Hello Fantasy Basketball Junkies! Welcome to the 2022-23 Fantasy Basketball Week 22 Waiver Wire.
It is playoffs time, and it's more important than ever to seize every opportunity to gain an advantage. This means scouring the waiver wire for potential game-changers who can give your team a boost.
In this edition, we'll be focusing on the cream of the crop - the top players available in less than 40% of Yahoo leagues. While you may recognize some of these names, there are plenty of hidden gems to consider adding to your fantasy squad.
We'll delve deep into the waiver wire to find the most promising and underappreciated players. So, get ready to add some game-changing players to your squad, and let's dive right in!
2022-23 Fantasy Basketball Week 22 Waiver Wire
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T.J. McConnell, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers (39% owned)
Poor Tyrese Haliburton – he's been benched for at least two more games, nursing a pesky right ankle sprain. This spells trouble for the Indiana Pacers as they scramble to stay in the play-in tournament race. But fear not, fantasy basketball managers – every cloud has a silver lining, and this one goes by the name of T.J. McConnell.
Without Haliburton on the court for 13 games this season, our man McConnell has been putting up some eye-catching numbers: 14.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 8.5 APG, and 1.8 SPG. It's like he's got a superpower that activates whenever All-Star Haliburton takes a break.
Week 22 is looking peachy for the Indiana Pacers, with four games on their dance card. They've got a nifty stretch of three games in four nights – a streaming dream come true. They'll kick things off against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday before facing the formidable Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. Then, they'll go toe-to-toe with the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks in a high-stakes back-to-back on Friday and Saturday.
So, is it worth rolling the dice on T.J. McConnell next week? You bet your lucky sneakers it is! Even if Tyrese Haliburton springs back midweek, McConnell can still pump up your fantasy team's FG%, points, assists, and steals like nobody's business. Time to make some magic with TJ!
TJ McConnell off the bench:
19 PTS
11 AST
9-12 FGShooting 53/44% this season. pic.twitter.com/x5V7mXpXoS
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 17, 2023
Dennis Smith Jr., PG/SG, Charlotte Hornets (31% owned)
Ever since LaMelo Ball's ankle decided to take an unplanned vacation, Dennis Smith Jr. has stepped up as the trusty sidekick point guard for the Charlotte Hornets. Over the past nine games, this guy's been rocking a solid average of 9.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.1 APG, and 1.3 SPG. Not too shabby, huh?
Week 22 is looking pretty packed for the Hornets, with four games lined up. They've got a juicy three-game stretch squeezed into four nights – perfect for your streaming pleasure. Kicking off the week, they'll go head-to-head with the Indiana Pacers on Monday. Then, it's time for back-to-back showdowns with the New Orleans Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday and Friday. To top it all off, they'll face the Mavericks again on Sunday for a rematch.
Now, here's the scoop: Dennis Smith Jr. might be chilling on your waiver wire, abandoned by some fantasy manager who couldn't handle the Hornets' two-game schedule in Week 21. Well, their loss is your gain! Snag him back and make the most of the Hornets' action-packed week. If you need a boost in assists and steals, Dennis Smith Jr. is your go-to guy. So, don't just stand there – make your move!
Dennis Smith Jr. tonight:
14 PTS
8 REB
7 AST
3 STL
5-14 FG1st game of his career with this stat line. Made an impact on both sides of the ball. pic.twitter.com/bmdrxOoCfc
— QueenCityMuse (@QueenCityMuse) March 12, 2023
Andrew Nembhard, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers (25% owned)
While Tyrese Haliburton has been MIA, Andrew Nembhard has been putting on quite a show during the last four games. Averaging 20.0 PPG, 2.3 3PG, 2.3 RPG, and 5.5 APG, this guy has been on fire! But hold your horses, folks – his defensive game leaves something to be desired, so he's not as hot a commodity as teammate T.J. McConnell.
Looking ahead to Week 22, the Indiana Pacers have a pretty sweet lineup with four games on the schedule. There's a tasty stretch of three games in just four nights from Wednesday to Saturday, making it prime time for streaming categories. Just to jog your memory, the Pacers will dance with the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, clash with the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, and take on the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks in back-to-back battles on Friday and Saturday.
With Tyrese Haliburton out of action for at least two more games, Andrew Nembhard will keep soaking up playing time and racking up opportunities as the Pacers' lead point guard. If T.J. McConnell has already flown off the wire and you're desperate for points, threes, and assists in Week 22, then Nembhard might just be your guy. Snatch him up and stream with confidence while Haliburton warms the bench, recovering from his injury.
Andrew Nembhard in the first half:
15 PTS | 5 AST | 3 REB pic.twitter.com/LLFPyKUIcf
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 14, 2023
Here are some players who might also be relevant in the upcoming week:
- Nick Richards, C, Charlotte Hornets (30% owned)
- Kris Dunn, PG/SG, Utah Jazz (25% owned)
- Isaiah Hartenstein, C, New York Knicks (20% owned)
- Jordan Nwora, SF/PF, Indiana Pacers, (14% owned)
- Trey Lyles, PF/C, Sacramento Kings (9% owned)
- Corey Kispert, SG/SF, Washington Wizards (8% owned)
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