**Editor’s Note:** The Yahoo Fantasy Basketball trade deadline is fast approaching on Thursday, March 6. Make sure to finalize your trades, and stay tuned for a buy/sell article coming later this week. 🏀
**Week 17 Recap**
– Joel Embiid and Jalen Suggs are sidelined for the rest of the season due to knee injuries.
– The Cleveland Cavaliers are the first team to reach 50 wins this season, boasting three 10-game winning streaks.
– Steph Curry wowed fans with a stellar performance, scoring 56 points and sinking 12 3-pointers in a victory over the Magic. He also made his first in-game dunk since 2019.
**Top Players in Week 17**
– Points leagues: Nikola Jokić
– 9-category leagues: Tyrese Haliburton
**Featured Players**
Here are some standout players with low roster percentages in Yahoo fantasy leagues that you should consider adding to your roster as we near the fantasy playoffs:
**Must-Add Players**
– Payton Pritchard
– Toumani Camara
– Bilal Coulibaly
– Alex Sarr
– Shaedon Sharpe
– Malik Beasley
– De’Andre Hunter
– Jeremy Sochan
– Tari Eason
– Isaiah Collier
– Stephon Castle
– Scoot Henderson
**Top Streaming Options**
In shallow leagues:
– Quentin Grimes – SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers
– Zach Collins – PF/C, Chicago Bulls
– Bol Bol – PF/C, Phoenix Suns
– Ty Jerome – PG/SG, Cleveland Cavaliers
In deeper leagues:
– Guerschon Yabusele – PF/C, Philadelphia 76ers
Stay ahead in your fantasy basketball league with these valuable insights and player recommendations! 🏀
Yabu, with his ability to score, make 3-pointers, grab rebounds, and steal the ball, offers more offensive potential compared to limited-impact players. With Joel Embiid sidelined for the season, Yabusele is expected to see increased playing time at both power forward and center positions, logging close to 30 minutes per game moving forward.
Kyle Filipowski, a center for the Utah Jazz, is a reliable option for those seeking a player who can provide double-doubles and contribute in playmaking. As the Jazz often rest their veterans, Filipowski, a rookie from Duke, has capitalized on this opportunity with impressive performances. In the past week, he averaged 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and nearly 2 three-pointers per game, recording three double-doubles in his last four games. With four games scheduled this week, Filipowski’s unpredictable but promising role in the Jazz rotation makes him a valuable player to hold onto.
Davion Mitchell, a guard for the Miami Heat, is a tenacious defender who has thrived since joining the team. Rising in fantasy value after surpassing Terry Rozier in the team’s depth chart, Mitchell is averaging double-digit points, solid assists, three-pointers, steals, and impressive shooting percentages. With consistent playing time of over 33 minutes per game, Mitchell’s all-around contributions make him a valuable asset for fantasy managers.
Kris Dunn, a guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, is a solid streaming option for fantasy players in need of steals. Dunn’s exceptional steal numbers over the past month, combined with his well-rounded performances, make him a reliable choice for the week ahead. With the Clippers playing four games, including a back-to-back, Dunn’s defensive prowess is particularly valuable as he continues to contribute in multiple categories.
Kelly Olynyk, a forward/center for the New Orleans Pelicans, has been a consistent producer despite the team’s struggles. With the Pelicans relying on their veterans, Olynyk’s recent performances have been noteworthy, offering valuable fantasy stats across multiple categories. Despite the possibility of occasional rest days, Olynyk’s stream-worthy production and potential for strong performances make him a viable option for the upcoming week.
Quinten Post, a center for the Golden State Warriors, has quietly emerged as a solid fantasy option, delivering strong performances and versatility on the court. The rookie big man has been a key contributor for the Warriors, showcasing his ability to stretch the floor and contribute in various areas. With multiple starts expected early in the week due to the team’s schedule, picking up Post could prove beneficial for fantasy managers looking for a well-rounded center option.
Streaming options will be the most favorable during the upcoming week’s Day Games. Monday will have 7 games, Tuesday 9, Wednesday 8, Thursday 6, Friday 8, Saturday 8, and Sunday 8. Prime Streaming Days will be Monday and Thursday. Despite Monday and Thursday having fewer games this week, fantasy managers should encounter no difficulties in streaming on each of these days. Additionally, a final reminder is that the Yahoo default trade deadline is set to end on Thursday, March 6.
Teams to target for streaming options are those with 4 games in the upcoming week. The Jazz, Timberwolves, Mavericks, and Clippers have players in the waiver pool who can be streamed during favorable matchups. For example, Utah’s opponents in Week 18 include the Pistons, Wizards, Raptors, and Sixers, providing three favorable matchups. Following a recent extensive load management effort, the Jazz are fully committed to tanking, so players like Brice Sensabaugh and KJ Martin are likely to see increased minutes despite not having any back-to-back games this week. The Wolves will face Philly, Charlotte, Miami, and San Antonio, providing solid fantasy matchups to consider streaming players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker. With Dallas still adjusting to life after Luka Dončić, Max Christie is a good streaming option against teams like the Kings, Grizzlies, and Suns.
Teams playing three games in four nights to start the week are the Hawks, Warriors, Rockets, and Sixers. Given the even distribution of games, picking up players from these teams to maximize volume and get multiple games off one transaction would be a wise move.
Among the twelve teams playing three games in the upcoming week, the Raptors face the Jazz and Wizards in a back-to-back set. The Wizards will also play against the Jazz and Raptors, which could be good news for young Wizards players like Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, and Alex Sarr, as the veterans are unlikely to play in those games.
Here is a breakdown of the Back-to-Back Sets for the upcoming week:
– Monday/Tuesday: 76ers, Hawks, Rockets, and Warriors
– Tuesday/Wednesday: Bucks, Cavaliers, Clippers, and Timberwolves
– Wednesday/Thursday: Celtics
– Thursday/Friday: Knicks
– Friday/Saturday: Heat, Hornets, and Raptors
– Saturday/Sunday: Bucks, Pelicans, and Pistons
In the latest Injury Roundup:
– Bulls: Nikola Vučević (calf) expects to rejoin the team on their upcoming road trip.
– Lakers: Rui Hachimura (knee) will be re-evaluated in one week. Dorian Finney-Smith and Dalton Knecht get a slight boost in fantasy.
– Kings: Domantas Sabonis (hamstring) will be re-evaluated in one week. Jonas Valančiūnas is a must-add in all leagues
