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In our weekly look at the waiver wire in fantasy basketball, RotoBaller Brad Leibfried gives us some in-depth NBA analysis about which guards to target off the waiver wire, and which guards to continue scouting. Fantasy owners would do well to check out Brad's Week 11 Forwards & Centers Pickups, as well. RotoBaller covers the best fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups each week, so stay tuned!
Waiver Wire Pickups at the Guard Position
Waiver Wire Must-Add Guards:
Terrence Ross: With Rudy Gay now in Sacramento, Ross has seen his role in Toronto increase dramatically. The young wing has seen his playing time increase to 30 minutes a game while upping his scoring to 13.4 point a game on 2.6 three-pointers per contest over the past two weeks. Ross can be a bit up and down, as he has two games of 23 points but also two games of just six points in the team’s last six games. He will not wow you outside of his scoring and shooting numbers but he can contribute enough in terms of rebounding and steals to make him a viable play each week. He should be the top pickup of the week.
Jeremy Lamb: Most people instantly added Reggie Jackson when they heard the news of Russell Westbrook’s injury. Jackson will fill Westbrook's role at the point; however, Lamb is likely to be the player who fills the scoring role for the Thunder. Lamb has scored in double figures in the four games since Westbrook’s injury, while also tossing in decent rebounding and steal numbers. He is a lot like Terrence Ross in that his value is tied largely to his scoring and shooting, but when given the minutes can contribute in other areas. Lamb does have 5 steals in his past five games and also has tossed in a few blocks. Until Westbrook returns Lamb can be considered a solid fill in and decent fantasy starter.
Kendall Marshall: Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Jordan Farmar, Steve Blake and Xavier Henry. All of those players were Laker point guards at one point this season and all of those players are all also on the injured list. The former first-round pick, Marshall is the only man left standing in the Lakers backcourt. He has struggled in his young career and after being traded to Washington this summer, he was cut and just picked up by Los Angeles. In the first game in which he saw significant playing time, Marshall put up 10 points and 7 assists in their New Year’s Eve game against Milwaukee. With news that Marshall will now start only helps his value as Mike D’Antoni has made stars out of several point guards in his coaching career. He is a bit of an unknown but the talent and system are clearly there for fantasy value.
Waiver Wire Guards to Watch
Jarrett Jack: Even though the knee injury to Kyrie Irving was only a contusion, keep an eye on the veteran Jack. He is only averaging 10 points and 3.8 assists a game but in Irving’s absence on Thursday he put up 14 points, rebounds and 7 assists. If Irving misses anytime move Jack to must own status.
Shelvin Mack: Although Mack is a guard, he has benefited from the loss of Al Horford. The Hawks have moved to playing smaller lineups during their games and in the past week Mack has seen 27 minutes a game. He is posting a solid all-round stat line of 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in that time. If he can continue to get around 30 minutes he can be a valuable fantasy player.
Check out Brad's Week 11 Forwards & Centers Pickups, and be sure to come back next week as RotoBaller will continue to look at the best fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups for you to own and scout.
