X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Walker Kessler (C, UTA) - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 12

Walker Kessler is worth considering as a fantasy basketball waiver wire pickup heading into Week 12 of the 2022-23 NBA season.

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 12% of leagues

ANALYSIS: While the Utah Jazz welcomed Kelly Olynyk back and instantly put him in the starting lineup at PF last Wednesday (and once more on Friday) and Jarred Vanderbilt never stopped starting games whether that was at PF or C, the truth is that Walker Kessler, even back to a second-unit role now, has kept his value and upside up for the last couple of games with both veterans around.

Kessler enjoyed a little four-game streak of starts from Dec. 19 to Dec. 26 but those days seem to be over now for the rookie. That doesn't mean that things have changed a lot for him, though. Even starting, Kessler only topped 30 minutes once, and in the other three games, he played an average of 24 MPG.

Now stuck in the Jazz second unit, he's logged 20 and 24 MP in the last two games they have played through Friday. That's already a win considering he was averaging a measly 16 MPG before December. Kessler should keep those 20+ minutes up ROS easily, if not actually getting even a larger role down the road if Utah decides to skew young and trade some veterans to join the tank race.

Kessler does three things nicely: scoring points on low-volume shots, pulling down boards, and blocking shots. Kessler, through the full season, is blocking 1.8 shots per game. Again, that's through the full season on just 19 MPG. Only six other players are blocking as many shots per game as Kessler, and adjusting for a per-minute outcome he'd rank second (3.5 blocks per 36 minutes) only behind JJJ.

The rookie is also great on the boards, pulling down 16.2% of all rebounds available when he's on the court and an even better 20% of those ricocheting off the rim on defense. Obviously, the low playing time has Kessler's average down to a meager 6+ RPG through 35 games played, but if he can get to around 20 MPG ROS, he could easily enter the 8+ RPG realm.

No turnovers on his lines but no more than one dime per night either so it's not that he helps you there in any substantial way. Consider Kessler a viable fantasy player in deeper formats with minimal options available, but keep him in mind in shallower leagues if/when the Jazz pivot to active tanking mode ahead of the trade deadline.

 

More Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups

Jose Alvarado - Fantasy Basketball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, 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. […]


Tari Eason - Fantasy Basketball Rankings, DFS Picks, NBA Injury News

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 […]


Lonzo Ball - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire, NBA DFS

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 […]


Deni Avdija - Fantasy Basketball Rankings, DFS Picks, NBA Injury News

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 […]


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 […]


 



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy basketball mobile app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, lineup notifications & DFS articles. All free!


By popular demand, RotoBaller has aggregated all of our fantasy basketball NBA waiver wire pickups into a running list of NBA waiver options, so bookmark the page and check back often for updates.



POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Keston Hiura

Michael Toglia Optioned, Keston Hiura Recalled
Shay Whitcomb

Promoted to Major Leagues
Ryan Mountcastle

Orioles Place Ryan Mountcastle on 10-Day Injured List With Hamstring Strain
Freddie Freeman

Aggravates his Ankle
Mookie Betts

has Fractured Toe, to Miss Rest of Series Against Yankees
Cole Young

Mariners to Promote Cole Young to Major Leagues
Willi Castro

Goes Deep Twice
Shohei Ohtani

Crushes Pair of Homers
Cal Raleigh

Smacks Two More Homers on Friday
Marcus Semien

Swipes Bag, Homers Amidst Four-Hit Effort
Framber Valdez

Hurls Complete Game Friday
Francisco Lindor

Two Homers Power Mets Over Rockies
Christian Yelich

Blasts Two Homers in Win
Mookie Betts

Out of Lineup Friday, Will Undergo X-rays on Toe
Nathan Eovaldi

Next Start to be Pushed Back
AJ Smith-Shawver

Diagnosed With Torn UCL, Likely to Need Tommy John Surgery
Jackson Jobe

Tigers Place Jackson Jobe on 15-Day Injured List With Flexor Strain
Steven Kwan

Returns Against Angels
Mike Trout

Officially Reinstated From Injured List
Anthony Santander

Blue Jays Place Anthony Santander on 10-Day Injured List
Colton Cowser

Likely to Return During Upcoming Road Trip
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP
10
9
11
12
12
18
13
24
14
Max Fried NYY
29
15
31
16
32
17
Joe Ryan MIN
39
18
41
19
42

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF