December 23 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Cole Anthony, Ben Simmons, Jordan Hawkins and Julian Strawther

All 30 NBA teams were in action last weekend. Each game provided valuable insight for fantasy basketball owners.

Let's hop straight into the top performances that caught my eye from waiver wire players.

Explore the best in-season tool to manage lineup/start decisions including waiver pickups, projections, trade suggestions, trade value charts, rest of season rankings, power rankings, and tons more with Fantasy Assistant. Use our fantasy basketball trade analyzer and the Trade Value Chart to break down trade scenarios.

Ben Simmons Fantasy Outlook

Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons has tapped back into his old self a little bit this season. He has quietly found a rhythm; I think that’s directly correlated to him being more healthy. He has always been a great playmaking hub, and with the freedom from head coach Jordi Fernandez, he has revitalized that part of his game.

There is still much to be desired in terms of his aggression on offense, but as long as he is finishing efficiently around the rim, I have no complaints. In all of his last three games, Simmons put up double-digit points while also doing dirty work on both ends. Speaking of both ends, Simmons is still a defensive juggernaut. His sheer size, frame, and mobility make him a matchup nightmare for most offensive players.

This season, Simmons is averaging 6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in 24 minutes of action. In his last three outings, though, he has hovered around 30 minutes a game. Anytime Simmons has had that much time on the floor, he has produced. His current own percentage sits at 53%. He should be a priority waiver wire target; he’s on a bad team, so he will continue to get ample opportunities.

Julian Strawther Fantasy Outlook

Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther has had a bit of a mini breakout year so far. I still think he hasn’t reached his potential, but he has been a solid contributor for this Nuggets team. After losing veterans such as Reggie Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, it was obvious that Strawther was going to be nudged into a bigger role, and he has embraced it.

He was mostly a catch-and-shoot player coming out of college, but he has been able to attack closeouts very well this year. He still is a work-in-progress player, but he has been a solid contributor.

I think of Strawther as a deep league waiver wire target. Head coach Michael Malone has stated multiple times that he still is actively tinkering with lineups trying to find the best one. Also to add onto that, the Nuggets are heavy buyers at the deadline, so Strawther's role could probably dwindle.

On the season, though, he is averaging 9.3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 20 minutes per game. All his stats essentially doubled from the last year. He has a 10% own percentage, so he should be widely available in most leagues.

Cole Anthony Fantasy Outlook

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony started the year as a lower-tier rotation player. After the Magic made multiple offseason acquisitions, Anthony became the odd man out and had to just be ready when his number was called.

But now, the Magic have experienced multiple serious injuries to the franchise players, and he was thrust back into the lineup, and he shined. On Saturday, Anthony had 35 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists against the Miami Heat to complete a 20-point fourth quarter comeback. He showed off his electrifying shot-making and playmaking potential that got him selected in the lottery.

I don’t know what the future holds for him, but as long as the Magic’s top players are out, I would grab Anthony. I think of him as lightning in the bottle; he has all the confidence and opportunities going forward, so why not take a chance on him on the waiver wire?

His current own percentage is at 12%, so he is available. If you have injuries or guys underperforming, taking a chance on Anthony might not be such a bad idea. On the season, he is averaging 6.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 11 minutes per game. He is a top waiver wire target in my eyes for the time being.

Jordan Hawkins Fantasy Outlook

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins has been one of the very few bright spots for the Pelicans this year. He has seemed to really take a sophomore jump and hone in on his role. Some of that may be attributed to more opportunities, but I also think it’s his versatility. He is definitely one of the best shooters in the league, but he also has been able to effectively score after taking multiple dribbles this year.

This year, Hawkins is averaging 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists on 26 minutes per game. I think he is definitely a top waiver wire target. He produces anytime he touches the floor, and he has ample opportunities to do so. His own percentage is only at 11%, so he is a steal. He has been consistent this whole year and will continue to be a big part of the rotation no matter if the Pelicans stars get healthy.