Jabari Smith Jr. (PF, HOU) - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 14

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 36% of leagues

ANALYSIS: I know that you can look at it from both perspectives, but if you don't think this is an extraordinary window of opportunity to grab some shares of Jabari Smith Jr., then you're looking at it from the wrong angle.

Of course, I'm talking about the Rockets rookie coming off a rather mediocre--if not straight ugly--stretch of play through the last 10 days, but ending last Friday. In the three games played between January 5 and January 11 (both included), Smith put up 58 FP. Total, that is.

Smith scared everybody by bringing back his early-season tendencies: bad shooting, low rebounding, and high-volume personal fouling. That was surprising considering he seemed to have found his footing from mid-November to early January, though, and he bounced back to his better ways last Friday.

On January 13, playing in the second leg of a back-to-back mini-series against the Kings, Smith dumped a career-high 27 points on Sacramento and had his best overall game as a pro. He finished with a 27-8-1 line, including three blocks and two 3-point shots made. He hoisted 20 FGA in 34 minutes, hit all three freebies he attempted, and only committed two FP without turning the ball once. It was a blowout loss, though.

No matter what happens ROS, Smith Jr. has done more than enough as a rookie for him to at least be rostered in much more than just 36% of all ESPN leagues. Starting and playing him in a core role is probably only viable in deeper leagues and strange formats, but Jabari is much better than some haters have attempted to make you believe.

More Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 15 (2024-25): February 3 - February 9

If you're like me, you woke up to one of the biggest trades in recent NBA history (Luka for AD) and are still trying to make sense of it. It will likely be the biggest trade of the week, but it won't be the only deal made this week as Thursday's NBA trade deadline looms. […]

Dan Palyo 1 week ago

League Winners: Second-Half Trade Targets and Stashes - 2025 Fantasy Basketball

Things have not gone as planned for fantasy basketball managers who drafted players like Joel Embiid or Jimmy Butler. But there's plenty of basketball left to be played and it's time to reassess how we view players going forward. If you want to win that fantasy basketball league championship, worry less about where your players […]

Dan Palyo 2 weeks ago

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 14 (2024-25): January 27 - February 2

We flip the calendar to February this week and edge closer to both the All-Star break and the NBA trade deadline. Some of the moves you can make in the next few weeks could greatly impact your team's ability to compete for a fantasy championship in March or April! Most leagues have a weekly moves […]

Dan Palyo 2 weeks ago

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 12 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