Fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups for NBA Week 21

We’re almost at the season-long fantasy basketball playoffs. This should be the last week of the regular season for you or you’re heading into the playoffs already. Either way, you’ll need to prep for the postseason and adding some fresh bodies is a good way to secure a championship. Maybe you’ve got some players you’ve been holding onto in hopes of a resurgence. It may be time to get rid of them and scoop up guys who are on the rise. Let’s go over some pickups to consider for NBA Week 21.

Jusuf Nurkic, C, Portland Trail Blazers (24.2 percent owned on ESPN)

Reports surfaced late last week that Nurkic is expected to return to the lineup on March 15 against the Houston Rockets. So this would be more of a stash and play move. Nurkic may be on a restriction when he returns, but he’s still a player that would likely be close to 100% ownership when healthy. If you need some help at center and you have a roster spot available, Nurkic is a good pickup. The Blazers have a pair of games against the T-Wolves in Week 22, which could be prime for your playoff matchup.

Brandon Knight, PG, Detroit Pistons (14.8 percent)

The Pistons are lacking in the point guard department, which has opened up a starting spot for Knight. Over the past six games, Knight’s numbers have been respectable at 15.8 points, 5.0 assists and a 44.4 3P%. He’s also averaging 27.1 minutes per contest over that stretch and it doesn’t look like Derrick Rose or Luka Kennard is going to get back into the lineup anytime soon. Even if they were to return, Knight should have a role as a true PG. In deeper formats, Knight isn’t a bad option off the bench to provide some scoring and 3-point shooting.

Juancho Hernangomez, SF/PF, Minnesota Timberwolves (23.3 percent)

The Timberwolves announced that Karl-Anthony Towns will need another two weeks with the fractured wrist. That means more Juancho! Over the past 12 games since being acquired from the Denver Nuggets, Hernangomez has filled in nicely as the starting PF for Minny. He’s averaging 13.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals while shooting 43.1% from 3-point range in 12 games. He’s seeing almost 30 minutes per contest as well. As long as KAT is sidelined, Juancho should see plenty of run and the T-Wolves play at a high pace.