Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Kon Knueppel steps up for Charlotte
Another exciting week has come and gone in the Association. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a game-winner against the Pacers last Monday, the Lakers continued to find ways to win, Oklahoma City remained dominant and the Pistons moved into first place in the Eastern Conference.
Injuries, new opportunities and exceptional play have given us a new group of favorite players heading into Week 4 of the NBA season. Here they are!
📺 → Watch the NBA on the Peacock on Monday night, as the Washington Wizards take on the Pistons in Detroit. The action starts at 7pm ET!
Philadelphia has a two-game week, which lowers the fantasy value of its deep league options.
Priority additions
1. Kon Knueppel
2. Ajay Mitchell
3. Noah Clownney
4. Jusuf Nurkic
5. Ryan Kalkbrenner
6. Jeremiah fears
7. Derik Regina
8. Jaylon Tyson
9. Jake LaRavia
10. Trendon Watford
Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder (36% on roster)
Mitchell’s incredibly productive run may end once Jalen Williams AND Lu Dort Get healthy, but for now we’ll let the good times roll! Early in the season, Mitchell was electrifying, averaging 17 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 3-pointers. He has started each of Charlotte’s last three games, averaging 20/5/5 with a pair of steals, and fantasy managers need to be on high alert. Even when the Thunder returned to full strength, Mitchell played too well to be dropped from the lineup.
Jusuf Nurkic, Utah Jazz (35% on roster)
With Walker Kessler (shoulder) Out for the season, Nurkic is expected to fill Utah’s starting center role moving forward. In his last four games (all starts), Nurkic has averaged 5.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.5 dimes, 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocks in 26.3 minutes. His production was a bit sporadic in those games as two of them were sputters, so fantasy managers should be ready for some ups and downs.
Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (34% on roster)
Over the past three games, the rookie has put up 24.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and four 3-pointers, and now leads all rookies with 16.4 points per game. He scored a season-best 30 points against the Heat on Saturday, and will look to carry that momentum forward into Week 4. With Brandon Miller, LaMelo ball AND Collin Sexton banged up, opportunities should continue to be available for Knueppel, making him a strong waiver wire addition. Comrade Hornet Tre Mann he also made the most of the major opportunities, but his fantasy value is more closely linked to the availability of Ball and Sexton. Knueppel will still see plenty of running even when both Ball and Sexton are healthy.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte Hornets (31% on roster)
Kalkbrenner hasn’t been electrifying as a scorer or rebounder this season, but he’s been terrific as a defender. Over his last five, Kalkbrenner has recorded one three-block game and four consecutive four-block performances, averaging 1.2 steals and 3.8 blocks in that span while shooting 74.1 percent from the field.
Jake LaRavia, Los Angeles Lakers (26% on roster)
Over the past two weeks, LaRavia has shown why he was such an important acquisition for the Lakers in the offseason. Over the last six games, LaRavia has averaged 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.7 3-pointers in 32 minutes. Its numbers will likely take a hit when Austin Reaves (and eventually LeBron James) will return, but even then LaRavia should remain a key part of LA’s rotation off the bench.
Trendon Watford, Philadelphia 76ers (19% on roster)
Over the course of the four games leading up to Sunday, Watford was a beast averaging 15 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and one 3-pointer. On Saturday, Watford recorded its first career triple-double, posting a monstrous 20/17/10 in 36 minutes against the Raptors. He went just 7/3/2/1 on Sunday, but Philadelphia will likely continue to start him at the four or at least give him plenty of running off the bench until Paolo Giorgio returns.
Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans (18% on roster)
Over the past six games, the rookie has averaged 15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.5 3-pointers in 26.3 minutes per game. With Jordan Poole (quad) out for at least another week and Zion Williamson on the shelf for the same amount of time, expect Fears to see plenty of run for the foreseeable future.
Noah Clowney, Brooklyn Nets (10% on roster)
Cam Thomas he is dealing with a hamstring injury that will keep him out for an extended period of time. Guys like it Terance Mann AND Tyrese Martin he should see additional minutes, but Clowney seems like the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy standpoint. Clowney has started three straight games and averaged 17 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.3 3-pointers. He should continue to offset Thomas on offense.
Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans (12% on roster)
With Zion Williamson Out at least a week with a left hamstring injury, Queen should see more minutes until he returns. In his last three games with additional playing time, Queen has averaged 12 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.7 blocks. His minutes are currently in the low 20s, but that should be enough to keep him viable in standard leagues. An increase in playing time would just be the icing on the cake.
Jaylon Tyson, Cleveland Cavaliers (10% on roster)
Tyson has scored in double figures in each of his last six games, averaging 15.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals and one block in that span. He logged 28 minutes per game in that span with five starts, and while he may not remain in the starting lineup, the return of Dario Ghirlanda it won’t put Tyson completely out of the rotation. He’s done enough to remain a solid contributor even off the bench, and he’s worth a look in standard fantasy leagues.
Others to consider: Tari Eason (36%), Zaccharie Risacher (23%), Isaiah Stewart (23%), Isaiah Jackson (17%), Jarace Walker (15%), Keaton Wallace (1%)