As the 2024-25 NBA season barrels ahead at full speed, dedicated fantasy basketball managers are always on the prowl for that next waiver wire gem that could propel their team to glory. While superstars get the headlines, it’s often the savvy pickups that can make or break a fantasy season. Enter Malik Monk and Deni Avdija, two players who have seen their roles and production surge in recent weeks, making them must-add players for fantasy managers in need of a boost.
Malik Monk: Thriving in a New Role
Malik Monk, the electric guard now suiting up for the Sacramento Kings, has always been a tantalizing talent. But inconsistent playing time and a fluctuating role often left fantasy managers frustrated. That narrative is changing rapidly this season, as Kings head coach Mike Brown made the decision to insert Monk into the starting lineup, a move that is paying immediate dividends.
The third-year forward from Israel has been stuffing the stat sheet in recent weeks. Over his past eight games, Avdija is posting 14.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks per contest. That’s the kind of diverse production that fantasy managers drool over. He’s contributing across the board, and doing so efficiently, shooting 50.5% from the field during that span.
What’s fueling Avdija’s breakout? Opportunity and trust. The Blazers are giving him consistent minutes and putting the ball in his hands as a playmaker. They’re trusting him to make decisions and he’s rewarding that trust with solid play on both ends. With his role seeming secure and his confidence growing, Avdija is a player fantasy managers need to be racing to the waiver wire to acquire.
Striking Waiver Wire Gold
The emergence of Malik Monk and Deni Avdija highlights the importance of staying active on the waiver wire. In fantasy basketball, the landscape is always changing. Injuries happen, roles shift, and previously unheralded players can suddenly become fantasy gold. By staying vigilant and pouncing on ascending talents like Monk and Avdija, shrewd fantasy managers can gain a significant edge.
Of course, the decision to add either player depends on your team’s specific needs. But if you’re in the market for a scoring boost with some ancillary stats, Monk is your man. If you need a multi-category contributor who can stuff the stat sheet, Avdija fits the bill. Either way, these are two players who demand attention and should be rostered in most fantasy formats.
The Bottom Line
As the 2024-25 NBA season rolls on, keep a close eye on Malik Monk and Deni Avdija. Their arrows are pointing up, and they’re proving to be valuable contributors in both real life and fantasy. Don’t let them linger on your waiver wire any longer. Make the add, plug them into your lineup, and reap the rewards as they continue their ascent. In the fast-paced world of fantasy basketball, these are the kind of pickups that can make all the difference.
In his new role as a starter, Monk is flourishing. His scoring is up, his efficiency is improving, and he’s showing the defensive chops that many thought he lacked. Over the past two weeks, Monk is averaging an impressive 18.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting a scorching 48.9% from the field and 44.1% from three-point range. Those are the kind of numbers that can swing fantasy matchups.
What’s more, Monk’s role seems secure. Coach Brown has praised his impact and made it clear he trusts Monk to close games. For fantasy managers, that’s music to the ears. If Monk is still sitting on your waiver wire, the time to pounce is now. He has the potential to be a difference-maker down the stretch.
Deni Avdija: Breakout in Portland
When the Portland Trail Blazers acquired Deni Avdija in a trade this past offseason, they knew they were getting a player with immense potential. What they might not have expected was for that potential to start translating to on-court production so quickly. Yet here we are, with Avdija emerging as one of the most intriguing fantasy pickups of the season.
The third-year forward from Israel has been stuffing the stat sheet in recent weeks. Over his past eight games, Avdija is posting 14.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks per contest. That’s the kind of diverse production that fantasy managers drool over. He’s contributing across the board, and doing so efficiently, shooting 50.5% from the field during that span.
What’s fueling Avdija’s breakout? Opportunity and trust. The Blazers are giving him consistent minutes and putting the ball in his hands as a playmaker. They’re trusting him to make decisions and he’s rewarding that trust with solid play on both ends. With his role seeming secure and his confidence growing, Avdija is a player fantasy managers need to be racing to the waiver wire to acquire.
Striking Waiver Wire Gold
The emergence of Malik Monk and Deni Avdija highlights the importance of staying active on the waiver wire. In fantasy basketball, the landscape is always changing. Injuries happen, roles shift, and previously unheralded players can suddenly become fantasy gold. By staying vigilant and pouncing on ascending talents like Monk and Avdija, shrewd fantasy managers can gain a significant edge.
Of course, the decision to add either player depends on your team’s specific needs. But if you’re in the market for a scoring boost with some ancillary stats, Monk is your man. If you need a multi-category contributor who can stuff the stat sheet, Avdija fits the bill. Either way, these are two players who demand attention and should be rostered in most fantasy formats.
The Bottom Line
As the 2024-25 NBA season rolls on, keep a close eye on Malik Monk and Deni Avdija. Their arrows are pointing up, and they’re proving to be valuable contributors in both real life and fantasy. Don’t let them linger on your waiver wire any longer. Make the add, plug them into your lineup, and reap the rewards as they continue their ascent. In the fast-paced world of fantasy basketball, these are the kind of pickups that can make all the difference.
In his new role as a starter, Monk is flourishing. His scoring is up, his efficiency is improving, and he’s showing the defensive chops that many thought he lacked. Over the past two weeks, Monk is averaging an impressive 18.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting a scorching 48.9% from the field and 44.1% from three-point range. Those are the kind of numbers that can swing fantasy matchups.
What’s more, Monk’s role seems secure. Coach Brown has praised his impact and made it clear he trusts Monk to close games. For fantasy managers, that’s music to the ears. If Monk is still sitting on your waiver wire, the time to pounce is now. He has the potential to be a difference-maker down the stretch.
Deni Avdija: Breakout in Portland
When the Portland Trail Blazers acquired Deni Avdija in a trade this past offseason, they knew they were getting a player with immense potential. What they might not have expected was for that potential to start translating to on-court production so quickly. Yet here we are, with Avdija emerging as one of the most intriguing fantasy pickups of the season.
The third-year forward from Israel has been stuffing the stat sheet in recent weeks. Over his past eight games, Avdija is posting 14.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks per contest. That’s the kind of diverse production that fantasy managers drool over. He’s contributing across the board, and doing so efficiently, shooting 50.5% from the field during that span.
What’s fueling Avdija’s breakout? Opportunity and trust. The Blazers are giving him consistent minutes and putting the ball in his hands as a playmaker. They’re trusting him to make decisions and he’s rewarding that trust with solid play on both ends. With his role seeming secure and his confidence growing, Avdija is a player fantasy managers need to be racing to the waiver wire to acquire.
Striking Waiver Wire Gold
The emergence of Malik Monk and Deni Avdija highlights the importance of staying active on the waiver wire. In fantasy basketball, the landscape is always changing. Injuries happen, roles shift, and previously unheralded players can suddenly become fantasy gold. By staying vigilant and pouncing on ascending talents like Monk and Avdija, shrewd fantasy managers can gain a significant edge.
Of course, the decision to add either player depends on your team’s specific needs. But if you’re in the market for a scoring boost with some ancillary stats, Monk is your man. If you need a multi-category contributor who can stuff the stat sheet, Avdija fits the bill. Either way, these are two players who demand attention and should be rostered in most fantasy formats.
The Bottom Line
As the 2024-25 NBA season rolls on, keep a close eye on Malik Monk and Deni Avdija. Their arrows are pointing up, and they’re proving to be valuable contributors in both real life and fantasy. Don’t let them linger on your waiver wire any longer. Make the add, plug them into your lineup, and reap the rewards as they continue their ascent. In the fast-paced world of fantasy basketball, these are the kind of pickups that can make all the difference.
