As we enter a new week of the 2023-24 NBA season and approach the trade deadline, here’s a fantasy basketball guide and analysis for week 16.
Fantasy Basketball 2023-24: Week 16 Guide and Analysis
NBA Schedule
Week 16 features teams playing between two and four games (plus the highly-anticipated trade deadline).
Teams with a high of four games are the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, and Toronto Raptors.
The Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, and Washington Wizards play three games.
Four teams have just two games: the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, and Utah Jazz.
Waiver Wire Adds
With the trade deadline closing on February 8 at 3:00 p.m., saving your adds is crucial. That way, when trades are announced, you can make moves accordingly. So, this waiver wire list features players who are currently must-adds or have longer-term value.
Onyeka Okongwu – With Clint Capela sidelined for seven-10 days (and potentially being traded), Okongwu’s value has risen. He’s harder to find on the waivers but needs to be added if available since he’ll have a significant starting role.
Nick Richards/Brandon Miller – There’s still a question mark around Mark Williams, so Richards continues to have long-term value as the Hornets’ starting center. Meanwhile, Miller’s posted several impressive performances over the past few weeks, especially with LaMelo Ball missing time.
Alex Caruso/Ayo Dosunmu – With news that Zach LaVine is undergoing season-ending surgery, Caruso and Dosunmu’s value skyrocketed. They’ve played well over the past few weeks, a trend that should continue.
Vince Williams Jr./Santi Aldama – It’s been challenging to find reliable streams on the Grizzlies, with the injury report changing every game. However, the best adds are Williams and Aldama, although they’ve both missed some time.
Donte DiVincenzo/Josh Hart – With Julius Randle out for multiple weeks, DiVincenzo and Hart are must-adds. They’ve thrived so far and are becoming harder to find on the waivers.
Paul Reed/Kelly Oubre Jr. – The latest injury updates about Joel Embiid are pessimistic and murky, meaning backup center Reed will be thrust into a bigger role for the foreseeable future. Likewise, Oubre should receive some extended minutes, especially with Philadelphia’s depleted frontcourt.
Scoot Henderson – Henderson is turning around his game after a disappointing first half of the season. He’s also in a position to be a more valuable fantasy player after the trade deadline.
Jeremy Sochan – While he’s had a few off games recently, Sochan has been a solid fantasy player over the past several weeks. He provides multi-category value and is playing better due to moving to his natural position at power forward.
Drops
It’s also important to recognize who the worst players on your team are. When a trade goes through, you’ll have to quickly make drops to have space for your adds.
De’Andre Hunter – While Hunter recently returned from injury, his minutes restriction has capped his value.
Spencer Dinwiddie – The return of Ben Simmons has significantly impacted Dinwiddie’s value, even while on a minutes restriction. Dinwiddie remains a deeper option and is droppable from standard leagues.
Kyle Lowry – The veteran won’t play again before the trade deadline. Even if Lowry is traded or bought out and signs with a new team, he won’t have fantasy value.
Zach LaVine – LaVine is undergoing season-ending surgery on his foot.
Isaiah Stewart – Stewart is out with an ankle injury and will miss several games.
Dillon Brooks – Even though he receives solid minutes, Brooks’ production is underwhelming.
Andrew Nembhard/Buddy Hield – Nembhard fell out of the rotation on Sunday’s game and will see a decrease in minutes if Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell are healthy. Likewise, Hield was pushed to the bench and has struggled lately.
Mason Plumlee/Daniel Theis – With Ivica Zubac nearing a return, backup centers Plumlee and Theis are drops.
Jarred Vanderbilt – Vanderbilt will miss about a month with a foot sprain, meaning he’s droppable.
Duncan Robinson/Jaime Jaquez Jr. – The Terry Rozier trade, combined with Jimmy Butler’s strong play, has pushed Robinson and Jaquez into smaller roles that don’t justify a roster spot.
Trey Murphy III – Murphy hasn’t been able to produce the same numbers as last season, mainly due to the Pelicans being healthy.
Harrison Barnes – Fantasy managers know Barnes is a streaky player, and now that he’s cold, it’s time to drop him.
Zach Collins – Collins is stuck in a backup center role and has also recently dealt with injuries.
Marvin Bagley III – As a backup center, Bagley’s upside is limited. He’s someone to stream when starting.
Notable Injuries/Suspensions
LaMelo Ball – Doesn’t have a timetable to return from ankle soreness.
Mark Williams – Still out with no clear return date.
Lonzo Ball – Out for the season.
Zach LaVine – Out for the season.
Chris Paul – Underwent surgery on his hand and will be re-evaluated in mid-February.
Steven Adams – Out for the season.
Ivica Zubac – Returning soon from a calf strain.
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.
OG Anunoby – Could miss a few more games with an elbow injury.
Julius Randle – Dislocated his shoulder and will miss multiple weeks.
Mitchell Robinson – Could return from an ankle injury late in the regular season.
Jalen Williams – Missed the past few games with an ankle issue.
Joel Embiid – Undergoing knee surgery and will miss several weeks.
De’Anthony Melton – Could return soon from a back injury.
Robert Williams – Out for the season.
