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If you're one of those fantasy basketball players that sets a lineup at the beginning of the week, checks out, and then comes back seven days later to see how things shook out, this post is not for you.
This is for those who are grinding through each day and keeping track of categories as the days tick off. Maybe you need a handful of assists to get you over and win the week, or maybe a key injury is forcing you to rethink a category you previously considered stable. The goal is here to is target specific players who are rostered in less than half of Yahoo! leagues who will help you get you into the winner's circle. Mostly we're looking at players who might be available in 12-team leagues, but there will be some deeper options too when available.
As is always the case when streaming, it's possible that some of these recommended options are worthy of a longer-term add. But in order to hold long term, you first have to make the pickup. Regardless of where you're deficient, here are some names to consider to help you make up ground in the short term.
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Points - Streaming Options
Alec Burks - SG/SF - New York Knicks (48% rostered)
If you follow me on Twitter you got a sneak peek at Burks being the main target for this week's edition of waiver wire pickups. With Tom Thibodeau's banishing of Kemba Walker to the shadow realm came an announcement that Burks would be the team's starting PG moving forward. In the only game the Knicks have played since Thibs made that announcement Burks went off for 23/7/3 in 39 minutes in a win over the Hawks. It's not every day a starting point guard becomes available on the wire; scoop Burks up quick!
Other streamers:
- Anfernee Simons - PG/SG - Portland Trail Blazers (24% rostered)
- Garrison Mathews - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (8% rostered)
- Luke Kennard - SG/SF - Los Angeles Clippers (23% rostered)
- Malik Beasley - PG - Minnesota Timberwolves (30% rostered)
Assists - Streaming Options
Tyus Jones - PG - Memphis Grizzlies (27% rostered)
The Grizzlies had superstar PG Ja Morant go down with a left knee sprain over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend; leaving some huge shoes to fill as a result. In the first full game without Morant, Jones was able to dish out 8 assists to lead all players. The Grizzlies tend to move the ball pretty well (3 other players had 4+ assists), but based on our small sample size it looks like Jones will be the main ball handler when he's on the floor.
Other streamers:
- Eric Bledsoe - PG/SG - LA Clippers (35% rostered)
- Monte Morris - PG/SG - Denver Nuggets (41% rostered)
- Kylian Hayes - PG/SG - Detroit Pistons (12% rostered)
- Joe Ingles - SG/SF/PF - Utah Jazz (30% rostered)
Rebounds - Streaming Options
Precious Achiuwa - PF/C - Toronto Raptors (24% rostered)
It's taken 3 whole categories for the "O-word" to pop up, but you knew it was coming eventually. Achiuwa was already getting more minutes on a nightly basis since returning from injury (5 straight games where his total playing time has increased), but the Raptors announced yesterday that OG Anunoby has "hit a wall" in his injury rehab, and he is now without a timetable to return. Achiuwa has averaged 29.6 minutes per game in his last 5 games, and is averaging 8.1 rebounds per game on the season, what's not to love here?
Other streamers:
- Darius Bazley - SF/PF - Oklahoma City Thunder (29% rostered)
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (7% rostered)
- Guillermo Hernangomez - C - New Orleans Pelicans (19% rostered)
- Chimezie Metu - PF - Sacramento Kings (6% rostered)
Blocks - Streaming Options
Maxi Kleber - PF/C - Dallas Mavericks (21% rostered)
Kleber has only played in 4 games this year but is already carving out a nice role for Jason Kidd's Dallas squad. With at least one block in each of those 4 games, Kleber is providing a bit more defensively than he is typically known for. Kleber also has at least one 3 pointer made in all 4 of those games as well, and has also shown rebounding capabilities. If you've been following along week-to-week, you know how much emphasis I place on guys who are multi-dimensional, Kleber could be over 50% ownership by this time next week at this rate, especially with Kristaps Porzingus currently listed as a GTD and in line to potentially miss games.
Other streamers:
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (7% rostered)
- Isaiah Hartenstein - PF/C - LA Clippers (8% rostered)
- Matisse Thybulle - SG/SF - Philadelphia 76ers (49% rostered)
- Grant Williams - SF/PF - Boston Celtics (10% rostered)
Steals - Streaming Options
Pat Connaughton - SG/SF - Milwaukee Bucks (48% rostered)
Connaughton is back in the article for a third week in a row after barely meeting our criteria. Connaughton continues to be a huge defensive piece for the suddenly rolling Bucks, bringing his season average up to 1 full steal per game. Connaughton is averaging career highs in literally every major statistical category this year, and in my opinion, is probably the best overall player that fits our sub-50% ownership criteria. This will likely be the last week I can use Connaughton as a free space, so if he is still available in your league he should be one of your top targets.
Other streamers:
- Dorian Finney-Smith - SF/PF - Dallas Mavericks (19% rostered)
- Alec Burks - SG/SF - New York Knicks (48% rostered)
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (17% rostered)
- Danny Green - SG/SF - Philadelphia 76ers (27% rostered)
- Herbert Jones - SF - New Orleans Pelicans (7% rostered)
Threes - Streaming Options
Patty Mills - PG/SG - Brooklyn Nets (48% rostered)
Mills had already been trending upwards as a waiver addition, but the news that Joe Harris will miss 4-8 weeks after undergoing surgery puts the Aussie's stock through the roof. Mills is averaging career highs in both 3PA (6.4) and 3PM (3.2) per game, shooting an absurd 50% from 3 point territory, Mills is the premier long-distance specialist of the week. (Side note: If Mills is already gone in your league, I recommend checking out Danny Green, the 76ers are getting back to full health and he averages the most 3PA on the team.)
Other streamers:
- Pat Connaughton - SG/SF - Milwaukee Bucks (48% rostered)
- Garrison Mathews - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (8% rostered)
- Danny Green - SG/SF - Philadelphia 76ers (27% rostered)
- Luke Kennard - SG - Los Angeles Clippers (28% rostered)
Field Goal Percentage - Streaming Options
Guillermo Hernangomez - C - New Orleans Pelicans (19% rostered)
The Hernangomez brother formerly known as Willy has been extremely efficient in the 9 games he's played this year, with his season FG% sitting at a very impressive 69.6% overall. In the 5 full workload games he's played since returning from an injury; Hernangomez hasn't taken less than six shots or shot below 50% in a single contest. The Pelicans have shown signs of life recently, and Hernangomez has absolutely been a contributing factor in that. If you have the space/need there is a legitimate possibility Hernangomez becomes a consistent fantasy asset.
Other streamers:
- Dwight Howard - C - Los Angeles Lakers (10% rostered)
- Hamidou Diallo - SG/SF - Detorit Pistons (5% rostered)
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (24% rostered)
- Brandon Clarke - SG/SF - Memphis Grizzlies (15% rostered)
Free Throw Percentage - Streaming Options
Kylian Hayes - PG/SG - Detroit Pistons (12% rostered)
Free throw percentage is such a tough stat to recommend players for, there rarely ever feels like a "solid" option on the waivers. Looking for players who are multi-dimensional, Hayes really stuck out to me. He went to the line and went 2-2 in his first game back from a 6 game injury stint and is shooting better than 91% from the charity stripe so far this year. In addition he is a solid distributor of the ball, and offers some minor defensive upside as well. The Pistons are a full on dumpster fire, and getting their young players like Hayes as much experience as possible is their best course of action.
Other streamers:
- Eric Bledsoe - PG/SG - Los Angeles Clippers (35% rostered)
- Danillo Gallinari - SF/PF - Atlanta Hawks (13% rostered)
- Shake Milton - PG/SG - Philadelphia 76ers (38% rostered)
- Hamidou Diallo - SG/SF - Detorit Pistons (5% rostered)
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