As we enter a long week 17 in the 2023-24 NBA season due to the All-Star break, here’s a fantasy basketball guide and analysis.
Fantasy Basketball 2023-24: Week 17 Guide and Analysis
NBA Schedule
Week 17 stretches from Feb 12-25, which is longer than usual due to the All-Star break.
The only team playing a high of six games is the Golden State Warriors.
The bulk of the league plays five games, including the Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards.
The Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, and Toronto Raptors have four games.
The lone team with a low of three games is the Miami Heat.
Waiver Wire Adds
Onyeka Okongwu/Saddiq Bey – Okongwu has produced quality stats over the past week with Clint Capela sidelined. He projects to keep this elevated value for a little while longer until Capela returns. Likewise, Bey is on a hot streak, providing great numbers in points, threes, rebounds, and efficient shooting percentages.
Dennis Schroder/Ben Simmons – Since being traded to the Nets, Schroder is showing signs of life again. Even if he remains in a bench role, he should have a bigger impact than in his last few weeks on the Raptors. His new teammate Simmons is also showcasing his value, even while on a minute restriction. Managers must watch out for injuries, but he’s a solid player to add now.
Nick Richards/Brandon Miller/Tre Mann – The latest injury reports have Mark Williams out for at least the next month, continuing to solidify Richards’ long-term value. Miller has also benefited from injuries and provided numbers in points, rebounds, and stocks. Trade deadline acquisition Mann is in a position to play a significant role for the Hornets if LaMelo Ball is shut down. He’s worth taking a chance on and was impressive in his first game as a Hornets starter.
Alex Caruso/Ayo Dosunmu – With Zach LaVine out for the season, more opportunities have opened up for Caruso and Dosunmu. The former has been the better contributor lately, but Dosunmu also has long-term value.
Ausar Thompson – Following the trade deadline, fantasy managers saw flashes of Thompson’s strong play from earlier in the season. He’s worth an add if he retains a starting role now that more minutes are available.
Vince Williams Jr./Scotty Pippen Jr./GG Jackson – Streaming players from the Grizzlies with their ever-changing injury report is difficult. Williams Jr. remains a must-add, but Pippen and Jackson are worth adding if they consistently receive significant minutes.
Jaime Jaquez Jr./Caleb Martin – The Heat suffered two key injuries on Sunday and are missing Jimmy Butler for a few games, meaning more minutes will be distributed to Jaquez and Martin. Note that they are drops when the roster is fully healthy.
Donte DiVincenzo/Josh Hart/Precious Achiuwa – DiVincenzo, Hart, and Aciuwa are the three players who emerged as the beneficiaries of the Knicks’ injuries. Their value will be heightened for this period, but some of them will be drops once the team is healthy.
Buddy Hield/Kelly Oubre Jr./Paul Reed – Hield’s new role with the 76ers significantly boosted his fantasy value from his time with the Pacers. Oubre’s game has also elevated as a result of some injuries. Reed is the main player in the frontcourt benefitting from Joel Embiid’s long-term absence.
Scoot Henderson – With Malcolm Brogdon out for at least two weeks, Henderson will benefit from more usage. The rookie has looked impressive lately, turning around a rough first half of the season.
Malik Monk – The streaky Monk is enjoying a nice hot stretch of games. While he’s bound to go cold at some point, take advantage while you can.
Kelly Olynyk – Olynyk has looked impressive in a small sample with the Raptors. He could potentially draw some starts, and he provides some value in multiple categories.
Taylor Hendricks – The Jazz were active at the deadline, freeing up some minutes for Hendricks to suit up for the first time since December 21. He is not a must-add but more of a luxury stash.
Marvin Bagley III/Deni Avdija/Corey Kispert – Arguably one of the biggest trade deadline winners, Bagley projects to have solid value as the Wizards’ starting center as he ramps up from an injury. Lately, Avdija has provided great value in the primary categories, with some other stats. Even in a bench role, Kispert has found ways to be productive. His numbers are still inconsistent, but he remains an option for deeper leagues.
Drops
De’Andre Hunter – Even though Hunter returned from injury and is ramping up, his production is low and inconsistent. He had one big game last week, but it was an outlier.
Cam Whitmore – Although he is a very talented and promising rookie, it’s time to let Whitemore go. He is currently dealing with an ankle issue, and his minutes are capped at around 20. Monitor him as a streamer, though.
Bennedict Mathurin – Despite the Hield trade, Mathurin’s production has plummeted and is a sure-fire drop.
Spencer Dinwiddie – Dinwiddie signed with the Lakers but is now stuck in a bench role, limiting his fantasy value.
Trey Murphy III – Murphy’s value is significantly capped with the Pelicans healthy. He is a decent streamer with injuries, though.
Shaedon Sharpe – After undergoing surgery to address a core muscle injury, Sharpe will likely be out for the rest of the season.
Kevin Huerter/Harrison Barnes – Both Huerter and Barnes are incredibly streaky players. But fantasy managers know the drill: add when hot and drop when cold.
Zach Collins – Playing in a backup center role caused Collins’ fantasy production to decrease to the point of dropping.
Bruce Brown/Gary Trent Jr. – Brown’s stats have been extremely disappointing over the last few games. Likewise, Trent’s value has been minimal outside of steals.
Notable Injuries/Suspensions
Clint Capela – Set to be re-evaluated for an adductor strain this week.
LaMelo Ball – Dealing with ankle tendinitis.
Mark Williams – Out for at least another four weeks with a back injury.
Lonzo Ball – Out for the season.
Zach LaVine – Out for the season.
Chris Paul – Started individual work and is out until late February.
Fred VanVleet – Out for the week leading up to the All-Star break from a thigh injury.
Steven Adams – Out for the season.
Desmond Bane – Diagnosed with an ankle sprain and will miss multiple more weeks.
Ja Morant – Out for the season.
Marcus Smart – Suffered a severe finger injury and is out for multiple weeks.
Jimmy Butler – Will miss the next few games for personal reasons.
Terry Rozier – Considered week-to-week with a knee injury.
OG Anunoby – Re-evaluation in three weeks following elbow surgery.
Julius Randle – Dislocated his shoulder and will miss multiple weeks.
Mitchell Robinson – Could return from an ankle injury late in the regular season.
Joel Embiid – Expected to miss six to eight weeks with a knee injury.
De’Anthony Melton – Could return soon from a back injury.
Malcolm Brogdon – Re-evaluation in two weeks for elbow tendinitis.
Robert Williams – Out for the season.
