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

Week 17 Fantasy Basketball - Waiver Wire and Buy/Sell

Happy Super Bowl Sunday everyone. This week's column will be shorter than usual, with the anticipation of Super Bowl Sunday and my recent schedule. One quick reminder for this upcoming week: With the Thursday trading deadline looming, you should be saving your weekly adds up until Thursday, especially if your league has a limit on weekly acquisitions. Chances are there's going to be a couple of trades that could have major fantasy implications.

As a reminder for most leagues, fantasy playoffs will begin on Week 21 which begins March 12th. Drop the dead weight, make an effort to improve your team via trades / waiver wire. Don't be attached to short-term pick ups when there is a hot player with a better outlook. Be wary of weekly streaming options and stay ahead of your opponents. Owners should try to do anything in their power to squeeze their way into the playoffs, as it's a completely different ball game.

Our staff at RotoBaller has great insight and daily columns how to improve your squad and tips to make your team successful, so be sure to check them out! Now let's get prepared for Week 17.

Upgrade To VIP: Win more with our NBA and DFS Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! Jamie Calandro and Dan Palyo lead the RotoBaller team in 2024-25 with exclusive DFS picks, Prop picks and more. Gain VIP access to our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, DFS Cheat Sheets and VIP Chat Rooms. Go Premium, Win More!

 

Week 17 Schedule

4 Games – Wizards, Jazz, Trail Blazers, Magic, Pelicans, Pacers, Rockets, Pistons, Mavericks, Cavaliers, Hornets, Celtics, Hawks

3 Games – Nets, Bulls, Nuggets, Warriors, Clippers, Lakers, Heat, Bucks, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Knicks, Thunder, Sixers, Suns, Kings, Raptors

2 Games – Spurs

 

Week 17 Standard Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups

Jarrett Allen, PF/C, Brooklyn Nets (48% Ownership)

It's Jarrett Allen's world, and he's quickly established himself over the past month since being inserted into the starting lineup. His contributions in field-goal percentage, boards, and blocks is similar to Steven Adams. Make sure he's not available in your league, as he's a must-own, must-start player in all 10+ team leagues.

Channing Frye, PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers (10% Ownership)

Kevin Love (knee) is out "indefinitely" but reports say he's out at least 8 weeks. That would make him an obvious drop candidate. Frye was superb in the first two games, but dropped a dud in a disappointing smack down when the Rockets blew the Cavaliers out of the building on Saturday. Frye won't topple 30 + minutes per game, so that limits his upside. However, he's a 3-pointer specialist with some upside in boards and blocks.

Reggie Bullock, SG/SF, Detroit Pistons (25% Ownership)

Bullock is arguably the Piston's best shooter nowadays, as he's the perfect player to compliment Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin manning the paint. Coach Stan Van Gundy loves him and he deserves a look in 12 + teams, especially if you're in need of a marksman. He's a fine guy to own in 9-category leagues, since he doesn't turn the ball over often.

Terry Rozier, PG/SG, Boston Celtics (49% Ownership)

Rozier has been on fire lately, scoring 31 points fresh off a triple double earlier in the week. Kyrie Irving (quad) and Marcus Smart (hand) remains out, so Rozier is really using window of opportunity to put up nice value for his owners. Rozier has attempted a whopping 50 shot attempts over the past three. He's got the ultimate green light right now. He's worth using at least until Marcus Smart returns.

Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Orlando Magic (14% Ownership)

Aaron Gordon (strained left hip flexor) remains out, and Mario Hezonja continues to get meaningful minutes, as he's scored 10+ points in third consecutive games. Gordon shouldn't be out too long, so Hezonja's time could be running out. However, it's also worth noting Magic are busy with the trading deadline, so it's worth monitoring what could happen.

Josh Jackson, SG/SF, Phoenix Suns (49% Ownership)

Jackson was really struggling earlier in the season, but the Suns front office realize they have every intent to groom him into a special player. He's coming off four consecutive 20 + point performances and he looks like a very nice upside player to own the rest of the way. He doesn't get much dimes or shoot enough 3-pointers, but he's one of those players who can go off for 30 if he's hot. Jackson is like another prototype of Andrew Wiggins. He's a must-own, grab him if he's available.

Tomas Satoransky, PG/SG, Washington Wizards (26% Ownership)

John Wall (knee) isn't expected to be back for another 6 weeks, making Satoransky a nice player to add for now. He's playing well right now, giving his contributions in assists and 3-pointers. There's no telling if he'll stay this hot, but give him a look since he'll be able to put up top-100 numbers for the next month or so.

 

Week 17 Deep Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups

Josh Hart, SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers (11% Ownership)

Hart has seen an increase of minutes over the past two games, and even logged 39 minutes against the Thunder on Sunday. He's coming off two straight double-doubles with double digit rebounding from a guard position, so he's definitely worth a look in all 14+ team leagues with the potential to be standard league relevant. It's hard to gauge how the Lakers look when Lonzo Ball(knee) returns, but he's worth grabbing and deploying while he's hot and logging heavy minutes.

Fred VanVleet, PG, Toronto Raptors (11% Ownership)

VanVleet is leapfrogged Delon Wright ahead of the back up point guard position, and he's looked very comfortable over the past few games. VanVleet scored 13 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, one 3-pointer, two steals and one turnover in 28 minutes on Sunday. He's been a top-60 play over the past month.

Andrew Harrison, PG, Memphis Grizzlies  (27% Ownership)

With Mike Conley (Achilles) done for the year, and Tyreke Evans rumored heavily to be one of the candidates to be moved, Harrison is getting a chance to play significant minutes. He's dished out 29 assists over the past five games, and has scored in double digit scoring in four straight, giving him some appeal in deeper leagues.

Wayne Selden JR., SG/SF, Memphis Grizzlies (9% Ownership)

Selden JR. is more of a 3-point specialist, and is streaky as they come. Because of the minutes upside, he should be added in most 14+ team leagues.

Gerald Green, SG/SF, Houston Rockets (14% Ownership)

The injury to Trevor Ariza (hamstring) and Eric Gordon (back) has opened up some minutes to Green, and he's capitalized by scoring in three straight double-figures. He's played 30+ minutes over the last three and it's evident he'll get minutes whenever there's injuries involved with Houston. Look for him as a rotational streamer down the stretch.

Buy Low

D'Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Brooklyn Nets

Russell has been flat-out terrible, and he hasn't logged single steal in the four games he's appeared in since returning from his knee injury. After all, Russell was out for 11 weeks. Russell was averaging 20.4 points per game prior to his injury, so the upside is obvious. If you're looking to get Russell, now is the time.

 

Sell High

Lou Williams, PG/SG, Los Angeles Clippers

Williams has seen his usage spike with all the injuries over the past month, but has finally fallen back down to earth just a bit outside of the 40-point eruption on Friday. There's still a very good chance that Williams continue to put up monster numbers, but I'd seriously consider moving him still. If you're able to package him with another player for players like Nikola Jokic, Hassan Whiteside, or Myles Turner, it makes a lot of sense.

Dario Saric, SF/PF/C, Philadelphia 76ers

With Markelle Fultz (shoulder) closer to a return, I would bet Saric is a candidate to head to a bench role. Saric has been outstanding lately, as he's been flirting with top-35 value the past month. I just don't see him averaging more than 30 minutes per game when the team is fully healthy, so I would sell everywhere I had the chance.

Tyreke Evans, PG/SG/SF, Memphis Grizzlies

The rumors are getting stronger by the day, and the a lot of teams will be calling Memphis in the upcoming weeks for the veteran Evans, as he's been absolutely crushing it this season. Evans has been a steady early-round player for the season and a trade to a contender will probably bump him down a few rounds. I'd look to sell now before he's traded to a team like Cleveland.

Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C, New York Knicks

There's no doubt the first-time All-Star is a stud, but whether or not he's a true franchise star is still very much in question. The unicorn is still posting top-15 numbers thanks to his contributions in points (23.1 per game) and league-leading blocks (2.3 per game). However, the Knicks are not going to make the playoffs, so his outlook isn't as promising as it sounds. If you can put a package him in a trade after a few nice games for someone like Damian Lillard or Kyrie Irving, it's not not a bad idea at all.

 

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis

 

NBA DFS Premium Subscription

Get a free trial of our powerful NBA Premium Tools. Our famous DFS Cheat Sheets, and NBA Lineup Optimizer & Generator with daily matchup projections.

Win more. Try the most advanced lineup optimizer in daily fantasy basketball.

Sign Up Now!


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

Sebastian Walcott

Smacks Second Home Run Of 2025
David Onama

Set For Featherweight Bout
Giga Chikadze

Looks To Bounce Back
Abus Magomedov

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Kenley Jansen

Records His Sixth Save Of The Season
Michel Pereira

Returns To Action At UFC Kansas City
Nicolas Dalby

An Underdog At UFC Kansas City
Miguel Vargas

Homers Against The Twins On Thursday
Hunter Goodman

Delivers In Game 1 On Thursday With Two Hits
Randy Brown

A Favorite At UFC Kansas City
Andre Muniz

Set To Open Up UFC Kansas City Main Card
Christopher Morel

Home Run Seals Victory For Rays
Ikram Aliskerov

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Zach Neto

Hits Go-Ahead Home Run On Thursday
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Tallies Three Hits In Win Against Arizona
Sergei Bobrovsky

Shuts Out Lightning In Game 2
Cam Fowler

Finishes Thursday's Win With Five Points
Robert Thomas

Posts Four Assists In Game 3 Win
Pavel Buchnevich

Celebrates Hat Trick During Four-Point Performance
Dylan DeMelo

Battling An Illness
Marcus Johansson

Exits Early Thursday
Aleksander Barkov

Hurt In Game 2
Pete Fairbanks

Picks Up Fourth Save On Thursday
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Picks Up Save On Thursday
Corbin Burnes

Picks Up Eight Strikeouts In Thursday's Start
MacKenzie Gore

Strikes Out Eight In Loss On Thursday
Cade Povich

Picks Up Win On Thursday
Bobby Witt Jr.

Scores Three Runs, Steals A Base On Thursday
Alex Bregman

Homers In Loss To Seattle
Mike Yastrzemski

Homers, Drives In Two On Thursday
Salvador Perez

Notches Four Doubles, Four RBI In Thursday's Doubleheader
Jordan Beck

Homers Three Times On Thursday
Jameson Williams

Lions Didn't Entertain Trade Offers For Jameson Williams
Dalton Rushing

Homers In Four-Hit Game
Qadir Ismail

Raiders Sign Qadir Ismail
New York Giants

Giants Plan To Exercise Kayvon Thibodeaux's Fifth-Year Option
Russell Wilson

Will Be Giants Starting Quarterback
Max Muncy

With A Pair Of Doubles Back At Triple-A
Michael Lorenzen

Tosses Quality Start
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs Close Out The First Round With Josh Simmons
Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles Trade Up One Spot In First Round To Select Jihaad Campbell
A.J. Puk

Likely To Miss Multiple Months
Buffalo Bills

Bills Address Secondary And Take Maxwell Hairston With 30th Overall Pick
NFL

Eagles, Chiefs Swap First-Round Picks
Washington Commanders

Josh Conerly Jr. Goes At No. 29 Overall To Commanders

Giants Trade Up For Jaxson Dart At No. 25
Detroit Lions

Tyleik Williams Taken By Lions At No. 28 Overall
Baltimore Ravens

Ravens Go With Malaki Starks At No. 27 Overall In NFL Draft
Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Takes Donovan Jackson No. 24 Overall
NFL

Rams Trade The 26th Pick In The 2025 NFL Draft To The Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Trade Back Into First Round To Draft James Pearce Jr. At No. 26 Overall

Matthew Golden Selected No. 23 Overall By Green Bay
NFL

Texans Trade The 25th Pick In The 2025 NFL Draft To The Giants

Omarion Hampton Taken No. 22 Overall By Chargers
Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Selects Derrick Harmon At No. 21 Overall
Denver Broncos

Broncos Build Secondary By Selecting Jahdae Barron At No. 20

Buccaneers Add Emeka Egbuka At No. 19
Jrue Holiday

Tagged As Questionable For Friday
Jayson Tatum

Likely Out Again On Friday
Isaiah Stewart

Remains Out For Game 3
Anthony Cirelli

Good To Go Thursday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Looks To Bounce Back In Game 2
Rasmus Ristolainen

To Miss Training Camp
Jonas Siegenthaler

Returns To Practice
Aliaksei Protas

Traveling With Capitals
Gabriel Vilardi

Still Out On Thursday
Max Pacioretty

Set To Join Maple Leafs Lineup For Game 3
Linus Ullmark

Attempts To Overcome Playoff Struggles Thursday
Anthony Cirelli

A Game-Time Call Thursday
Logan Thompson

Comes Up Big In Game 2
Connor McMichael

Strikes Twice In Wednesday's Win
Anze Kopitar

Tallies Four Points In Game 2 Victory
Adrian Kempe

Notches Two Goals, Two Assists In Wednesday's Win
Tyler Seguin

Gives Stars Series Lead With Overtime Winner
Tyler Herro

Scores Game-High 33 Points In Wednesday's Loss
Donovan Mitchell

Fires In 30 Points In Game 2 Win
Paolo Banchero

Notches 32 Points In Game 2 Loss
Jaylen Brown

Posts 36-Point Double-Double Wednesday
Jalen Green

Erupts For 38 Points In Game 2 Victory
Brandin Podziemski

Limited To 14 Minutes Wednesday
Jimmy Butler III

Set For MRI Thursday
Brandin Podziemski

Upgraded To Available
Cam Davis

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Michael Porter Jr.

Listed As Questionable For Game 3
Adam Svensson

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
Davion Mitchell

Moves Into Starting Lineup Wednesday
Brandin Podziemski

Picks Up Questionable Tag
Al Horford

Starts Game 2
Michael Porter Jr.

Practices On Wednesday
Jayson Tatum

Out On Wednesday
Isaiah Stewart

May Miss Another Game Thursday
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Posts Team-High 26 Points In Tuesday's Loss
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Notches 27 Points Despite Poor Shooting
Max Greyserman

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Pascal Siakam

Scores Team-High 24 Points In Game 2 Win
Lee Hodges

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Gary Woodland

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Max McGreevy

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Sam Stevens

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
Nicolai Hojgaard

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Akshay Bhatia

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Erik Van Rooyen

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
Andrew Novak

Making Start At TPC Louisiana After Near Miss At Harbour Town
Ben Griffin

Making Third Career Start At Zurich Classic
Taylor Moore

Competing With A New Teammate In New Orleans
Wyndham Clark

Making Return To New Orleans
Kurt Kitayama

Teeing It Up Again In New Orleans
Collin Morikawa

Back At Zurich Classic For Fifth Time
Thomas Detry

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF