As we enter a new week of the 2023-24 NBA season, here’s a fantasy basketball guide and analysis for week 14.
Fantasy Basketball 2023-24: Week 14 Guide and Analysis
NBA Schedule
Week 14 features a packed schedule, as every team plays at least three games. Those with a high of four games are the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, and San Antonio Spurs.
The Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards play three games.
Potential Waiver Wire Adds
Nick Richards/Brandon Miller – With no timeline for Mark Williams‘ return, Richards will remain the starting center for the Hornets and is a great long-term add. Meanwhile, Miller has heated up over the past few games through his scoring and rebounding, as well as providing smaller contributions in some other categories.
Alex Caruso/Ayo Dosunmu – Another injury for Zach LaVine opened up more minutes for other role players on the Bulls. Caruso and Dosunmu are already playing very well and should continue to do so over the next few weeks.
Jaden Ivey/Alec Burks/Ausar Thompson – Ivey and Burks are benefiting from Cade Cunningham’s absence, which should extend throughout the week. Burks is more available on the waivers, however. Thompson has also seen an increase in minutes, giving managers flashbacks of his impressive fantasy performances earlier in the season.
Dario Saric/Jonathan Kuminga – Despite his role fluctuating, Saric showed that he didn’t need significant minutes to be effective over the past few games. He’s provided solid value in the primary categories with some threes and steals. Also, Kuminga should continue to see solid minutes, and he’s stepped up his game as of late.
Buddy Hield – Hield has been on another level offensively. His hot scoring, three-point shooting, playmaking, and rebounding are welcome boosts for fantasy managers.
Mason Plumlee/Daniel Theis – Plumlee and Theis are splitting the minutes at center due to an injury to the Clippers’ primary starting big man. Both have seen action in the first unit, and managers will have to monitor this situation.
Vince Williams Jr./Luke Kennard/Xavier Tillman Sr. – Most managers have already scooped him up, but Williams can still be found on some waivers and must be picked up. Kennard and Tillman are the next-best adds on the Grizzlies, although the latter is dealing with a knee issue.
Donte DiVincenzo – Ever since the Knicks’ trade in December, DiVincenzo has elevated his game. He’s seen more minutes since then and has provided solid value on both ends of the floor.
Luguentz Dort – Dort is a very streaky player, but right now he is going through a hot stretch. It can be a bit of a gamble to stream him, but at the moment, he’s providing points, rebounds, and threes.
Kevin Huerter – Last week, Huerter caught fire, supplying the Kings and fantasy managers with points, assists, rebounds, steals, and an absurd number of threes. While this isn’t sustainable, take advantage while you can.
Jeremy Sochan – Now that he’s in his usual forward role, Sochan has flourished. He’s providing multi-category value and has the potential to sustain most of this production for the rest of the season.
Potential Drops
Saddiq Bey – Bey endured a rough slump over the past week. That, and with the nearing return of De’Andre Hunter, means it’s time to drop the forward.
P.J. Washington – Now that he’s mainly in a bench role, Washington’s production dipped. He’ll record a solid game here and there, but he is very inconsistent to depend upon. However, he should be streamed when in a starting role.
Andrew Wiggins – The tale of Wiggins’ 2023-24 season is about underwhelming performances and inconsistency. His roster percentage is still surprisingly high, likely a product of name value.
T.J. McConnell/Obi Toppin/Bennedict Mathurin – All three players are safe drops. McConnell’s role is diminished with Tyrese Haliburton’s return, Toppin is pushed to the back of the rotation due to the Pascal Siakam trade, and Mathurin has gone cold.
Kyle Lowry – Lowry is continuing to struggle and offers managers little value even though he’s receiving solid minutes.
Trey Murphy III/Herbert Jones – Murphy and Jones are droppable from most standard leagues due to their inconsistent and mediocre seasons. They hold more value with increased roles.
Goga Bitadze – With the return of Franz Wagner, Bitadze fell out of the rotation for the Magic. This trend should continue so long as their main lineup stays intact.
Harrison Barnes – Barnes’ slump is still dragging on for the Kings. He’s a decent pickup in an increased role but is not worth holding on to.
Dennis Schroder – Due to the Raptors’ two trades this season, Schroder’s role has diminished. His numbers in most games are minimal, making it difficult to hold to him.
Keyonte George – Geroge’s minutes steadily declined over the past few games. He’s not receiving enough usage to make an impact in real life or the fantasy realm.
Notable Injuries/Suspensions
Trae Young – In concussion protocols.
Ben Simmons – Progressing with no clear timeline.
Mark Williams – Still out with no clear return date.
Lonzo Ball – Out for the season.
Zach LaVine- Out with an ankle sprain for one to two weeks.
Darius Garland – Returning soon from a fractured jaw injury.
Evan Mobley – Started conditioning and should return in early February.
Cade Cunningham – Should return this week from a knee injury.
Chris Paul – Underwent surgery on his hand and should return in mid-February.
Ivica Zubac – Diagnosed with a calf strain and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
Steven Adams – Out for the season.
Desmond Bane – Diagnosed with an ankle sprain and will miss the next six weeks.
Ja Morant – Undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
Marcus Smart – Suffered a severe finger injury and is out for the next six weeks.
Mitchell Robinson – Could return from an ankle injury late in the regular season.
De’Anthony Melton – Could return soon from a back injury.
Robert Williams – Out for the season.
Jakob Poeltl – Will be re-evaluated in about a week for an ankle injury.
