DeAndre Bembry (SF, ATL): Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Deandre Bembry is an athletic, defensive stalwart who has shown significant improvement on the offensive end in year three of his development. The 24-year-old small forward got off to a good start to the campaign by scoring in double-figures in three of his first four games while also posting a double-double during this span.

Bembry then went through a stretch where he only reached double-digits twice in a 14 game period as his minutes and shooting proficiency fluctuated. He has been a little more consistent recently.

The 6-foot-6 wing started this five-game stretch with a strong effort against the Celtics on Nov. 25 as he filled the stat sheet with  14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two steals in 26 minutes. He didn't shoot particularly well in the game as he was 5-for-13 from the field and 1-for-6 from the three-point line. But Bembry followed that performance with an efficient 16-point, which is a season-high, performance against the Hornets two days later. In the game versus the Hornets, the former first-round draft selection knocked down seven of 10 shots from the field and two of three attempts from beyond the arc. He also contributed six rebounds, six assists, a blocked shot along with no turnovers in 27 minutes.

However, in the three games since, Bembry has struggled with his shooting (9-for-22) and has failed to reach double-figures in any of those games. Overall, he averaged 10.4 points along with 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 1.6  steals and one triple over this five-game stretch. The St. Joes product also shot 46.7 percent from the field and 33.0 percent from the three-point line while seeing 23.6 minutes of action.

Bembry is one of the best individual defenders on the worst defensive team in the league, so he will always have a spot in the Hawks' rotation. How much of a role will depend on how he continues to develop. It is not unfathomable that Bembry will see a significant jump in minutes shortly as the Hawks will likely want to give their younger players more floor time. As it stands now, Bembry is more productive coming off the bench, and that may never change. That doesn't mean he won't have significant fantasy value going forward.

While Bembry needs to continue to work on improving his shooting and cutting down his turnovers, he is a viable waiver wire candidate pickup in Week 8 due to his ability to fill the stat sheet. Bembry is an excellent passer overall and a good rebounder for his position. He is producing career numbers across the board, and his usage rate currently at 18 percent will only go up with increased efficiency an more time on the court.