January 24 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Bruce Brown, Mike Conley, Luke Kornet, Derrick Jones Jr., Kelly Olynyk and More
NBA players who are popular waiver wire pickups near the end of the 14th week of the fantasy season.
It’s time for one final fantasy basketball waiver wire article in the 14th week of the season.
We won’t go into detail about anyone we covered on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday but instead discuss five new players. The players were pulled from the FantasySP Waiver Wire Pickups page, which is updated daily.
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Bruce Brown Fantasy Outlook
Brown was added in 5.25% of leagues, bringing his total mark to 14.15%. He’s been more involved offensively over the past three games, so it’s easy to see why he’s getting added.
Brown has scored 18, 15 and 17 points over the past three games. He has 16 rebounds, nine assists and two steals combined in those contests, all while playing between 20-25 minutes.
In 11 games, all off the bench, Brown is averaging 8.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.2 blocks across 19 minutes. He’s shooting 47% overall and 36.4% from deep.
Brown’s recent offensive success makes him a good waiver wire pickup in deeper leagues. The added rebounds and assists are a nice bonus and make it an even better move.
He’s put up good numbers over his career (enough to be rostered in deeper leagues most years), and maybe now that he’s getting into the swing of things, he’s back in that territory for the rest of the season. There’s also a chance he gets traded to a contender, so he is at least worth putting on your watch list in deeper leagues.
Mike Conley Fantasy Outlook
Conley is up 4.92% and sits at 40.84% overall now. He’s coming off a very well-rounded game, and has his starting role and a healthy amount of minutes again, so it’s again clear to see why he’s being added.
In his last game, Conley had 18 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals across 32 minutes. He’s started four straight games and is averaging 11.3 points, 5.3 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal across 26.2 minutes.
There’s enough production there to add him in most deeper leagues, at least for the time being. Donte DiVincenzo is sidelined with a toe injury, and until he’s back, Conley is likely to retain his starting role and good amount of minutes.
I’d be in favor of adding Conley until DiVincenzo returns, but only if you have a roster spot to play with - Conley is not a must-add player. Utilize him while he’s playing a lot and then reassess the situation when DiVincenzo returns.
Luke Kornet Fantasy Outlook
Kornet is rostered in 8.35% of leagues after a 3.9% boost.
Kornet has drawn two starts over the past four games, but has had wildly sporadic playing time of late. Over the past five games, he’s played under seven minutes once, but gone over 30 minutes twice (in his starts).
In 39 games and five starts this season, Kornet is averaging 16.7 minutes, 4.9 points, 5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.5 steals and 1 block. While not a ton of production, there’s enough there to roster him in some deep fantasy leagues.
He’s definitely worth streaming if the Celtics are down a top big man or two. For that reason, it might make sense to add and stash Kornet in really deep leagues. You don’t have to start him every night, but he can start if you are lacking starters for a night, or he’s going to play a big role because of the availability of his teammates.
Derrick Jones Jr. Fantasy Outlook
Jones was added in 2.91% of leagues and is owned in 14.85% overall. Jones has combined for 48 points over the past two games, so again it’s easy to see why he’s being added.
He has at least nine points in each of the past six games. Jones is averaging 15.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks across 26.7 minutes in that span. On the season, Jones is averaging 10.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.3 blocks across 24.5 minutes in 42 games and 39 starts.
Jones doesn’t have the best averages in rebounds, assists, steals or blocks, so his fantasy outlook is really determined by how much he is scoring. He’s in a groove right now, and I’d be in favor of adding him in some deeper setups.
It’s only likely going to be a short spurt that he can keep up this pace, so take advantage of things while you can. You aren’t going to find many waiver wire options available in that many leagues who are scoring as much as Jones is - take advantage of it.
Kelly Olynyk Fantasy Outlook
Olynyk is rostered in 9.28% of leagues after a 2.72% bump. He’s scored in double figures in three straight games, and that’s probably the biggest reason behind his own percentage increase.
He’s scored between 11-15 points in those three contests, while combining for 11 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and four blocks. Olynyk has played between 14-22 minutes in those contests.
In 21 games and one start this season, Olynyk is averaging 7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks across 15.2 minutes. He’s not playing a ton of minutes, which makes him a risky fantasy asset, but his numbers are actually pretty solid.
When he’s scoring at a decent clip, like he is now, Olynyk is worth adding and starting in deeper leagues. He’s another player who could take on a larger role if the Raptors make some trades, or deal Olynyk to a contender. I’d keep a close eye on Olynyk.
Other Waiver Options
Some other deep-league waiver wire options are: Jaylin Williams, Moses Moody, Vit Krejci, Nick Smith Jr., Keon Ellis, Duncan Robinson, Kevin Porter Jr., Aaron Wiggins, Kyle Filipowski, Isaiah Joe, T.J. McConnell, Luke Kennard and Dalano Banton.
Williams was the most-added player at the time this article was published, up 9% and sitting at 39.91% overall. Moody got another 7.1% boost to go up to 16.94% overall.
Krejci is rostered in 24.59% after a 5.85% increase. Smith is up another 5.13% and sitting at 27.61% overall.
Ellis is owned in 28.07% of leagues after a 4.42% increase. Robinson got added in 3.93% of leagues and is at 29.93% overall.
Porter is up 2.72% and rostered in 9.51% of leagues overall. Wiggins got a 2.63% bump, bringing his total to 18.56%.
Filipowski is rostered in 8.82% of leagues after a 2.5% bump. Joe is up to 10.67% overall after a 2.47% increase.
McConnell was added in 2.31% of leagues and is owned in 28.77% overall. Kennard got a 2.2% bump and is owned in 15.78% of leagues now. Banton was picked up in 1.82% of leagues and sits at 5.57% overall.
A few other standard league options are: Cason Wallace, Daniel Gafford, Jaden McDaniels, Kel'el Ware, Luguentz Dort, Malik Beasley and Jeremy Sochan.
Wallace is rostered in 57.54% of leagues after a 6.49% increase. Gafford is up to 96.75% overall after a 5.65% boost.
McDaniels was added in 5.51% of leagues, bringing his total mark to 70.3%. Ware is up another 3.59% and at 73.78% overall now.
Dort is up to 53.83% after a 2.54% boost. Beasley sits at 71% after a 2.38% bump. Sochan was added in 1.98% of leagues and now is owned in 63.57% overall.
