Hot Fantasy Basketball Pickups - Week 16

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In Week 10, when Isaiah Thomas was renamed the started for the Kings, we urged you to pick him up. Over the next 6 weeks, the ride has been anything but smooth, but IT2 is no longer just a hot pickup he is a must own player. Still available in 43% of leagues, Thomas has played at least 33 minutes in each of his last 5 games, and has taken the league by storm with insane averages of 19.4 points, 3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.8 threes, and is even getting to the line almost 6 times per game. If he's still available in your league, stop reading this article right away and go add him before anyone else does. Make sure you come back and read the rest though, there's some good stuff here!

Isaiah Thomas is now a must own fantasy player

The following players will not be discussed here because they are already owned in too many leagues, but should be owned: Byron Mullens, Andrea Bargnani, Danny Granger, Earl Clark, Nate Robinson and Jerryd Bayless

Now let’s take a look at the rest of the hot fantasy basketball pickups for Week 16.

Derrick Favors, UTA - With the trade deadline quickly approaching, it becomes increasingly likely that one of the Jazz's starting big men, Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap get moved to make room for Favors and to a lesser extent Enes Kanter. Despite getting only 22 minutes per game on the season, Favors has averaged 9.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.4 blocks. In a starting role, Favors could easily average 14 points, 9 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.0 blocks. If you have room to stash, there is no better guy to gamble on.

Derrick Favors could have a ton of value after the trade deadline if Jefferson or Millsap is moved

Martell Webster, WSH - After starting the season backing up Trevor Ariza at small forward, Webster has taken full control of the starting job by averaging 12.2 points, 3.8 boards, 2.4 assists and 1.8 threes in January. However, in February, Webster has taken his game to a new level scoring 15.6 points with a ridiculous 3.6 threes in addition to 3.2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.2 steals. Trevor Ariza has been playing significant minutes as well with Bradley Beal injured, but he is no longer a threat to Webster's minutes.

Danny Green, SA - Green has been a streaky player this season, and with Manu Ginobili injured he's picked a perfect time to get hot. Over his last five games, Green has played lights out with 17.8 points, 3.2 boards, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.4 blocks and an insane 4.4 three-pointers. The Spurs are expected to give Manu at least until after the all-star break to heal, so Green should continue to get time to shine.

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR - After Ed Davis was traded to Memphis, the Raptors have handed the reins at center to young rookie Valanciunas. He played 26 minutes on Friday scoring 14 points with 13 boards and 2 blocks, and followed that up on Sunday with 34 minutes scoring 11 points, grabbing 10 boards and blocking another two shots. Andrea Bargnani will be traded before the trade deadline and the Raptors are rebuilding so JV will continue to get all the minutes he can handle.

Jonas Valanciunas making the most of his opportunity with two straight double-doubles

Lance Stephenson, IND - After starting the season with a minimal role in the Pacers rotation, Stephen has burst on the scene in his last seven games, with 13.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists,1 steal and 1.4 threes. Danny Granger is eying a Wednesday return, but he will likely be eased back into his starting small forward role meaning that Stephenson will continue to get significant minutes for the Pacers first as the starting shooting guard and once Granger is ready to return to the starting lineup as the best scoring option off the bench. 

Samuel Dalembert, MIL - While Larry Sanders has been rehabbing a back injury for the last three games, Sammy D has gotten significant run as the Bucks' starting center. In that span, he has blown expectations out of the water by averaging 19.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2 steals and 3.3 blocks. He will likely return to a much smaller role once Sanders returns, but the Bucks are believed to be showcasing him for a trade so he should likely maintain value for a few more games.

Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen, PHI - Thaddeus Young is out for at least 3 weeks, meaning Hawes and Allen get the opportunity to see significant minutes in the Sixers rotation and prove they can handle a bigger role. Both have played well over the past few games each averaging at least double digit points and rebounds over their last three games. I expect Hawes to have a bigger impact in fantasy leagues while Young is rehabbing because of his more diverse fantasy game, but both are worth a look in standard leagues.