Welcome to week 23 of the fantasy basketball season! In the majority of leagues, it’s Championship week! Congratulations to all finalists! What a season it’s been so I thank you all for checking in with us weekly here at Fantrax. It’s the most crucial time of the year so you have to make every move count. There’s a few must add Trail Blazers who are taking advantage of injuries you do not want to miss out on. Make sure you keep an eye on last minute injury updates! Guys like De’Anthony Melton are must add players when James Harden gets a rest day. Here are five more players who are on the rise and are set to make a huge impact during the Championship week. Good luck in the Finals!
Week 23 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire
Shaedon Sharpe, SG/SF/PF – Portland Trail Blazers (45% rostered)
It’s Shaedon Sharpe season baby! The Portland Trail Blazers are decimated by injuries at the moment so it’s the 7th overall pick Sharpe taking over. Sharpe is fresh off three-straight performances scoring at least 24 points while notching a career-high 29 on Sunday. In his last three games the rookie is averaging 25.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 3.7 3PTM during that span. The Blazers are considering shutting down Damian Lillard for the season so make sure Shaedon Sharpe is not on your waiver wire. Sharpe is averaging 20.8 minutes per game on the season and has seen 35+ in three-straight games. This is a Championship winning move baby! Pick him up.
Trendon Watford, PF/C – Portland Trail Blazers (40% rostered)
Sorry for the heavy Portland Trail Blazers love but as I mentioned the Blazers are decimated by injuries at the moment. Trendon Watford is another player to add player next to Shaedon Sharpe. Not only is Damian Lillard considering being shut down, Anfernee Simons, Jusuf Nurkic and Jerami Grant are all out with injuries. Watford did bang his ankle on Sunday, but it’s not expected to be a serious injury. He’s been outstanding of late otherwise. Watford has scored double-digit points in eight of his past nine games and is averaging 18 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 blocks in two of his past three games. He’s totaled at least six rebounds in six of last eight games. It’s hard to find those kinds of stats on the waiver wire folks! Must add!
*Nassir Little, F – Portland Trail Blazers – Great replacement if Watford is out Monday.
Deni Avdija, SF/PF – Washington Wizards (39% rostered)
It’s the week of injuries. The Wizards are the next team banged up with Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma on the sidelines. Enter Deni Avdija who is making the most of his opportunity balling out with two double-doubles in his last four games. Avdija is on an absolute roll posting at least eight rebounds in five-straight starts while adding at least 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists in three straight games. In three of his past four games, he’s averaging 17.3 points, 10 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 3PTM. Not too shabby if you ask me! Avdija is producing in a ton of categories and needs to be rostered during the big Championship week!
Mark Williams, C– Charlotte Hornets (41% rostered)
Mark Williams was mentioned a while ago on the waiver wire but ended up missing seven straight games with a sprained thumb so there’s a great chance he’s still available. Williams made it shown Sunday why he needs to added right away posting 15 points and 16 rebounds against the Mavericks. Prior to his injury Williams was on a tear averaging 12.4 rebounds in a five-game stretch totaling 10+ rebounds in four of those games while also averaging 13.4 points during that span. Williams is back in the starting lineup and is a must add player.
Coby White, PG/SG – Chicago Bulls (14% rostered)
Coby White is back baby! After some promising flashes in his first two years in the league Coby White never put it together and has found himself deep on the bench ever since. Until now, he’s locked into sixth man roll pouring in the points and assists for the Bulls while also chipping in with some rebounds. In his last two of his last three games, White is averaging 19 points, 5.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.5 3PTM. White has scored in double-figures in five straight games adding at least six assists in three of those. That’s some solid production across the board and worth adding off the waiver wire.