In this edition of Working the Wire, we’ll take a look at the games scheduled for week 23, including those teams that have a back-to-back set. Before looking ahead, let’s quickly take a look at last week’s waiver wire pickups and whether we struck gold or came up empty. We will then run down the list of players you could consider picking up for longer than a couple of games, although do remember that not every player is going to suit your needs. Finally, we take a look at a list of current streaming options, based on categorical need.

Games Schedule – Week 23

Back to Backs

Mon/Tue: CHI,
Tue/Wed: DAL, WAS
Wed/Thu: 
Thu/Fri: DET, LAC, LAL, MIL
Fri/Sat: 
Sat/Sun: CLE, GSW, MIA, NYK, ORL
Sun/Mon (of Week 24): 

A Look Back…

Guards

Delon Wright (52nd ranked player) – A decent win here and could continue if Gallinari misses time

Bruce Brown (93rd ranked player) – A solid win and should hold some value moving forward

Bones Hyland (159th ranked player) – Despite the rank, I’m going with a win here

Jose Alvarado (71st ranked player) – A win here, although has a very specific set of skills

Forwards

Torrey Craig (140th ranked player) – A soft pass at best

Terance Mann (179th ranked player) – Also a soft pass

Jaxson Hayes (184th ranked player) – Very up and down but should maintain some value

Trey Lyles (176th ranked player) – Maybe a loss but keep an eye on his minutes

Centers

Onyeka Okongwu (161st ranked player) – I’ll go a loss here but if Gallinari misses time, could be worth adding

Isaiah Hartenstein (109th ranked player) – Yet to fully breakout but I’m going with a win

Waiver Wire Options

Guards

Matisse Thybulle

We are all very familiar with Thybulle’s exploits on the defensive end of the floor, ensuring he is one of the most streamed players all season long. While that fact remains, he has been able to do a little bit more on the offensive end of late, both in terms of volume and efficiency. The arrival of James Harden has certainly had a positive impact on Thybulle and although things could go south in a heartbeat, he is worth grabbing right now, if not only for his production in steals and blocks.

Alec Burks

The Knicks are giving minutes to basically anyone who wants them at this point and despite some inconsistent production, Burks has been able to put up top-35 numbers over the past week. His efficiency can be a bit of an issue but it appears Tom Thibodeau is happy to put him out there no matter what. As long as he is playing in excess of 30 minutes per night, he makes for a viable, yet unexciting fantasy asset.

Kris Dunn

Much like Thybulle, Dunn’s value is primarily tied to his ability to deliver on the defensive end. The Blazers have just signed him to a second 10-day contract and his stay in Portland has generally been a positive one. In just 23 minutes per night, Dunn has been a top-50 player over the past week. Unlike Thybulle, he also contributes quite consistently in the assists column, giving him a somewhat stable floor, as long as he is out there for at least 20 minutes each night.

Immanuel Quickley

Unlike Burks, Quickley is yet to fully gain the trust of Tom Thibodeau, making him a little riskier when it comes to assuredness. That said, despite playing just 23 minutes per night over the past week, he has been a top-55 asset, scoring 16.5 points per game. The Knicks need all the scoring they can get at the moment and so while we aren’t filled with confidence, Quickley simply needs to be added everywhere and then, we just keep our fingers crossed.

Forwards

Taurean Prince

Malik Beasley has already been ruled out on Sunday and so Prince feels like the player most likely to benefit. Even with Beasley available, Prince has been able to carve out a nice role for himself off the bench over the past month. With the Wolves playing some of their best basketball right now, Prince should continue to be a key piece moving forward. He has the ability to score in bunches while also chipping in on the defensive end, making him a nice fit on any fantasy squad.

Deni Avdija

Since the trade deadline, Avdija has been a name to watch for many. Unfortunately, he has been unable to live up to the hype, up until recently. With Kyle Kuzma sidelined, Avdija has stepped things up on both ends of the floor. His efficiency from the field remains an issue but if he can continue to see 30 minutes per night, he should probably be on someone’s roster.

Marvin Bagley III

Jerami Grant will not play on Sunday and Bagley could find himself back in the starting lineup. Since arriving in Detroit, Bagley has actually been a 12-team worthy player despite the fact he generally only contributes in points and rebounds. A top-55 player over the past week, GMs should be looking at Bagley as a must-rsoter player, especially with Grant on the sideline. Knowing what we know about the Pistons, there is actually a chance we have seen the last of Grant for this season.

Isaiah Roby

Knowing what to expect from the Thunder from one night to the next is basically impossible. Roby has been in and out of the starting lineup over the past month, not unlike a few of his teammates. So here we are again with Roby seemingly back in the good books, putting up top-20 value over the past week. Confidence is low here but if he can stick in the opening lineup moving forward, he should remain a solid 12-team commodity.

Centers

Drew Eubanks

Now on his fourth 10-day contract with the Blazers, Eubanks has been arguably their most consistent player over the past month. Despite bringing very little to the table in terms of defensive production, he scores efficiently and flirts with double-digit boards on most nights. The Blazers have to be intrigued with what they have seen and with Jusuf Nurkic unlikely to return this season, Eubanks makes for a solid addition to any 12-team roster.

Goga Bitadze

When healthy, Bitadze has been a pretty clear must-roster player over the past two weeks. After a bumpy period coming out of the All-Star break, he has been able to settle into a nice role, delivering top-120 value over the past week. As referenced earlier, health is the key issue here, as we saw on Saturday where he was ruled out just prior to tipoff. Obviously, there is an element of risk here but if you can catch him on a good night, he can be a bit of a difference-maker.

Streaming Targets

Points

Davion Mitchell

Tre Man

Oshae Brissett

Ben McLemore

Obi Toppin

3-pointers 

Payton Pritchard

Tre Mann

Josh Richardson

Davion Mitchell

Donte DiVincenzo

Assists

Davion Mitchell

Tyus Jones

Tre Jones

Dennis Schroder

Donte DiVincenzo

Rebounds

Nic Claxton

Oshae Brissett

Precious Achiuwa

Dwight Powell

Damian Jones

Steals

Dennis Schroder

Donte DiVincenzo

Payton Pritchard

Josh Richardson

Killian Hayes

Blocks

Nic Claxton

Grant Williams

Kenyon Martin Jr.

Killian Hayes

Kyle Anderson

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