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Max Kulish looks at some mid-week waiver wire options for fantasy basketball leagues. These players may be free agents to target on waivers in Week 15.
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. Be sure to check out my Twitter (@Maxadelphia) for my nightly NBA plays, as well. Let's get into it!
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Points - Streaming Options
Eric Gordon - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (30% rostered)
Gordon is an obvious candidate to be traded for the rebuilding Rockets prior to the February 10th deadline. That means we could potentially have 3 more weeks of Gordon playing these minute totals (27+ minutes in 6 of the last 7 games, double-digit scoring in all 6). Once traded, he will probably lose some value, but this article usually focuses on quick-fix situations, so a pickup with even some form of longevity has increased value.
Week 2: Still hovering between 30-35% rostered, it looks like Gordon could be the featured scorer through the trade deadline. He continues to play 30+ minutes and is clearly the 3rd scoring option on the team behind Christian Wood, and Kevin Porter Jr.
Other streamers:
- Max Struss - SG/SF - Miami Heat (20% rostered)
- Devin Vassell- SG/SF - San Antonio Spurs (20% rostered)
- Chuma Okeke - PF - Orlando Magic (30% rostered)
- Kevin Huerter - SG/SF - Atlanta Hawks (31% rostered)
Assists - Streaming Options
Ayo Dosunmu - PG - Chicago Bulls (41% rostered)
Dosunmu has been excellent since filling in for the injured Lonzo Ball. He has played 35+ minutes in 6(!) straight games and has 38 assists in that stretch. At this point, I imagine most people have caught on, but if he is still available, make sure to prioritize him.
- Eric Gordon - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (33% rostered)
- Eric Bledsoe - PG/SG - LA Clippers (31% rostered)
- Patrick Beverley - PG/SG - Minnesota Timberwolves (31% rostered)
Rebounds - Streaming Options
Bismack Biyombo - C - Phoenix Suns (37% rostered)
This is as straightforward as it gets: both guys in front of Biyombo on the depth chart are currently dealing with injuries. Deandre Ayton has missed the past 5 games with an ankle injury, and JaVale McGee sat out Tuesday's game @ Utah with knee pain. If both continue to miss time, expect Biyombo to keep posting monster numbers like he has in the last 4 games (66 total points, 44 total rebounds). This could be your last chance to grab him for the year.
Other streamers:
- Precious Achiuwa - PF/C - Toronto Raptors (16% rostered)
- Nassir Little - SF - Portland Trailblazers (18% rostered)
- Onyeka Okongwu - PF/C - Atlanta Hawks (18% rostered)
Blocks - Streaming Options
Alperen Sengun - C - Houston Rockets (30% rostered)
The Rockets have been easing the Turkish rookie back into the rotation after he missed a few weeks with injury, but even in limited minutes Sengun has done well to produce. In his 5 games since returning from injury he has recorded 6 blocks, and has been able to produce in the main three offensive categories as well. Also worth noting that Rockets' coach Stephen Silas said he "doesn't feel comfortable" with Sengun and Christian Wood lineups, so Sengun seems to be locked in to a bench role, but he won't be directly competing with Wood for production.
Other streamers:
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (16% rostered)
- Bismack Biyombo - C - Phoenix Suns (37% rostered)
- Nassir Little - SF - Portland Trailblazers (18% rostered)
Steals - Streaming Options
Chuma Okeke - PF - Orlando Magic (30% rostered)
Okeke is starting to develop into a solid defender for the Magic, I would say he's a quintessential 3&D guy but I don't want to stick my neck out that far for a guy shooting under 30% from 3. On the defensive side though, there is no denying Okeke's production. He's averaging 1.4 steals per game, good for 23rd in the entire NBA. With at least 1 steal in 8 straight games, and 5 of those games being multi-steal performances, Okeke is one of the best defensive focused adds available.
Other streamers:
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (10% rostered)
- Dorian Finney-Smith - SF/PF - Dallas Mavericks (40% rostered)
- Darius Bazley - SF/PF - Oklahoma City Thunder (15% rostered)
Threes - Streaming Options
Kevin Huerter - SG/SF - Atlanta Hawks (31% rostered)
Huerter has been a solid shooter thus far, 4 years into his career; shooting 37.4% from 3. Huerter has been taking advantage of the Hawks' injuries on the wings and has played 29+ minutes in 10 of the Hawks' last 11 games. Huerter isn't a straight 3-point specialist, but he has a solid all-around game and can chip in across the board.
Other streamers:
- Max Struss - SG/SF - Miami Heat (20% rostered)
- Nicolas Batum - SF/PF - LA Clippers (18% rostered)
- Cameron Johnson - SF/PF - Phoenix Suns (46% rostered)
Field Goal Percentage - Streaming Options
Nicolas Claxton - C - Brooklyn Nets (33% rostered)
As we discussed last week; Kevin Durant's injury leaves massive holes for the Nets to fill. LaMarcus Aldridge may be the clear starter for the Nets, but he rarely plays more than 22-24 minutes, which leaves a lot of minutes for other bigs on the roster. Claxton is a good offensive rebounder (avergaing 1.9 per game), and I like his chances to outplay the 35 year old and fully claim his spot in the rotation.
Other streamers:
- Nicolas Batum - SF/PF - LA Clippers (18% rostered)
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (10% rostered)
Free Throw Percentage - Streaming Options
Cameron Johnson - SF/PF - Phoenix Suns (46% rostered)
Johnson was already worth a spot on rosters, but with Jae Crowder injuring his hand and being listed as day-to-day this really gives Johnson another chance to shine. He was the main benefactor when Crowder missed time earlier this year, and has taken free throws in 8 straight games, missing only 1 attempt over that stretch.
Other streamers:
- Brandon Clarke - SF/PF - Memphis Grizzlies (20% rostered)
- Max Struss - SG/SF - Miami Heat (20% rostered)
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