Jaden McDaniels (PF, MIN): Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14-Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 36% of leagues

ANALYSIS: The Wolves tested the Jaden Waters all the way back on Feb. 17, and in 37 minutes McDaniels wasn't that productive, putting up a rather low 11-4-1 line with 3 blocks. Minny proceeded to send him back to the pine. Then, a month later on Mar. 19, he came back to a starting spot, and he was even worse with an 8-5 dud in 28 minutes. Ugh. Since then, though, he has started six of the last seven games the Wolves have played and he's been on the court for an average of 33 MPG. Way to hunt for Jaden, folks.

Jaden McDaniels is not an efficient player. The minute he stops playing top-level minutes, he won't be that appealing anymore. Keep that in mind while adding him to your roster, so you know what you're doing. But Jaden's beauty as a WW-target resides precisely in how much he's playing. Thanks to his super-high 33 MPG he's been able to put up an average 12-4-2 line with a block to spare. He's hit 13+ points in four of the last six games he's played and he finished with 7 and 9 in the other two, which isn't horrid.

For a young guy shooting 8+ FGA per game and hitting 1+ 3PG, the 60% shooting from the floor in the past six matches is rather high, and McDaniels has not sit at just one trey per game in that span: he's actually scored 2+ triples in five of those six games, and 3+ in two of those five. Again, McDaniels will give you points, rebounds, and triples along with great shooting percentages. But all of that is tightly linked to his time on the court. If Minny moves him off the starting lineup or cuts his minutes (as it happened Friday against Memphis; 21 min.), his upside will instantly drop.

More Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups

RotoBaller Writing and Media Team Nominated For 13 FSWA Awards in 2024

It's awards season for the fantasy sports industry, and RotoBaller is honored to be recognized by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) with various award nominations from our writing and media team in 2024. The RotoBaller brand continues to shine among the many talented companies and analysts throughout the fantasy sports industry for their editorial […]

RotoBaller 2 weeks ago

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 3 weeks 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 4 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 4 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 1 year ago