Welcome to Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Week 15! The trade deadline has come and gone. While there was not a whole lot of movement compared to years past, there was still enough to clearly focus on which teams would rebuild. This article will mostly discuss young players from those rebuilding teams as well as a player who will benefit with more playing time due to injuries. Week 15 means we are getting closer and closer to the end of the regular season so now is the time to start thinking about long-term pickups for the playoffs.

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 15.

PG Theo Maledon, OKC (DAL, TOR, @PHX, @POR)

George Hill is now with the Sixers and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is currently injured. This seems like the perfect opportunity for Theo Maledon to provide quality stats in their absence. In his first start after the trade deadline, Meldon had 22 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 three-pointers made. Like a lot of teams on this list, the Thunder will start to lean on their young players to find out what they have in them. Maledon should play a considerable amount for the rest of the year even when SGA comes back. The Thunder play four games this week.

SG Dwayne Bacon, ORL (@LAC, @NO, @UTAH, @DEN)

After the trade deadline, the Magic are set to rebuild the rest of the year. The first Magic waiver suggestion is Dwayne Bacon. If Bacon continues to start for the Magic, he can arguably be the best fantasy player on the team considering they need someone besides Terrence Ross to step up. In the two games after the trade deadline, Bacon averaged 21.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. I’m looking for Bacon to continue to play a lot. The Magic play four games this week.

SF Jae’Sean Tate, HOU (MEM, @BKN, @BOS, NO)

Jae’Sean Tate is yet again on a waiver wire list as a possible pickup. The Rockets are clearly trying to figure out their rotation pieces going forward. Tate will have ample time to show that he fits with what the Rockets want to do especially after the Rockets traded away Victor Oladipo. Since the trade deadline, Tate has averaged 10.0 points, 8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals while shooting 50-percent from the field. If you need help in any defensive stats, Tate could be a good source down the stretch. The Rockets play four games this week.

PF Chuma Okeke, ORL (@LAC, @NO, @UTAH, @DEN)

Chuma Okeke has the opportunity to be the Magic starting power forward for the rest of the season. In his previous two games as a starter, Okeke averaged 18.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.5 three-pointers made while shooting 54-percent from the field. It’s hard to predict who will eventually step up for the Magic, but Okeke has shown he belongs in this league. The Magic play four games this week.

C Nerlens Noel, NY (MIA, @MIN, DAL, @DET)

Mitchell Robinson is unfortunately injured again. Nerlens Noel has played well in his role as the starter and will once again assume the role. The Knicks want to make the playoffs. Noel will have to be a big contributor down the stretch as the defensive anchor for coach Thibs. He should provide quality stats in both rebounds and blocks for the rest of the season. The Knicks play four games this week.

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