Week 21 NBA Waiver Wire Adds: Trey Lyles Playing Big In Aldridge’s Absence

Each week is going to bring a new batch of waiver wire pickups, alongside some reoccurring faces depending on ownership. There are various scoring systems for fantasy basketball, but one thing remains certain, you are going to need to key in on specific categories at times. While I will look for the overall producers, I will highlight some names that contribute heavily within a few categories.

Waiver Wire Adds

Daniel Theis – Boston Celtics

PF, C

54% Owned

Daniel Theis has been a top 50 fantasy player over the last two weeks, averaging 13 and 8 with one block per game. He is playing 27 minutes a night in that span, as Brad Stevens continues to trust him as the main big. Boston doesn’t have a lot of depth to go with right now anyway. Outside of three pointers, Theis is chipping in over most categories. Boston also has a four game week, witch matchups against Washington, Indiana, and Chicago that Theis can take advantage of.

Shake Milton – Philadelphia 76ers

PG, SG

52% Owned

Shake Milton still hasn’t quite reached the numbers he should, but has trended up in ownership big time sine the last article. This is because he has been the 19th best fantasy player in nine category formats over the last two weeks. He is averaging 19-2-4 with 3.9 threes per game in that span. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are still projected to be out at least another week, so Milton still continues to have value.

Gorgui Dieng – Memphis Grizzlies

PF, C

25% Owned

Gorgui Dieng is still out there in most leagues, and continues to get decent minutes because of the Jaren Jackson and Brandon Clarke injuries. He has been a top 80 option over the last two weeks. He is averaging 9 and 8 with one steal and 1.6 blocks per game. Deing has always been a strong fantasy points play and even in just 20-25 minutes, he can produce strong lines.

Dario Saric – Phoenix Suns

PF, C

25% Owned

Dario Saric will see around 20-25 minutes a night, as Kelly Oubre is done for the year. Deandre Ayton has also been a bit banged up. Saric is averaging 9-4-2 over the last two weeks, and 12-5-2 over the last few games. Saric hasn’t had the fantasy appeal that I thought he would this year, but could take advantage of the situation down the stretch here with the Suns.

Jae Crowder – Miami Heat

SF, PF

42% Owned

Jae Crowder is averaging 31 minutes a night over the last two weeks, as he has firmly placed himself in this Miami team. He is averaging 11-5-2 with 1.7 steals per game over the last two weeks. We knew the shooting would come down from that tear he was on, but he has still been productive. He is also adding 2.7 threes per game, so he is chipping in just about everywhere. It looks to be an easy week for Miami, who get the Hornets, Knicks, and Bulls to feast on. Crowder should capitalize here.

Damion Lee – Golden State Warriors

SG

27% Owned

Even with Stephen Curry returning, I am not too worried for Damion Lee. Curry is going to help this offense overall. Lee ranks 60th overall in nine category formats over the last two weeks. He is averaging three 3-pointers per game over the last two weeks, and also a 15-5-4 line. At just 27%, Lee is free in most leagues right now, and is a good source of offense which will be a better one now that Curry is back.

James Johnson – Minnesota Timberwolves

SF, PF

25% Owned

Karl-Anthony Towns is still without a timetable, and Johnson continues to hover around 20-25 minutes a night. He is averaging 12-4-2 with 1.3 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. Johnson is producing everywhere except three pointers and is also shooting over 50% from the field. If you need some production in a forward spot, Johnson is still out there.

Trey Lyles – San Antonio Spurs

PF, C

15% Owned

While LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t going to be out for a while, Trey Lyles has some short term value. He is averaging 30 minutes a night over the last two weeks, and averaging a 11-5-1 line with 1.3 steals per game. Lyles ranks as the 71st best fantasy option over the past two weeks, and has eligibility at both front court positions. The Spurs are shorthanded, and Lyles will continue to get run. If Aldridge misses out on Week 21, Lyles will see strong minutes against the Mavs, Nuggets, and Timberwolves.

Brandon Knight – Detroit Pistons

PG, SG

17% Owned

Weird to see Brandon Knight here at any point this season, but Detroit is down to very few healthy bodies. He has played over 25 minutes in four straight games, and has scored 18, 16, 19, 14, and 15 points in the last five. He also has four steals and 27 assists in that five game span. Knight has been productive. The talent has always been there, but minutes have been long lost the last year or two. If Bruce Brown is out there, he will likely take back over his usual minutes once he returns from injury. Knight would end up being a deeper league add more so.

Harry Giles III – Sacramento Kings

PF, C

30% Owned

Harry Giles has been extremely productive of late, and Sacramento has leaned on him for generally 25-30 minutes a night. He is shooting 60% from the field, averaging 14-7-1 in the last two weeks. Giles has been a top 100 player in that span. He doesn’t doo much defensively or give you threes, but he has solid rebound numbers and is getting some decent points as well. His front court value is strong, and the Kings don’t have a ton of options, but Giles has played his way into more minutes.

De’Andre Hunter – Atlanta Hawks

SF

30% Owned

De’Andre Hunter has started to find his form, averaging 14-7-1 over the last two weeks. He is just outside of being a top 100 fantasy player right now, and this production should continue throughout the rest of the season. Hunter was drafted as a defensive guy, but has been producing more on the offensive side of late, and also bringing in some strong rebounding numbers. Atlanta also has a pleasant schedule for this upcoming week against the Hornets, Knicks, and Cavaliers.

Schedule Grid