NBA Injury Report & Waiver Wire Ahead of Week 7 Games: LaMelo Ball, Dalton Knecht, Brandin Podziemski
This could possibly be one of the better fantasy basketball waiver wire weeks we’ve had to date and you need to take advantage of that for Fantasy Basketball Week 7. There have been injuries opening up really great opportunities and lineup changes that have helped some players like Dalton Knecht and Brandin Podziemski greatly up their fantasy value. There also have been some crucial injuries to the likes of LaMelo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Cam Thomas, so those updates are crucial to our fantasy basketball rosters as well. Let’s dive into the fantasy basketball Week 7 injury report and fantasy basketball Week 7 waiver wire article.
Fantasy Basketball Week 7 Injury Report
Luka Doncic Injury Update - Wrist
The Mavericks take the floor on Sunday against the Trail Blazers and things are trending in the direction of him being available for that game. He’s missed five consecutive games with a wrist injury but was able to log a full practice this past Friday and for the first time while he’s been out was listed as “doubtful” on Saturday, meaning he’s closing in on a return. If he doesn’t play on Sunday, Tuesday is a realistic return date.
LaMelo Ball Injury Update - Calf
LaMelo Ball has been diagnosed with a strained left calf and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Ball’s injury history rears it’s ugly head again. He’s only been able to play more than 51 games once through his five seasons in the league.
Aaron Gordon Injury Update - Calf
Aaron Gordon has missed 10 consecutive games but is nearing a return. He’s listed as doubtful on Sunday after logging a full practice on Saturday. Head coach Michael Malone said Gordon’s really close to returning.
Kyle Kuzma Injury Update - Ribs
The Wizards had ruled Kyle Kuzma out for their last two games but they didn’t say anything about their upcoming schedule. They have a four-game week starting on Tuesday, so it would great for fantasy owners if they got Kuz back for all four.
Cam Thomas Injury Update - Hamstring
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, Cam Thomas is going to miss 3-to-4 weeks with a hamstring strain. He suffered it early on in Week 6, so we still are going to be without Thomas for a minimum of two weeks. The Nets are dealing with a lot of injuries and a lot of players in and out of their lineup, but Thomas’ injury is the most significant.
Zach Edey Injury Update - Ankle
At some point during Week 7 of the NBA season, Zach Edey should be returning, but when is anyone’s guess. He’s likely not someone we’ll be rostering in Week 7 because of the uncertainty on when he’ll be back, but for Week 8, he’ll likely be good to go.
Tre Mann Injury Update - Back
With LaMelo ball going down, Tre Mann would’ve been a great candidate for fantasy basketball waiver wires everywhere, but Mann himself is out for 2-to-3 weeks with a back disc irritation. There’s a clear add from Charlotte that is written up in the waiver wire section below!
Fantasy Basketball Week 7 Waiver Wire
Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors - 49% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy
Something interesting happened over the weekend and it was subtle; Brandin Podziemski was in the starting lineup next to Stephen Curry. He replaced Lindy Waters and played 33 minutes. The Warriors have been reluctant to extend guys too much this year but Podziemski is seemingly hitting his stride. He’s played 30-plus minutes in back-to-back games and has filled up the box score, which is exactly what a lot of people envisioned he would do coming into the year. If he’s going to remain a starter and play anywhere close or north of 30 minutes, he’s close to a must-own player and he’s available in over half of Yahoo! Fantasy basketball leagues.
Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers - 44% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy
It’s hard to ignore Dalton Knecht’s impact on the Lakers’ starting lineup and how well he plays alongside the starters. He’s started the last two games and has scored 20 points in both while averaging seven rebounds and we know what he provides fantasy owners that are looking for three-point volume. In 12 games off the bench, Knecht is averaging 18.4 minutes, 7.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. In his seven starts, you ask, he’s notched 33 MPG, 19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 48% from three, which is 90 points higher than when he’s off the bench. With how well he’s playing, he won’t be coming out of the starting lineup anytime soon.
Malcolm Brogdon, Washington Wizards - 34% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy
Sometimes you just really have to drive a point home and by putting Malcolm Brogdon in this column two weeks in a row, that’s what I’m doing. Brogdon has been great for Washington as he continues to start each game. He’s coming off a monster 29-point, 11-rebound double-double over the weekend and has failed to put up 25 FP in any of his last five games. He even saw a season-best 30 minutes over the weekend. Kyle Kuzma is out and the Wizards, while they still have him, are going to use and abuse Brogdon and he’s a great fantasy basketball waiver wire add.
Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans - 28% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy
The New Orleans Pelicans have been riddled with more injuries over the last month than I remember seeing from any team in recent memory, but one guy who’s stayed pretty healthy and consistently producing is Yves Missi. He’s notched two double-doubles over his last three games and has four over his last nine. He’s very active on the glass and on the defensive end as he’s averaging 1.3 blocks and .7 steals and for him to be available in over 70% of Yahoo! Fantasy basketball leagues despite averaging nearly a double-double and two stocks is a great waiver wire add. Let’s not forget this was the Pelicans first-round draft pick this year.
Vasilije Micic, Charlotte Hornets - 9% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy
With word that both LaMelo Ball and Tre Mann are going to miss at least the next two weeks, one of the best waiver wire pickups of the week is Vasilije Micic who’s available in over 90% of Yahoo! Fantasy basketball leagues at the time of this writing. The Hornets have four games this week and in two starts, Micic has been sharp and has played 30+ minutes in each. He’s averaged 6.5 assists in his two starts but he’s averaged 15.5 potentials, so what could’ve been if a few more shots were made. It’s hard to ignore the upside with Ball and Mann sidelined. Run, don’t walk, to grab him for the next couple of weeks.