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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 21.
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 is to 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. 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
Lonnie Walker IV - SG/SF - San Antonio Spurs (20% rostered)
Ever since the Spurs traded Derrick White to the Celtics at the trade deadline, LW4 has been balling out. Walker has posted 17+ points in six straight games and is clearly the Spurs' primary sixth man at this point. For the level of consistent production, I think Walker should be much higher than 20% rostered, grab him before people catch on.
Week 2: Walker may have hit a bump in the road as soon as I suggest him here (naturally), but as long as Devin Vassell remains injured, Walker is practically a starter for this Spurs team.
Other streamers:
- Kevin Huerter - SG/SF - Atlanta Hawks (38% rostered)
- Brandon Goodwin - PG - Cleveland Cavaliers (29% rostered)
Assists - Streaming Options
Patrick Beverley - PG/SG - Minnesota Timberwolves (35% rostered)
Assists are as weak as ever this week, so back to old faithful. The Wolves currently have five players listed as game-time decisions for their next game against the Thunder. Beverley brings a defensive upside and could see increased run thanks to a tender D'Angelo Russell hamstring.
- De'Anthony Melton - PG/SG - Memphis Grizzlies (41% rostered)
- Patrick Beverley - PG/SG - Minnesota Timberwolves (35% rostered)
- Raul Neto - PG - Washington Wizards (11% rostered)
Rebounds - Streaming Options
Mason Plumlee - C - Charlotte Hornets (46% rostered)
Plumlee is averaging 8.1 rebounds per game on the season and is averaging 8.8 per game in his last 5 games. Interestingly, in the last three Hornets wins, he has tallied 8, 10, and 13 rebounds so it's possible he sees an increase in playing time moving forward.
Other streamers:
- Precious Achiuwa - PF/C - Toronto Raptors (32% rostered)
- Onyeka Okongwu - PF/C - Atlanta Hawks (26% rostered)
Blocks - Streaming Options
Isaiah Jackson - PF - Indiana Pacers (46% rostered)
Jackson has posted multiple blocks in three straight games, and even more impressively, has done so playing no more than 23 minutes in a game. Jackson has struggled with foul trouble, which has been what's limited his playing time, but that shows me that he's a willing defender. This Pacers team is going nowhere this year, so I would imagine they'll continue feeding opportunity to their 2021 1st round pick.
Week 2: While Jackson's defensive fouling woes haven't subsided yet, highlighted by a game against the Wizards where he played only 8 minutes, he was still rather efficient and posted 2 blocks in the game.
Other streamers:
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (24% rostered)
- Alperen Sengun - C - Houston Rockets (32% rostered)
Steals - Streaming Options
Darius Bazley - PF - Oklahoma City Thunder (37% rostered)
Speaking of Old Faithful, one last ride for Bazley. With Lu Dort announced as done for the year, Bazley is an obvious candidate to see extended playing time. Bazley has registered a steal in five straight games, and that streak looks to continue.
Other streamers:
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (11% rostered)
- Chuma Okeke - PF - Orlando Magic (36% rostered)
- Raul Neto - PG - Washington Wizards (5% rostered)
Threes - Streaming Options
Duncan Robinson - SG - Miami Heat (45% rostered)
Robinson had a rough start to the year but has seemingly made his way back to his old form since the All-Star Break. For a category that is pretty much exclusively based on volume, what's not to love about a guy taking eight 3's and making three per game?
Other streamers:
- Luke Kennard - SG/SF - LA Clippers (25% rostered)
- Garrison Mathews - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (15% rostered)
- Kevin Huerter - SG/SF - Atlanta Hawks (31% rostered)
Field Goal Percentage - Streaming Options
Jaxson Hayes - PF/C - New Orleans Pelicans (35% rostered)
Usually, the guys featured here are lower volume, but Hayes is a bit more dynamic than the usual offensive-rebounding centric choices I usually suggest. Hayes is shooting 78.8% over his last five games and didn't have a game in the entire month of February shooting under 50% from the field.
Week 2: Hayes' volume has taken a hit since last week, but this is the only category where that isn't inherently a bad thing. We're playing percentages here, and Hayes hasn't shot under 50% from the floor in over a month, which is certainly good enough for me.
Other streamers:
- Nicolas Batum - SF/PF - LA Clippers (16% rostered)
- Matisse Thybulle - SG/SF - Philadelphia 76ers (40% rostered)
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (35% rostered)
Free Throw Percentage - Streaming Options
Bruce Brown - SG/SF- Brooklyn Nets (47% rostered)
It was a good run for KCP here, but as I promised, once he missed he was out as top dog. Brown has been very productive of late, registering at least one of the five major stats in 4 of his last 5 games. Brown has taken free throws in 11 straight games, and is shooting 76% on the year.
Other streamers:
- Tyus Jones - PG - Memphis Grizzlies (4% rostered)
- Corey Kispert - SG/SF - Washington Wizards (17% rostered)
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