Week 4 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups: Don't Sleep On Isaiah Hartenstein!
Week 3 of the fantasy basketball season is in full swing and pinpointing the right players on the waiver wire could be the difference between a championship and missing the playoffs outright. Fantasy basketball owners also need to be wary about overreactions to small sample sizes. Don’t get rid of a guy just because he hasn’t lived up to his expectations five games into the season. Patience is key…
That being said, fantasy owners who took a chance on Trey Murphy III have been rewarded. Six games into the season, the youngster is averaging 15 points, six rebounds, and over a steal per game. And he isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. That’s why being active on the waiver wire early in the season is critical. Bol Bol is another example of someone fantasy owners let slip right through their fingertips. Don’t be surprised if the big man averages a double-double this season.
Sometimes you simply have to pull the trigger and take a shot on waivers. Although Dennis Smith, Trey Murphy, and Bol Bol have been absolute gems thus far and as a result are likely owned in your league, several more players who could earn serious playing time and produce at a high rate are still available on the waiver wire. New York's Isaiah Hartenstein is just one of many potential options. Let’s examine the top free agents at each position.
However, fantasy managers in weekly leagues must remember how many games each player will suit up for in the upcoming week. Check out each team’s slated schedule in Week 4.
​​Monday, November 7, 2022 - Sunday, November 13, 2022 NBA Schedule
|
TEAM |
GAMES |
MON |
TUE |
WED |
THU |
FRI |
SAT |
SUN |
|
# Games Played |
55 |
15 |
0 |
13 |
4 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
|
Atlanta Hawks |
4 |
MIL |
|
UTA |
PHI |
|
@PHI |
|
|
Boston Celtics |
4 |
@MEM |
|
DET |
|
DEN |
@DET |
|
|
Brooklyn Nets |
4 |
@DAL |
|
NYK |
|
|
@LAC |
@LAL |
|
4 |
WAS |
|
POR |
@MIA |
|
@MIA |
|
|
|
Chicago Bulls |
3 |
TOR |
|
NOP |
|
|
|
DEN |
|
Cleveland Cavaliers |
4 |
@LAC |
|
@SAC |
|
@GSW |
|
MIN |
|
Dallas Mavericks |
4 |
BRO |
|
@ORL |
@WAS |
|
POR |
|
|
Denver Nuggets |
4 |
@SAS |
|
@IND |
|
@BOS |
|
@CHI |
|
Detroit Pistons |
4 |
OKL |
|
@BOS |
|
@NYK |
BOS |
|
|
Golden State Warriors |
3 |
SAC |
|
|
|
CLE |
|
@SAC |
|
Houston Rockets |
3 |
@ORL |
|
@TOR |
|
|
@NOP |
|
|
Indiana Pacers |
3 |
NOP |
|
DEN |
|
|
TOR |
|
|
Los Angeles Clippers |
3 |
CLE |
|
LAL |
|
|
BRO |
|
|
Los Angeles Lakers |
4 |
@UTA |
|
@LAC |
|
SAC |
|
BRO |
|
Memphis Grizzlies |
4 |
BOS |
|
@SAS |
|
MIN |
|
@WAS |
|
Miami Heat |
3 |
POR |
|
|
CHA |
|
CHA |
|
|
Milwaukee Bucks |
3 |
@ATL |
|
@OKL |
|
@SAS |
|
|
|
Minnesota Timberwolves |
4 |
NYK |
|
PHX |
|
@MEM |
|
@CLE |
|
New Orleans Pelicans |
4 |
@IND |
|
@CHI |
POR |
|
HOU |
|
|
New York Knicks |
4 |
@MIN |
|
@BRO |
|
DET |
|
OKL |
|
Oklahoma City Thunder |
4 |
@DET |
|
MIL |
|
TOR |
|
@NYK |
|
Orlando Magic |
3 |
HOU |
|
DAL |
|
PHX |
|
|
|
Philadelphia 76ers |
4 |
PHX |
|
|
@ATL |
|
ATL |
UTA |
|
Phoenix Suns |
3 |
@PHI |
|
@MIN |
|
@ORL |
|
|
|
Portland Trail Blazers |
4 |
@MIA |
|
@CHA |
@NOP |
|
@DAL |
|
|
Sacramento Kings |
4 |
@GSW |
|
CLE |
|
@LAL |
|
GSW |
|
San Antonio Spurs |
3 |
DEN |
|
MEM |
|
MIL |
|
|
|
Toronto Raptors |
4 |
@CHI |
|
HOU |
|
@OKL |
@IND |
|
|
Utah Jazz |
4 |
LAL |
|
@ATL |
|
|
@WAS |
@PHI |
|
Washington Wizards |
4 |
@CHA |
|
|
DAL |
|
UTA |
MEM |
With no teams stuck only playing two games this week, everyone is on the table as a potential pickup off the waiver wire. Now, let’s examine the top available free agents heading into Week 4 of the fantasy basketball season!
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Guards
PG Jose Alvarado, New Orleans Pelicans (14.72% Owned)
For every second Alvarado is on the floor for the Pelicans, he looks like the hardest-working player. He’s hustling constantly, looking to steal balls and create plays. When defenses aren’t expecting him to score, he gets crafty down low to compensate for his small stature and still manages to produce some offense for New Orleans. Though he’s averaged just 21.3 minutes off of the bench for the Pels through the first six games of the season, he’s producing 7.8 PPG (43.9 FG%), 2.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He struggled in his last start, finishing the night with zero points on 0-of-5 shooting from the field. In four of the six games he’s played this season, Alvarado shot at least 50% from the field. While he doesn’t shoot a lot, he makes it count when he does. He’s able to sneak to the basket and blow past slower bigs. Alvarado is just a pain in the butt for opposing teams, and that’s because he is hustling 100% of the time. In addition, the Pelicans have four games in Week 4, which means Alvarado should have solid fantasy value. If you need steals and assists, Alverado might make sense but he shouldn't be owned in shallower formats.
PG Bones Hyland, Denver Nuggets (33.56% Owned)
One of Bones Hyland’s biggest strengths is his ability to turn it on and be lethal from three-point range. This season, Hyland has seen a mere 18.2 minutes per contest yet he's averaging 12 PPG on 34.9% shooting from the field. While he is converting less than 35% of his shots from the field so far, he’s converted on 43.8% of his attempts from downtown. The coaching staff has clearly given him the green light to shoot the ball. His ability as a shooter was on full display against the Jazz on October 28. Hyland erupted for 26 points in 24 minutes on 7-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc. Hyland is more effective as a scorer than as a ball-handler. With Jamal Murray back, Hyland’s focus coming off of the bench for the Nuggets should be scoring. Since the Nuggets play four games in Week 4, Hyland could easily be started at guard in fantasy basketball leagues heading into Week 4. It doesn't hurt that two of his opponents (the Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs) both rank in the bottom third of the league at defending opposing guards.
PG/SG De’Anthony Melton, Philadelphia 76ers (58.86% Owned)
De’Anthony Melton has stepped up for the 76ers significantly and has owned the sixth man role to start the season with his new team. Melton is averaging 9.5 points per game on 51.7% shooting from the field, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.0 steals in 22.5 minutes per game. Melton has scored in double-figures in each of the last five consecutive games so he's providing a steady source of points and steals on a nightly basis. The 76ers also have four games in Week 4 which should give Melton plenty of opportunities to produce big fantasy numbers off the bench beginning Monday night against the Phoenix Suns.
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PG Tyus Jones, Memphis Grizzlies (34.58% Owned)
In a backup role for the Grizzlies, Tyus Jones is excelling through his first seven games of the regular season. He’s logging 25.6 minutes per game and posting 13.3 points (46.3 FG%), 2.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per contest. He’s seen his minutes increase somewhat in comparison to last season where he averaged 21.2 MPG through a total of 73 games played in 2021-2022. Jones remains available in more than 65% of fantasy basketball leagues at the moment. He’s been reliable as a guard coming off of the bench for the Grizzlies over the last few seasons. Now he could be seeing an uptick in minutes and production coming off of the bench. This could especially be the case as a result of De’Anthony Melton’s move to Philadelphia this offseason. And if Ja Morant ever goes down, Jones' value would skyrocket through the roof!
Forwards
SF/SG Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets (19.02 % Owned)
Veteran sharpshooter Eric Gordon doesn’t seem to be losing a step to kick off his 15th NBA season. He’s played in five of the Rockets’ first seven games. He’s averaged 15.0 PPG (48.1 FG%), 2.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 31.8 minutes per game. In fact, Gordon has scored in double-digits in every game he’s played in so far this season. He’s shot above 50% and scored at least 16 points in each of his last two contests. Though Gordon has only played in five games this season, he’s shooting very well. While he may be given some nights off for rest throughout the year for the Rockets, Gordon is off to another efficient start as a scorer for the Houston Rockets.
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SF/SG Royce O’Neale, Brooklyn Nets (61.33% Owned)
In his first season with the Nets and away from the Utah Jazz, Royce O’Neale is seeing a significant uptick in scoring. Through the first eight games of the season, O’Neale is seeing 36.9 minutes per game and is producing 10.8 PPG (41 FG%), 4.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and nearly one block. While the Nets knew they were getting a heck of a defensive talent in O’Neale, he’s certainly scoring more than most would expect. He averaged 7.4 PPG last season and 7.0 PPG in 2020 for the Utah Jazz. While he isn’t necessarily shooting the ball more efficiently, he is taking more shots per game than he ever has in his career. The Nets need someout outside the big three to step up and O'Neale could be that guy. Scoop him up off waivers before it's too late.
SF/PF Jalen McDaniels, Charlotte Hornets (49.78% Owned)
McDaniels is seeing a more active role for the Hornets to kick off the 2022-23 season. He’s playing a career-high 25 minutes per game to start the season and is averaging 10.0 PPG, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists through his first seven games played for the Hornets this season. He’s converted 14-of-23 shots from downtown, meaning he's nailing threes at a 60+% clip. So long as McDaniels continues to produce, he's worthy of a roster spot.
PF Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers (45.83% Owned)
In his last game, Kevin Love went off for a signature performance off the bench. He scored 29 points (9-14 FG), converting on 8-of-13 three-pointers taken in just 22 minutes against the Knicks. He also produced eight rebounds and one assist in the contest. While Love won’t score in double-figures every night, he’s averaging 20 minutes per game and is scoring 11.7 points (46.9 FG% & 47.2 3PT%) and hauling in 7.7 rebounds. As the season keeps rolling, the 34-year-old power forward will continue to see opportunities. He is available in more than 50% of fantasy basketball leagues at the moment. Love is a solid source of points, rebounds, threes, and even percentages.
PF Jeff Green, Denver Nuggets (5.00% Owned)
Jeff Green is another veteran forward with some decent fantasy value early on in the season. That said, Green should only be added in the deepest of leagues. He is averaging 8.9 PPG, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in less than 20 minutes per contest for the Nuggets this season. While he isn’t necessarily a guy you want to start on your roster, he certainly has enough value to be added to your bench. He’s consistently produced for well-over a decade on different teams in this league. He’s still playing efficient basketball coming off of the bench, shooting 48.8% from the field through his first seven games of the regular season.
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SF Justise Winslow, Portland Trail Blazers (7.44% Owned)
Justise Winslow is a talented player out of Duke who unfortunately has had an injury-riddled NBA career. He’s only combined to play 85 total games over the last three seasons (2019-2021). Now in his first full season for the Portland Trail Blazers, Winslow is producing 7.6 PPG, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and almost one block per game in less than 25 minutes per game this season. While a lot of uncertainty surrounds Winslow’s fantasy value, especially due to his injury-prone nature, he is a forward who is off to a solid start this season and is available in more than 90% of fantasy basketball leagues.
Centers
C Isaiah Harternstein, New York Knicks (48.73% Owned)
New York's new big man is averaging 9.2 PPG, 8.0 REBs, one steal, and one block per game in 25 minutes of action off the bench. Hartenstein is actually averaging more minutes per game than Knicks’ starting center Mitchell Robinson (24.0 MPG) despite coming off of the bench. Hartenstein is making the most of every minute and his hustle and great work effort rub off on his teammates. For a guy who is available as a free agent in more than 50% of fantasy leagues, he might be the most interesting big man to target from waivers as we approach Week 4 of the fantasy basketball season. It doesn't hurt that the Knicks play four games this week including one matchup against an Oklahoma City Thunder team that allows the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing centers.
C Zach Collins, San Antonio Spurs (15.83% Owned)
In Collins’ first seven games of the regular season, the big man is averaging 8.3 PPG, 3.9 REBs, 2.9 ASTs, and 1.4 BLKs in just 16.3 minutes per contest coming off of the bench for the San Antonio Spurs. He is yet another big man with fantasy value who is widely available as a free agent in fantasy leagues. It is noteworthy that his minutes per game seem to have increased progressively since the season began. He’s gotten at least 17 minutes per game in each of his last four contests. He played 23 minutes for nine points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in San Antonio’s 107-98 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. While Collins isn’t going to be averaging 25 MPG (at least for the time being), he is trending upwards as the season keeps rolling. It seems like Greg Poppovich might lean on Collins, who is shooting efficiently from the field and from downtown. Right now, Collins is available to claim from waivers in more than 80% of fantasy basketball leagues.
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