Fantasy Basketball Mid-Week Streamers: Week 1

Mike Barner looks at some mid-week waiver wire options for fantasy basketball leagues. These players may be free agents to target on waivers in Week 1.

The NBA made its return this week with an abbreviated schedule. There were no games on Monday, but Wednesday consisted of 12 games. As we look towards the remainder of the schedule Thursday through Sunday, no team will play more than two games. There are nine teams that will play a back-to-back set, which will be important to monitor for potential rest days, even this early in the season.

Let’s look at the remaining schedules for each team and discuss some players to consider streaming. For those in daily lineup leagues, streaming players with favorable schedules can be key to having a winning week. However, be sure to be aware of your league rules. If you have a games played cap for the week, then streaming too much might not be ideal. All roster percentages used in this article are from Yahoo.

Weekly Schedule: Thursday to Sunday

Teams that play only one game (AVOID): Boston, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Dallas, Indiana, Minnesota, New Orleans, Orlando, Washington

Teams that play two games (TARGET): Atlanta, Denver, Golden State, Houston, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio

Teams that play back-to-back (TARGET): Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Memphis, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, Utah

Shallow League Streaming Options

Coby White, PG/SG (41%)

White is the new starting point guard for the Bulls. He logged 31 minutes in their first game against the Thunder, posting 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two three-pointers. While he was only 4-for-14 from the field, the volume of his shot attempts was encouraging. The Bulls need his three-point shooting, so expect him to continue to play a lot.

Saddiq Bey, SF/PF (38%)

Bey began the season in the starting five for the Hawks when they took on the Hornets. He logged 29 minutes, posting 15 points, five rebounds, five steals, and one three-pointer. Don’t expect him to continue to rack up steals at that rate, but he has averaged at least 2.0 three-pointers in each of the last three seasons, so he should continue to be an asset in that department.

Max Strus, SG/SF (37%)

After averaging at least 2.5 three-pointers per game in both of the last two seasons, Strus moved from the Heat to the Cavaliers during the summer. They needed someone to help stretch the floor, especially with how often they play Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen (ankle) together. With opposing defenses having to focus on slowing down Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, Strus could find himself with a lot of open looks from deep during the Cavaliers’ two games. He certainly looked great in their first game of the season, recording 27 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, and seven three-pointers over 39 minutes.

Jalen Johnson (27%)

The Hawks brought Johnson off the bench in their first game, but he still played 29 minutes. He couldn’t have performed much better, registering 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block. With John Collins no longer in town, there is enough playing time available for both Johnson and Bey to have significant roles.

Deep Leagues Streaming Options

Taurean Prince, SF/PF (26%)

Jarred Vanderbilt (heel) was unable to play in the Lakers' first game of the season against the Warriors, which moved Prince into the starting lineup. He was hot from behind the arc, making four three-pointers on his way to scoring 18 points. He logged 30 minutes along the way. Even if Vanderbilt is able to return at some point this week, Prince may have played well enough to at least leave himself in an expanded role. Last season, he provided 1.4 three-pointers over just 22 minutes per game with the Timberwolves, so he can help fantasy managers in that department.

Alex Caruso, PG/SG (14%)

Those in need of scoring shouldn’t be looking to add Caruso. He’s known for his defense, not his scoring prowess. Still, he’s not someone to overlook if you need steals. Last season, he averaged 1.5 steals over just 24 minutes per game. Expect him to remain in a similar role this season, even with the Bulls adding Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig. In their opener, he had two steals over 20 minutes.

Drew Eubanks, C (9%)

Eubanks finds himself backing up Jusuf Nurkic again, but this season it’s on the Suns. Eubanks logged 19 minutes in their first game against the Warriors, posting four points, eight rebounds, two assists, and three blocks. Across just 20 minutes per game last season, he averaged 6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, while shooting 64.1 percent from the field. Those in need of rebounds and blocks could receive a boost from Eubanks with the Suns set to play twice.

David Roddy, SF/PF (1%)

The Grizzlies are lacking depth right now. Ja Morant is still serving his suspension, Steven Adams (knee) has been ruled out for the season and Santi Aldama sprained his ankle in practice just before the season began. That resulted in Roddy logging 28 minutes off the bench in their first game against the Pelicans. He didn’t produce a gaudy stat line, but he did contribute nine points, five rebounds, two assists, and one three-pointer. For those who are in very deep leagues, Roddy is worth considering with two games upcoming.

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