2023-24 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 4: Skylar Mays takes over for the Trail Blazers
Another week in, and this continues to shape up to be a great NBA season. There is a lot to digest, analyze, and consider on a daily basis, let’s take a look at some NBA Waiver Wire options I have my eye on. At the same time, don’t forget to take advantage of all of the other great tools we have here at Fantasy Alarm for the NBA season.
Fantasy Basketball NBA Waiver Wire Picks
Skylar Mays SG, Portland Trail Blazers
This might end up being more of a temporary solution, but production is production. Skylar Mays had his two-contract converted on Saturday into a standard contract after he finished with a double-double on Wednesday. In 37 minutes of action, Mays had 18 points and 11 rebounds and figures to continue to receive playing time in the near future. Not only did Malcolm Brogdon exit with a hamstring injury, but Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson are both banged up. While it may be a war of attrition, we have to follow the volume.
Haywood Highsmith SF, Miami Heat
After a delayed start to the season due to injury, Haywood Highsmith now has five games under his belt and is increasing his workload in each. Highsmith has returned to the starting lineup, and worked his way to 33 minutes of action and 13 shots on Saturday. While the problem is that the forward only made three shots, there is a lot to be optimistic about. As he shakes the rust off, Highsmith’s efficiency should improve.
Luke Kennard SG, Memphis Grizzlies
Seriously, two Memphis Grizzlies players here? Well, we did say that the Grizzlies had offense to fill with Morant out, so there is some logic there. Kennard is averaging 8.8 points per game with a few rebounds and assists, but that is not what we are after. Instead, let’s take a closer look at how Kennard gets his points. With 2.2 three-pointers per game, Kennard is a strong, category specific addition if that is an area you are deficient in.
Rui Hachimura SF/PF, Los Angeles Lakers
The dual eligibility at the forward position helps here, as you are likely trolling the waiver wire to fill a roster hole. Rui Hachimura is averaging 11 points and four rebounds per game, so he is also contributing at a solid level. Sticking with the theme of filling a specific need, Hachimura is averaging 1.4 steals per game which also helps. Additionally, while healthy so far, should LeBron James or Anthony Davis miss anytime with injury or rest, Hachimura would also be the beneficiary.
Nick Richards C, Charlotte Hornets
It’s all about playing time here for Nick Richards. If he received more of it than 16 minutes per game, than we wouldn’t be talking about Richards here. However, even in his limited playing time, he certainly has been productive and is clearly earning more of it. Richards is averaging 7.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, but for those looking for categorical help, the center also has 1.4 blocks per game.
Player News
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports the Magic and Lester Quiñones have agreed to a deal.
Quiñones, who finished the 2024-25 season with the Pelicans before being waived last month, will compete for either a standard contract or a two-way contract slot with the Magic. Over three NBA seasons, he’s appeared in 54 games, averaging 4.8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 11.0 minutes. Even if Quiñones does enough in training camp to earn a standard contract, he’s unlikely to impact fantasy basketball next season.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports the Rockets have declined to match the offer sheet N’Faly Dante signed with the Hawks.
The Hawks signed Dante to a two-year, two-way contract worth $4.5 million on Saturday, and Houston had the right to match the offer sheet since he was a restricted free agent. The Rockets have reportedly declined to do so, clearing the path for Dante to head to Atlanta. Dante is unlikely to get the opportunities needed to impact fantasy basketball next season, but the 23-year-old will be an intriguing developmental prospect for the Hawks to invest in.
NBA insider Marc Stein reports Luka Dončić (knee) has been cleared to play in Tuesday’s friendly against Great Britain.
Dončić injured his right knee during Saturday’s friendly against Latvia, casting some doubt on his status for the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket competition. However, Slovenia’s national team announced on Sunday that the star guard was cleared to practice on Monday, and Stein’s update is another positive development. Dončić will take on his usual role as Slovenia’s lead offensive option, hoping to medal in EuroBasket after failing to do so in 2022.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the Pelicans signed F Jalen McDaniels.
McDaniels, a second-round pick in the 2019 draft, will likely be with the Pelicans on an Exhibit 10 contract. That deal would guarantee him a training camp spot with the opportunity to earn a standard contract. McDaniels spent most of the 2024-25 season in the G League, making four appearances for the Wizards while on a 10-day contract in February.
Slovenia’s national team announced Luka Dončić will practice with the team on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Great Britain.
Dončić suffered a right knee contusion during Saturday’s friendly against Latvia, but he avoided serious injury. The good news for Slovenia’s star guard is that he will practice on Monday, although the team did not reveal how much he’ll participate in the session. Dončić is expected to be a full go when EuroBasket opens on August 27.
Heat signed Dru Smith to a three-year, $7.9 million deal.
Smith has had terrible luck with injuries, as his last two seasons have ended prematurely due to a torn ACL and a ruptured Achilles tendon. However, this did not prevent the Heat from signing him to a standard contract for the next three seasons. While the 2025-26 campaign is fully guaranteed, Smith’s contract for the following two seasons is conditionally guaranteed. Smith is not guaranteed to be fully recovered from the Achilles injury in time for the start of the upcoming season, but he’ll have an opportunity to earn minutes once cleared.