Week 6 has finally arrived!  As you’ll soon see, the talent pool I was forced to write about this week is laughably poor, but that doesn’t mean they are any less important to your fantasy week.

As a result of the weak streamers candidates I really only felt comfortable recommending streamers for three categories. I tried to focus on players that not only had low ownership levels, but in addition contributed in a few categories so their value isn’t completely hinged on success in one area.

Quick side note: I didn’t include Jerryd Bayless, Clint Capela, or Patrick Beverley due to high ownership levels, but if they are still available go grab them. All of them not only have two games this weekend, but are worth a look for long term adds.  For other potential long-term adds, check out our Week 6 Waiver Wire Adds for Centers, Forwards, and Guards.

This column will be posted every week as part of RotoBaller's regular season NBA coverage for the 2015-16 NBA season. It will focus on available players who could win you your H2H matchup in specific categories.

All of these players will have multiple games over the weekend, but in most cases will only help your team in one or two categories. To be clear, most of these players are “streamers,” meaning that unless they drastically increase their basketball skills overnight, these players should NOT be rostered for an extended period of time in leagues of standard depth. Everyone should only be used if you need help winning a specific category in your matchup and you don’t have to drop anyone valuable.

Last thing, we’ll usually only focus on one player per category, but list other available options underneath. Certain guys might be listed in more than one category, so if you need help in both, be sure to make those players a priority.

Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Player List

 

NBA Week 6 Category Streamers

 

3PM Streamers

Jared Dudley (WAS, SG/SF) - 3% owned

Weekend Schedule: Fri vs PHX, Sun vs. DAL

Jared Dudley is a bit of a flier, but with his recent start in place of the often injured Nene, I’m optimistic about his potential going forward. Dudley can do just about anything on the court fantasy-wise. He’s one of the few guys who could contribute in literally every category on any given night. He has a game with 19 points, a game with seven rebounds, a game with two blocks, a game where he hit three 3PM, and even a night where he went six of seven from the free throw line. You get the point. Granted only the points and the free throws were on the same night, the potential is there for anything, and even on a bad night in one category, you can still fall back on production in another.

While he could contribute in a variety of categories, Dudley is by far the most consistent from beyond the arc. He’s currently on an eight game streak with at least one three pointer made. He even has two games with three 3PM.

His matchups this weekend are pretty solid, as both the Suns and Mavericks are in the bottom half of the league in opposing 3PM. In addition to the deficiency in defending beyond the arc, both Dallas and Phoenix play at an above average pace to match the new run and gun Wizards. In fact, when Washington plays Phoenix it will be a matchup of two of the top four fasted pace teams in the league, with Phoenix at #1 with a pace of 102.7 (poss/48 min) and Washington clocking in at #4 at 101.46.

With an even faster paced game then both teams are probably accustomed to, there will be plenty of opportunities for Dudley to spot up on the three point line in transition, which is where John Wall thrives finding open shooters. I could see Dudley easily topping his season high of three 3PM, which is definitely worth the add if you need help in that category this weekend

Omri Casspi (SAC, SG/SF) - 13% owned

Weekend Schedule: Sat @ HOU, Sun @ OKC

Omri Casspi has flown under radar this season. While digging deep to find respectable weekend streamers he showed up a few times, but never enough to jump off the page. However, after a closer look at his recent production and more importantly his matchups this weekend, I think he’s one of the better plays for help in 3PM this weekend.

Even though both are on the road, back-to-back games against Houston and OKC are about as good as it gets from a fantasy standpoint. All three teams rank in the top 11 in pace, but that’s only if you count Philadelphia as a real NBA basketball team (#10 in pace, one ahead of Houston). In addition, the matchup of the Kings vs. the Rockets features two of the five worst defenses in the NBA by Defensive Rating. This will ensure a lot of scoring opportunities for Casspi (and anyone else on the court).

Aside from his matchups, Casspi can do a bit of everything just like the previously mentioned Jared Dudley. Take my word for it and check his box scores, individually he’s excelled in every statistical category but blocks, just not usually simultaneously. The potential is clearly there and this better weekend provides the best opportunity for Casspi to put it all together.

He’s made at least two 3PM in each of his last four games, so even if he doesn’t do much else, it’s very likely he’ll continue his current production considering the favorable matchups.

Also consider: Mirza Teletovic (PHX, SF/PF)

 

Rebounds & Blocks Streamers

Alex Len (PHX, C) - 15% owned (Keep an eye on Tyson Chandler’s Injury Status)

Weekend Schedule: Fri @ WAS, Sun @ MEM

All of Alex Len’s fantasy potential  is hinged on Tyson Chandler’s health going into the weekend. Chandler is already considered doubtful for Wednesday’s game against the Pistons, and considering how early it is in the season I would assume the Suns will play it safe and finish their road trip without him. However, the Suns have a reputation for having the best medical staff in the NBA, so just keep an eye on it.

Assuming Len gets full starters minutes, he has a great opportunity for fantasy relevance this weekend. He doesn’t really excel in either rebounds or blocks consistently enough to list him exclusively in either, but combined he does bring some value, especially considering his matchups.

As I previously mentioned, the matchup against the Wizards will be extremely fast paced. Now that isn’t always a good thing for big men, as traditional bigs just end up running back and forth between the free throw lines all day, while the guards enjoy capitalizing on the fast break. However, Len is young, hungry for playing time, and can run pretty well for his size. He might not be the primary option in transition, but I would bet he’ll be there to clean up all the misses, and will also sprint back on defense to defend his own rim.

The matchup against Memphis features a more traditional opponent for Len. Although he may be over matched against Gasol and Randolph, he will get a ton of opportunities for rebounds and blocks. Neither Gasol nor Randolph has played particularly well this season, so I would not be surprised if Len’s youthful exuberance, energy, and length took them by surprise on Sunday.

Len will also be playing in front of his home court fans from the University of Maryland on Friday, so expect even extra motivation to perform. Len has had flashes of fantasy success in previous seasons, so don’t be surprised if he puts up pretty big numbers while Chandler is out.

Festus Ezeli (CHA, PF/C) - 17% owned

Weekend Schedule: Sat @ TOR, Sun @ BKN

Yes, I know, I’ve already written about Ezeli in Week 2 and  Week 5 , but he really is an ideal weekend streamer candidate when the Warriors play multiple games. Until Bogut gets hurt I expect Ezeli’s ownership level to float around this level, so if we have another slim pool of candidates in the coming weeks there is definitely a good chance you see me recommend him again.

The two games against the Raptors and Nets aren’t really exceptional matchups overall, but neither has any big men that should really be able to compete with Ezeli inside. Yes, Brook Lopez is a great inside scorer, but he’s a notoriously bad rebounder, and just generally soft. I think Ezeli’s athleticism and length will give him a lot of issues, and if he’s having an off night I could see Ezeli grabbing a ton of boards.

Overall Ezeli is pretty consistent on the boards, but his blocks have been a bit of a shot in the dark recently. After going on a bit of a tear defensively averaging a little under two blocks a game over a five game stretch last week, Festus has failed to record a block over his last two games. The law of averages says that this will have to change, so be sure to take advantage of his inevitable rebound in blocks (see what I did there?).

 

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