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 19.
Our one and only, Milos Zvekic broke down the Week 19 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 12 teams with a back-to-back (CHA, CHI, DAL, DEN, DET, HOU, LAL, OKC, PHI, POR, SA, and UTA), six teams play three games (CHA, CHI, DAL, DET, LAL, and OKC), while two teams (MIL and ATL) play 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 Indiana on Thursday. IND is 5th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency.
BOSTON CELTICS
The Celtics travel to Chicago on Friday then host the Heat on Sunday. CHI is 14th in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. MIA is 29th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency.
BROOKLYN NETS
The Nets travel to Dallas on Thursday then to Denver on Saturday. DAL is 24th in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency. DEN is 27th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
The Hornets host the Bulls on Thursday, the Magic on Friday, then the Pelicans on Sunday. CHI is 14th in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. ORL is 19th in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. NOP is 10th in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. Jalen McDaniels (PF/C - 20% rostered) received the start last game because Miles Bridges is in COVID protocols. He played 39 minutes and contributed 10 points, one three-pointer, 12 rebounds, one assist, three steals, and one block. Bridges will likely be out for multiple games so McDaniels should continue to start and see as much run as possible. Caleb Martin (SG/SF - 0% rostered) also got the start last game because brother Cody is out with a sprained ankle. Caleb played 34 minutes and contributed 17 points, two three-pointers, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block while garnering a 21.2 usage rate. Cody will likely be out for a while as well.
CHICAGO BULLS
The Bulls travel to Charlotte on Thursday, host the Magic on Friday, then the Pelicans on Sunday. CHA is 21st in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency. ORL is 19th in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. NOP is 10th in pace and 27trh in defensive efficiency.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The Cavaliers travel to Dallas on Friday then host the Mavericks on Sunday. DAL is 24th in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency. Cedi Osman (SF/PF - 26% rostered) has started the last two games and played 38 and 45 minutes. It's been a result of Darius Garland being out, and with a sprained ankle, he could miss more time. Osman has garnered a usage rate of 19 and 23 while posting lines of 16 points, four three-pointers, five rebounds, four assists, and one steal in one game and 15 points, two three-pointers, seven rebounds, 11 assists, and one steal in the other.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks host the Nets on Thursday, the Cavaliers on Friday, then travel to Cleveland on Sunday. BKN is 11th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency. CLE is 24th in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency. Dorian Finney-Smith (SF/PF - 42% rostered) has been a top 50-ish player over the last month. Much of it has been a result of the elevated shooting efficiency which translated to more points. That said, his allure is that he contributes a little something in every category without hurting you anywhere. He also plays a ton of minutes, usually in the 33 to 34 range but sometimes in the high-30s.
DENVER NUGGETS
The Nuggets travel to Utah on Friday then host the Nets on Saturday. UTA is 15th in pace and 3rd in defensive efficiency. BKN is 11th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency. Facundo Campazzo (PG - 24% rostered) is starting and playing 33 minutes per game. The usage is low and the points won't be voluminous but he provides some three-pointers, assists, and steals.
DETROIT PISTONS
The Pistons host the Grizzlies on Thursday, travel to Philadelphia on Saturday, then host the Bulls on Sunday. MEM is 8th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency. PHI is 11th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. CHI is 14th in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. Hamidou Diallo (SG/SF - 15% rostered) has started the last two games and played 26 and 40 minutes. The usage rate was 29 and 22. He went for 35 points, four three-pointers, seven rebounds, and a block in one game and 16 points, two three-pointers, seven rebounds, and an assist in the other. It looks like Diallo has overtaken Josh Jackson on the depth chart. Killian Hayes (PG/SG - 23% rostered) is the present and the future. He finally played in his first back-to-back and will get as much run as he can handle down the stretch.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The Warriors host the Thunder on Thursday and Saturday. OKC is 7th in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. Juan Toscano-Anderson (SF/PF - 4% rostered) has played 25, 33, and 35 minutes in the last three games. He has the ability to contribute across the board and will be a significant part of the rotation or as long as Kelly Oubre Jr. and Eric Paschall are out with injuries. Kent Bazemore (SG/SF - 19% rostered) has been starting in place of the injured Oubre. Over the last four games, he's been a top 100 player, contributing in rebounds, three-pointers, and defensive stats.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
The Rockets travel to Milwaukee on Friday then to Utah on Saturday. MIL is 3rd in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency. UTA is 15th in pace and 3rd in defensive efficiency.
INDIANA PACERS
The Pacers host the Hawks on Thursday then the Wizards on Saturday. ATL is 23rd in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. WAS is 1st in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. Doug McDermott (SF/PF - 14% rostered) provides three-pointers. That's about it. He has started the last two games due to injuries on the Pacers and played 25 and 27 minutes. He dropped in six three-pointers in one of those games. The Pacers play at the 5th-fastest pace so plenty of offensive possessions.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
The Clippers host the Lakers on Thursday then the Knicks on Sunday. LAL is 15th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. NYK is 30th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. Marcus Morris Sr. (PF/C - 35% rostered) has been a top 75 player over the last five games. He doesn't contribute in the defensive categories but he rebounds and provides points and three-pointers. He spaces the floor out for Paul George and Kawhi Leonard so he's a vital part of the squad.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers face the Clippers on Thursday, travel to Portland on Friday, then host the Suns on Sunday. LAC is 28th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency. POR is 17th in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. PHX is 26th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The Grizzlies travel to Detroit on Thursday then to Toronto on Saturday. DET is 22nd in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency. TOR is 13th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency.
MIAMI HEAT
The Heat host the Timberwolves on Friday then travel to Boston on Sunday. MIN is 4th in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. BOS is 19th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. Trevor Ariza (SG/SF - 16% rostered) has been a top 80 player over the last eight games. He won't provide many points but he contributes across the board, even in blocks. He's playing 27-29 minutes per game.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
The Bucks host the Rockets on Friday. HOU is 6th in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves travel to Miami on Friday then to Orlando on Sunday. MIA is 29th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency. ORL is 19th in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. Jaden McDaniels (PF - 7% rostered) isn't sexy but he's starting and playing over 30 minutes per game. If you need rebounds and steals, McDaniels is your guy.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
The Pelicans travel to Philadelphia on Friday then to Charlotte on Sunday. PHI is 11th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. CHA is 21st in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency.
NEW YORK KNICKS
The Knicks travel to Phoenix on Friday then to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Sunday. PHX is 26th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. LAC is 28th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency. Reggie Bullock (SG/SF - 37% rostered) is a three-point specialist who is providing close to three per game and playing over 30 minutes per contest. Taj Gibson (PF/C - 6% rostered) will start and play over 30 minutes if Nerlens Noel continues to miss time due to a sprained ankle. He can provide blocks and rebounds.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The Thunder travel to Oakland on Thursday and Saturday then to Sacramento on Sunday. GS is 2nd in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. SAC is 9th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. Almost everyone is viable on the Thunder but the minutes and playing time are unpredictable for most. Operation Tank is in full effect.
ORLANDO MAGIC
The Magic travel to Charlotte on Friday then host the Timberwolves on Sunday. CHA is 21st in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency. MIN is 4th in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. Mo Bamba (C - 44% rostered) has been a top 50 player over the last seven games despite averaging only 24 minutes per contest. He's providing three-pointers, rebounds, and tons of blocks. In his most recent game, he played 29 minutes so there's a chance he could overtake Wendell Carter Jr. on the depth chart. Something to monitor. Moritz Wagner (PF/C - 3% rostered) has played 41, 34, and 28 minutes in the last three games. Chuma Okeke and Otto Porter Jr. have been out. If they continue to miss time, then Wagner is going to see a ton of playing time. He can provide rebounds, three-pointers, and some blocks on occasion.
PHILADELPHIA 76ers
The 76ers host the Pelicans on Friday then the Pistons on Saturday. NOP is 10th in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. DET is 22nd in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency. Matisse Thybulle (SG/SF - 17% rostered) is all about the defensive stats. He only plays around 20 minutes per game yet he's averaged 1.5 steals and two blocks over the last four games.
PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns host the Knicks on Friday then travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Sunday. NYK is 30th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. LAL is 15th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The Trail Blazers host the Lakers on Friday then the Spurs on Saturday. LAL is 15th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. SA is 18th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
The Kings host the Spurs on Friday then the Thunder on Sunday. SA is 18th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency. OKC is 7th in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. Terence Davis (SG/SF - 2% rostered) played 31 minutes last game out. With both De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton out, and Haliburton likely done for the season, Davis should get plenty of run backing up both guard positions. He can provide points, three-pointers, and steals.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
The Spurs travel to Sacramento on Friday then to Portland the following night. SAC is 9th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. POR is 17th in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency.
TORONTO RAPTORS
The Raptors host the Wizards on Thursday then the Grizzlies on Saturday. WAS is 1st in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. MEM is 8th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency.
UTAH JAZZ
The Jazz host the Nuggets on Thursday then the Rockets the following night. DEN is 27th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. HOU is 6th in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. Royce O'Neale (SF/PF - 27% rostered) has been a top 100 player over the last seven games. He's averaging 30 minutes per contest and providing some three-pointers, rebounds, and steals. He's a super low usage player so don't expect many points.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
The Wizards travel to Toronto/Florida on Thursday then to Indiana on Saturday. TOR is 13th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency. IND is 5th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency.
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