Welcome to the trenches of the fantasy basketball battlefield, where only the bravest managers dare to tread in Week 24. As the season’s final buzzer looms ominously, injuries and strategic benching turn the waiver wire into a treasure hunt through a minefield. Every pickup could make or break your championship dreams. Let’s sift through the rubble and unearth those hidden gems that could clinch victory in the dying embers of the season.
Last week, I recommended Vasilije Micic and Scotty Pippen as priority adds. Stay tuned to see if one makes the list again.
The following players are rostered in less than 50% of Fantrax leagues.
Deep League Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Adds for Week 24
Jabari Walker, SF/PF – Portland Trailblazers (40% rostered)
Walker has been EXCELLING in the starting lineup over the past four games, averaging 14.3 points, 15.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 three-pointers. If you’re still rostering Jerami Grant in hopes he’ll return this season, do yourself a favor and move on. He hasn’t played a game since March 11. There’s no reason to rush him back with Portland playing for ping-pong balls. With Grant nowhere near returning, Walker has a stranglehold on the starting job for the rest of the year. Add the Colorado product if you need ELITE boards with solid points, dimes, and triples.
Tristan Vukčević, C – Washington Wizards (17% rostered)
According to NBA JAM rules, Vukcevic (VOOK-suh-vitch) is ON FIRE! The 21-year-old is averaging 14.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 three-pointers, and 1.7 blocks over the past three games. The rookie has a clear path to playing time with Marvin Bagley (knee) week-to-week and Richaun Holmes (toe) banged up. Even if Holmes returns, there’s no incentive for Washington to bench Vukcevic in favor of the 30-year-old Holmes. Make the move if you need big-man stats with some dimes and triples mixed in.
Scotty Pippen, PG – Memphis Grizzlies (32% rostered)
I recommended Pippen last week as a priority add, and he has DELIVERED. The 23-year-old has been HEATING UP over the past two games, averaging 20.0 points, 6.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 2.0 three-pointers, and 3.0 steals while shooting 61.5% from the field. Memphis has held out Jaren Jackson Jr. or Desmond Bane over the past couple of games, which is a trend that should continue this week. The Vanderbilt product should be a linchpin in the starting lineup and have a very safe floor quarterbacking the Grizzlies offense.
Chimezie Metu, PF/C – Detroit Pistons (21% rostered)
Metu is coming fresh off a masterclass performance where he posted 20 points on a perfect 9-for-9 from the field, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two three-pointers. While this performance did come without Jalen Duren (ankle) in the lineup, I believe Metu’s stellar performance earned him a promotion to the starting lineup. Even if he returns to the bench Tuesday, the 27-year-old was averaging 10.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks over his previous three games. The USC product has earned and should see at least 25-plus minutes a game for the rest of the season.
Julian Champagnie, SF/PF – San Antonio Spurs (22% rostered)
Champagnie has scored double-digit points in five out of his last six games, averaging 13.5 points. He’s also supplying 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.3 three-pointers, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks during that span. The 22-year-old has played 38-plus minutes in four straight games, which should continue with Keldon Johnson leaving Sunday’s game early with a left foot injury. With San Antonio playing for lottery balls, expect the St. John’s product to play massive minutes the rest of the way.
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 24! Let’s finish strong!