With the All-Star break firmly over and the NBA fully back in action, fantasy managers are faced with the prospect of the postseason only two weeks away. Whether a manager just needs to fortify a potent roster or is desperately trying to make the playoffs, there are players available that can help. Of course, identifying those players is the challenge. To that end, this fantasy basketball playoff push edition is here to help accomplish whatever is needed. Let’s not hesitate another second and see what awaits.

Point Guards

Tre Mann, Oklahoma City Thunder, 3.3% Rostered

When surveying the fantasy landscape, there may not be a widely available waiver option playing better basketball than Tre Mann. With the injury and unknown return of Josh Giddey, the arrow is certainly pointing up for Mann right now. Over his past four games, Mann has played a minimum of 31 minutes in each of them. Additionally, he has scored at least 22 points in three of the four.

Best of all, with the exception of blocks, Mann provides numbers across the fantasy spectrum. His game against Phoenix is a prime example of that. Mann pulled down five rebounds, had six assists and four steals. He has averaged right around five rebounds and five assists in his last three games. Add it together, and managers need to get to the wire and add this sparkplug before Mann vanishes for good.

Aaron Holiday, Phoenix Suns, 1.8% Rostered

After recovering from an injured ankle, Aaron Holiday is ready to step into Phoenix’s lineup for the foreseeable future. Holiday’s return couldn’t come at a better time for the Suns. Right now, the team is having injury issues with other notable players such as Chris Paul and Cameron Payne. Obviously, no one replaces Paul, but Holiday can hold the position down until Paul does return, which is some weeks away.

As for Payne, his return is expected shortly. Even so, Holiday should see plenty of court time while Paul recovers. While only playing 21 minutes against the Jazz Sunday, his minutes total should rise beginning with the Suns’ next game, scheduled for Wednesday against Portland. Prior to his ankle injury, Holiday combined for 21 points, five rebounds, 11 assists and two steals in games against the Thunder and Rockets. Holiday should be able to contribute stats across the fantasy spectrum and would be a nice pickup until Paul makes his return.

Shooting Guards

Kevin Huerter, Atlanta Hawks, 13.3% Rostered

After having been already discussed previously, Kevin Huerter makes a return appearance here. Undoubtedly, there is good reason for it. Over his past 11 games, Huerter has scored in double figures in eight of them. In addition, he provides fantasy relevant numbers across the board in rebounds, assists and steals.

As if the above wasn’t good enough, Huerter can even provide the occasional block. Best of all, he has scored more than 27 fantasy points in five of his last seven games. He also has played 29 or more minutes in six of his last eight games. Add it all up, and Huerter definitely belongs on this fantasy basketball playoff push edition.

Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs, 16.9% Rostered

When it comes to contributing numbers across the fantasy sphere, few players can match Devin Vassell. While players shuffle in and out of the Spurs’ lineup, Vassell is a mainstay, having notched at least 27 minutes of court action in 10 of his last 12 games. Vassell can score, having seven double digit point games in that 12-game span. He can rebound, with at least five in four straight games.

Further, he can dish the basketball, with at least four assists in five of his last six games. He even forces opponents to turn the ball over, with steals in ten of his last 11 contests. Vassell will even give managers the occasional block. Best of all, he has at least 26 fantasy points in seven of eight games. Whatever the size of the fantasy league, Vassell has value. Add the fact he also qualifies as a small forward, and Vassell has a place on any roster.

Small Forwards

Dorian Finney-Smith, Dallas Mavericks, 15.9% Rostered

Without question, finding a player that is a starter on a playoff bound team that is rostered in only 16 percent of leagues is nearly impossible. However, such is the case with Dorian Finney-Smith. He is on the floor when the Mavericks suit up for a game. As proof, the stats reveal that Finney-Smith has averaged 36 or more minutes of court time in nine of his last 11 games.

Further, he has scored in double figures in 11 of his last 14 games. In addition, he has kicked his rebounding average to 6.5, up from 4.8, over the last week. He doesn’t provide much in the way of assists or steals, although he has had three steals in a game multiple times this season. Ideally, anyone that plays alongside Luka Dončić will see his stats lifted in each contest. Clearly, Finney-Smith belongs on this fantasy basketball playoff push edition.

Denji Avdija, Washington Wizards, 5.8% Rostered

Without doubt, Deni Avdija turned in a dud of a game on Saturday against Cleveland. However, prior to that, Avdija was playing the best basketball of anyone below the six percent rostered figure. Before the flameout against the Cavaliers, Avdija played at least 31 minutes in five of six games. He filled up the stat sheets with double digits in points in six consecutive games, and at least seven rebounds in four straight.

Further, Avdija gets managers fantasy points with assists in nine in a row and steals in eight of nine. Even better, he had at least 26 fantasy points in five of six games before disappearing against Cleveland. It is the bet here that Saturday’s game is the exception and not the rule for Avdija. The Wizards have nothing to play for and it makes sense for them to get their young talent maximum game exposure. Seeing as how Avdija is only 21, he certainly qualifies as a youngster. Ignore Saturday and get Avdija on the roster today.

Power Forwards

Chuma Okeke, Orlando Magic, 8.4% Rostered

When surveying the waiver wire, one of the widest power forwards available is Chuma Okeke. Any more performances like he had against Houston Friday, and that certainly won’t be the case for long. Okeke had his highest scoring game of the season, blistering the Rockets with 26 points. However, the points weren’t his only contribution to the Magic as Okeke finished with nine rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. Totaling it all up, Okeke provided any manager fortunate enough to start him with 69 fantasy points.

Obviously, expecting that kind of production on a nightly basis from Okeke is a fool’s errand. However, he has scored at least 22 fantasy points in eight straight games. Additionally, he has provided stats in all the categories of points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks in six of his last eight appearances. Without question, that less than 10 percent rostered figure will vanish quickly. Okeke had earned a solid position on this fantasy basketball playoff push edition.

Oshae Brissett, Indiana Pacers, 15.4% Rostered

Within the past few days, the question of whether or not to roster Oshae Brissett has been asked frequently. Undoubtedly, the answer to that question is an absolute yes. Over his last three games, Brissett has played a minimum of 31 minutes in each. Going back even further, Brissett has been on the court for 27 or more minutes in eight straight. Over that time, he has scored 17 or more points four times, with a high of 27 against Boston Sunday.

If that was all to Brissett’s game, it would be enough to roster him, but it isn’t. Brissett can fill a stat sheet on a nightly basis, especially over the past seven days. He has kicked his scoring average from 7.6 to 14.3 and his rebounds from 4.9 to nine a game. In fact, his stats have improved in every category in the past week. Best point of all, Brissett has scored 33 or more fantasy points in five of his last seven. Like all of the other players listed here, his ownership is sure to fly sky high. Acting now would be a very smart move.

Centers

Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans Pelicans, 5.7% Rostered

Another player with an unexplainably low roster rate is Jaxson Hayes. Ever since Valentine’s Day, Hayes is a player that managers should want to have on their teams. Hayes has scored in double figures in four of five games since that date. Further, Hayes has at least five rebounds in four straight, with a high of nine coming on Sunday against the Lakers. Best of all, Hayes has scored at least 24 fantasy points in five consecutive contests.

After a disappearing act in two games just before Valentines, Hayes looks to be returning to the player that scored 49 and 50 fantasy points in consecutive games in early February. The Pelicans have shuffled the roster plenty since the trade deadline. Even so, New Orleans is sure to want the 21-year-old in their lineup down the stretch as much as possible. As such, Hayes certainly warrants a place on fantasy rosters, regardless of format.

Precious Achiuwa, Toronto Raptors, 5% Rostered

Indeed, it is a rare occurrence to see a player increase his worth to his team in five consecutive games. However, that is exactly the place that Precious Achiuwa finds himself in. Ever since the February 12th game against Denver, Achiuwa has increased his minutes played in every game. Anyone wondering what Achiuwa is capable of only needs to look at Saturday’s game against Atlanta to get the answer.

Playing his most minutes since January 19, Achiuwa scored 21 points to go along with nine rebounds in 30 minutes. Best of all, he scored 40 fantasy points. In addition, Achiuwa is certainly a good rebounder, as his 6.9 per game attests. He hasn’t shown himself to be good at setting up teammates, but Achiuwa tied his season high with four assists Monday. Now that his teammate OG Anunoby is out for an unknown period, Achiuwa should see more court time. That five percent roster percentage is sure to shoot through the roof. Act now before regret sets in.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy basketball playoff push edition! As always, I welcome suggestions, questions and input from all of my readers. Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports & Picks for all the latest MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and all the sports news!