We did it! We made it to the final Risers and Fallers column of the season in my second year writing for ESPN.
I'm diving into this one thinking we'll make it a Silly Season Warriors edition, because for most of us, there's no point in steering the car now. We're either destined to win our championships or we're not. If you're wondering what silly season means, it's that time of the fantasy basketball season when players who don't normally play much become key fantasy pickups.
But there's also just over a week left in the regular season and there are still unknown players sitting out there on waivers that can help you get that ring. Let's find them.
Schedule Notes
This Saturday (April 6) is thin, with only the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks and Denver Nuggets in action. Find some diamonds in the rough from those teams and get them into your lineup to help you secure the current week.
Some names to think about include Max Strus, Georges Niang, Caris LeVert, Rui Hachimura, Taurean Prince, Jaxson Hayes, Malachi Flynn, Tosan Evbuomwan, Chimezie Metu, James Wiseman, Dorian Finney-Smith, Trendon Watford, Noah Clowney, Kyle Lowry, Jordan Goodwin, Jake LaRavia, GG Jackson, Vit Krejci, Garrison Mathews, Kobe Bufkin, Reggie Jackson and Justin Holiday.
Friday and Sunday are full slates, so just filling your roster on Saturday should probably be your focus here.
Schedule Notes for next week
There are no games on Monday (April 8) or Saturday (April 13). Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday are big days, and Thursday is the outlier with just five games. You want to find players who go on Thursday, and the teams to choose from are the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings.
Names from those teams to think about adding at some point include Andre Drummond, Malachi Flynn, Tosan Evbuomwan, Chimezie Metu, James Wiseman, Isaiah Hartenstein, Miles McBride, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Jock Landale, Cam Whitmore, Brice Sensabaugh, Taylor Hendricks, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Dalano Banton, Kris Murray, Jabari Walker, Naji Marshall, Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, Davion Mitchell, Keon Ellis and Trey Lyles.
Silly Season Risers
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Dalano Banton, PG, Blazers (15.2% rostered in ESPN leagues): The field goal percentage has been brutal at just 37% over his past three games and he's not a great free throw shooter, but the stock numbers of 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.7 blocks and 2.0 3-pointers over his past three games have been money. And the fact the Blazers are one of just five teams in action on Thursday could be the difference between you winning and losing.
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Kelly Olynyk, PF/C, Raptors (30.6%): Olynyk has been a top-25 player over the past week and has averaged 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 0.5 3-pointers in his past two games. Unfortunately, the Raptors don't play on Thursday, but Olynyk is too hot to ignore, regardless of the schedule.
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Trayce Jackson-Davis, PF, Warriors (15.2%): TJC has been a top-50 player over the past week and has four-game averages of 12.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks while shooting a ridiculous 71% from the floor and a solid 83% from the free throw line. He could finish up with a bang, and the Warriors are a Thursday team.
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Chimezie Metu, C, Pistons (0.3%): Metu has been a top-75 player over the past week with three-game averages of 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks on 43% shooting and 100% free throw makes in his last three games. He plays on Thursday and if any of the Pistons' regular bigs sit that one out, Metu could be fun in fantasy.
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Malachi Flynn, PG, Pistons (0.8%): Flynn has been a top-105 player over the past week and blew up for 50 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and five 3-pointers against the Hawks on Wednesday. That was the most unlikely 50-point performance in NBA history, and if Cade Cunningham continues to miss time, Flynn could have another big game or two up his sleeve. And he looks like a nice gamble for Thursday if Cunningham is out. Just don't expect anything close to another 50-burger, as that was a once-in-a-lifetime fluke.
Fallers/Injury Drops
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Marvin Bagley III, PF/C, Wizards: Bagley is week-to-week with a knee injury, meaning his regular season is over. Richaun Holmes (toe) might be in the same boat, so maybe it's Tristan Vukcevic time in Washington.
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Desmond Bane, SG/SF, Grizzlies: Bane (back) made a valiant comeback this season from a serious injury, but he might finally be ready to shut it down after missing four straight games.
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Cade Cunningham, PG/SG, Pistons: Cunningham (knee) has already been ruled out for Friday, and the Pistons might be ready to finally pull the plug on his season. Malachi Flynn, who had 50 on Wednesday, is worth a serious look right now.
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Tobias Harris, SF/PF, Sixers: Harris (knee) was out on Thursday and is expected to miss the rest of the regular season. Kyle Lowry and KJ Martin should see extra run in his absence.
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OG Anunoby, SF, Knicks: Anunoby (elbow) hasn't played since March 16 and it would appear that his regular season is over.