2018-19 Fantasy Basketball Week 17 Waiver Wire

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The trade deadline is now only over a week away. In the upcoming weeks, the waiver wire could be drastically shaken up by a bundle of blockbuster trades. This has already begun to unfold, as we all just witnessed a trade which sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Mavericks.

For the past few weeks, it seems as if it has mostly been the same kinds of players on the waiver wire every week. Due to this, the timing couldn't be better for a rearrangement of roster-able players after the trade deadline. Trades have the ability to send players out of the shadows into fantasy relevancy.

Players listed are owned in 50% of leagues or less.

2018-19 Fantasy Basketball Week 17 Waiver Wire

At only 23 years old, many people were ready to completely write off Jahlil Okafor.

They were premature.

His last five games:

- 27 PTS, 12 REB, 2 BLK, 11/15 FG
- 24 PTS, 15 REB, 3 BLK, 10/12 FG
- 18 PTS, 8 REB, 9/12 FG
- 17 PTS, 10 REB, 6 BLK, 8/13 FG
- 20 PTS, 10 REB, 9/11 FG pic.twitter.com/EoKx2Y5f4O

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 31, 2019

Jahlil Okafor, C, New Orleans Pelicans

Yes, he is still in the league. And no, he will not be on the waiver wire for very long. With Anthony Davis wanting out of New Orleans, and Nikola Mirotic and Julius Randle out with injury, it's Okafor's time to bounce back. Thus far, Okafor has capitalized on this opportunity, averaging 20.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG, and 2.3 BPG, on 32.5 MPG.

At the moment, Okafor should be considered a must-add and a must-start. With Davis possibly going out the door, Okafor may be worth rostering for an extended period of time. Though it should be noted that his production will decline once Mirotic and Randle return.

Patrick Beverley, PG/SG, Los Angeles Clippers

Patrick Beverley has started the last six games for an injured Danilo Gallinari. Despite his shooting woes in his previous game, Beverley has done well with his opportunity. In his first five starts, Beverley averaged 11.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 2.2 threes on 36.8 MPG.

Like most waiver wire candidates, this production will likely last as long as Gallinari is on the bench. Nevertheless, Beverley is a productive player, and Doc Rivers may elect to give him substantial playing time even when Gallinari returns. Considered him to be worth an add for now.

Caris LeVert, SG, Brooklyn Nets

The young Brooklyn star's season appeared to be over after a Hayward-esque ankle injury in November. Lucky for the Nets, it appears LeVert should return as the Nets are surging in the eastern conference standings. Up until the injury, LeVert was averaging 18.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 3.7 APG on 47.5% from the field.

There is still an unknown timetable on LeVert's return, but it appears it will be in the upcoming weeks. With the Nets right in playoff contention, he will head back into a major role with the franchise. Though he won't be able to provide your team anything right away, it may be best to add him before you lose the chance.

Allonzo Trier, PG/SG, New York Knicks

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The acquisitions of guards Dennis Smith Jr. and Wesley Matthews from Dallas makes Trier's role unclear at the moment. Given the Knicks current standing, they will likely continue to give Trier valuable playing time. In the past six games, he has averaged 14.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 3.3 APG, and 1.0 SPG.

With Trier being an emerging young player on an atrocious Knicks squad, he will likely continue to receive opportunities to produce.