RADIO
There's so much to be thankful for in the NBA this Thanksgiving season. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have the Los Angeles Lakers back on their accustomed perch atop the NBA standings. Young studs like Luka Doncic, Brandon Ingram, and Pascal Siakam have continued their accelerated improvement to produce some incredible numbers. Giannis Antetokounmpo has somehow improved on his MVP campaign from a season ago.
This holiday weekend may be a time for giving thanks with friends and family, but there's still a fantasy week that has to be won. An absence of games on Thursday shakes things up just a bit, which, depending on your matchup, could be used to your advantage.
Once Thursday comes and goes, the NBA season picks right back up on Friday. Take some much-needed time off, but don't forget to make the moves that could make the post-Thanksgiving blues a smidge easier to stomach.
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Week 6 Mid-Week Waiver Wire Pickups
De'Andre Hunter - SF - Atlanta Hawks - 41% owned
A recent seven-point outing against Minnesota aside, De'Andre Hunter has been on an absolute tear in the absence of John Collins. Across eight outings, the most recent fourth overall pick has averaged 16.8 points on 44.9 percent shooting to go along with 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.6 three-pointers per game while shooting 47.7 percent from downtown.
His inconsistent shooting percentage should be taken into account, with several games clocked in at a sub-30 clip on the season. Still, this kid is just 21 years of age with a steady stream of minutes given Atlanta's lack of wing depth behind him.
Collins will make his return eventually, taking some looks away from Hunter in the process. Given the confidence the rookie has no doubt built up during his absence, Hunter should still find ways to contribute with the Hawks more than willing to play through his inevitable struggles to witness stretches like the one he's currently on.
Aaron Holiday - PG - Indiana Pacers - 16% owned
Malcolm Brogdon hasn't been the only breakout point guard in Indiana this season. The Pacers have thrown Aaron Holiday into the fire with Victor Oladipo still on the mend, and the second-year guard has responded encouragingly.
Over his last nine outings, Holiday has averaged 14.2 points, 4.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. He's shooting a respectable 47.2 percent from the field and 43.5 from beyond the arc, with 2.2 three-point makes and less than two turnovers a game as well.
Those are about as good all-around numbers as you'll find on the market and impressive ones especially from such a young floor general still learning the game.
Holiday was a starter for most of his hot stretch but seems likely to return to the bench for Indiana following the returns of both Brogdon and Jeremy Lamb. Given how well he's played, though, it's hard to see the Pacers not being able to find minutes for one of their more surprising contributors, especially for a second-unit ranked just 24th in scoring.
Jarrett Culver - SG/SF - Minnesota Timberwolves - 13% owned
After some early-season struggles, Jarrett Culver has put together a string of encouraging outings, with six double-digit scoring performances over his last seven games.
The Timberwolves rookie has fluctuated from the starting lineup and second-unit, but he's still averaging 10.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game over that time. A ghastly shooting line of .395/,276/.471 can't be ignored. Potentially interested owners instead might have to stomach his efficiency woes and hope for the best as he adapts through the remainder of the season.
Ryan Saunders' decision to slot Andrew Wiggins at the point-guard position opens up a permanent spot for Culver in Minnesota's starting lineup. This new role doesn't guarantee a bump in the efficiency department for Culver, but it will shorten his learning curve and have his counting numbers looking more impressive by the week.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - SG/SF - Los Angeles Lakers - 6% owned
A polarizing fixture in LA given his inconsistencies, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been shooting the lights out for the Lakers over his last six games.
During that time, the six-year veteran has averaged 14.2 points per game while obliterating the nets by shooting 61.2 percent from the field and 61.2 percent from distance, resulting in 2.7 three-pointers per game.
After a string of early-season duds, KCP has rediscovered his outside stroke and is feasting on the open looks created by LA's dynamic duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Be wary, though, because just as easily as Caldwell-Pope goes hot can he find himself in another slump. This reality presents an obvious risk, but those in need of some three-point assistance could do a lot worse than a key role contributor on one of the NBA's best teams.
E'Twaun Moore - SG/SF - New Orleans Pelicans - 3% owned
Following an early-season mix of single-digit scoring outings and a string of DNPs, E'Twaun Moore has rediscovered his touch from distance and it's led to a resurgence in his recent production.
Across New Orleans' last eight games, Moore is averaging 13.4 points and 3.5 rebounds with 2.0 makes from beyond the arc at a 43.2 percent clip.
Without much size at 6-foot-3 and sub-200 pounds and limited ballhandling skills, Moore is strictly a three-point specialist for a Pelicans team ranked fifth in attempts and second in makes.
New Orleans has a bit of a crowded backcourt with Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday and JJ Redick all eating up sizeable minutes, limiting Moore's potential output.
However, there's been a stream of consistent playing time for Moore in recent weeks, and as long as his shot stays on target from beyond the arc, there's no reason to see that changing in the immediate future.
