Fantasy Basketball Mid-Week Streamers: Week 10

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 10.

We have a unique schedule for the rest of Week 10. There are four teams that will play just one game each. There are also four teams who will play three games each. The rest of the league will all play two games apiece.

Two of the teams that are scheduled to play three times each are the Celtics and Lakers. With all of the veterans on both rosters and their desire to be healthy for deep playoff runs, rest days could be coming.

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 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 game (AVOID): Cleveland, Houston, LA Clippers, Milwaukee

Teams that play two or three games (TARGET): Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Golden State, Indiana, LA Lakers, Memphis, Miami, Minnesota, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, Utah, Washington

Teams that play back-to-back (TARGET): Charlotte, Denver, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, Toronto

Shallow League Streaming Options

Andre Drummond, C (49%)

Nikola Vucevic appeared in all 82 games for the Bulls last season. However, he recently suffered a groin injury that will keep him out for at least a week. Drummond started in his place on Tuesday against the Hawks and dominated, producing 24 points, 25 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks across 38 minutes. The Bulls don’t really have another center on their roster, so Drummond is going to play a lot until Vucevic returns.

Patrick Williams, PF (44%)

Injuries on the Bulls have left Williams with a significant increase in playing time as well. Over their last 13 games, he has averaged 33 minutes. During that span, he put up 13.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, and 1.8 three-pointers per game. He also shot 49.6 percent from the field. Reinforcements aren’t coming anytime soon, so Williams should remain busy over the Bulls’ final two games of the week.

Dante Exum, PG (41%)

Exum is in a similar spot as Williams. The Mavericks have been missing several players, which has helped him log an average of 32 minutes over the last 10 games. He has taken full advantage of his expanded role, averaging 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.9 three-pointers per game. Kyrie Irving (heel) doesn’t appear close to returning, so expect Exum to remain in his expanded role.

Nick Richards, C (35%)

The Hornets haven’t provided any updates on the back injury to Mark Williams. He continues to be listed as doubtful, so it would not be a surprise to see him miss the Hornets’ final two games of the week. Richards has started each of the last eight games in his place, averaging 9.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks.

Deep Leagues Streaming Options

Trayce Jackson-Davis, PF/C (26%)

The Warriors need size with Draymond Green (suspension) out. They have taken a chance on Jackson-Davis, and the initial returns have been promising. Over their last five games, he has averaged 11.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.0 blocks. What’s exciting about that is he only logged 21 minutes per game during that span. He’s showing that he doesn’t need a ton of minutes to provide value, so he could be worth taking a chance on with the Warriors set to play two more games.

Taurean Prince, SF/PF (23%)

The Lakers playing three more games makes them a great roster to target. Prince has started every game that he has appeared in this season, averaging 31 minutes along the way. While he doesn’t provide much in the way of rebounds and assists, he has averaged 10.2 points and 2.2 three-pointers per game. Those looking for help from behind the arc should give him serious consideration.

Malaki Branham, PG/SG/SF (7%)

The Spurs are another team that will play three more games this week. Branham has recently become a starter, filling that role in each of the last nine games. While his numbers don’t jump off the page, he did average 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 three-pointers during that span. He also shot 50.0 percent from the field and was perfect from the free-throw line. As long as he remains a starter, he’s a deep-league option when the schedule works in his favor like it does this week.

Payton Pritchard, PG/SG (5%)

The Celtics have one of the best records in the league and are cruising towards the playoffs already. Their three opponents the rest of this week are the Pistons, Raptors, and Spurs. It would be shocking if they didn’t give some of their best players at least one of these games off. Pritchard has already been making an impact, averaging 12.7 points and 3.5 three-pointers over their last six games. Considering how widely available he is, those in extremely deep leagues who need three-pointers should target him.

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