Welcome to Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Week 18! For some, the fantasy playoffs have begun. This is the time to get ahead of the competition and prepare for the trials ahead. The following players listed can not only help for this week but for the rest of the playoffs as well. Each player helps in different categories so make sure to check what categories you want to concentrate on and pick up accordingly.

As always, do not feel obligated to pick up anyone if you do not have room on your roster. I will be providing weekly waiver wire pickup suggestions that are mainly for nine-category leagues. The picks are based on players being rostered in less than 30-percent of fantasy basketball teams. Here are some waiver wire pickups for week 18.

PG Cole Anthony, ORL (@ATL, NO, IND)

Cole Anthony was mentioned in last week’s article, but yet he is still available in less than 30-percent of leagues. The Magic are going to use the rest of the year to evaluate the players they have and that very much includes Anthony. Cole Anthony has started the previous two games with Michael Carter-Williams out. In those starts, Anthony averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists. The Magic do only play three games this week, but it’s a good speculative add for this week and beyond. Anthony will still get his playing time when the Magic are at full health.

SG Grayson Allen, MEM (@DEN, @LAC, @POR, @POR)

The Grizzlies are very much still in the playoff picture and part of that is because of their established deep rotation. Grayson Allen has established himself as a key member of their rotation. In the past three games, Allen has averaged 20.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.3 three-pointers made while shooting 54-percent from the field. Allen should continue to be a great source for three-pointers made down the stretch. The Grizzlies play four games this week.

PF/C Isaiah Stewart, DET (CLE, @DAL, @SA, @IND)

Similar to the Magic, the Pistons are going to try and evaluate their roster the rest of the year. Even though technically Mason Plumlee is listed as the starting center, I can see Isaiah Stewart getting a lot of burn down the stretch. In the past three games, Stewart has averaged 15.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks while shooting 67-percent from the field. His motor and activity will help him find minutes on the floor and should continue to produce. Grab him before someone else does. The Pistons have four games this week.

C Daniel Gafford, WAS (OKC, GS, @OKC, CLE)

Daniel Gafford may not start, but the Wizards frontcourt is so thin that Gafford makes a difference. In the past two games, Gafford has averaged 13.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks while shooting 61-percent from the field. If you need help in rebounds and blocks, Gafford might be the sneaky pickup that will hopefully help your team in the fantasy playoffs. The Wizards play four games this week.

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