RADIO
Stan Son 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 4.
The Orlando Bubble was a tremendous success. Games were played and COVID-19 was kept at bay. The NBA was lauded and all within the league offices were dancing and prancing in celebration. Well, COVID-19 did not appreciate all of that, so when the NBA entered its Bubble-less environment, COVID-19 was ready to exact revenge. Games have been postponed and too many players to list have been under health and safety protocols. And it's not going to stop. As a result, those who can mine the waiver wire in these tumultuous times will put themselves in a better position to fly the flag at season's end. Hopefully, this piece will help in that endeavor.
Our one and only, Milos Zvekic broke down the Week 4 streamers earlier this week and will continue to do so all season long. I will be chiming in mid-week to add some sprinkles and frosting onto the beautifully baked Zvekic cake.
For the rest of Week 4 (Thursday to Sunday), there are eight teams with a back-to-back and two teams who play three games. As usual, I will try and isolate players who are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues and could contribute.
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ATLANTA HAWKS
The Hawks play a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday. They travel to Utah then to Portland. UTA is 23rd in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency. POR is 7th in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. There are no viable players owned in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
BOSTON CELTICS
The Celtics host the Magic on Friday, then the Knicks on Sunday. ORL is 20th in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. NYK is 29th in pace and 13th in defensive efficiency. The Celtics were ravaged by COVID-19. Jayson Tatum and Robert Williams are likely out until next week while Jaylen Brown, Semi Ojeleye, and Javonte Green could be available for Sunday's game while Grant Williams and Tristan Thompson could be available for Friday's game. Payton Pritchard (PG - 15% rostered) is a baller who can score, provide three-pointers, dish out a few assists, and get some steals. He played 32 and 20 minutes when Jeff Teague was out, but played 23 minutes upon his return.
BROOKLYN NETS
The Nets only play one game the rest of the week, hosting the Magic.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
The Hornets travel to Toronto/Tampa on Thursday, then again on Saturday. TOR is 10th in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency. Bismack Biyombo (C - 19% rostered) is playing around 24-25 minutes per game and will provide rebounds and blocks. The field goal percentage is good at 50% but he's only shooting 50% from the line, albeit on around two attempts per game.
CHICAGO BULL
The Bulls travel to Oklahoma City on Friday, then to Dallas on Sunday. OKC is 17th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency. DAL is 25th in pace and 3rd in defensive efficiency. With Lauri Markkanen set to return from COVID protocols, the playing time and fantasy production for Garrett Temple should disappear. Patrick Williams (SF - 15% rostered) is the only viable option. He has started every game this season and will provide those steals and blocks. Williams is not a complete zero on offense, though, as he can provide double-digit points, a three-pointer here and there, and decent percentages.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The Cavaliers host the Knicks on Friday then travel to DC on Sunday. NYK is 29th in pace and 13th in defensive efficiency. WAS is 1st in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. Yummy. JaVale McGee (C - 11% rostered) will never play more than 20 minutes, whether he starts or not, but will grab rebounds and block shots when he's on the court. Damyean Dotson (SG - 8% rostered) has started the last four games because Collins Sexton and Darius Garland have been out. If one or both continue to miss time, then Dotson can be a source of points and three-pointers while he has chipped in some assists and defensive stats lately.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks travel to Milwaukee on Friday then host the Bulls on Sunday. MIL is 6th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. CHI is 3rd in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. Willie Cauley-Stein (PF/C - 7% rostered) has started the last four games, but more importantly, started and played 30 minutes with Kristaps Porzingis in the lineup. He won't score many points, he will grab rebounds and provide defensive stats.
DENVER NUGGETS
The Nuggets host the Warriors on Thursday then the Jazz on Sunday. GSW is 2nd in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. UTA is 23rd in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency. Gary Harris (SG/SF - 22% rostered) missed the last game due to personal reasons, but he had started every game prior to that. Over the past three games, Harris has really found a groove producing top 60 value. He's averaged 33.3 minutes, 16.7 points, 2.7 three-pointers, 3.3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Now, he's shooting 63% from the field so some massive regression is in order, but for the season, he's shooting a respectable 46% from the field.
DETROIT PISTONS
The Pistons play a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday. They host the Wizards then travel to Miami. WAS is 1st in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. MIA is 11th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. Saddiq Bey (SF - 10% rostered) has been a top 80 player over the past three games in only 26 minutes per game. Bey can provide some points, three-pointers, and rebounds. The shooting efficiency is painful, though, as he's shooting 37% on the season and only 41% over the past three games. Delon Wright (SG/SF - 34% rostered) has received a second life after Killian Hayes succumbed to injury. Over the past three games, Wright has averaged 31.6 minutes. Now, he's only been a top 170 player since he doesn't score points or provide three-pointers. His value is derived from rebounds, assists, and steals. The shooting efficiency can be very poor, as he's shooting 35% from the field over the past three games but is at 42% for the season.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The Warriors travel to Denver on Thursday then to Phoenix on Friday. DEN is 26th in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency. PHX is 30th in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
The Rockets travel to San Antonio on Thursday, then play again on Saturday. SA is 16th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency.
INDIANA PACERS
The Pacers travel to Portland on Thursday then to Phoenix on Saturday and Los Angeles on Sunday. POR is 7th in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. PHX is 30th in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. LAC is 27th in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency. Doug McDermott (SF/PF - 11% rostered) is a points and three-pointers streamer. The minutes and production fluctuate, as he's played 17, 30, and 23 minutes the past three games, while he's scored 5, 21, and 12 points. Justin Holiday (SG/SF - 40% rostered) is getting the minutes with TJ Warren out at 31 mpg and will provide points, three-pointers, some rebounds, and steals.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
The Clippers travel to Sacramento on Friday then host the Pacers on Sunday. SAC is 8th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. IND is 14th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency. Patrick Beverley (PG/SG - 18% rostered) will usually tank your field goal percentage but he can provide some three-pointers, assists, and steals. He also rebounds well for a guard.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers host the Pelicans on Friday. NOP is 24th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The Grizzlies travel to Minnesota on Friday then host the 76ers on Saturday. MIN is 8th in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. PHI is 5th in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. Tyus Jones (PG - 35% rostered) has been a top 55 player since taking over for Ja Morant. He's averaging over 29 minutes per game and providing assists and steals at a high rate. He will also chip in some three-pointers and rebounds.
MIAMI HEAT
The Heat travel to Philadelphia on Thursday then host the Pistons on Saturday. The Heat had eight players out due to COVID protocols: Bam Adebayo, Avery Bradley, Jimmy Butler, Goran Dragic, Moe Harkless, Udonis Haslem, Kendrick Nunn, and KZ Okpala. I'm going under the assumption that they will be missing both games this week. Kelly Olynyk (PF/C - 40% rostered) has started the last four games and averaged 32.6 minutes, 14.7 points, 3.3 three-pointers, 6.3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 0.7 blocks while shooting 50% from the field. He's primarily a points, three-pointers, and rebounds guy so consider the defensive stats a cherry on top. Gabe Vincent (PG - 2% rostered) got the start last game and scored 24 points in 36 minutes. He garnered a usage rate of 26 and contributed four three-pointers, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He's playing a ton of minutes and hoisting up shots. Precious Achiuwa (SF/PF - 15% rostered) got his first start last game and played 36 minutes. He contributed 17 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and one block while shooting 70% from the field and 75% from the line.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
The Bucks host the Mavericks on Friday. DAL is 25th in pace and 3rd in defensive efficiency.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves host the Grizzlies on Friday. MEM is 18th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
The Pelicans travel to Los Angeles on Friday then to Sacramento on Sunday. LAL is 13th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. SAC is 8th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. Josh Hart (SG/SF - 28% rostered) won't score many points, although he did go for 19 points last game, but he's playing 27-28 minutes per game and providing robust rebounding numbers while contributing some three-pointers and steals.
NEW YORK KNICKS
The Knicks travel to Cleveland on Friday then to Boston on Sunday. CLE is 27th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. BOS is 18th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. Austin Rivers (PG/SG - 24% rostered) got the start last game and has played over 30 minutes in four out of the last five games. He is primarily a points and three-points player but 30 minutes is 30 minutes. It's unclear what happens when Alec Burks returns to the rotation but ride Rivers until then.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The Thunder host the Bulls on Friday then the 76ers on Sunday. CHI is 3rd in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. PHI is 5th in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. Hamidou Diallo (SG/SF - 44% rostered) is an athletic 3-and-D player who has been scorching hot from the field lately. Over the past four games, he's shot 61% from the field which has translated to 18.3 points per game. The usage rate has been 26 and he's produced top 45 value over that span! Now, this is unsustainable but ride him while he's hot. George Hill (PG/SG - 25% rostered) is the opposite of sexy but he's playing 28 mpg and can provide some assists, steals, and three-pointers.
ORLANDO MAGIC
The Magic travel to Boston on Friday then to Brooklyn the following day. BOS is 18th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. BKN is 4th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency.
PHILADELPHIA 76ers
The 76ers host the Heat on Thursday then travel to Memphis on Saturday and to Oklahoma City the following day. MIA is 11th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. MEM is 18th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. OKC is 17th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency. Dwight Howard (C - 15% rostered) only plays around 15 minutes when Joel Embiid is healthy but he can provide rebounds, blocks, and excellent field goal percentage. Mike Scott (SF/PF - 1% rostered) has started the past two games because Tobias Harris is in COVID protocols and will likely miss these games as well. Scott has been brutal shooting 30% from the field, but he's coming off an injury. He did score 16 points last game with four three-pointers and grabbed three rebounds.
PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns host the Warriors on Friday then the Pacers on Saturday. GSW is 2nd in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. IND is 14th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency. Jae Crowder (SF/PF - 40% rostered) has been playing 29 mpg and providing three-pointers and rebounds. Coach Williams intimated that he could make a change to the starting lineup, so Crowder could be affected. Cameron Johnson (SF/PF - 41% rostered) is basically Crowder but in a younger body and with a better shooting percentage. He's been playing 24 mpg but there's a chance the change in the rotation could benefit him.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The Trail Blazers host the Pacers on Thursday then the Hawks on Saturday. IND is 14th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency. ATL is 15th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. Carmelo Anthony (SF/PF - 38% rostered) scored 20 points and played 35 minutes last game but that was due to Jusuf Nurkic getting injured. Normally, Anthony will play around 21-23 mpg. He can still be effective in that time, though, and will contribute points and three-pointers. The shooting efficiency is always a concern. Gary Trent Jr. (SG/SF - 11% rostered) is getting the minutes at 29 per game but he's ice-cold right now, shooting 34% from the field. Trent does have the ability to catch fire, though, so there's points upside.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
The Kings host the Clippers on Friday then the Pelicans on Sunday. LAC is 27th in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency. NOP is 24th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
The Spurs host the Rockets on Thursday and Saturday. HOU is 12th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. Lonnie Walker IV (SG/SF - 27% rostered) has scored 24 and 25 points in the last two games. He provides three-pointers and gets some defensive stats here and there. Now, keep in mind that DeMar DeRozan was out these two games, so this kind of production is likely unsustainable. With that said, the coaching staff keeps pushing Walker to be more aggressive on offense so maybe things start clicking now. Patty Mills (PG - 40% rostered) is averaging 27.5 minutes, 16.5 points, three three-pointers, and 4.3 assists over the past four games. That ain't bad and Mills has scored in every game but one this season.
TORONTO RAPTORS
The Raptors travel to Charlotte on Thursday and Saturday. CHA is 21st in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency.
UTAH JAZZ
The Jazz host the Hawks on Friday then travel to Denver on Sunday. ATL is 15th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. DEN is 26th in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
The Wizards travel to Detroit on Friday and host the Cavs on Sunday. DET is 22nd in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. Moritz Wagner (PF/C - 19% rostered) can provide three-pointers and rebounds from the center position and will likely play around 22 mpg with Thomas Bryant done for the season. Robin Lopez (C - 14% rostered) will provide rebounds and blocks and will play in the low-20s the rest of the season.
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