RADIO
Stan Son looks at some mid-week waiver wire options for fantasy basketball leagues. These players may be free agents to pick up off waivers in Week 2.
Welcome to Week 2, where the sample sizes are small but the emotional overreactions are at stock market highs. It feels good when the players you drafted are balling out, but don't count your fantasy winnings yet. On the flip side, while it's painful to watch the players you birthed and nurtured throughout the draft process struggle, it's only been three or four games! Woo sah, woo sah. Now, being a patient grasshopper is normally advisable, but you should still pounce on that fly that enters your air space. Whether it be churning a streaming spot, replacing an injured player, or moving on for an upgrade, mining the waiver wire is always advocated. Just be cognizant of who you are dropping.
Our one and only, Milos Zvekic broke down the Week 2 streamers earlier this week and will continue to do so all season long. I will be chiming in mid-week to add some sprinkles and frosting onto the beautifully baked Zvekic cake.
For the rest of Week 2 (Thursday to Sunday), there are four teams with a back-to-back and four teams who play three more games. As usual, I will try and isolate players who are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues and could contribute.
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ATLANTA HAWKS
The Hawks play two games and it's a back-to-back, @BKN then home against CLE. BKN is 12th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. CLE is 21st in pace and, surprisingly, 2nd in defensive efficiency. De'Andre Hunter (40% rostered) is the only viable option. He's been starting and averaging 31.1 minutes per game through three games. He doesn't provide much in the defensive categories but can contribute some three-pointers and rebounds.
BOSTON CELTICS
The Celtics go to Detroit and play the Pistons on Friday and Sunday. DET is 20th in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. The three-headed center monster in Boston is annoying for fantasy owners because it nukes the upside for any. Robert Williams is only averaging 15 mpg, while Daniel Theis is averaging 21.6 mpg. Tristan Thompson (36% rostered) has been the most viable fantasy option, averaging 23.2 mpg and providing rebounds and excellent field goal percentage. Payton Pritchard (5% rostered) has carved out a role for himself. Over the past three games, he's played 25, 23, and 27 minutes. The shooting efficiency has been off the charts, but he is someone who can provide some three-pointers, assists, and steals.
BROOKLYN NETS
The Nets play the Hawks on Friday, then the Wizards are Sunday. Two juicy matchups for fantasy. ATL is 11th in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency. WAS is 3rd in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. Yummy. With the injury to Spencer Dinwiddie, a ton of minutes have opened up for the Nets. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (2% rostered), Landry Shamet (2% rostered), and Chris Chiozza (0% rostered) could all be viable, depending on your league size. TLC has issues with shooting efficiency at times, but he does possess some scoring upside. He can chip in with three-pointers, rebounds, and defensive stats. Shamet is a 3-and-D player, while Chiozza can provide three-pointers and assists. Chiozza is more viable when Kyrie Irving sits.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
The Hornets play the Grizzlies on Friday then travel to Philadelphia on Saturday. MEM is 7th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. The loss of Ja Morant could affect the pace environment. PHI is 16th in pace and 3rd in defensive efficiency. Miles Bridges (47% rostered) is slowly getting more playing time, as the minutes have ticked up from 22 to 27. He can provide rebounds with a smattering of three-pointers, steals, and blocks. Bismack Biyombo (12% rostered) is a rebounds and blocks specialist. In two games since replacing Cody Zeller, Biyombo has played 30 and 29 minutes. Minutes are gold, Jerry!
CHICAGO BULL
The Bulls have a back-to-back on Thursday/Friday then host the Mavericks on Sunday. They travel to DC on Thursday then fly to Milwaukee on Friday. WAS is 3rd in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. MIL is 10th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. DAL is 30th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. Lauri Markkanen is dealing with a calf issue. If he's unable to go, then Garrett Temple (0% rostered) could be a streamer. I know, it's gross but he played 28 minutes the other game when Markkanen left early. He will jack up three-pointers and get some steals if you're into those sort of things. Patrick Williams (23% rostered) is also viable for points, rebounds, and defensive stats. Just be aware that he's played 20, 26, and 22 mpg since playing 33 minutes on opening night.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The Cavaliers travel to Indianapolis on Thursday then to Atlanta on Saturday. IND is 14th in pace and 13th in defensive efficiency. ATL is 11th in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency. JaVale McGee (8% rostered) only averages 16.6 mpg but is contributing six rebounds and one block per game with 63% field goal percentage.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks host the Heat on Friday then travel to Chicago on Sunday. MIA is 16th in pace and 26thin defensive efficiency. CHI is 2nd in pace (the running of the Bulls!) and 20th in defensive efficiency. Dorian Finney-Smith (10% rostered) isn't sexy due to the low usage rate and limited scoring ceiling, but he will grab some rebounds, hit the open three-pointer, and get some steals.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The Warriors host the Trail Blazers on Friday and Sunday. POR is 25th in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. If you need someone who is breaths and sweats, then Juan Toscano-Anderson (0% rostered) is your guy. He has started the last two games and played around 20 mpg. He won't shoot or score often but can provide some steals and trip into a few rebounds.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
The Rockets host the Kings on Thursday and Saturday. SAC is 22nd in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. Danuel House (20% rostered) starts at small forward and averages 33 mpg. Now, he doesn't do much in those minutes, but he can provide some three-pointers, rebounds, and steals. Hey, he's a streamer for a reason.
INDIANA PACERS
The Pacers host the Cavaliers on Thursday, then the Knicks on Saturday. CLE is 21st in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. NYK is 24th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency. If you need a jolt of points and three-pointers, Doug McDermott (4% rostered) could be a viable option. Just know that there is variance in his game, as he went 1-for-4 in 19 minutes against the Celtics last game while shooting 6-for-12 in 27 minutes against the Celtics two games ago. In the opener against the Knicks, Dougie played 28 minutes and went 5-for-12 with six rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
The Clippers travel to Utah on Friday, then fly to Phoenix on Sunday. UTA is 18th in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency. PHX is 28th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. Ivica Zubac (29% rostered) only averages 20.1 minutes per game. Sad face. That said, he provides rebounds, blocks, and excellent field goal percentage.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers travel to San Antonio on Friday then to Memphis on Sunday. SA is 5th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency. MEM is 7th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. Marc Gasol (28% rostered) only plays around 20 minutes per game but he can access ceiling, as evidenced by his performance against the Timberwolves two games ago: 12 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, four blocks, and three three-pointers. Now, he doesn't shoot often, but the blocks and threat of a triple-double are there are most nights. Just realize that he can bagel the stat sheet as well. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (13% rostered) is boring AF, but he's starting and playing 24.7 minutes per game. He can provide three-pointers and defensive stats.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The Grizzlies travel to Charlotte on Friday then host the Lakers on Sunday. CHA is 8th in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency. LAL is 12th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency. The easy answer here is Tyus Jones (15% rostered - Yo, people at Yahoo! WAKE UP!), as he will start in place of the injured Ja Morant. Sad face. Now, Jones isn't a scorer but will provide those precious assists and contribute the occasional steal and three-pointer. When he replaced Morant, Jones shot 4-for-12 and produced five rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 34 minutes. He's going to get plenty of playing time.
MIAMI HEAT
The Heat only play one game as they travel to Dallas on Friday.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
The Bucks only play one game as well, hosting the Bulls on Friday.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves host Washington on Friday and Denver on Sunday. WAS is 3rd in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. DEN is 22nd in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. Naz Reid (25% rostered) will be starting while Karl-Anthony Towns is out of action. I wouldn't worry too much about the 20-minute performance against the Clippers the other night, as the game got out of hand. In the prior start against the Lakers, Reid played 27 minutes and contributed 11 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one three-pointer. In 11 games as a starter last season, Reid averaged 11.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks, and 0.9 three-pointers. It's not quite Illmatic but it's not bad. Malik Beasley (48% rostered) is averaging 29.5 mpg and garnering a 24.4 usage rate. He's hoisting up 15 shots per game and scoring 17 points per game. Beasley will also provide three-pointers, some rebounds, and steals.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
The Pelicans travel to Oklahoma City on Thursday and then host the Raptors on Saturday. OKC is 15th in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. TOR is 4th in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. JJ Redick (25% rostered) is shooting 32% from the field through four games. He's a career 44% shooter so it's going to get better at some point. Right? He's strictly a three-point specialist so if you are in dire straights, hope and pray for the regression fairies to sprinkle their magic. Josh Hart (20% rostered) is averaging 27.6 mpg and provides a healthy amount of rebounds with some steals and three-pointers.
NEW YORK KNICKS
The Knicks travel to Toronto on Thursday then to Indiana on Saturday. TOR is 4th in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. IND is 14th in pace and 13th in defensive efficiency. Reggie Bullock (1% rostered) is a three-point specialist, averaging 2.5 makes on 5.8 attempts, good for a robust 43% conversion rate. He's also averaging 27.8 mpg. If you don't think the regression fairies visit Redick, then go with the hot hand of Bullock.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The Thunder host the Pelicans on Thursday then travel to Orlando on Saturday. NOP is 26th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. ORL is 6th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency. Luguentz Dort (45% rostered) will not shoot 54% as he has through three games. He will settle in the low-40s. That said, the usage rate of 19.2 is well above the 14.2 mark from last season, and he's hoisting up 12.3 shots per game. He's going to get plenty of looks because defenders are going to sag off him until he consistently makes them pay. His game is not predicated on offense, though. Dort is about the steals. He's starting and averaging 31.7 mpg, so there will be plenty of opportunities.
ORLANDO MAGIC
The Magic host the Suns and Thursday then the Thunder on Saturday. PHX is 28th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. OKC is 15th in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency.
PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns play three games: @UTA on Thursday, @DEN on Friday, then host the Clippers on Sunday. UTA is 18th in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency. DEN is 22nd in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. LAC is 29th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency. Jae Crowder (32% rostered) is....I'm kidding. I would never recommend Crowder. Cameron Payne (3% rostered) is on the trail. Get it? Fine, Payne has eclipsed 20 minutes in a game in only two of four games, but he's tallied 3, 4, 6, and 7 assists. He's also not been a zero on offense, as he's attempted 9, 7, 5, and 9 shots. Cameron Johnson (17% rostered) is averaging 23.5 minutes per game. Hey, it's Cameron day!!! The usage rate is a healthy 21.2 and he's produced 15.5 points, 2.5 three-pointers, and 1 steal per game. The 51% field goal percentage won't be the norm, as he will likely settle in the 44% area, but he can still be serviceable.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The Trail Blazers travel to San Francisco to play the Warriors on Friday and Sunday. GSW is 1st in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency. Derrick Jones Jr. (8% rostered) has played 36 minutes in each of the past two games. While he's attempted nine shots in two games so far, he's a low usage player who's calling card is not scoring. Jones is about the defensive categories while contributing a few rebounds and three-pointers.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
The Kings travel to Houston to play the Rockets on Thursday and Saturday. HOU is 19th in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. Tyrese Haliburton (27% rostered) is averaging 26.9 minutes per game. The rookie has looked calm, cool, and collected on the court as evidenced by the 0.8 turnovers and 56% field goal percentage. The shooting efficiency will come down, but whatever. Let's focus on the 5.3 assists, two three-pointers, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
The Spurs host the Lakers on Friday then the Jazz on Saturday. LAL is 12th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency. UTA is 18th in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency. Jakob Poeltl (22% rostered) only plays 20.4 minutes per game, but if you need blocks and rebounds, then he's a viable option. Poeltl is averaging 7.3 rebounds and one block per game. Oh, forgot about the good field goal percentage too.
TORONTO RAPTORS
The Raptors travel to New Orleans on Friday. NOP is 26th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency.
UTAH JAZZ
The Jazz play three games, as they host the Suns on Thursday, host the Clippers on Friday, then travel to San Antonio on Sunday. PHX is 28th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. LAC is 29th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency. SA is 5th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency. Jordan Clarkson (41% rostered) is an excellent source of points, as he garners a 27.4 usage rate and is attempting 13 field goal attempts. In three games so far, Clarkson has contributed 18 points per game in 23.6 minutes. A true microwave. He will also provide some three-pointers but not much of anything else.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
The Wizards play three games as well, hosting the Bulls on Thursday, then traveling to Minnesota on Friday, then going to Brooklyn on Sunday. CHI is 2nd in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency. MIN is 9th in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency. BKN is 12th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. Raul Neto (1% rostered) could start on Friday against Minnesota, as the Wizards could sit Russell Westbrook on the second leg of the back-to-back. In his last start, he played 32 minutes and contributed 22 points, four rebounds, five assists, two three-pointers, and three steals.
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