X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

NBA Bench Risers for Fantasy Basketball Week 5

What Appears In This Article? hide

NBA teams have a multitude of players coming off the bench, each with a unique role to fill. As a fantasy owner, you need to decide which of those players can contribute across multiple categories and have the potential to make the most of their time on the court.

To find bench players that can contribute more than just energy and defense during their time on the court, I will analyze usage rate and Per 36 statistics. Here are some bench players whose stock should be rising based on their recent play and could be great fantasy pickups for deep leagues. Note: I will only be selecting players who are not regular starters and who are owned in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues.

Editor's Note: New users that sign up on FantasyAces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive BOTH our full season NBA and NFL Premium Passes for free, a $119.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium Passes.

 

Rising NBA Bench Performers

Glenn Robinson III (SF, IND) 3% owned - Big Dog Jr. has been inserted into the starting lineup out of sheer necessity. The Pacers have had as many as four main contributors, including three starters, out with injuries this week. As a result, Robinson has seen his minutes jump from barely 10 per game in the early going to 25, 45, and 37 the last three games. It won't be a permanent move, but Robinson does have the chance to make an impression and earn more time off the bench for the rest of the season, especially if the Pacers continue to have injury woes.

He hasn't shot particularly well in his brief audition as a starter, including a woeful 3-14 night against the Warriors. He did collect 19 rebounds over those three games, giving him a 6.1 TRB per 36 minutes. His 12.1 PTS per 36 and .429 FG% are right on par with his career averages, but a couple of good shooting nights can lead to a big jump. Keep in mind that Robinson is just 22 years old and this is his first opportunity at significant playing time. He isn't going to help you across the board, averaging just 1.6 assists per 36 and 0.6 blocks and steals, but he could be a solid source of points/rebounds for deeper leagues.

 

Josh Richardson (SG/SF, MIA) 48% owned - Richardson began the year on the shelf recovering from an MCL tear, but he is quickly recapturing the form that made him a surprising success as a second-round pick last year. After being eased back into action, he is becoming a main contributor off the Heat bench once again. His percentages are down from last year (.418 FG% & .368 3P% in 16-17, .452 FG% & .461 3P% in 15-16), but he has played just nine games so far and a pair of clunkers, including a 1-11 showing against the 76ers, have skewed those stats.

Some are skeptical of last year's numbers, calling for a big regression in his three-point shooting. While it is unlikely he will shoot above 45% on threes, Richardson should stay well above the league average (34.8%) and can chip in around three a game now that he is back to his regular minutes. The Heat aren't going to sniff the playoffs this year and there is little competition for shots now that Wade and Bosh are gone for good. Richardson should maintain an important role coming off the bench, not only as an outside shooter, but as a defensive threat as well. He will give fantasy owners just over one steal (1.1) and just under one block (0.9) per 36, as well as 3.7 rebounds and a pair of assists per 36. He slots nicely as a flex option on fantasy benches right now with the potential for even higher value if given more responsibility in the offense.

 

Frank Kaminsky (PF/C, CHA) 17% owned - Last year's ninth overall pick is starting to find his way in Charlotte. Tyler Zeller's absence the last couple of games has led to Kaminsky getting more involved. He has averaged 12 shots the last four games, resulting in 62 points and a pair of 20+ point games. His .436 FG% still leaves a lot to be desired, but his Player Efficiency Rating is at least approaching the league average of 15. Kaminsky has seen a jump in his per game averages across the board compared to his rookie season, other than blocked shots. He is now up to 10.7 PPG with a 16.0 PTS per 36 average. As a long-distance shooting big man, he won't give you blocks (0.4 per 36) or a ton of rebounds (6.3 REB per 36), but he is hoisting seven three-pointers a game and nearly four assists per 36.

The Hornets have been one of the surprising success stories early this year and Kaminsky could benefit greatly from an improved cast around him. Kaminsky may suit your fantasy team if you are in need of another shooter and can compromise big man stats at the 4/5 position. He certainly could stand to improve his shooting, but that will come with time and experience.


By popular demand, RotoBaller has aggregated all of our fantasy basketball NBA waiver wire pickups into a running list of NBA waiver options, so bookmark the page and check back often for updates.



POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ricky Stenhouse Jr6 mins ago

Has Sleeper Potential at Kansas
Austin Dillon13 mins ago

Always a Sleeper at Kansas
Todd Gilliland17 mins ago

an Interesting DFS Play at Kansas
Josh Berry2 hours ago

Around Middle Of The Pack For Sunday
Joey Logano2 hours ago

Tapered Off Speed Wise At Kansas
NASCAR2 hours ago

Derek Knaus Anchors Rear Of The Field At Kansas
Austin Hill2 hours ago

Not Carrying Much Speed At Kansas
Jimmie Johnson2 hours ago

Tops Legacy Cars In Qualifying
Zane Smith6 hours ago

Fast at Kansas but Unproven in the Cup Series
John Hunter Nemechek6 hours ago

Outqualified by Teammates for Second Straight Week
Justin Haley6 hours ago

Has Improved Rick Ware Racing but They Won't Contend at Kansas
Austin Cindric6 hours ago

Qualifies 7th at Kansas but Consistently Loses Positions in Races
Harrison Burton6 hours ago

Non-Drafting Intermediates Are Harrison Burton's Weakness
Chase Briscoe6 hours ago

Slow on Intermediates but Team Faster This Year
Christopher Bell6 hours ago

Won Third Kansas Pole but Has Never Won from the Pole
Esteury Ruiz8 hours ago

Sustains Wrist Injury On Saturday
George Kirby8 hours ago

Undergoes MRI On Knee, Optimistic To Make Next Start
Christian Scott8 hours ago

Stellar In Mets Debut
John Means9 hours ago

Throws Seven Scoreless Innings In Season Debut
Dylan Carlson9 hours ago

Set To Return Sunday
Yennier Cano9 hours ago

Notches First Save Of The Season
Steven Kwan9 hours ago

Will Undergo An MRI On Injured Hamstring Sunday
Jarrett Allen9 hours ago

On The Injury Report Again For Sunday
Jamal Murray9 hours ago

Goes Cold In Game 1
Logan O'Hoppe9 hours ago

Removed From Saturday's Game With Hand Contusion
Nikola Jokic9 hours ago

Struggles Shooting On Saturday
Wyatt Langford10 hours ago

Exits Early With Hamstring Tightness
Anthony Edwards10 hours ago

Dominant In Game 1
Alec Bohm10 hours ago

Removed From Saturday's Game With Hip Tightness
Daniel Suarez10 hours ago

Will Start 27th In Sunday's AdventHealth 400 At Kansas Speedway
Ryan Preece10 hours ago

The Case Against Ryan Preece At Kansas Speedway
Brad Keselowski11 hours ago

Is A Core Play In Both DFS And Sports Betting At Kansas Speedway
Daniel Hemric11 hours ago

Will Daniel Hemric's Recent Success Continue This Weekend At Kansas?
Corey Heim11 hours ago

The Case For Corey Heim In DFS At Kansas
Chase Elliott11 hours ago

Is Chase Elliott Undervalued Heading Into This Weekend’s Race At Kansas?
Jared Jones13 hours ago

Is Spectacular Saturday Afternoon
Clay Holmes13 hours ago

Earns 11th Save Saturday Afternoon
Pablo López13 hours ago

Pablo Lopez Earns Third Win Saturday Afternoon With Six Strong Innings
Cole Sands13 hours ago

Collects Second Save On Saturday
Christopher Morel13 hours ago

Homers On Saturday Afternoon
Maxi Kleber13 hours ago

Out Indefinitely
Héctor Neris13 hours ago

Hector Neris Earns Sixth Save Saturday Afternoon
Luke Raley13 hours ago

Out Of Mariners' Lineup Saturday Night
Lonzo Ball14 hours ago

Exercises Option For 2024-25
Luis Arraez14 hours ago

In DH Slot And Batting Leadoff In Padres' Debut
Colton Cowser14 hours ago

Out Of Lineup Against Lefty On Saturday
Alec Marsh14 hours ago

Scheduled For Rehab Start On Sunday
Josiah Gray14 hours ago

Feels Good After Throwing Bullpen
Evan Mobley1 day ago

Fizzles Offensively In Game 6
Darius Garland1 day ago

Plays Well On Friday Night
Donovan Mitchell1 day ago

Explodes Offensively In Game 6
NYI2 days ago

Lou Lamoriello, Patrick Roy To Return Next Season
Mason Marchment2 days ago

A No-Go For Friday
Terance Mann2 days ago

Active At Shootaround
Arturs Silovs2 days ago

Expected To Go Again Friday
Adin Hill2 days ago

Back In Goal Friday
Los Angeles Lakers2 days ago

Darvin Ham Dismissed As Lakers Head Coach
Auston Matthews2 days ago

Uncertain For Game 7
Aaron Rodgers2 days ago

No Restrictions For Aaron Rodgers During Offseason Workouts
Mac Jones2 days ago

Jaguars Don't Pick Up Mac Jones' Fifth-Year Option
Jayden Daniels2 days ago

Has A Chance To Start Immediately
Chase Claypool2 days ago

Bills Sign Chase Claypool
Steve Erceg2 days ago

Has A Chance To Become A Champion
Alexandre Pantoja2 days ago

Looks To Defend Flyweight Title
Jarrett Allen2 days ago

Spotted At Shootaround On Friday
Gary Harris2 days ago

Remains Game-Time Decision
Josh Hart2 days ago

Shines Again In Game 6 Victory
Michel Pereira2 days ago

Ihor Potieria Faces Michel Pereira On UFC 301
Joel Embiid2 days ago

Fouls Out With Big Stat Line In Losing Effort
Odell Beckham Jr.2 days ago

Signing One-Year Deal With Dolphins
Michel Pereira2 days ago

Looks To Extend Win Streak To Eight
Paul Craig2 days ago

Looking To Rebound At UFC 301
Jalen Brunson2 days ago

Leads Knicks To Series Win Over 76ers
DJ Chark Jr.2 days ago

Signs With Chargers
Kadarius Toney2 days ago

Chiefs Decline Kadarius Toney's Fifth-Year Option
Khris Middleton2 days ago

Can't Lift Milwaukee To A Win
Damian Lillard2 days ago

Plays Well In Return
Jarrett Allen2 days ago

Officially Questionable For Friday
Tim Hardaway2 days ago

Jr. Still Out For Game 6
Terance Mann2 days ago

On The Injury Report For Game 6
Steven Stamkos3 days ago

Begins Contract Talks With Lightning
Brett Pesce3 days ago

A Potential Option For Round 2
Sam Bennett3 days ago

Should Be Good For Round 2
Adam Fox3 days ago

Doesn't Skate Again On Thursday
Luke Schenn3 days ago

Hopeful For Game 6
Auston Matthews3 days ago

Out For Game 6
Justin Fields3 days ago

Steelers Decline Fifth-Year Option On Justin Fields
Najee Harris3 days ago

Fifth-Year Option On Najee Harris Declined By Steelers
JuJu Smith-Schuster3 days ago

Could Be On His Way Out
Khalil Herbert3 days ago

A Trade Candidate?
T.J. Hockenson3 days ago

Ahead Of Schedule In His Rehab
Nick Chubb3 days ago

"Progressing Nicely"
Caio Borralho3 days ago

Gets Ranked Opponent At UFC 301
Vitor Petrino3 days ago

Puts Undefeated Record On The Line At UFC 301
Anthony Smith3 days ago

A Massive Underdog At UFC 301
Jonathan Martinez3 days ago

Faces A Legend At UFC 301
Jose Aldo3 days ago

Returns At UFC 301
New York Giants3 days ago

Giants Could Sign A Veteran Running Back
Dallas Cowboys3 days ago

Trevon Diggs Expected To Be Ready For Training Camp
Daniel Jones3 days ago

Has Been Cutting, Plans To Be Ready For Camp
Malik Nabers3 days ago

To Be No. 1 Receiver Immediately
Trey Lance3 days ago

Cowboys To Decline Trey Lance's Fifth-Year Option
Tyler Boyd4 days ago

To Meet With Chargers, Titans
Jonathon Brooks4 days ago

On Track For Training Camp
Zach Wilson4 days ago

Broncos Not Picking Up Zach Wilson's Fifth-Year Option
Taylor Pendrith4 days ago

A Volatile Option For CJ Cup
Seamus Power4 days ago

Rounding Into Form Ahead of CJ Cup
Davis Thompson4 days ago

A Player To Watch At CJ Cup
Aaron Rai4 days ago

Lacks Upside At TPC Craig Ranch
Min Woo Lee4 days ago

A Dangerous Pick For CJ Cup
Tom Hoge4 days ago

Seeking Second Tour Victory At CJ Cup
Filip Forsberg4 days ago

Collects Two Apples In Game 5 Win
Juuse Saros4 days ago

Comes Through For Predators In Game 5
Nathan MacKinnon4 days ago

Posts Two More Points In Series-Clinching Win
Mikko Rantanen4 days ago

Helps Finish Off Jets With Three Points
Joseph Woll4 days ago

Excellent In Series-Saving Win
Matthew Knies4 days ago

Bangs In Overtime Winner In Game 5
Evgeny Kuznetsov4 days ago

Posts Goal And Assist In Game 5
Seth Jarvis4 days ago

Puts Up Three Points In Series-Winning Game
Mark Hubbard4 days ago

Will Return To Mediocrity At TPC Craig Ranch
Doug Ghim4 days ago

Putting History In Texas Makes Him A Hard Sell
Nate Lashley4 days ago

Looking To Rebound At Byron Nelson
Kevin Yu4 days ago

A Flier Pick With Likeable Upside At Byron Nelson
Andrew Novak4 days ago

Playing Well Heading To TPC Craig Ranch
Patrick Rodgers4 days ago

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List4 days ago

In Solid Form Heading To TPC Craig Ranch
Tom Kim4 days ago

A Safe Option With A Questionable Ceiling At Byron Nelson
Taylor Montgomery4 days ago

Searching For Form At TPC Craig Ranch
Jason Day4 days ago

To Defend Title At TPC Craig Ranch
Adam Scott4 days ago

Returns To Action At TPC Craig Ranch
PGA4 days ago

Sungjae Im As Good Of A Pick As Any At TPC Craig Ranch
PGA5 days ago

Alex Noren Looks To Take Another Step At TPC Craig Ranch
Mackenzie Hughes5 days ago

Brings Hot Putter To TPC Craig Ranch
Cole Perfetti5 days ago

To Make NHL Postseason Debut Tuesday
Si Woo Kim5 days ago

Trendy Si Woo Kim Heads To Byron Nelson
Connor Hellebuyck5 days ago

Looking To Get Right Tuesday
Matheus Nicolau6 days ago

Knocked Out At UFC Vegas 91
Alex Perez6 days ago

Scores Second-Round Knockout Win At UFC Vegas 91
MMA6 days ago

Ariane Lipski Loses A Decision At UFC Vegas 91
Karine Silva6 days ago

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Jonathan Pearce6 days ago

Suffers Decision Loss
David Onama6 days ago

Wins Second Fight In A Row