Pickups: Harper, Sexton, Hayes among top players to add

Being in the fantasy basketball playoffs means the margin for error is gone, the need for available players is at its peak and, in daily transaction leagues, the ability to find the right streamers can often be the difference between falling short and winning a title.

Before you start making moves, keep the schedule in mind. The Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings don’t play until Wednesday, while the New Orleans Pelicans don’t play until Thursday. The Nuggets and Trail Blazers also have just two games this week.

Your core players stay put, but this is the time to be aggressive with your fringe roster spots. Here are the players to consider this week.

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Resources:
Rankings | Adds/Drops | Scoring leaders
Player Rater | Depth charts | Schedule | Injuries

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Point Guard

Daniss Jenkins, PG, Detroit Pistons (41.6% rostered in ESPN leagues): Jenkins has stepped in admirably with Cade Cunningham sidelined, as he’s averaged 34.8 fantasy points per game over his last eight contests. He contributes across multiple statistical categories, making him a strong option in both points and category formats. The Pistons also have three more games this week, which only boosts his value. Jenkins is a must-add if he’s still available in your league.

Dylan Harper, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs (34.7% rostered): The rookie is trending up at the right time for a Spurs team chasing the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot in the Western Conference. Harper has scored at least 25 fantasy points in six of his last seven games, including five performances with 31 or more and two with at least 40. With three games remaining this week, Harper is an excellent option in both points and category formats.

Shooting Guard

Collin Sexton, SG/PG, Chicago Bulls (34.5% rostered): Sexton continues to find ways to produce, even without a consistent starting role, and his scoring surge has been huge for managers trusting him down the stretch in both points and category formats. Chicago’s guard rotation has been hit hard by injuries, and Sexton has taken full advantage of the opportunity. He’s averaged 31.0 fantasy points per game in March, leading the team, while also logging 26.3 minutes per game over that span. Sexton also provides a well-rounded stat line with points, rebounds, assists, steals and 3-pointers.

Gary Payton II, SG, Golden State Warriors (10.2% rostered): Payton has been a valuable role player for the Warriors over the last few seasons, primarily due to his defensive versatility, but he has recently put himself on the fantasy radar with increased offensive production as Golden State navigates multiple injuries. He has averaged 30.3 fantasy points per game over his last 10 contests and is worth a look for managers trying to lock down a fantasy championship.

Small Forward

Royce O’Neale, SF, Phoenix Suns (14.6% rostered): Despite scoring just 13 and 12 fantasy points in his last two games, O’Neale has remained involved in the rotation for a Suns team dealing with injuries to Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen. Since the All-Star break, he has averaged 22.0 fantasy points and 27.5 minutes per game. O’Neale is a solid option in both points and category formats with three games remaining this week, especially for managers in need of points, 3-pointers, steals and blocks.

Will Riley, SF/SG, Washington Wizards (7.9% rostered): Riley has emerged as a reliable fantasy option for a Wizards team dealing with an extensive list of injuries. The rookie has averaged 23.5 fantasy points per game in 20 contests since the All-Star break, showing consistent production in an expanded role. He should remain a fixture in Washington’s rotation, and with three games remaining this week, Riley offers solid streaming value for managers in need of wing production.

Power Forward

Sandro Mamukelashvili, PF, Toronto Raptors (13.2% rostered): Mamukelashvili has scored at least 34 fantasy points in three of his last four games, including a 60-point performance. He provides managers with points, rebounds, assists, steals and 3-pointers, making him a strong multi-category contributor. The Raptors have four games this week, including a Tuesday-Wednesday back-to-back and two more over the weekend, which boosts his value. Toronto also has rotation players who may sit in back-to-back, which adds to Mamukelashvili’s appeal. The journeyman big man is on his third team in five seasons, but he has carved out a steady role in the Raptors frontcourt that managers should look to capitalize on.

Oso Ighodaro, PF, Phoenix Suns (13.4% rostered): Ighodaro continues to provide solid all-around production for the Suns with Mark Williams sidelined by a foot injury. He has averaged 32.2 fantasy points per game over his last eight contests and contributes across nearly every statistical category. The one drawback is Ighodaro’s free throw shooting, which has been a concern at 42.1% during that stretch. Regardless, he remains a worthwhile addition for managers in need of frontcourt production as they look to position their team for a championship.

Center

Jaxson Hayes, C, Los Angeles Lakers (10.0% rostered): Hayes is playing too well right now for the Lakers to ignore. He provides managers with points, rebounds, steals and blocks, which positions him as a strong addition in any format. Hayes has scored at least 35 fantasy points in four consecutive games, including one performance with 53. The Lakers have three games remaining this week, which further boosts his value.

Paul Reed, C/PF, Detroit Pistons (4.2% rostered): Reed has a clear path to minutes in a Pistons frontcourt currently dealing with injuries. Jalen Duren sat out Monday’s game with a knee injury and could return Tuesday against the Raptors, while Isaiah Stewart has been dealing with a calf injury and does not appear close to returning. Reed has averaged 14.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.8 BPG and 1.8 SPG in games this season in which he has played at least 20 minutes.