Chandler's Surge and Coulibaly's Comeback: Worth the Fantasy Roster Spot?

Look, every fantasy season brings these guys. The ones nobody drafted, the ones who pop off the waiver wire and make you wonder if you missed something. This week, two names are buzzing in the fantasy basketball circles: Kennedy Chandler and Bilal Coulibaly. Are they for real? Or just fools' gold?

Let's start with Chandler. The Memphis Grizzlies guard, a second-round pick in 2022, is suddenly getting real minutes. With Ja Morant still out and Marcus Smart sidelined with a finger injury since January 9th, Chandler’s opportunity finally arrived. And he’s making the most of it. In a recent stretch, Chandler averaged 12 points and 5 assists across three games, including a career-high 15 points against the Knicks on February 2nd. He even dropped 8 dimes against the Pelicans on February 5th. He's showing some real burst, getting to the rim, and his court vision looks sharper than it did earlier in the season. The Grizzlies are playing fast, pushing the pace, and Chandler fits that style. He’s not going to win you a championship, but if you're desperate for guard production, especially assists, he's worth a look. The problem, of course, is what happens when Smart or Morant return. His leash is short, probably shorter than a kindergarten field trip.

Then there’s Bilal Coulibaly, the Washington Wizards rookie. The kid was a lottery pick, 7th overall in the 2023 draft, and for a while, he was putting up solid numbers for a rookie. Then he got hurt, missing time with a right wrist sprain that sidelined him for over two weeks, from January 24th until his return on February 7th. But since coming back, he looks stronger than ever. In his first game back against the Celtics, he put up 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in 30 minutes, shooting 60% from the field. That’s against a top-tier defense, mind you. Two nights later, he followed it up with 10 points and 5 boards against the Heat. He’s showing off that athleticism, getting out in transition, and his defense is already disruptive. He’s averaging 1.3 steals per game on the season, which is elite for a rookie wing. The Wizards are going nowhere fast this year, which means Coulibaly is going to get all the minutes he can handle. They're invested in his development, and that's a huge green light for fantasy managers.

Here's the thing: Chandler is a short-term play. He’s a plug-and-play guy if you’re trying to stream a guard for a week or two, especially with the Grizzlies’ upcoming schedule that includes some softer matchups. But don't get attached. Once Smart is back in the rotation, Chandler's minutes will evaporate faster than a puddle in the Sahara. Coulibaly, though, is different. He's a long-term hold. The Wizards have no reason to limit him. He's going to get those 28-30 minutes consistently. He’s got legitimate upside for points, rebounds, and defensive stats. If he can just improve his three-point shooting – he’s currently hitting 36% from deep, which isn't bad for a rookie, but it could get better – he could be a real difference-maker down the stretch.

My take? Drop a less productive end-of-bench player for Coulibaly without hesitation. He's the real deal, a future fantasy stud in the making. As for Chandler, only grab him if you're truly desperate and understand he's a rental.