Jabari Smith Jr. (PF, HOU) - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 10

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 41% of leagues

ANALYSIS: We're reaching the exact point through Jabari Smith's rookie season at which some haters' heads will start to explode, won't they? Smith took time to adapt to the professional game and the high-paced rhythm of the NBA, but he's slowly but surely getting there if he's not arrived already.

In fact, the only "bad" stretch on Smith's rookie year to date came through his first 10 games when he only scored 214 total FP, averaging around 21 per contest. After that (from Nov. 9 on), he's accrued almost 500 total FP through 18 games, averaging a much more palatable 28 FPPG in that month-and-change span of play.

Most recently, Jabari has leveled up on the glass, pulling down 10+ boards in three of his last six games while averaging 7+ RPG in December alone (eight games played through Saturday).

Jabari started the year with horrid shooting percentages (50-of-160 from the field in his first 15 games) but he's finally brought back his Auburn mojo, going 63-of-137 in his most recent 13 games for a 46 FG% while hitting 2.3+ 3PM per game in that span of games.

In the last 30 days, Jabari has appeared in nine games, and only twice has he shot below 35%. In that same span, he's scored at least one 3-point shot in six games. He's hit 2+ three-point shots in 12 of his last 16 games, too.

Jabari should have a problem finishing the year averaging his current 12+ PPG and 7+ RPG. If his shooting percentages stay where they were expected to be coming out of college and the volume doesn't change a lot, he should also finish the year above 2+ 3PM per contest.

In NBA history, only two other rookies have put up those three figures: Lauri Markkanen and Luka Doncic. Yet, haters were labeling Smith a bust 10 games into the season. Sheesh.

More Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups

League Winners: Players To Stash For the Stretch Run - 2024 Fantasy Basketball

The All-Star Break is upon us and while it's nice to have some time off from setting lineups, making DFS lineups, and placing bets. It's also a nice time to look ahead and what moves you can make to put your team in the best position possible to win a fantasy basketball title. Remember, the […]

Dan Palyo 9 months ago

Trendon Watford (PF, POR) - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 23

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: According to Shams Charania of The Athletic (reporting on Sunday morning), the Portland Trail Blazers are leaning toward shutting down Damian Lillard for the remainder of the season. The Blazers, mind you, have been without Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons, Lillard, and Jusuf […]

Antonio Losada 2 years ago

Xavier Tillman Sr. (PF, MEM) - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 23

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: With just a week and a half remaining in the regular season and Memphis sitting pretty in the no. 2 seed in the Western Conference, it's hard to envision Steven Adams returning before the playoffs and risking any sort of setback in […]

Antonio Losada 2 years ago

Deni Avdija (SF, WAS) - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 23

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 8% of leagues ANALYSIS: The surge of Deni Avdija in all fantasy leaderboards has a very easy-to-grasp reason and that's Kyle Kuzma missing time with an injury. Ruled out Sunday, that made it four consecutive outings missed by the Kuz, which has clearly opened the door […]

Antonio Losada 2 years ago

Nick Richards (C, CHA) - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 23

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 9% of leagues ANALYSIS: Rookie Mark Williams returned to the Charlotte Hornets' rotation on Friday and logged 21 minutes coming off the pine. Nick Richards started at center for the seventh consecutive time, but keep in mind Williams had done so for 12 straight games before […]

Antonio Losada 2 years ago