Fantasy Waiver Wire: Collier, Mathurin and Clifford Emerge After Deadline Moves
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With the NBA trade deadline behind them and the All-Star break approaching, fantasy managers have a brief window to secure newly elevated contributors. A handful of lightly rostered players are taking on larger roles as teams reshuffle lineups for the season’s stretch run.
Point guards
Isaiah Collier, Utah Jazz — 47.7% rostered
The rookie has logged three consecutive double-doubles, averaging 20.7 points, 14.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds. Even after Keyonte George returned from an ankle injury, Collier kept producing off the bench.
Brandon Williams, Dallas Mavericks — 3.6%
Williams scored 18 points with four assists in 24 minutes after missing two games. Before the absence, he compiled 17.8 points and 4.3 assists over four contests.
Shooting guards
Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder — 17.3%
Filling in for the injured Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell, Wallace has started four straight games, posting 17.0 points, 3.5 assists, 3.3 steals and 2.3 three-pointers.
Nique Clifford, Sacramento Kings — 4.8%
Clifford erupted for 30 points against Cleveland and continues to earn spot starts. With Sacramento already out of playoff contention, the rookie may see extended minutes down the stretch.
Small forwards
Bennedict Mathurin, LA Clippers — 49.4%
Mathurin’s trade to Los Angeles has expanded his responsibilities. While Kawhi Leonard remains the focal point, the second-year wing now looks positioned for consistent 20-point potential in a two-man offensive setup.
Gui Santos, Golden State Warriors — 8.4%
Santos has reached double figures in six consecutive games, averaging 14.8 points, 2.0 threes, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks. He is likely to shift back to the bench once Kristaps Porziņģis returns but has shown he can remain productive as a sixth man.
Power forwards
Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers — 40.4%
Starting in place of the injured Deni Avdija, Grant is averaging 22.5 points and 3.3 three-pointers over his last four outings, nearly identical to his season averages as a starter.
GG Jackson, Memphis Grizzlies — 13.0%
Inserted into the lineup after Jaren Jackson Jr. was traded, the rookie forward is averaging 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.3 threes, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steal in three starts.
Centers
Jusuf Nurkić, Utah Jazz — 42.9%
After a two-game illness absence, Nurkić resumed his starting role alongside newly acquired Jackson. Since Dec. 22 he has produced 15.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game, plus contributions in threes, blocks and steals.
Brook Lopez, LA Clippers — 15.3%
Lopez replaced Ivica Zubac in the starting five following the deadline. In his second game as a Clipper he tallied 15 points, nine boards, three blocks and two triples in 36 minutes, underscoring his upside when he sees heavy minutes.
All eight players remain available in at least half of ESPN leagues, giving fantasy managers timely options to bolster rosters before play resumes after the All-Star break.
Source: ESPN
