As we enter week 19 in the 2023-24 NBA season, here’s a fantasy basketball guide and analysis.
Fantasy Basketball 2023-24: Week 19 Guide and Analysis
NBA Schedule
Week 19 features busy slates, with every team playing at least three games. The Brooklyn Nets are the lone team playing five.
Teams with four games are the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards.
The Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, and Utah Jazz play three games.
Waiver Wire Adds
Dennis Schroder – With Ben Simmons and Cam Thomas sidelined, Schroder entered the starting lineup last week, posting great value in the offensive categories with some rebounds. Even if Simmons returns, he will likely be restricted, maintaining Shroder’s value. Deeper leagues can consider Day’Ron Sharpe and Dorian Finney-Smith, as the Nets have a busy week.
Nick Richards/Grant Williams/Tre Mann – Mark Williams is still sidelined, and his starting center replacement, Richards, has solid long-term value. Trade deadline acquisition Williams is posting better value with the Hornets than he did with the Mavericks; just note he’ll have some duds. LaMelo Ball is without a timeline for return and Cody Martin is out for two weeks, meaning Mann will continue to start in his spot. He’s quieted down a bit but still has potential.
Ayo Dosunmu – The loss of Patrick Williams and Zach LaVine opened up a huge opportunity for Dosunmu. He’s played well in a bigger role and has long-term value. Also, if Alex Caruso misses any games this week, Andre Drummond could be a solid stream.
Ausar Thompson/Isaiah Stewart – Thompson is still in a starting role, which bodes well for his rest of season value. His numbers aren’t exactly what he posted earlier in the season, but he’s a good source of stocks and primary categories stats. In three games since returning from an ankle/suspension, Stewart is providing decent value. He’s not a must-stream guy, though. Also, Simone Fontecchio is a deep-league option to consider, as his upside is limited in a bench role.
T.J. McConnell – Surprisingly, McConnell has provided the Pacers and fantasy managers with solid output, especially with Tyrese Haliburton struggling. Stream him while he’s hot, and drop when this run is over.
Norman Powell – Russell Westbrook suffered a fractured hand, keeping him sidelined for multiple weeks. But it’s good news for Powell, who will see increased usage and production. He’s a good add for points and threes especially.
Vince Williams Jr. – With Memphis’ ever-growing and changing injury report, Williams is the best add on the team. Generally, the best advice for streaming Grizzlies is to wait for the injury report. Most players aren’t holds.
Caleb Martin/Duncan Robinson – Both Martin and Robinson received greater workloads last week as the Heat dealt with two injuries. It’s unclear when they will return, but stream this duo in the meantime.
Precious Achiuwa/Miles McBride – As the Knicks continue to miss their stars, Achiuwa still holds increased value. Likewise, Jalen Brunson’s injury could mean more minutes for McBride, who played 47 minutes in the game the injury occurred in.
Paul Reed/Mo Bamba – With Joel Embiid sidelined for multiple weeks, Reed provides long-term value (just be aware of dud performances now and again). Bamba is another candidate to watch in deeper leagues, as he received some starts last week.
Royce O’Neale/Eric Gordon – O’Neale slid into the starting lineup when Devin Booker was out, a trend that should continue as he is sidelined for about the next two weeks. He played well in that role, and Gordon also benefits from some extra usage.
Jabari Walker/Duop Reath – The Trail Blazers are likely to be a bit shorthanded in the frontcourt, meaning Walker and Reath are in for increased roles.
Jeremy Sochan – Sochan’s stats have been a bit inconsistent over the past few weeks, but he’s been much better for fantasy now than earlier in the season.
Kelly Olynyk – As the Raptors deal with big injuries, Olynyk is poised to take on a greater role. He offers solid value in the main categories and some steals.
Keyonte George/Taylor Hendricks – Both rookies are receiving increased usage, especially following the trade deadline. For now, George is the more appealing add, but Hendricks could be a deeper-league guy and is on the watchlist.
Marvin Bagley III – As the starting center for the Wizards, Bagley’s long-term value is great. He offers more value in points leagues but is a great source of rebounds and some blocks.
Drops
Mark Williams – A pesky back injury still holds Williams on the sidelines. It’s unlikely he’ll return this season.
Daniel Gafford/Tim Hardaway Jr. – A trade to the Mavericks significantly dampened Gafford’s value. His minutes are abysmal, and he is droppable. Hardaway’s minutes and production have also declined, and he is a drop.
Tari Eason/Dillon Brooks – Eason is undergoing season-ending surgery and is a clear-cut drop. Brooks’ inconsistent production and plethora of underwhelming games make him a drop.
Andrew Nembhard/Bennedict Mathurin – Nembhard’s production dipped significantly over the past few games, especially with McConnell’s recent surge. Likewise, Aaron Nesmith‘s return pushed Mathurin to the bench, and he doesn’t offer much value in that role.
Russell Westbrook – A fractured hand is keeping Westbrook sidelined for multiple weeks.
Spencer Dinwiddie – Moving to a reserve role on the Lakers dampened Dinwiddie’s fantasy relevance even further as he continues to struggle this season.
Gordon Hayward – Hawyward’s minutes have been limited to 12-19 since joining the Thunder. Likewise, his production has suffered on the deep Thunder team as he comes off the bench.
Zach Collins – Low minutes and a bench role are to blame for Collins’s bad and inconsistent production.
Bruce Brown – Brown’s production with the Raptors has been disappointing. He’ll post a good game now and then, but it’s not worth holding for.
Notable Injuries/Suspensions
Trae Young – Undergoing finger surgery and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
LaMelo Ball – No clear timeline.
Mark Williams – Still out with a back injury.
Lonzo Ball – Out for the season.
Zach LaVine – Out for the season.
Donovan Mitchell – Out for three games with a knee injury.
Andrew Wiggins – Out due to personal reasons.
Steven Adams – Out for the season.
Russell Westbrook – Out until early April.
Desmond Bane – Diagnosed with an ankle sprain and will miss multiple weeks.
Ja Morant – Out for the season.
Marcus Smart – Suffered a severe finger injury and is out for multiple weeks.
Tyler Herro – Sidelined with a knee injury.
Khris Middleton – Still out with an ankle injury.
OG Anunoby – Will miss at least another week following elbow surgery.
Jalen Brunson – Could miss a game(s) due to a knee injury.
Julius Randle – Dislocated his shoulder and could return in a couple of weeks.
Mitchell Robinson – Could return from an ankle injury late in the regular season.
Joel Embiid – Out indefinitely.
De’Anthony Melton – Dealing with back issues again and is out indefinitely.
Devin Booker – Will miss the next seven to 10 days with an ankle injury.
Deandre Ayton – Missing a few games due to a hand injury.
Malcolm Brogdon – Out for a few more games with elbow tendinitis.
Robert Williams – Out for the season.
Scottie Barnes – Out until at least early April with a fractured hand.
