RADIO
Daniel Lubofsky looks at some mid-week waiver wire options for fantasy basketball leagues. These players may be free agents to pick up off waivers in Week 10.
Christmas Day in the NBA has come and gone, providing its traditional blend of star power and entertaining basketball -- even in ways more unique than what we've grown accustomed to.
With the passing of Dec. 25, the 2019-20 season is unofficially underway! Outliers no longer exist and the greater identity of each of the 30 NBA teams and its players is present with greater clarity than ever before.
That being said, the unpredictable will always rear its head at one point or another -- most likely in the form of injuries -- and everyone needs to be prepared, especially fantasy owners with a realistic shot at the championship. For that reason, here are five potential pick-ups options for the 10th week of the fantasy season.
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Week 10 Mid-Week Waiver Wire Pickups
Chris Boucher - SF/PF - Toronto Raptors - 29% owned
Chris Boucher has amassed more than 20 minutes of playing time in two of Toronto's last three games. Across 51 total minutes in those games, the third-year big man has combined to put up 45 points on 60.0 percent shooting with 13 rebounds, and six blocks.
Surprisingly, Boucher has passed that minute threshold only six times this season, having scored in double-figures each time.
The Raptors are alarmingly thin in their frontcourt right now with injuries to Pascal Siakam and Marc Gasol who don't have a timetable for a return anytime soon. While unfortunate, these absences present a clear path for Boucher to receive more playing time.
Given the potential he's shown when afforded a sizeable role, it's hard to envision Toronto keeping him grounded much longer, which could result in similar stat lines as the Raptors look for any assistance to remain steady through this rough stretch.
Gorgui Dieng - PF/C - Minnesota Timberwolves - 20% owned
With averages of just 6.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, Gorgui Dieng never warranted much consideration among any type of fantasy league, but that's changed over the Minnesota Timberwolves' last few games.
Franchise center Karl-Anthony Towns has missed Minnesota's last four outings on account of a sprained left knee. Inserted into the starting lineup, Dieng has taken advantage over that same time frame, averaging 14.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 three-pointers a night.
Towns is making progress in his recovery, but it looks like there will still be a few more DNPs before the All-Star big man makes his way back onto the court.
Once KAT is fully healthy, Dieng will return to the bench and his value will almost certainly evaporate. Until then, the six-year veteran is a solid plug-in option for the teams in need of a short-term stabilizer upfront.
Aaron Holiday - PG - Indiana Pacers - 18% owned
The Indiana Pacers have turned to Aaron Holiday for some backcourt assistance, and the second-year guard has responded with an increased level of production, specifically over the last two weeks.
Across Indiana's last seven games, the former UCLA product is averaging 15.1 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers a night, even earning a starting role in the most recent three games.
One of either Jeremy Lamb or Malcolm Brogdon has been absent over the last three games, afford Holiday that spot in the starting lineup.
Even in their presence, the Pacers are still reliant upon Holiday for a sizeable amount of minutes. Maybe that changes with the return of Victor Oladipo, but Holiday seems to have carved out a spot in the rotation regardless, and his play should only improve with consistent playing time and the added confidence stemming from his contributions.
Ben McLemore - SG - Houston Rockets - 17% owned
Ben McLemore hasn't topped double-figures in scoring over his last four games, but that hasn't stopped him from proving a healthy dose of three-point makes.
On the season, he's averaging a career-high 2.5 makes a game from downtown. He hasn't made less than two three-pointers in a game since Dec. 14 and he hasn't had back-to-back of such outings in almost a month.
With just 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game, McLemore doesn't provide anything outside of a deft shooting touch. If that's a strength of your fantasy team, there's no need to give him a look.
If your squad, however, happens to be lacking in that department with an open roster spot to fill, any player getting looks on the league-leader in three-point attempts per game -- by a sizeable margin -- is a smart play.
Damion Lee - SG - Golden State Warriors - 10% owned
Like many players on this unrecognizable Golden State Warriors squad, Damion Lee has gotten a shot to prove his worth and his taking advantage of every second of it.
After returning from a broken hand, Lee has scored in double-figures in five of his last six games including over 20 in two of his last three. He's coming off the best game of his career, where he helped Golden State to a surprising Christmas day win over the Houston Rockets with 22 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two three-pointers.
Klay Thompson isn't expected back this season and Stephen Curry will likely follow suit given the ineptitude of the Warriors this season.
D'Angelo Russell certainly fills some of that gaping hole in the backcourt, but the Dubs need more if only to trot out an actual lineup.
Lee fits the bill on account of his recent play and experience within Steve Kerr's system -- he appeared in 32 games for the team last season. The lows will certainly accompany the highs, but there's no one standing in the way of Lee putting up numbers, and if there's was any doubt in his ability to do so, this recent stretch of play should speak volumes.
