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 11.
Our one and only, Milos Zvekic broke down the Week 11 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 11 (Thursday to Sunday), there are 14 teams with a back-to-back (ATL, CHI, DEN, HOU, IND, MIA, MIN, NOP, OKC, ORL, PHI, POR, TOR, and WAS), 11 teams play three games (ATL, CHI, HOU, MIA, MIN, NOP, OKC, ORL, PHI, POR, and TOR), while only one team (LAL) plays one game. Check out the schedule grid for a better picture. 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 travel to Florida to play the Raptors on Thursday then host the Kings and Cavaliers on Saturday and Sunday. TOR is 14th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. SAC is 10th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. CLE is 24th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency.
BOSTON CELTICS
The Celtics travel to Brooklyn on Thursday then to Houston on Sunday. BKN is 9th in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency. Robert Williams (C - 46% rostered) has been a top 55 player over the last four games. He's blocked three shots and scored double-digit points in three of those games. The rebounding has been robust as well considering that he's averaged only 21.1 minutes per game.
BROOKLYN NETS
The Nets host the Celtics on Thursday then the Pistons on Saturday. BOS is 23rd in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. DET is 25th in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency. Bruce Brown (SG - 28% rostered) has been a top 25 player over the last six games, averaging 30 minutes, 18 points, six rebounds, three assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He's received the playing time primarily due to the Kevin Durant injury. Durant should return at some point but the Nets have stated that they won't rush him back and will play him only when he's 100% healthy, so Brown could continue seeing extended run.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
The Hornets host the Pistons on Thursday then the Raptors on Saturday. DET is 25th in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency. TOR is 14th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. Malik Monk (PG/SG - 40% rostered) is a professional hucker and chucker. Over the last six games, he's attempted 13, 13, 17, 16, 21, and 12 shots, which translated to 18, 19, 21, 25, 29, and 20 points. All of this while playing over 30 minutes in only one game! The usage rate has been 30.7, 26.7, 29.5, 32.5, 34.1, and 24.3. For as long as Devonte' Graham is out due to injury, Monk should continue to see elevated playing time and usage.
CHICAGO BULL
The Bulls host the 76ers on Thursday, the Heat on Friday, then the Raptors on Sunday. PHI is 7th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. MIA is 26th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency. TOR is 14th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. Patrick Williams (SF/PF - 20% rostered) has started every game but one this season. He's a low-usage player but he's averaging over 30 minutes per game and provides blocks and rebounds with a sprinkling of points and three-pointers. He's not exciting and won't win a week for you, but he will compile some counting stats.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The Cavaliers travel to New Orleans on Friday then to Atlanta on Sunday. NOP is 18th in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. ATL is 22nd in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks travel to Oklahoma City on Thursday then to Denver on Saturday. OKC is 10th in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency. DEN is 27th in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency. Maxi Kleber (PF/C - 16% rostered) averages around 27 to 28 minutes per game. He won't provide much in the points department but will grab rebounds and block shots. Much of his value comes from the three-pointers he provides from the big-man position. Jalen Brunson (PG/SG - 36% rostered) has scored double-digit points in nine consecutive games. He also provides three-pointers, rebounds, and assists, but the most impressive aspect of Brunson's game is that he averages close to 27 minutes per game despite Luka Doncic playing.
DENVER NUGGETS
The Nuggets travel to Memphis on Friday then host the Mavericks the following night. MEM is 8th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency. DAL is 18th in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. Will Barton (SG/SF - 45% rostered) is not the most consistent player, but over the last four games, he's been just that. He's scored 16, 14, 14, and 15 points while grabbing 6, 8, 6, and 6 rebounds. Barton plays over 30 minutes per game and can provide three-pointers, rebounds, and assists as well. Just realize that his floor is low.
DETROIT PISTONS
The Pistons travel to Charlotte on Thursday then to Brooklyn on Saturday. CHA is 12th in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency. BKN is 9th in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency. Dennis Smith Jr. (PG - 26% rostered) took a few games to get acclimated in Detroit, but over the last four games, he's found his groove. Smith Jr. has been averaging 26.7 minutes, 11.5 points, 1.8 three-pointers, 5.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks. He even notched a triple-double in one of those games. The shooting efficiency is always a concern, though, as the field goal percentage is at 38% from the season. In addition, once Killian Hayes returns from injury, his role will likely be reduced. Until then, ride the DSJ wave.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The Warriors host the Clippers on Thursday then travel to Utah on Sunday. LAC is 27th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. UTA is 17th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
The Rockets travel to Sacramento on Thursday, then to Utah the following night, and finish off the week hosting the Celtics on Sunday. SAC is 10th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. UTA is 17th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. BOS is 23rd in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency.
INDIANA PACERS
The Pacers travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Friday then go to Phoenix the following night. LAL is 18th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. PHX is 29th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. Doug McDermott (SF/PF - 12% rostered) can provide a jolt if you need points and three-pointers. He's scored at least 20 points in six games with season with two of those coming in the last four games. He's drained at least three three-pointers nine times with a high of five. McDermott will also grab his share of rebounds but, outside of that, he doesn't offer much.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
The Clippers host the Warriors on Thursday then travel to New Orleans on Sunday. GSW is 2nd in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. NOP is 18th in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers host the Pacers on Friday. IND is 12th in pace and 13th in defensive efficiency.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The Grizzlies host the Nuggets on Friday then travel to Oklahoma City on Sunday. DEN is 27th in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency. De'Anthony Melton (PG/SG - 24% rostered) only plays around 20 minutes a game, which is a shame, because he provides a little something in every category. Over the last four games, Melton has been a top 25 player averaging 21.9 minutes, 14 points, 2.8 three-pointers, three rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks while shooting 55% from the field. Don't expect the points and the hot shooting on the regular, but contributions in most categories can be expected despite the limited playing time.
MIAMI HEAT
The Heat host the Magic on Thursday, travels to Chicago on Friday, then finishes off the week in Orlando on Sunday. ORL is 16th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. CHI is 6th in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. Kelly Olynyk (PF/C - 28% rostered) is a frustrating player to roster because of the inconsistency. He can easily score two points and grab two rebounds in one game then almost triple-double like he did in his most recent one. With that said, he's playing close to 29 minutes per game and provides three-pointers from the big man position while grabbing rebounds and dishing out some assists. He will even chip in some defensive stats from time to time.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
The Bucks host the Knicks on Thursday then travel to Washington D. C. on Saturday. NYK is 30th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. WAS is 1st in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves travel to New Orleans on Thursday then host the Trail Blazers on both Saturday and Sunday. NOP is 18th in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. POR is 18th in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
The Pelicans host the Timberwolves on Thursday, the Cavaliers on Friday, then the Clippers on Sunday. MIN is 3rd in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency. CLE is 24th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. LAC is 27th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. Josh Hart (SG/SF - 38% rostered) derives most of his value from rebounds, as he's averaging 7.4 per game on the season. He will also chip in some three-pointers, assists, and steals while surprising us with points from time to time. He's scored double-digits in 15 games this season but he can easily score two points.
NEW YORK KNICKS
The Knicks travel to Milwaukee on Thursday then to Oklahoma City on Saturday. MIL is 5th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency. OKC is 10th in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency. Elfrid Payton (PG - 35% rostered) has the trust of Tom Thibodeau to guide the Knicks offense, despite his poor shooting at times. Over the last three games, he's averaged 33.5 minutes, 17 points, 3.3 rebounds, five assists, and 1.3 steals. As long as he has Thibodeau's trust and gets the minutes, Payton should be useful primarily for assists.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The Thunder host the Mavericks on Thursday, the Knicks on Saturday, then the Grizzlies on Sunday. DAL is 18th in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. NYK is 30th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. MEM is 8th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency.
ORLANDO MAGIC
The Magic travel to Miami on Thursday, to San Antonio on Friday, then host the Heat on Sunday. MIA is 26th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency. SAS is 15th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency. Michael Carter-Williams (PG/SG - 20% rostered) has been on quite the heater recently, as he's been shooting 58% from the field over the last four games. For perspective, he's at 40% on the season. He's going to regress, but if you need assists, then he should remain a viable option. He's averaged 5.7 assists per game over the last 10 games.
PHILADELPHIA 76ers
The 76ers travel to Chicago on Thursday, to Washington D. C. the following night, then host the Spurs on Sunday. CHI is 6th in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. WAS is 1st in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. SAS is 15th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency. Danny Green (SG/SF - 23% rostered) won't provide many points, but he will contribute three-pointers, rebounds, and defensive stats on a regular basis. The field goal percentage is awful at 39% but he's attempting 7.5 shots per game so the impact is mitigated somewhat.
PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns travel to Portland on Thursday then host the Pacers on Saturday. POR is 18th in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. IND is 12th in pace and 13th in defensive efficiency.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The Trail Blazers host the Suns on Thursday then travel to Minnesota for a back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday. PHX is 29th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. MIN is 3rd in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
The Kings host the Rockets on Thursday then travel to Atlanta on Saturday. HOU is 4th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency. ATL is 22nd in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
The Spurs host the Magic on Friday then travel to Philadelphia on Sunday. ORL is 16th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. PHI is 7th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. Trey Lyles (PF/C - 7% rostered) has received increased playing time due to injuries and health and safety protocols. He's started the last five games and averaged 29.2 minutes, 12.2 points, two three-pointers, 6.8 rebounds, and one steal. The glass slipper can fall off at any moment, as he was often a DNP-CD for many of the prior games this season, but Lyles can be useful as long as he's getting the playing time.
TORONTO RAPTORS
The Raptors host the Hawks on Thursday then travel to Charlotte on Saturday and Chicago on Sunday. ATL is 22nd in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. CHA is 12th in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency. CHI is 6th in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency.
UTAH JAZZ
The Jazz host the Rockets on Friday then travels to San Francisco on Sunday. HOU is 4th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency. GS is 2nd in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. Royce O'Neale (SF/PF - 33% rostered) is a low-usage player and won't provide many points, but he's a valuable fantasy piece because he contributes in every category without hurting you in any. He plays 32.8 minutes per game and has been at 35 over the last four games. He's averaging 1.7 three-pointers, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks while shooting 44% from the field and 82% from the line.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
The Wizards host the 76ers on Friday then the Bucks on Saturday. PHI is 7th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. MIL is 5th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency.
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