Torrey Craig (SF, PHX) - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 3% of leagues

ANALYSIS: This is a kinda-speculative pick, but not that much when you consider we're already past the trade deadline, and barring a surprising buyout-market pick by the Suns... then Phoenix's rotation at the SF/PF position doesn't feature many warm bodies going forward, let alone entering the ASG break.

Kevin Durant is obviously going to start and play as many minutes as his body can endure once he's back. He is not back yet, though, and he will remain on the shelves until after the break and through the remainder of February most probably.

Even when he comes back, there is still a chance Torrey Craig keeps playing starter minutes and has a starter role depending on whether or not T.J. Warren gets that gig. Outside of the aforementioned three players, though, it's slim picks, so there will be playing chances and minutes open for Craig no matter what happens with Monty Williams' rotation.

Craig has played 55 games this season, starting a whole bunch of them (45) beginning in November and only missing on doing it in the odd game here and there. With Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson off to Brooklyn, it's been two consecutive starts for Craig at the SF position, playing 35 and 36 minutes. The outcome: 13 and 33 DKFP. Horrid, and good.

Obviously, and no matter what happens going forward, Craig is most definitely not going to turn into a monster performer overnight. He will give you a bunch of boards and some points (not even many three-point made shots) but with the absolutely unstoppable offense of KD+Booker+Paul+Ayton around, it is going to be hard for Craig not to find some open spots and chances to bulk up his numbers a bit.

Don't chase Craig's shares in any nonsensical way and know his limitations, but give him a chance if only because of the lack of warm bodies around Phoenix and the context he'll find himself at ROS.

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