RADIO
This weekend is stacked with 4 back-to-backs, so acquiring a key category contributor playing two games this weekend is easier than normal.
Remember, these streamers focused on making short term gains in specific categories. For recommendations on guys to add for the long-term, be sure to check out our Waiver Wire Pickups List. Also, be sure to check out the rest of our Week 10 NBA coverage, including our recommendations for Waiver Wire Forwards and Waiver Wire Guards.
NBA Waiver Wire : Category Streamers – Weekend Edition (Week 11)
Weekend of 1/9 & 1/10
Teams with 2 games: CHA,LAC, PHI, UTA
Teams with 0 games: PHO, SAS
Points
Trey Burke (PG, UTA)
Owned in 50% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, January 9 vs. Miami & Sunday, January 10 @ Los Angeles Lakers
ANALYSIS: I discussed Burke earlier this week and how important it could be for him in terms of remaining fantasy relevant the remainder of the season. Still inconsistent, Burke has had some big nights scoring the ball of late, including back-to-back games last week in which he averaged 25.0 ppg. With a five-game week, including two this weekend, Burke has the chance to score enough points (particularly Sunday, where he faces a poor Lakers defense) to get your team over the hump in a close matchup.
Rebounds
Taj Gibson (PF/C, CHI)
Owned in 42% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, January 9 @ Atlanta
ANALYSIS: For years, fantasy basketballers have been enamored with Gibson. A talented player with legitimate fantasy potential, Gibson has never fully had “the chance” to play big minutes on a consistent basis. To the surprise of no one, Gibson has become a rebounding force during his run of extra playing time as Joakim Noah remains sidelined. Gibson has grabbed double-digit rebounds in four of his last eight games, including two nights of 14 rebounds. His Saturday afternoon tilt against the Hawks could start your weekend off right. Look to parlay him with another streamer on Sunday, such as Ian Mahinmi (19% owned). Other great options include the fill-ins playing in the Jazz frontcourt with their starters hobbled -- Jeff Withey (30%) and Trevor Booker (4%).
Assists
Jameer Nelson (PG, DEN)
Owned in 29% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Sunday, January 10 vs. Charlotte
ANALYSIS: The veteran has really emerged as a valuable fantasy asset over the past month, and is presently on a nice run in the assists category, averaging 7.0 apg over his last five contests. The return of rookie Emmanuel Mudiay this week could hurt Nelson’s long-term value, but he will continue to start at point guard for the Nuggets and should keep his minutes around 30. T.J. McConnell (6%), with two games this weekend, remains a solid option for assists and to a lesser extent, Ramon Sessions (4%) and Shane Larkin (28%) could help in the category as well.
Steals
Wesley Johnson (SG/SF, LAC)
Owned in 1% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, January 9 vs. Charlotte & Sunday, January 10 vs. New Orleans
ANALYSIS: Johnson has had a pretty irrelevant season both in real life and from a fantasy perspective. However, the injury to Blake Griffin has opened up minutes, and Johnson has filled a good portion of them, averaging over 25 minutes per game while grabbing 2.0 spg since Griffin’s injury. He remains an offensively-challenged player, but with two games this weekend and the Clippers glaring hole at the small forward position (how many times have we said that over the years?), expect Johnson to play a lot of minutes this weekend. Matt Barnes (36%) has been strong defensively for Memphis all season and remains a strong option if available.
Blocks
Jeff Withey (C, UTA)
Owned in 29% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, January 9 vs. Miami & Sunday, January 10 @ Los Angeles Lakers
ANALYSIS: Withey has filled in admirably while Derrick Favors has been out since 12/26 with back spasms. Even if Favors returns this weekend (he is questionable), it would be hard to imagine him playing in back-to-back games. In six games without Favors, Withey, a former second-round pick, has averaged just under 9.0 rpg in around 30 minutes per game. With two games on the schedule this weekend, expect Withey’s valuable blocks numbers to continue, and he could make the difference in the rebounding category.
Three Pointers
Marco Belinelli (SG/SF, SAC)
Owned in 22% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, January 9 vs. Golden State
ANALYSIS: The Italian sharpshooter has been red hot from downtown of late, averaging an impressive 2.7 threes per game over his last four. The Sacramento offense is on a tear of late, and Belinelli has been a huge reason for that. With Omri Casspi and Rajon Rondo a bit banged up, Belinelli has earned the trust of the coaching staff as a reliable and steady figure in the Kings’ backcourt. They need his shooting from long range to spread the floor, and he should be able to take—and make—his multiple threes Saturday night in what could be a high-scoring affair. Austin Rivers (3%) has also been on fire from downtown lately (11 threes in his last four games) and makes a fine streaming option with a back-to-back at home against Charlotte and New Orleans.
