March 27 Fantasy Basketball Takeaways: Top Rookies and Waiver Wire Options | Rui Hachimura, Dalano Banton, Cole Anthony, Max Strus, Amen Thompson and More

Taking a look at some of the top performances from waiver wire options across NBA games played March 27.

It was another busy night of NBA action on Wednesday, March 27, with 12 games being played. Let’s take a look at some of the top performances from waiver wire options.

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Waiver Wire Options

We’ll open the conversation by talking about Los Angeles Lakers’ Rui Hachimura, who is owned in 60% of leagues. He tallied 32 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and one assist across 36 minutes played.

Hachimura topped 30 points for the second time this season and recorded his second double-double of the year. He’s scored in double figures in 10 straight games, and is doing enough on the court to at least be a streaming option in any league format.

Portland Trail Blazers’ Dalano Banton, rostered in 51% of leagues, finished with 31 points, nine assists, five rebounds and two steals across 37 minutes off the bench.

Banton is playing a ton of minutes, and although he’s coming off the bench, he’s scored 59 points over the past two games. He’s hit double figures in nine straight. Banton is another guy who could be streamed in standard leagues for the time being.

New York Knicks’ Miles McBride, owned in 42% of leagues, totaled 29 points, seven assists, three rebounds and one steal across nearly 40 minutes.

McBride has played at least 39 minutes in five straight games, and is averaging 21.6 points, 3.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1 steal and 0.2 blocks over that span. He needs to be utilized in all deeper leagues, and could be used in a pinch in standard leagues. His playing time will drop when the Knicks are closer to full health, but until they are, McBride should play a ton of minutes and be a pretty good fantasy option.

Orlando Magic’s Cole Anthony, owned in 38% of leagues, accumulated 26 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal and block across 32 minutes off the bench.

Anthony has played over 30 minutes in the past two games, and extended his streak of scoring in double figures to four contests. He’s doing enough else on the court to be rostered/played in deeper leagues. I’d like to see a few more games of similar production before adding him in standard leagues.

Memphis Grizzlies’ Jake LaRavia, rostered in 14% of leagues, had 25 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal across 32 minutes off the bench.

LaRavia bounced back nicely from a three-point showing in his previous game. He’s scored in double figures in 10 of the past 12 games, and averages enough else while on the court to consider him at least as a streaming option in deeper leagues.

Atlanta Hawks’ Garrison Mathews, owned in 4% of leagues, tallied 21 points, two rebounds and one assist across 22 minutes off the bench.

Matthews made five 3-pointers in the contest to post his best scoring game of the season - his previous high mark was 20, accomplished four days ago. Until the Hawks are a bit healthier, Matthews could be a streaming option in deeper leagues.

Minnesota Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels, owned in 39% of leagues, went for 20 points and four rebounds across 28 minutes on Wednesday.

McDaniels hasn’t been a very consistent scorer over the past few games, but he is capable of scoring 20+ points. That makes him a solid deep league option, but someone to stay away from in standard leagues.

Houston Rockets’ Dillon Brooks, rostered in 36% of leagues, totaled 20 points, four rebounds and assists, two blocks and one steal over 43 minutes in a game that went to overtime.

Brooks has now scored in double figures in four straight games, although he hasn’t added many other stats on those nights. That also makes him a player to target in deeper leagues, but avoid in standard leagues.

New York’s Precious Achiuwa, owned in 39% of leagues, finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal across 27 minutes off the bench.

That’s now two straight well-rounded efforts from Achiuwa, who struggled a bit in the games before that. He remains a streaming option in deeper leagues, at least until the team is back closer to full health.

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Max Strus, owned in 45% of leagues, posted 19 points, four rebounds and two steals across 24 minutes in his first game in over three weeks.

Strus got right back into the swing of things by knocking down five 3-pointers. His own percentage is low right now, so you might be able to snag him in any league format. He’s a fine fantasy option for any kind of league, especially once he starts playing closer to 30 minutes a game, which should happen soon.

Washington Wizards’ Marvin Bagley III, owned in 41% of leagues, ended the night with 18 points, six rebounds and one block across 25 minutes off the bench.

Bagley is getting back into the swing of things after missing three weeks of action himself. He’s a good source for points and rebounds most nights, which makes him a decent fantasy option in any format.

Toronto Raptors’ Gary Trent Jr., rostered in 74% of leagues, recorded 18 points, six assists and two rebounds across 31 minutes played.

Trent now has scored in double figures in 10 straight games, averaging 21.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.2 blocks over that span. His scoring alone is enough to consider him in standard leagues, and he should definitely be rostered in deeper leagues.

Indiana Pacers’ Andrew Nembhard, owned in 24% of leagues, accumulated 18 points, five rebounds and two assists and steals across 34 minutes.

Nembhard should retain his starting and fairly large rotation role for the rest of the season, but because of some scoring inconsistencies, I only like him as a deep league option for now.

New York’s Bojan Bogdanovic, rostered in 49% of leagues, had 18 points, two assists and one rebound in just 16 minutes off the bench.

Bogdanovic’s role is pretty consistently around that minute mark, which limits his fantasy ceiling. He’s still scored in double figures in two straight games, so he’s still a decent option in deeper leagues. I’d try to find another player who is playing more minutes, because it’s hard to be confident in a player with under 20 minutes played.

Chicago Bulls’ Andre Drummond, owned in 43% of leagues, went for 14 points, 11 rebounds and three assists and blocks across 18 minutes off the bench.

Drummond has a similar role to Bogdanovic, but can also add fantasy value with his rebounding, making Drummond a bit better fantasy asset. He’s a decent deep league option, but you also need to know he might not score in double figures most nights.

Philadelphia 76ers’ Mo Bamba, rostered in 17% of leagues, totaled 12 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks across 19 minutes.

Bamba is starting for now, but not often going over 20 minutes. He’s only scored in double figures in two of the past five games, so while he’s a streaming option in deeper leagues, I’d try to look elsewhere for some help.

Charlotte Hornets’ Nick Richards, owned in 56% of leagues, accumulated 11 points and 10 rebounds on Wednesday.

Richards has played less than 24 minutes in two straight games, which is a bit concerning. He’s a double-double threat, but with the inconsistent minutes of late, I only would feel confident playing him in deeper leagues.

Top Rookies

Houston’s Amen Thompson, rostered in 80% of leagues, recorded 25 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and one steal across 39 minutes.

Thompson had one of his better games of the season, and probably won’t appear on this article for awhile now (I try to stick with players under 80% owned). He’s playing a big role and producing well-rounded efforts most nights, so you should highly consider adding him in standard leagues (he should already be owned in all deep leagues/dynasties).

Toronto’s Gradey Dick, rostered in 17% of leagues, went for 23 points and one rebound.

Dick isn’t a very consistent fantasy player, but he can post some bigger scoring nights, which makes him a solid option in deep leagues/dynasties. There’s better options out there, but I’m also fine taking a gamble on him.

Charlotte’s Vasilije Micic, owned in 35% of leagues, totaled 11 points, 12 assists, two steals and one rebound across 34 minutes.

Micic got back in double figures and had a great passing night. He’s playing a big enough role and doing enough on the court to play him in deeper leagues.

Utah Jazz’s Keyonte George, rostered in 66% of leagues, posted 14 points, eight assists and one rebound across 40 minutes.

George has been a bit inconsistent of late, but playing the big role he does, I’m trying my best to hang onto him, even in standard leagues. When he gets hot from the floor, he’s a fantastic fantasy option.

#waiver-wire