Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: 10 players to consider before the NBA Trade Deadline

By Gabe Allen, RotoWire

Special to Yahoo Sports

We’re less than a week away from the NBA Trade Deadline (Feb. 10). Like last week’s fantasy basketball waiver wire column, I’ll once again be focusing in part on players to consider adding in advance of the looming deadline for deals, since it represents the last opportunity for a significant shakeup (apart from the constant churn of injuries and illness) heading into the playoff rounds of fantasy leagues.

Long-time fantasy basketball managers know firsthand that the trade deadline has played a role in turning rotational afterthoughts into statistical standouts, and vice versa.

Without further ado, here are 10 players to pick up heading into Week 17.

Chuma Okeke, Orlando Magic (46% rostered)

Okeke is coming off his most productive month of the campaign, having averaged 9.5 points, 5.4 boards, 2.2 threes, 1.8 dimes, 1.8 steals and 0.7 blocks across 25.8 minutes in January. The fact that so many of his shot attempts come from beyond the arc helps explain his underwhelming field-goal percentage, but his otherwise well-rounded stat profile and defensive excellence make him a solid contributor in most fantasy formats. Furthermore, with the trade deadline approaching, he could be in line for an even larger role if the Magic move some of their established veterans.

Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings (45% rostered)

Mitchell poured in a career-high 26 points to go along with eight dimes, three treys and one steal in 38 minutes during Thursday’s game against Golden State. Moreover, the rookie is averaging 19.4 points, 5.6 assists and 2.8 threes over the last five matchups. The recent absence of De’Aaron Fox (ankle), who has been sidelined for the last seven contests, has allowed Mitchell the opportunity to operate on-ball more often lately, and that’s when he’s most comfortable offensively.

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A superb positional defender who has mostly maintained a regular rotation role due to what he brings to the table on that end, Mitchell has been treating us to a taste of what he’s capable of accomplishing in a larger role. If Fox is moved before the trade deadline or struggles with injuries going forward, Mitchell clearly has plenty of upside.

De’Anthony Melton, Memphis Grizzlies (39% rostered)

Over the last seven outings, Melton is averaging 12.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.9 threes, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks in 24.3 minutes. In the last two games, he has seen a combined 33 minutes, and playing time remains the primary concern regarding Melton’s fantasy value — just as it was during the two previous seasons. Still, Melton is maintaining career highs in scoring (9.8 PPG), rebounding (4.4 RPG), steals (1.6 SPG) and minutes (22.8 MPG). As such, he’s worthy of consideration in most formats, at least until Dillon Brooks (ankle) returns.

Nicolas Claxton, Brooklyn Nets (38% rostered)

Claxton was quiet in his first three games back following a two-week absence due to a hamstring injury. However, he was magnificent in Wednesday’s matchup versus the Kings, racking up 23 points, 11 boards, five blocks, one assist and one steal in 29 minutes. Especially while LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle) is sidelined, Claxton is worth adding in all formats. With that being said, I wouldn’t be in a rush to drop Claxton even once Aldridge returns to the rotation, as the young big man has showcased considerable improvement over the last couple of months.

Maxi Kleber, Dallas Mavericks (25% rostered)

It’s unclear how soon Kristaps Porzingis (knee) will be ready to return, and it’s possible the Mavericks will err on the side of caution heading into the All-Star break. If that’s the case, Kleber should be a strong short-term addition, given that he is averaging 9.6 points, 6.3 boards, 1.9 threes, 1.7 blocks, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steal in 27.7 minutes over the last seven contests.

Derrick Rose, New York Knicks (24% rostered)

Rose (ankle) is reportedly planning to return shortly after the All-Star break, and it’s safe to say his ability to create offensively has been missed. Alec Burks and Kemba Walker have been inconsistent, to say the least, and Julius Randle has regressed following last year’s breakout. Through 26 appearances, Rose is averaging 12.0 points (44.5% FG, 40.2% 3PT, 96.8% FT), 4.0 dimes, 3.0 boards, 1.4 threes, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks in 24.5 minutes.

While his three-point and free-throw shooting percentages (both career highs) will likely come back down to earth, it’s possible that going forward Rose will be even more involved, and thus even more productive in terms of collecting counting stats.

Grayson Allen, Milwaukee Bucks (23% rostered)

Since serving a (lenient) one-game suspension for the flagrant foul that resulted in a broken wrist for Chicago’s Alex Caruso, Allen has earned at least 30 minutes in each of his last three appearances while averaging 12.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.3 threes and 1.0 steal. Milwaukee has been making a concerted effort to get him involved early on as of late, and if he can rediscover his early season form, he’s a decent pickup — especially in deep leagues.

Reggie Bullock, Dallas Mavericks (20% rostered)

In the first four games since the Mavericks lost Tim Hardaway Jr. (foot) for the rest of the season, Bullock has been the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy standpoint by far. With Dallas in desperate need of someone to fill Hardaway’s shoes — in terms of willingness to unconsciously hoist away from beyond the arc — Bullock is answering the call, providing 17.8 points, 5.3 boards, 4.5 threes and 1.8 steals in 29.5 minutes during this recent stretch. Having knocked down a career-high 2.5 threes per game last season on a Knicks team that didn’t have a surplus of outside shooters, Bullock is no stranger to relentlessly firing away from three-point land. Barring a roster shakeup prior to the trade deadline, Bullock’s ability to space the floor offensively and cover multiple positions defensively makes him a good bet to continue earning plenty of minutes for the remainder of the year.

Garrison Mathews, Houston Rockets (18% rostered)

Across the last seven games, Mathews is averaging 15.0 points, 3.1 threes, 3.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 26.4 minutes. As things stand, Mathews is best reserved for use in deep leagues. Nevertheless, if Eric Gordon’s tenure in Houston is nearing its end, that could mean even more playing time for Mathews, given that Gordon is averaging a hearty 29.7 minutes.

Tre Mann, Oklahoma City Thunder (7% rostered)

Mann exploded for 29 points while adding six treys, three dimes, one steal and one block in 41 minutes during Wednesday’s win over the Mavericks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) is out until after the All-Star break, and Aaron Wiggins suffered an ankle injury against Dallas, as well.

Those looking for a proven contributor may want to search elsewhere. Still, the talented rookie guard is worthy of consideration, particularly in points leagues.

Recent recommendations still rostered in less than 50 percent of leagues: Amir Coffey, Luke Kennard, Royce O’Neale, Justin Holiday, Kevin Huerter, Matisse Thybulle, Dorian Finney-Smith, Kevon Looney, Isaiah Jackson, Devin Vassell, Otto Porter Jr., Patrick Beverley, Trey Lyles, Onyeka Okongwu, Brandon Clarke, Alperen Sengun, Nicolas Batum, Thaddeus Young, Hamidou Diallo, Cory Joseph, Goran Dragic