RADIO
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 7.
After an exciting start, it's Week 7 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!
Featured Promo: New Novig users get a $25 purchase match (50% discount up to $25) on your first Novig deposit, and 6 free months of RotoBaller's "Big-4" Premium Pass (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) which includes exclusive tools for Betting, Props, DFS and more! CLAIM IT NOW
Weekly Schedule: Monday to Wednesday
All teams will play one game between Monday and Wednesday as the In-Season tournament comes to a close on Friday, December 8.
Shallow League Streaming Options
Josh Hart - SG, SF (48%)
RotoBaller might need to make a "streamer all-star piece" with Josh Hart as the featured image. It seems Hart appears every week as a fantasy basketball godsend. In Hart's last five appearances, the three-point shot is finding the Knicks' wing like he has an air tag attached -- shooting 50 percent from deep. Hart will help your fantasy team, regardless of the stat category. Don't think twice before adding him to your roster.
Patrick Williams - PF (36%)
Recent injuries aside, the Chicago Bulls haven't played up to their roster, especially from a fantasy standpoint. Patrick Williams, the early-season poster boy for not playing up to par, has recently seen an uptick in performance. Playing well through his last five performances, the 2020 fourth-overall pick averaged 14 points on 42 percent three-point shooting. Frankly, it doesn't matter who the Bulls play, as every quarter features garbage time. However, with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan experiencing injuries, look for Williams to have a streamer-worthy game.
Moritz Wagner - C (32%)
It must be 2011 because the Orlando Magic are third in defensive rating and playing winning basketball. They also have a center performing at a respectable level. In only 20 minutes per game, Moritz Wagner averaged 17 points on 65/40/85 splits through the last five Magic contests. Anytime you see Wagner available, consider picking up the dependable center, especially while Wendell Carter Jr. recovers from injury.
Dereck Lively II - C (47%)
It's a block party, and Mavs starting center Dereck Lively II is hosting. Following a monstrous 17 rebound and seven-block outing vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night, all bets are off; look for Lively II's stock to rise. Although his offense mainly depends on superstar teammate Luka Doncic, the Duke alum's defense supplements a lack of self-creating offense. Check for Lively II anytime he's available.
DERECK LIVELY II POSTER SLAM ON CHET 😤 pic.twitter.com/l1hb5eKHAy
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 3, 2023
Deep League Streaming Options
Killian Hayes - PG, SG (23%)
All is not good in Detroit. Without digging too deep into the mind-numbing issues of the once-proud franchise, I'll just say that Detroit Pistons guard Killian Hayes is a positive in fantasy play. Again, it's bleak in Detroit. Although Hayes hasn't played like the second coming of James Harden, he's shown positive aspects regarding fantasy basketball.
Averaging a block and steal per contest, Hayes produces like a decent defender, despite what the tape reveals. Hayes also converts three-point shots at a 42.9 percent clip, albeit on only 1.4 attempts per game. Ultimately, the Pistons lack bright spots on the roster, but Hayes does just enough to warrant thinking of taking a quick rental.
Dennis Smith Jr. - PG, SG (3%)
As the Brooklyn Nets continue to fight the injury bug, with three rotation players on the injury report, the return of Dennis Smith Jr. came at the right time. Missing from action since November 16, Smith Jr. posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes against the Magic. Opposing the defenseless Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, Smith Jr. makes for an intriguing early-week streamer.
I absolutely love the high-level athleticism, aggression and impact Dennis Smith Jr. provides the Nets.
His playmaking is super valuable as well.
pic.twitter.com/iRHfIRnIOX— Jac Manuell (CT Obsessed) (@JacManuell) December 4, 2023
Robert Covington - SF, PF (10%)
Typically, when a player such as James Harden leaves your franchise, it opens a significant void. However, it was different in the Philadelphia 76ers' case as the role players netted in Harden's return made for a smooth transition. One of those players, Robert Covington, provides a healthy dose of role-player production.
Recently, though, his numbers spiked on both offense and defense. In 22 minutes per game, Covington averaged 8.8 points, five rebounds, and a steal and block over the past five contests. Philadelphia plays the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. You should seriously contemplate taking a flier on Covington.
Payton Pritchard - PG, SG (3%)
Fantasy basketball PSA: If the Indiana Pacers are scheduled to play, pick anyone involved in that game to do better than usual. Indiana leads the league in pace, which typically bodes for a high-scoring game. The Boston Celtics play the Pacers on Monday night, and reserve guard Payton Pritchard deserves a look. Following two double-digit scoring outings in which he amassed five three-point buckets, I'd go out on the safest of limbs and suggest he has another productive game against the temp-pushing Pacers.
Payton Pritchard bucket to SEAL the Celtics win 🔥pic.twitter.com/d9wbjHMm84
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 2, 2023
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy basketball mobile app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, lineup notifications & DFS articles. All free!
