Fantasy basketball acquisitions: Consider Melton, Wallace, and Raynaud for the final stretch.
This marks the first Monday following the All-Star Break and the final Monday of February. The remainder of the fantasy basketball season is a quick dash, with the fantasy playoffs either commencing or approaching in most leagues.
NBA teams are increasingly sidelining players for the remainder of the season. With approximately six weeks remaining in the regular season, numerous injuries require longer recovery periods than the season permits. Additionally, teams aiming for the lottery have less motivation to rush their players back into action.
This concluding phase of the season presents an opportunity for younger players on teams with lottery aspirations to gain additional playing time and demonstrate their potential for future roles. For the rest of the season, anticipate this article to feature many such players.
Let’s examine some of these less frequently rostered players who could significantly impact the final stretch of your fantasy seasons.
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Point Guard
Scotty Pippen Jr., PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies (19.0% rostered in ESPN leagues): Pippen recently made his season debut earlier this month after being sidelined for most of the season due to injury, and he has scored in double digits in three of his first four games. He is still under a minutes restriction, but in his most recent game, he achieved season-highs in points, rebounds, and assists in 21 minutes before being ejected for fighting. Pippen is expected to receive as many minutes as he can manage in the short term while Ja Morant (elbow) is out.
De’Anthony Melton, PG/SG, Golden State Warriors (4.0%): Melton has faced injury challenges over the past few seasons, but he has returned to health just when the Warriors need him the most. Melton has stepped up with Stephen Curry out, starting six consecutive games and averaging 14.5 PPG, 2.2 SPG, and 2.0 3PG during this stretch.
Shooting Guard
Cason Wallace, SG, Oklahoma City Thunder (17.4%): Wallace recently achieved his first career double-double on Sunday, scoring 20 points along with a career-high 10 assists against the Cavaliers. Wallace has now started nine consecutive games with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander unavailable, showcasing himself as a well-rounded player with averages of 12.8 PPG, 4.7 APG, 2.4 SPG, and 1.4 3PG.
Brandin Podziemski, SG/PG, Golden State Warriors (35.4%): Podziemski transitioned to the bench in his last five games, yet his production has actually increased. In those five games, all while Curry was sidelined, Podziemski has averaged 15.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 5.2 APG, and 1.6 3PG in 33.0 MPG off the bench.
Small Forward
Bilal Coulibaly, SF/SG, Washington Wizards (8.1%): Coulibaly represents one of the key figures in the youth movement for the Wizards following their trade for Anthony Davis, who has been ruled out for the season. Coulibaly has scored in double figures with impressive 3-and-D statistics in four consecutive games, averaging 13.8 PPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.5 3PG, and 1.3 BPG during this period.
Gui Santos, SF, Golden State Warriors (14.4%): Santos has started seven straight games and eight of his last ten overall, establishing himself as a reliable contributor for the Warriors. In those ten games, Santos has averaged 14.8 PPG, 2.0 3PG, and 1.6 SPG in 28.1 MPG. Santos is likely to return to the bench when Kristaps Porzingis is available, but he is demonstrating his ability to remain effective as long as he receives playing time.
Power Forward
Kyle Filipowski, PF, Utah Jazz (21.3%): Filipowski is a bench player, yet he regularly starts when Jusuf Nurkic is unavailable. Filipowski has performed well as a starter throughout the season. In 20 starts, he has averaged 12.7 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.2 SPG, and 1.1 3PG in 27.1 MPG.
GG Jackson, PF, Memphis Grizzlies (18.8%): Jackson has emerged as a steady contributor to the Grizzlies’ offense, whether he starts or comes off the bench. Over his last nine games—six starts and three off the bench—he has averaged 16.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.8 PG, and 1.0 BPG in 26.5 MPG.
Center
Maxime Raynaud, C, Sacramento Kings (31.4%): Raynaud is expected to be the starting center for the Kings for the remainder of the season with Domantas Sabonis out. In his last six starts, Raynaud has averaged 14.5 PPG and 10.2 RPG. He is on track to potentially earn a spot on the All-Rookie Team this season, a significant achievement for a player selected in the second round of the NBA draft.
Jay Huff, C, Indiana Pacers (15.5%): Huff has had a varied career in the NBA, playing for five different teams over five seasons. However, he has found stability with the Pacers and has performed well when needed. Huff has started the last four games for the Pacers (with newly acquired center Ivica Zubac out indefinitely), averaging 14.3 PPG, 2.0 BPG, and 1.5 3PG in those games.
