Welcome one and all, new readers and returning readers, to the 2021-22 Fantasy Basketball Week 14 Waiver Wire!
I hope you all are staying safe and enjoying your daily dose of sports!
Before we get into the must-have waiver adds, let's look at the studs and duds of the week.
Stud: Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers
“There is nobody playing better basketball in the world than Joel Embiid right now"
The Inside crew debates who is the MVP right now 👀 pic.twitter.com/696MjCJ5qq
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 14, 2022
I don't know what they put in the water in Philly, but it has Joel Embiid playing out of his mind! He had EIGHT straight games where he scored at least 30 points, an absurd statistic. He has had at least 20 points in 12 straight games as well. As the main man on the 76ers squad, with Ben Simmons in limbo, Embiid is only going to keep playing at a superstar level and will get MVP votes when all is said and done.
Dud: Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors
Here is a name I never thought would grace the pages of this article in a negative fashion. For so long, Curry has been a certified stud, good for 30 a game and lights out shooting. But he has taken a step back as of late. His efficiency has gone way down, and he is shooting a career-low from the field and from three-point territory. With all that being said, he is still a fantasy stud, as he racks up a healthy amount of assists, and his scoring isn't an issue. However, it is possible that we could be seeing a decline in Curry's play. He is 33, soon to be 34, and we have seen some guards in today's game drop off considerably when they reach this age. Something to keep an eye on for sure.
Take a look at last week's waiver wire post to make sure you are cleaning up on the boards!
Without further ado, time to see who you need to add to your Fantasy rosters!
2021-22 Fantasy Basketball Week 14 Waiver Wire
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De'Andre Hunter, SF, Atlanta Hawks (11% Rostered ESPN)
De’Andre Hunter had 20 points (7-10 FG, 3-4 3PT) and 2 assists in the Hawks’ 124-118 loss to the Heat
— Hoos In The NBA (@hoosinthenba) January 15, 2022
With Cam Reddish finally out the door, minutes have opened up at the small forward position, and Hunter is going to be the main recipient. He is a quality two-way player, and immediately put up 20 points in the Hawk's first game without Reddish, along with three blocks. This type of performance on both ends of the floor could make for a solid fantasy asset. Grab Hunter and see where it goes.
Nassir Little, SF/PF, Portland Trail Blazers (4.1% Rostered)
Nassir Little ✈️✈️✈️ pic.twitter.com/NzPhPm01y4
— BLAZERS ARGENTO (@BlazersArgento) January 14, 2022
With the Blazers essentially embracing a tank this season following injuries to their star players, younger guys are going to see plenty of playing time. Nassir Little is one of these players. He has shown that he can be a solid contributor on both ends of the floor. He has scored in double-digits in each of his past three games. He also has blocked four shots in that span, showcasing his defensive ability. As long as Portland is going to give him 30-plus minutes per game, he will put up quality numbers. If he can shoot the ball at a decent clip, he'll be very valuable for fantasy owners.
Category Specific Waiver Wire Adds
Rebounds: Mason Plumlee, C, Charlotte Hornets (21.5% Rostered)
LaMelo Ball ↗️ Mason Plumlee for the reverse 🔥pic.twitter.com/I2iW5Woeej
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) January 15, 2022
There are some leagues that play a different style, where to win you need to get better numbers in a specific stat category. When it comes to rebounding, most star big men will help on that front, but sometimes the waiver wire can be of assistance as well. Mason Plumlee has been a solid rebounder all year for Charlotte, averaging over seven rebounds per game. He doesn't score much, but again, his main benefit is rebounding. If you're looking to make a push in your matchup, this is a guy you should pick up.
Points: Luguentz Dort, SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder (24.2% Rostered)
"Lu Dort only plays defense" 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩 pic.twitter.com/pNiP1CIQPg
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 14, 2021
A player renowned for his defense, Dort has taken on a significant offensive role as the number two scorer behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Averaging over 16 points per game, Dort has increased his offensive output significantly since his rookie year. His finishing has improved, and while his three-point shot could use some work, he hits enough to make his opponents respect him from downtown. A player on a bad team with a large chunk of minutes and opportunity, this seems like a no-brainer add if you want some points. Dort is good for at least double digits most nights he steps onto the court.
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