product has started the past 18 games for the Mavericks and is averaging 31.4 minutes during that span. Add the talented guard if you need points, rebounds, dimes, triples, assists, and swipes (who doesn’t?).
Maxi Kleber, PF/C – Dallas Mavericks (16% rostered)
Kleber has been excelling in every category over his past five games, averaging 11.2 points on 61.8% field-goal shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.8 three-pointers, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals. The 32-year-old is starting and playing massive minutes for Dallas, which means he probably won’t be available in your league for long. The German native is playing at an elite level and deserves a spot on your roster.
Tre Mann, PG – Charlotte Hornets (40% rostered)
Mann drew the start in his Charlotte debut, supplying nine points, four rebounds, nine assists, and two steals in 27 minutes. The 23-year-old was a part of the trade that sent Gordon Hayward to the Thunder, so the Hornets have every incentive to play him heavy minutes, especially with LaMelo Ball (ankle) missing his ninth straight game Friday. The Florida product has shined in the past when given the minutes, and that trend should continue as long as he’s starting and/or Ball remains sidelined.
Grant Williams, PF – Charlotte Hornets (42% rostered)
In Williams’ first game as a Hornet, he posted 15 points, eight rebounds, three three-pointers, and one assist in 32 minutes. The 25-year-old should continue getting plenty of run on a Charlotte team going nowhere fast. If your team needs consistent triples, boards, and points; look no further than the one they call “Batman”.
Isaac Okoro, SG/SF – Cleveland Cavaliers (30% rostered)
Okoro’s been collecting major stocks over his last four games, averaging 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals along with 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 three-pointers. The 23-year-old is producing across-the-board stats and has a healthy floor as he’s averaging 27.1 minutes per game over the last 16 games.
Dennis Smith Jr., PG – Brooklyn Nets (33% rostered)
According to NBA JAM rules, Smith Jr. is HEATING UP over the past two games, averaging 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.0 three-pointers. With Spencer Dinwiddie out of town, the 26-year-old should continue receiving 25-plus minutes on a nightly basis.
Super Deep League Waiver Wire Adds for Week 17
Dalano Banton, PG – Portland Trailblazers (7% rostered)
For those of you who are new to my weekly deep league article, this is a new section. In Banton’s Portland debut, he accumulated 12 points, three rebounds, three assists, and one three-pointer in 24 minutes. The 24-year-old is not a must-add, but he is very intriguing with Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) set to miss the next two weeks. With the Blazers sinking further and further down the standings, the Nebraska product should get a ton of run down the stretch. At the very least, keep the former Toronto Raptor on your watch list.
As we wrap up this Deep League Waiver Wire Adds article, remember that in the wild world of fantasy basketball, you’re not just managing a team; you’re practically running a circus. So, get ready to juggle waiver wire decisions, make slam-dunk moves, and dodge fantasy curveballs. Lace up your virtual shoes and let the games begin.
As for this article? In the famous words of Chick Hearn, “You can put this one in the refrigerator. The door’s closed, the lights are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter’s getting hard and the Jell-O is jiggling.”
Good luck in Week 17!
great article, great read as always and some handy nuggets of advice and tips to get u ballin 🏀
I appreciate it, Jason! Thank you so much for reading. I’m happy to hear you found it useful 👊