March 7 Fantasy Basketball Takeaways: Top Rookies and Waiver Wire Options | Jaden Ivey, Malaki Branham, Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Stewart, Brandin Podziemski and More

Taking a look at some of the top performances from waiver wire options across NBA games played March 7.

All seven NBA games on Thursday finished within seven points, which is always a positive thing.

There also were a number of strong individual performances, and we’re about to dive into the best outings from waiver wire options and rookies.

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Waiver Wire Options

We’ll open today’s conversation by discussing Detroit Pistons’ Jaden Ivey, who is rostered in 77% of leagues. He finished 10-of-17 from the floor on his way to scoring 34 points in the team’s win over the Brooklyn Nets. He also had three rebounds and two assists and steals across 39 minutes.

Ivey was simply on fire on Thursday, making six 3-pointers and all eight of his free throws in the contest. The 34 points was the second most he’s scored in a game this season.

Ivey has been one of Detroit’s better players all season and has scored in double figures in six straight games now. He’s averaging 17.8 points, 3 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks across 30.3 minutes over that span. You’d like to see him provide more than just points, but it’s hard to pass on a guy capable of scoring 30 points. I’m at least adding Ivey for the next few games to see if he can stay hot.

Toronto Raptors’ Gary Trent Jr., owned in 56% of leagues, posted 30 points and three rebounds across 36 minutes in the team’s loss to the Phoenix Suns. He made half of his 22 field goal attempts and five of his 13 3-point attempts.

The 30-point showing set a new season high for Trent, who has now scored in double figures in seven of the past eight games (missing the mark by a single point in his lone time under double figures). Much like Ivey, he’s mostly been just scoring over that stretch, with averages of 16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1 steal and 0.3 blocks. 

The averages for Trent are just below what Ivey is posting, so I’d prioritize Ivey, but consider Trent as a streaming option for the time being if Ivey is unavailable. 

Phoenix’s Grayson Allen is next up. He’s owned in 75% of leagues and recorded 26 points, three rebounds and assists and one block across 39 minutes in the team’s win. Allen made eight field goals (all 3-pointers).

That’s now back-to-back games that Allen has made eight 3-pointers, which means he could be at the start of a hot stretch. He’d failed to reach double figures in the three games before the last two, so while the hot streak could be short lived, I’m still taking a chance on him and streaming him for at least a couple of games.

San Antonio Spurs’ Malaki Branham, rostered in 17% of leagues, finished with 23 points, four assists, two steals and one rebound across 26 minutes off the bench in the team’s loss to the Sacramento Kings. 

Victor Wembanyama was inactive for San Antonio, but Branham has been playing well for an extended stretch already. He went over 20 points for a second straight game, and has reached double figures in eight of the past 10 contests now. He doesn’t do a whole lot else on the court, but he should be utilized in deeper leagues on his scoring alone, at least until he cools off a bit.

Zach Collins, owned in 46% of leagues, started with Wembanyama out and finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists across 30 minutes.

Collins showed that he needs to be streamed if Wembamyama were to miss any more games this season, regardless of what kind of league you are in. When Wembamyama is playing, Collins gets anywhere from 13-20 minutes a game, so that limits his fantasy ceiling, but he’s still a good option in deeper leagues.

Brooklyn’s Lonnie Walker IV, owned in 19% of leagues, totaled 21 points, four rebounds and one assist across 29 minutes off the bench in the team’s loss.

Walker played 29 minutes for a second straight game, which could be a sign of things to come with Ben Simmons now out for the season. Cameron Johnson was also out, which helped Walker play and score a bit more than normal. I’d add Walker in deeper formats, at least until Johnson comes back - Walker has scored in double figures in three straight and four of the past five contests, so I’m trying to take advantage of that while I can.

Miami Heat’s Duncan Robinson, owned in 71% of leagues, registered 19 points, four rebounds and two assists across 30 minutes in the team’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Five of his seven field goals were 3-pointers.

Robinson has made at least two triples in five straight games, which coincides with him scoring in double figures. He’s done a bit more on the court aside from scoring, averaging 3.6 rebounds and assists, 1.4 steals and 0.4 blocks across 34.2 minutes, which is enough for me to at least consider him in all formats. With the amount of minutes he’s getting, I’m at least stashing him on my bench for the time being.

Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart, owned in 59% of leagues, recorded eight points and 10 rebounds across 32 minutes in the team’s win.

It was the first time Stewart failed to score in double figures over the past five games, but first time he’s reached double-digit boards over that span. He’s played between 27-36 minutes over that timeframe, which is more than enough time to rack up decent numbers. There’s probably some better options out there on the waiver wire, but between the points and boards, Stewart is a fine option himself.

San Antonio’s Tre Jones totaled just two points, but also had 12 assists and five rebounds across 24 minutes in the team’s loss. He’s rostered in 84% of leagues.

Jones actually only attempted one shot in the game, but the assist numbers obviously should still stand out to you. He’s only scored eight points over the past three games, but has 19 assists over that span.

Until he starts scoring some more, I’d actually advise fantasy owners to look elsewhere for fantasy help. Jones can post some respectable fantasy numbers on his assists alone, but those aren’t always there either. I’d try my luck with another fantasy player until Jones gets going offensively again - I’d still hang on to him in deeper leagues though.

Top Rookies

Detroit’s Ausar Thompson had a big game in the team’s win. He posted 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal and block across 43 minutes. Thompson is owned in 80% of leagues right now.

Even though this was Thompson’s first game scoring in double figures in three contests, he has consistently filled the stat sheet in other areas. He’s playing a ton of minutes, and that should continue for the rest of the season. His own percentage likely won’t jump until he can score closer to 20 points a game, but it might only take a single big scoring game to have that percentage jump, so keep a very close eye on him.

Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr., owned in 48% of leagues, finished with 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal across 28 minutes off the bench.

It was the rookie’s third straight game scoring in double figures. He continues to fill the stat sheet pretty well, along with playing just under 30 minutes. His own percentage won’t jump up until he scores a bit more, but he should be utilized in deeper leagues and dynasties for the time being.

Toronto’s Gradey Dick, owned in 17% of leagues, totaled 12 points and two rebounds across 31 minutes off the bench on Thursday.

He’s struggled shooting the ball of late, but he’s still worth noting because he’s playing a ton of minutes and can get hot from 3-point land. I still view him as a deep league/dynasty option, even if you don’t feel comfortable playing him right now.

Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski, rostered in 49% of leagues, had 11 points, four rebounds and assists and one steal across 27 minutes in the team’s loss to the Chicago Bulls.

It was his first time scoring in double figures in six games, but he’s continued to fill the stat sheet otherwise over that span. For the time being, he’s a deep league/dynasty option, but when he gets hot offensively again, I wouldn’t waste any time picking him up in standard leagues.

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