Thanks for reading our fantasy basketball waiver wire report for Week 19! Every week, we’ll help you decide which fantasy basketball waiver pickups to make that could benefit your fantasy basketball teams for the upcoming Week 19 or for later in the season.
Note: Free-Agent Acquisition Budget dollar bid prices for NBA Week 19 are based on a season-long budget of $100. Adjust your percentage and scale accordingly for your league’s unique FAAB allotment and your remaining FAAB dollars.
Roster % is based on Yahoo! Fantasy leagues information as of Tuesday, February 22. All stats are current as of Feb. 23.
2022 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 19: Top Pickups
Jaden McDaniels, SF/PF, Minnesota Timberwolves (43% Rostered)
Jaden McDaniels is finally waking up for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
After a disappointing rookie season followed by a slow start this season, the 21-year-old forward has begun hitting his stride in his sophomore campaign. Over his last 10 games, he’s averaging 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.5 threes, 0.9 blocks, and 0.7 steals in 28.2 minutes per game.
While this line may appear lackluster, it’s the dream for fantasy players to find players like McDaniels who provide at least one steal, three, and block per game, especially when averaging double-digit points.
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McDaniels is not winning a week for you on his own, but he provides a little bit of everything. He’s also improved his efficiency lately, averaging 53.3% from the floor, 37.5% from beyond the arc, and 83.3% from the charity stripe during that 10-game span.
If McDaniels really is putting it all together, it’s possible he can become a new Otto Porter Jr. (minus the lower body issues).
- Jaden McDaniels Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 5-10%
Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF, Dallas Mavericks (39% Rostered)
The Dallas Mavericks made quite the investment in Dorian Finney-Smith by signing him to a four-year, $52 million contract extension after dealing away Kristaps Porzingis at the trade deadline. While Finney-Smith is more of a complementary player, his versatility is invaluable for a team that runs through superstar Luka Doncic.
Finney-Smith has seen his minutes and scoring increase in all six of his seasons, and this year he’s posting career-highs across the board. He’s been extra busy lately, averaging a whopping 38.3 minutes over his last nine games with 10.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 threes, and 1.3 steals per game.
With Porzingis out of the picture, DFS should maintain his expanded role down the stretch and continue to provide solid numbers in multiple categories.
- Dorian Finney-Smith Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 5-10%
Dorian Finney-Smith’s larger role with the Dallas Mavericks is leading to increased fantasy production, making him a top waiver wire add this week. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
2022 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 19: Best Players To Stash
Corey Kispert, SG/SF, Washington Wizards (10% Rostered)
Corey Kispert is seeing more action lately, which has resulted in several double-digit scoring performances for the Washington Wizards rookie.
Kispert is quite mature for a rookie at nearly 23 years old, so it’s not surprising to see him finding his groove in the NBA. He is rather limited as a scorer aside from shooting, but if he consistently gets open looks then the sky’s the limit for one of the best players in college basketball last season.
Since taking on a heavier workload earlier this month, Kispert is averaging 31.2 minutes, 13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 threes, 1.7 assists, and 0.8 steals over his last six games. He’s started each of Washington’s last five games and could provide similar production if he remains in the starting lineup going forward.
- Corey Kispert Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Raul Neto, PG, Washington Wizards (17% Rostered)
With Bradley Beal injured and Aaron Holiday shipped off to the Phoenix Suns, Raul Neto has officially taken over as the Wizards’ starting point guard. Pickings were slim, but Neto does have experience in the role after starting 22 games there last season.
Neto has started the Wizards’ past five games and is averaging 12.8 points, 4.8 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 threes per game. That’s very similar to Marcus Smart‘s season-long line, except Neto’s doing it for free!
He’s worth a speculative add to see if he can keep it up, as this type of production paired with solid efficiency is hard to find.
- Raul Neto Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 1-5%
2022 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 19: One-Week Streamer Play
Monte Morris, PG/SG, Denver Nuggets (50% Rostered)
Monte Morris is another player who’s enjoying an uptick in production thanks to expanded playing time, as he’s currently averaging a career-high 30 minutes per game in his fifth season with the Denver Nuggets.
While his overall numbers aren’t particularly impressive, he’s had more control as the lead guard lately with Facundo Campazzo being phased out. Nikola Jokic remains the actual point guard, but Morris is the closest thing Denver has to the traditional archetype with Jamal Murray still injured.
The Nuggets play three more games this week, which should be plenty for Morris to return some value if streamed.
- Monte Morris Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 3-5%
