NBA Waiver Wire Ahead Of Week 20 Games: Keldon Johnson, Justin Champagnie
The fantasy basketball postseason is right around the corner and in some leagues have already kicked off. You’ll need to hit a home run for the stretch run on the fantasy basketball waiver wire and in the column below and I’ll give you some names to look out for and to add as home runs.
Let’s jump into some of the top fantasy basketball waiver wire picks for this week’s NBA waiver wire report as we’re gearing up for the fantasy basketball postseason!
Fantasy Basketball Week 20 Waiver Wire
Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs - 35% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy
The Spurs are down both Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox for the year and it’s time for everyone else to step up. Johnson’s minutes have been pretty up and down this year but we’ve seen them trending upwards since Wemby’s injury and it was up to 30 last game without Fox too.
He’s a bucket and the only thing we need for Johnson to be more consistent is minutes. That said, the minutes are on the rise and so is Johnson’s fantasy value.
Orlando Robinson, Toronto Raptors - 27% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy
It’s impossible to know on a daily basis who the Raptors are going to have and who’s going to sit, but Orlando Robinson has taken full advantage of all their absences and as they embrace the tank, Robinson’s playing time has skyrocketed and the results have followed.
He’s topped 26 minutes in three straight games and has notched three straight double-doubles to boot. Jakob Poeltl is going to be in and out of the lineup for the remainder of the year and Robinson’s fantasy ceiling in those games are very high.
Justin Champagnie, Washington Wizards - 19% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy
With Bilal Coulibaly out for the year, Justin Champagnie is a key fantasy asset to have as the season winds down. He’s topped 30 minutes in three straight games and has played big minutes in a blowout loss and both wins, so the minutes seem very secure.
He’s a great rebounding wing as he’s had eight or more in four straight games and in games he’s played 20 minutes or more in, he’s had eight-plus in six of seven. If the scoring can be somewhat consistent, he’s an automatic add for the remainder of the year.
Keon Johnson, Brooklyn Nets - 13% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy
The Brooklyn Nets have shut down Cam Thomas for the year and D’Angelo Russell isn’t playing back-to-backs, so there are going to be a LOT of games moving forward where Keon Johnson is extended into the 30-plus minute range.
We saw it the other day and he scored 21 points. He’s a high usage player and that type of production, although inconsistent, should show up more and more as he continues to get the playing time. There are games he legit could lead them in shot volume for the remainder of the year.
Jared Butler, Philadelphia 76ers - 10% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy
Although Tyrese Maxey hasn’t officially been shut down for the year, it’s all but certainly going to happen and Jared Butler is the biggest beneficiary.
He’s started four straight games and is a great stat sheet stuffer. He should retain a starting guard spot for the remainder of the year and in that role, Butler’s a great fantasy asset from now until the end of the year.
Player News
Anthony Davis (adductor) and Brandon Williams (oblique) are probable for Friday’s game against the Grizzlies.
Davis was listed as probable Wednesday against the Kings, but ultimately played 35 minutes and had 27 points in the win. The 32-year-old is once again listed as probable with the adductor injury that sidelined him earlier this season. Davis figures to be available as the Mavericks battle the Grizzlies for the eighth seed in the Western Conference on Friday.
Ja Morant (ankle) is questionable for Friday’s game against the Mavericks.
Morant told reporters after Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors that he expects to play Friday. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old point guard missed practice Thursday and is officially listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain. While it’s hard to envision Morant sitting out a game of importance like Friday’s, his ankle is clearly bothering him. If Morant is out, Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard will be in line for extra minutes with Kennard potentially moving into the starting lineup.
Trae Young (Achilles) is probable for Friday’s game against the Heat.
Even in the postseason, the Hawks continue to list Young as probable with an Achilles injury. The listing is performative, stemming from Young being held out of an NBA Cup game earlier this season despite not appearing on the injury report, which resulted in a $100K fine for the Hawks. With the Hawks’ season on the line Friday, expect Young to be cleared to play once again.
Pelle Larsson (ankle) and Nikola Jovic (hand) are questionable for Friday’s game against the Hawks.
No big surprises on the Heat injury report heading into Friday’s game. While Larsson and Jovic are questionable, Duncan Robinson (back), Alec Burks (back) and Haywood Highsmith (Achilles) are all available. Larsson was questionable, but ultimately available against the Bulls Wednesday, though he didn’t play due to coach’s decision. Jovic was out Wednesday as he hasn’t played since February with a broken right hand.
Ja Morant (ankle) missed practice on Thursday and will be a game-time decision against the Mavericks on Friday.
Morant finished out Tuesday’s game against the Warriors after injuring his ankle during overtime and said after the game that he will play on Friday. It’s difficult to imagine him not suiting up for a win-or-go-home game, but the ankle is clearly bothering him quite a bit, which could impact his performance on the court. If something changes, Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard will take on extra minutes, with Kennard potentially replacing Morant in the starting unit.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Damian Lillard has been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis and is no longer on blood-thinning medication.
Charania also reported that this is an incredibly quick recovery for Lillard that was made possible by early treatment. It is an excellent development for both Dame and the Bucks. He has been ruled out for Game 1 against the Pacers on Saturday, and they will give him time to ramp up before he returns to the lineup. It’s unclear what that timeline looks like, but Lillard is certainly on pace to return sooner rather than later. Ryan Rollins should continue to start in place of Dame until he returns.