Welcome one and all, new readers and returning readers, to the 2021-22 Fantasy Basketball Week 18 Waiver Wire!
I hope you all are staying safe and enjoying your daily dose of sports! The Trade Deadline has come and gone, with some familiar faces changing places.
Before we get into the must-have waiver adds, let's look at the studs and duds of the week.
Stud: Luke Doncic, PG, Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic goes off for a career-high 51 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UKuWhzWvoS
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 11, 2022
As if we haven't said this enough already, Luke Doncic is a special player. Doncic earns the stud of the week for this performance alone. 51 points on 26 shots, with nine boards and six assists. He scored as many points in one quarter (28) as the entire Clippers team! Not many players in the NBA today have that potent scoring ability. Doncic continues to amaze us when he steps onto the court. He will be fun to watch for the next decade or more.
Dud: Ben McLemore, SG/SF, Portland Trail Blazers
Given an expanded role with the Blazers retooling their rosters, McLemore has struggled. Over his past seven games, games, he has shooting lines of 3-11, 1-4, 1-9, 0-7, and 3-13. Simply brutal numbers for a player who had flashed some potential when he was on the Rockets. Performances like these will not earn McLemore any praise from a Blazers team looking at the future.
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 18 Waiver Wire
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Devin Vassell, SG/SF, San Antonio Spurs (8.7% Rostered ESPN)
Devin Vassell with the spin move and steps into a jumper! #GoSpursGo #PorVida pic.twitter.com/GcnNQmjVfG
— Joe Garcia (@twoshotspodcast) February 12, 2022
Vassell is really coming into his own in his second year in the league. The Spurs just freed up room in the backcourt with the trade of Derrick White as well. Vassell has put up quality numbers in back-to-back games, scoring 18 and 20 respectively. With a clear path to a starting role, Vassell will continue to get an opportunity to put up stats. Scoop him up for your rosters while he is available because he won't be for long.
Dorian Finney-Smith, SF, Dallas Mavericks (15% Rostered)
DORIAN. FINNEY-SMITH. 😤 pic.twitter.com/xwC3SUdzcB
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) February 11, 2022
The $54M man, Finney-Smith has put up some nice fantasy numbers since getting a four-year extension from the Mavericks. Consecutive games with double-digit points and at least seven rebounds, and five steals in those two games put together. Finney-Smith is a jack of all trades kind of a player, who can do a bit of everything. Admittedly, this makes him more valuable for the Mavericks than for fantasy, but his strong play lately has warranted consideration. Plus, with the Kristaps Porzingis trade, frontcourt minutes have opened up, and Finney-Smith will take advantage.
Darius Bazley, Oklahoma City Thunder (14.9% Rostered)
Darius Bazley tonight
14 points
15 rebounds
1 assist
1 steal
1 block5-10 FG
2-4 3pt
64.3 TS%Cannot stop him 🔥🔥 @BazleyDarius pic.twitter.com/cyfj1qYuST
— max (@bazIeyformvp) February 12, 2022
Bazley seems to have discovered his game as of late, scoring at least 13 points in five of his last six games. The rebounding numbers have gone up too, including a 15 rebound performance Friday night against the 76ers. Bazley is always a good source for rebounds and blocked shots, as he has an unnaturally long wingspan. Anytime he can score points is an added bonus. With the nice little streak he is on, fantasy managers should take advantage and ride it out however long it lasts. With Mike Muscala out, more minutes will likely be made available, and Bazley is capable of being a small-ball center.
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