Week 20 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: NBA Deep Sleepers

In his Week 20 NBA Waiver Wire Adds column, David Sass analyzes some deep-league sleepers & fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups including Dennis Schroder, Cole Aldrich and Markel Brown.

The NBA season is in full swing, and that means the fantasy basketball waiver wire is heating up. The following group of players are not of the typical standard-league variety, but rather options for those participating in deeper fantasy NBA formats.

Unless you have the roster space to stash one of these fringe contributors as a sleeper, there is little reason to own any of them outside of leagues with 12 or more teams.

Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues

Deep League Waiver Wire Options

Dennis Schroder (ATL PG) – 19% Owned

In limited minutes, Schroder has proved that he has a future in the NBA. He has played very well, scoring the ball with what looks like ease sometimes and shows that he has great vision. With Hawks looking very good in the East they might be looking to rest some players for the playoffs. That could benefit Schroder and your fantasy team. Last week Schroder scored 14.3 points with 7.3 assists and 1.3 treys per game. Those numbers are an automatic start for a player in any league.

Markel Brown (BKN, SG) – 1% Owned

Brown is a sneaky good scorer for Brooklyn and every once in a blue moon gets a start. Coming off injury, Brown has something to prove and is fighting for minutes. Towards the end of the basketball season wacky things happen and players like Brown really take off. In the last two weeks Brown has scored 7.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1 steal per game. Look for Brown’s minutes to increase now that he is finally healthy, and with his minutes boost should come a production boost.

Cole Aldrich (NYK, C) - 6% Owned

It seems that every week I am saying that somebody needs to score and rebound for the tanking Knicks. This past week that has been Cole Aldrich. The 7 footer out of Kansas is a very smart basketball player which helps him. Getting as many as 29 minutes last week, Aldrich has been a kind of bright spot for the sinking Knicks. Also, you would have to imagine that Aldrich would continue to get minutes if he keeps producing. Last week, averaging 7.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. If you are in need of a big man in a deep league, give Aldrich a look.

Keeper League Pickup of the Week

JaVale McGee (FA, C) – 18% Owned

McGee has always been an athletic freak and has always had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, he’s never been in a situation where he has been able to keep a head on his shoulders. He is reportedly getting looked at from about four teams for a stretch run now. If he can channel his athleticism and play within himself there is no reason he could not be an effective player next year thus being a keep league pick-up with a lot of potential right now.

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