Saddiq Bey (SF/PF, DET): Week 18 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 43% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Shout-out to Saddiq Bey because he's flexed on the odds and truly defeated them. Back in January, Bey had started all of five games by the end of the month and accrued 342 total minutes of playing time in 18 games (19 MPG, that is). From the start of February to this day, though, the minutes are already at 1,500+ on the year, Bey has started 36 more games (and all of the last 34 going back to Feb. 14), is playing 31 MPG, and he's dropping nightly gems. Kudos on that All-Rookie Team callup, Bey.

A rookie playing 30+ MPG is no joke, folks. While Bey's actual season-long number is lower than that, his "true" average is right there since he became a staple in Detroit's lineups. Only Anthony Edwards and Isaac Okoro are above 30 MPG this season, and just five-to-six rookies do so each year on average. Bey is definitely one of the chosen ones to make it big in the L. His calling card is definitely his scoring, as he's dropping 13 PPG since he became a starter and an even greater 15+ PPG in the past couple of weeks. He does it inside-and-out, too, averaging 2.6 3PG as a starter and having just one game (of 13 GP) without a single triple in the month of April.

Not only does Bey score, but he also comes with upside on the boards having a couple of 10-or-more-rebound games already and averaging almost 4 RPG on the year. The rest of the cats fall a little bit short, but for his low usage in Detroit and the chances he gets, his 24 FPG in April are far from bad from those managing in deep formats. With the Pistons done and just looking to get a good draft pick this season, odds are he keeps racking up starts and minutes, so you know you're getting a guy that will keep getting playing time no matter what.

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