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
Aaron Gordon had a quiet night, finishing with 13 points (6-of-13 FGs, 0-of-1 FTs), five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one three-pointer in the Nuggets’ loss to the Thunder on Tuesday.
Gordon was mostly held in check on the offensive end, finishing with his fewest three-point makes of the series, the second-lowest scoring output, and no production from the free throw line. While Gordon has made several big plays down the stretch of games this postseason, he was notably quiet in Game 5, making his line feel even less spectacular. He’s performed well in Denver’s two home games this series and will need to empty the tank on Thursday in Game 6 to help the Nuggets keep their season alive.
Jamal Murray scored 28 points (10-of-27 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, one block and three three-pointers in 42 minutes for the Nuggets in their loss to the Thunder on Tuesday.
Murray registered his third 20-plus-point game of the series on Tuesday, but did so on rather inefficient shooting. A monster 13-point third quarter is where much of his production came from, which gave Denver a decent lead going into the final quarter. However, Murray cooled off down the stretch, scoring five of Denver’s 19 points in the fourth quarter. Both he and the rest of the Nuggets will want a better close to Thursday’s Game 6 if they hope to extend their season.
Nikola Jokic was dominant in the Nuggets’ loss to the Thunder on Tuesday, posting 44 points (17-of-25 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and 5 three-pointers.
Jokic bounced back in a big way on Tuesday after a few inefficient shooting performances in Games 2, 3 and 4. The three-time MVP had his fingerprints all over the game on the offensive side, regaining his shooting touch and being particularly dangerous from beyond the arc. He made some contributions as a passer, but still hasn’t found a way to dominate in this series as a facilitator, not yet tallying more than six assists in any game. Even with the Nuggets receiving the inevitable bounce-back game for Jokic, it wasn’t enough for them to take control of the series. Denver will need everything it can get from Jokic in Thursday’s Game 6 if it wants to extend the season.
Luguentz Dort came up big for the Thunder in their win over the Nuggets on Tuesday, finishing with 12 points (4-of-8 FGs), three rebounds, one assist and four three-pointers.
Well-known for his prowess on the defensive end, Dort’s offensive eruption in the fourth quarter helped the Thunder climb from out of a big hole to secure a come-from-behind win and move Oklahoma City one win closer to a trip to the conference finals. His three triples in the final frame were huge, but a late assist on a Jalen Williams three might have been the play that delivered the Thunder the victory. Dort’s double-digit outing marked his third of the series, and Oklahoma City would welcome another as it tries to close out the series on Thursday in Game 6.
Jalen Williams was impressive for the Thunder on Tuesday, posting 18 points (5-of-14 FGs, 6-8 FTs), nine rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers in the win over the Nuggets.
Williams landed in double figures in scoring for the fifth time in as many games this series. And while he continued to struggle with shooting efficiency, he remained impactful as a facilitator. The fourth-year wing also delivered one of the biggest shots of Game 5 as he sank a corner three-pointer late in the fourth quarter to give Oklahoma City a lead it wouldn’t surrender the rest of the way. Williams will continue to be relied upon when the Thunder head to Denver for a chance to close out the Nuggets in Game 6 on Thursday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 31 points (12-of-23 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), six rebounds, seven assists, two steals, two blocks and one three-pointer in the Thunder’s win over the Nuggets on Tuesday.
Gilgeous-Alexander did it all for the Thunder on Tuesday, taking on the roles of scorer and facilitator while remaining active on the defensive end along the way. Most importantly, he was key in the final handful of blows that Oklahoma City dealt Denver down the stretch in what ended up being a dominant 34-19 fourth quarter for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander, an MVP finalist, delivered his third 30-point game of the series and will have a chance on Thursday to produce his fourth as the Thunder try to eliminate the Nuggets.