Fantasy Basketball: Playoffs Waiver Wire Pickups
The fantasy basketball playoffs have started, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t improve your team.
With only two weeks left of the season, these are the top waiver wire candidates to help you in the playoffs.
T.J. McConnell, G, Indiana Pacers
McConnell was excellent in March, averaging 11.2 points, 6.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.
His time on the court has increased up to 24.4 minutes per game and he has taken advantage as the leader of the second unit for Indiana.
He checks off multiple boxes for fantasy basketball, earning points in different categories, and his tendency to rack up steals gives him an elite upside.
The Pacers are just outside the playoff picture, only 2.5 games behind the tenth-seed Chicago Bulls.
This means McConnell should be playing in meaningful games down the stretch, which will help in the final rounds of the fantasy basketball playoffs.
Austin Reaves, G, Los Angeles Lakers
Reaves’ role on the Lakers has gradually increased throughout the season, and right now might be the last opportunity to add him to your roster before someone else does.
He is having the best month of his career by far, averaging 17.8 points, 5.9 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.
The uptick in scoring could be a result of LeBron James being out of the lineup with a foot injury, which does add some concern to Reaves’ role when he does return.
However, there is still no definite timetable for James’ return to play, meaning Reaves should have at least another week with the increased production.
The Lakers find themselves in a tightly packed Western Conference, making every remaining game crucial for the playoff hopes.
If Reaves can keep this hot stretch going, he will be worth snagging from the free agent market.
Bones Hyland, G, Los Angeles Clippers
Since being traded to the Clippers, Hyland has rarely seen the court, only appearing in six games with his new team.
At first, it seemed like Hyland could be the guard the team was looking for, but the addition of Russell Westbrook filled that void, leaving Hyland out of the rotation.
However, with Paul George expected to miss at least a few weeks with a right ankle sprain, it provides some hope for Hyland to get some minutes.
In the first game without George, Hyland came off the bench and had a stellar performance in 26 minutes. He scored 16 points, to go along with seven assists, four rebounds, a steal and a block.
This is the best version of Hyland, scoring in bunches off the bench.
It’s still unclear what his exact role will be with the Clippers, but if he is used as an offensive spark off the bench, Hyland will be worth picking up in fantasy once again.
Christopher Reynolds is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at clr5971@psu.edu
