Fantasy Basketball Early-Week Streamers: Week 6

Lance Roberson looks at some early-week waiver wire options for fantasy basketball leagues. These players may be free agents to target on waivers in Week 6.

After an exciting start, it's week six of the 2023-2024 NBA season. While you want to have faith in the players you drafted, don't get too attached. You may feel confident about your draft decisions, but remember: stars are born and eroded every day. Take a moment to see what's on the other side of the waiver wire.

Most leagues limit how many players you can stream each week in daily leagues. If your league only allows three moves per week, you need to be very efficient with your moves and grab players who will help you maximize your games played and help you win an extra category or two of counting stats.

The goal of this article each Monday morning will be to help you plan your roster moves for the first half of the week. Planning is important, and I always include which teams play on optimal days for streaming in the very first section so you can look for additional players that I don't mention as well. All the rostered percentages used in this article are from Yahoo! Let's see who can help us start the week strong!

Weekly Schedule: Monday to Thursday

Teams that play two or three games (TARGET): Atlanta, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Golden State, Houston, Indiana, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Portland, Sacramento, Toronto, Utah, Washington, 

Teams that play one game (AVOID): Boston, Dallas, Memphis, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio

Shallow League Streaming Options

Harrison Barnes - SF, PF (38%)

After a stagnant mid-November stretch in which Harrison Barnes averaged a pedestrian seven points per game, the former North Carolina Tarheel recovered quite nicely in the past four games. With a mean of 17 points, one showing of which was against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Barnes showcased why he still has worth in fantasy basketball. The Sacramento Kings face the Warriors on Tuesday evening as a trip down memory lane for Barnes.

De'Aaron Fox whips it to Harrison Barnes for the Kings triple 👌pic.twitter.com/WPS0cPbVUd

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 25, 2023

Dario Saric - PF, C (30%)

Consistency isn't easy to find at the streamer level, but Dario Saric seems to be the exception. As a backup big, Saric provides a comfort many in his position lack. Reliability comes to mind when looking at Saric's past five performances, evidenced in the 28.9 fantasy points averaged in the provided span. While Saric won't dominate any matchup, Sacramento's backup center situation leaves you wanting more, thus alluding to a successful night for the Warriors frontcourt piece.

Gary Trent Jr. - PG, SG (36%)

Whether or not the In-Season Tournament increases the competitive edge is still in the air. However, one thing for sure is the Brooklyn Nets display a lack of defensive acumen. Regarding Brooklyn's lackluster defense, it allows 39.8 three-point attempts per game, which ranks 23rd league-wide. Compared to his other shooting splits, Gary Trent Jr. thrives best at the three-point line, in light of the 39 percent conversion rate and 5.3 attempts he takes per game. Look for Trent Jr. to leave a mark from distance on Tuesday night vs. the Nets.

Josh Hart - SG, SF (45%)

The New York Knicks plays the Charlotte Hornets and the Detroit Pistons for the next two games, leaving a massive opportunity for anyone equipped with players from the Madison Square Garden host team. On the season, Josh Hart's three-point shooting paints a picture uglier than bathroom stall graffiti. Recording a surprisingly low 29 percent from deep, Hart hasn't embodied the three-and-role in the slightest. However, with the aforementioned opponents on the docket, Hart's chances of improved shooting and pulling off a collection of rebounds make for a compelling projection.

Deep League Streaming Options

Trey Lyles - PF, C (3%)

On the heels of missing 13 games due to a calf injury, Kings stretch-big Trey Lyles shot an impressive 46 percent from the three-point line. Although he's a negative defender regarding advanced stats, Lyles has a safety cushion. The King's ability to produce 123.2 offensive ratings against elite teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves relieves the stress of a stretch big in a world of switch defenses. For teams needing three-point shooting, Lyles is worth the rental.

Trey Lyles gets in the mix from deep to push the Kings lead to 18 👑 pic.twitter.com/d6SeRKejA5

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) November 25, 2023

Josh Richardson - SG (12%)

The prodigal son of the Miami Heat has returned, but instead of bringing riches and stories of success, Josh Richardson provides you with just enough stats to not kick him out of the house again. Despite the hype surrounding Richardson birthed from his first stint with the Heat, the once-perceived three-and-d guard finds himself as a somewhat useful player on a walking-in-place Heat squad.

For streamer purposes, however, he's a good rental. As long as Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson are out due to injury, Richardson will help your struggling fantasy team, as he averaged 11.4 points, three assists, and a steal per game in his last five outings.

Marvin Bagley III - PF, C (15%)

Misery loves company, and the Detroit Pistons keep coming back to spend the season with it. It's hard to find a positive aspect of the Pistons, especially with them sharing the worst record in the league with the unserious Washington Wizards; the Pistons have as many bright spots as an Alaskan winter. Nonetheless, fantasy managers can ignore team success as long as they can benefit. Marvin Bagley III adds a bit of meat to the end of your team's roster. He averaged in his last five games: 12 points, six rebounds, and a block.

Jose Alvarado - PG (6%)

If Zion Williamson is the best player on the New Orleans Pelicans, then Jose Alvarado is the blood that keeps the heart pumping. Since the pesky point guard returned to the lineup from an ankle injury, the Pelicans boast a 3-1 record.

Jose Alvarado hunting down Sabonis like this was hilarious. The whole way down, Jose knew exactly what he wanted pic.twitter.com/xYWpH2d7JK

— Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) November 23, 2023

Aside from accumulating 1.5 steals by hunting off-ball, the hungry-for-action guard averaged eight points and a reasonable 35 percent from deep. For defensive purposes alone, Alvarado warrants a chance at the end of your roster.

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