Welcome back to another week of Fantasy basketball. Trying to figure out how to deal with all the injured guards right now? We’ll do our best to provide some alternatives that are available on the waiver wire.

This week, the Knicks continue to be ravaged by injuries (so think twice before backing them on FanDuel); Joel Embiid is planning to return this season no matter what; and suspended centre Thomas Bryant was allowed to participate in Denver’s championship ring rollout before being ushered out of the arena.

And now, let’s get to this week’s…

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Picks

Ziaire Williams, SG, Memphis Grizzlies (ESPN: 1.8 per cent; CBS: 18 per cent): Another guard back for a second helping in our column this season, Williams has bounced back with his three-point game after regressing as a sophomore. With all the injuries in Memphis, his PT is way up lately, and he’s started the last five games, flirting with double-doubles on Wednesday (16 points, eight boards, two treys) and Friday (nine points, five boards). Last month, Williams played nearly as much as he did at the beginning of the season, but he’s been much more efficient lately. There’s major upside here as an off the dribble scorer (see video below), and while he may not be a must-add right now in regular formats, he’s worth a roster spot in deeper leagues and should be considered a down-the-stretch sleeper.

Reggie Jackson, PG, Denver Nuggets (ESPN: 6.4 per cent; CBS: 24 per cent): In late-November, Jackson headlined our waiver wire picks while Jamal Murray was out, and sure enough Jackson was on fire that month, especially from downtown, before this PT and bucket count slipped in December. Now that Murray (ankle) is potentially out again, it’s time to jump all over Jackson for however long he’s starting. Jackson wasn’t great on Thursday, limited by foul trouble, but he did sink slightly more buckets last month. Murray’s ankle woe doesn’t sound super serious, so Jackson may just be a short-term add, but the Nuggets plan to be cautious here given Murray’s history with ankle injuries.

Fast Breaks

• Anthony Edwards‘ ankle woe sounds minor, but it’s come at a bad time considering how freaking hot he is right now. He gutted it out Friday, but was limited to 19 minutes before leaving early because his first child was about to be born. On Wednesday, he recorded his second straight 34-point effort, giving him six straight with 28 or more before Friday. Edwards has seen more PT the last couple of months, so it will be interesting to see how the Wolves handle his workload over the next couple of games, but if he misses a game or two because of his baby that will ensure he’s fully healed upon his return. Overall, it’s been another season of improvement for him, highlighted by career best work at the line.
• Malik Beasley has been inconsistent lately, but he had drained at least five three-pointers in two of the last three games (before Friday’s dud), and shot 46.5 per cent from deep for February. He’s seeing his most PT since 2020-21 and has proven to be a tremendous source of treys this season.
• Jayson Tatum‘s MVP case is getting stronger with each Boston win. He poured in 32 points on Friday, narrowly missed a triple double on Tuesday (29 points, 11 boards, eight assists), and saw more action while jacking up more shots last month. Tatum has been mostly healthy this season and has continued to improve his shooting (47.5 per cent from the field, matching his best mark set when he was a rookie).
• Gary Trent Jr. is getting the minutes lately, but has failed to top 13 points in any of his last four games. In fact, other than October, February was his worst scoring month this season, but at the very least he sure doesn’t hurt you with turnovers, boasting the lowest turnover rate in the NBA.

RotoRob Tune of the Day

John J. Mellencamp has been known previously as Johnny Cougar, John Cougar and John Cougar Mellencamp, the moniker he used for the first time on the 1983 album Uh-Huh, which was his seventh in total. “Pink Houses” was one of three Top 20 hits the album produced, this one reaching No. 8.