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Max Kulish looks at some mid-week waiver wire options for fantasy basketball leagues. These players may be free agents to target on waivers in Week 20.
If you're one of those fantasy basketball players that sets a lineup at the beginning of the week, checks out, and then comes back seven days later to see how things shook out, this post is not for you.
This is for those who are grinding through each day and keeping track of categories as the days tick off. Maybe you need a handful of assists to get you over and win the week, or maybe a key injury is forcing you to rethink a category you previously considered stable. The goal is here is to target specific players who are rostered in less than half of Yahoo! leagues who will help you get you into the winner's circle. Mostly, we're looking at players who might be available in 12-team leagues, but there will be some deeper options too when available.
As is always the case when streaming, it's possible that some of these recommended options are worthy of a longer-term add. In order to hold long term, you first have to make the pickup. Regardless of where you're deficient, here are some names to consider to help you make up ground in the short term. Be sure to check out my Twitter (@Maxadelphia) for my nightly NBA plays as well. Let's get into it!
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Points - Streaming Options
Lonnie Walker IV - SG/SF - San Antonio Spurs (20% rostered)
Ever since the Spurs traded Derrick White to the Celtics at the trade deadline, LW4 has been balling out. Walker has posted 17+ points in six straight games and is clearly the Spurs' primary sixth man at this point. For the level of consistent production, I think Walker should be much higher than 20% rostered, grab him before people catch on.
Other streamers:
- Kevin Huerter - SG/SF - Atlanta Hawks (38% rostered)
- Brandon Goodwin - PG - Cleveland Cavaliers (29% rostered)
Assists - Streaming Options
Gabe Vincent - PG - Washington Wizards (12% rostered)
Kyle Lowry has already been ruled out of tonight's game in Milwaukee for personal reasons, and the report out of Miami is that "there is no timetable for his return". Lowry missed 9 games in January for this same unannounced personal issue, and Vincent started at PG for the Heat during that stretch. With Miami trying to hold on to the #1 seed in the East, Vincent will have to step up once again.
- De'Anthony Melton - PG/SG - Memphis Grizzlies (41% rostered)
- Patrick Beverley - PG/SG - Minnesota Timberwolves (35% rostered)
- Raul Neto - PG - Washington Wizards (11% rostered)
- Brandon Goodwin - PG - Cleveland Cavaliers (29% rostered)
Rebounds - Streaming Options
Precious Achiuwa - PF/C - Toronto Raptors (37% rostered)
OG Anunoby has been sidelined for the last 5 games with a finger injury, and it looks like he's on track to miss at least two more games. In his absence, Achiuwa has been the biggest benefactor. Achiuwa isn't typically known for his scoring, but with one of the Raptor's main scoring options hurt, he's been able to fill the void left while still maintaining his average of 7 rebounds per game.
Other streamers:
- Mason Plumlee - C - Charlotte Hornets (46% rostered)
- Onyeka Okongwu - PF/C - Atlanta Hawks (26% rostered)
Blocks - Streaming Options
Isaiah Jackson - PF - Indiana Pacers (46% rostered)
Jackson has posted multiple blocks in three straight games, and even more impressively, has done so playing no more than 23 minutes in a game. Jackson has struggled with foul trouble, which has been what's limited his playing time, but that shows me that he's a willing defender. This Pacers team is going nowhere this year, so I would imagine they'll continue feeding opportunity to their 2021 1st round pick.
Other streamers:
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (35% rostered)
- Alperen Sengun - C - Houston Rockets (30% rostered)
- Dorian Finney-Smith - SF/PF - Dallas Mavericks (39% rostered)
Steals - Streaming Options
Matisse Thybulle - SG/SF - Philadelphia 76ers (40% rostered)
Thybulle has cemented his spot in the starting lineup, and unsurprisingly playing next to a guy like James Harden has helped elevate his game. Thybulle posted 3 steals in both games since Harden joined the Sixers' lineup, and Thybulle figures to take on even more of a defensive responsibility as the clear #1 wing defender in the starting lineup.
Other streamers:
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (10% rostered)
- Chuma Okeke - PF - Orlando Magic (36% rostered)
- Raul Neto - PG - Washington Wizards (5% rostered)
Threes - Streaming Options
Jae Crowder - PF - Phoenix Suns (36% rostered)
Crowder has been a consistent source of production for the Suns on multiple fronts, especially since Chris Paul went down. A consistent taker & maker of the long ball, Crowder is a solid addition to any squad until Paul returns.
Other streamers:
- Luke Kennard - SG/SF - LA Clippers (25% rostered)
- Garrison Mathews - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (15% rostered)
- Kevin Huerter - SG/SF - Atlanta Hawks (31% rostered)
Field Goal Percentage - Streaming Options
Jaxson Hayes - PF/C - New Orleans Pelicans (35% rostered)
Usually, the guys featured here are lower volume, but Hayes is a bit more dynamic than the usual offensive-rebounding centric choices I usually suggest. Hayes is shooting 78.8% over his last five games and didn't have a game in the entire month of February shooting under 50% from the field.
Other streamers:
- Nicolas Batum - SF/PF - LA Clippers (16% rostered)
- Matisse Thybulle - SG/SF - Philadelphia 76ers (40% rostered)
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (35% rostered)
Free Throw Percentage - Streaming Options
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - SG/SF- Washington Wizards (38% rostered)
I'll be honest, it's a pretty thin week for FT%, the majority of the best plays are big men this week. However, with Bradley Beal out for the season, that leaves a lot of offense in the air, and KCP is surprisingly an 87.7% FT shooter. He doesn't rack up a ton of attempts, but if he gets to the line, he's quite reliable for makes.
Week 2: With the announcement that Bradley Beal will undergo season-ending surgery, that makes the Wizards as a whole a hotspot for fantasy streaming. KCP is now the Wizards' #1 FT shooter by % and is a great candidate for boosting FT% on your squad.
Week 3: Maybe this is me being too dedicated to the bit, but the stars aligned perfectly for KCP to retain his crown in FT%. Caldwell-Pope hasn't missed an FT attempt since I first featured him as top choice two weeks ago, and since then, he's raised his FT% on the year to 89.4%.
Week 4: We took a week off for the All-Star Break, but KCP made it through February shooting a perfect 25/25 from the line, and has raised his FT% up to 91.4%. KCP is a great addition for basically any stat at this point, and I promise he will retain his crown at least until he misses one.
Other streamers:
- Tyus Jones - PG - Memphis Grizzlies (4% rostered)
- Corey Kispert - SG/SF - Washington Wizards (13% rostered)
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