Fantasy Basketball Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups | Should You Add Santi Aldama, Donte DiVincenzo and Jaime Jaquez Jr.?

Another week of the NBA season has come and gone, so it’s time to identify some more waiver wire options in case you had a player go down with an injury or simply have someone who you are ready to move on from.

Today, we will look at Memphis Grizzlies’ Santi Aldama, New York Knicks’ Donte DiVincenzo and Miami Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr.

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Santi Aldama Fantasy Outlook

The Grizzlies have dealt with a number of injuries - and the suspension of Ja Morant - this season, and Aldama is one of the players who has taken advantage of the extra opportunities.

Aldama was a first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He’s spent his entire career in Memphis and continues to improve. For the season, Aldama is averaging 14.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 0.7 blocks and steals across 25.7 minutes.

Aldama’s overall shooting percentage is down from last season, but his 3-point percentage is up, and with a few extra minutes a game, he’s starting to be a fantasy asset in all formats. He is shooting 45.6% overall and 37.5% from deep. He’s only 50% on his free throws so far. Aldama wasn’t active in the team’s first six games, but has played the seven games since.

He’s reached 20 points twice and has reached at least five rebounds in five contests. Aldama has two double-doubles to his names. He’s got blocks in more games than not, while getting steals in three contests.

Verdict: Aldama isn’t a big fantasy name, but as long as he’s playing big-time minutes, he looks like he can fill up the stat sheet and help your fantasy team, so I’m for adding him if you have an open spot or player you can move on from. Aldama started and played 39 minutes in the team’s last contest, and he responded with 28 points (albeit on 11-of-27 shooting overall), 12 rebounds, six assists and two steals while only committing two fouls and turning the ball over once. Those numbers won’t happen every night, but they are good enough to roster him at least for the time being.

Donte DiVincenzo Fantasy Outlook

DiVincenzo is starting to settle in and has produced some of his best games for the Knicks over the last few contests. He’s started the team’s past two contests and is averaging 20.7 minutes across 13 games overall.

DiVincenzo is averaging 9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1 steal and 0.4 blocks per contest, while turning the ball over just 1.2 times and committing 1.5 fouls. He’s shooting 43.3% overall, which is right on pace with last season, and 40% from 3-point land, which is a touch up from last year. DiVincenzo is at just 58.3% on his free throws, but he’s also only taken 12 for the season.

DiVincenzo has reached double digits for points in five games, including both of his starts. He tallied 25 points in the most recent game.

The guard has only topped five rebounds once, but does have steals in eight of 13 contests. He’s also had a block in five games. You’d like to see him average more rebounds, but if he can score like he has the past couple games, that’s where his fantasy value is.

Verdict: If you are in need of points for your fantasy team, then DiVincenzo is probably one of the better waiver wire options out there right now. If you are looking for the best available fantasy player, I’m not sure DiVincenzo is that guy. He doesn’t fill up the box score like some other guys do, so I’d look elsewhere if that’s what you are after. I’d keep a close eye on DiVincenzo though, as starts and more minutes could mean better averages in all statistics.

Jaime Jaquez Jr.  Fantasy Outlook

Jaquez has held a role for the Heat all season and is getting some extra run now after playing pretty well and the injury to Tyler Herro. Jaquez has played in 13 games, making three starts, and averaged 24.1 minutes.

The rookie is also averaging 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1 steal and 0.2 blocks per game. He’s at 1.3 turnovers and 2.4 fouls per contest as well.

Jaquez is shooting an efficient 49.5% overall. His 3-point percentage is at just 31.6%, but he’s been consistently able to hit one or two triples over the past several games. He’s an 80% free-throw shooter with limited attempts so far.

After only topping 20 minutes played in two of the team’s first seven games, he’s hit that mark in the past six contests, including four games with over 30 minutes. All five of his double-digit scoring games have come in that run.

Verdict: It’s always a mystery as to what rookies will make big impacts in their first NBA seasons. As things stand right now, Jaquez already has earned himself a big role in Miami, and he’s played well enough to expect that to continue. With Herro out for a bit, I’m all for adding Jaquez for the time being. If when Herro returns, Jaquez sees a reduced role, you can simply drop him, but if Jaquez plays well enough, he might retain a big role even when the team is at full health.