Fantasy Basketball Mid-Week Streamers: Week 12

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 12.

The remainder of this week presents some interesting advantages and disadvantages for fantasy basketball. There are six teams that will play just one game each. There are also two teams that have three games left to play.

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): Brooklyn, Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, Toronto, Washington

Teams that play two or three games (TARGET): Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Indiana, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento

Teams that play back-to-back (TARGET): Atlanta, Chicago, Golden State, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, Orlando, San Antonio, Utah

Shallow League Streaming Options

Donte DiVincenzo, SG/SF (50%)

The trading of Immanuel Quickley has left DiVincenzo with a larger role for the Knicks. Over six games since the move, DiVincenzo has averaged 16.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 3.5 three-pointers. He has also shot 53.7 percent from the field and 88.9 percent from the charity stripe. It helped his cause that he logged 25 minutes per game during that stretch, which is up from his season average of 21 minutes. Don’t expect his role to decline anytime soon.

Malik Beasley, SG/SF (38%)

The Bucks are one of the two teams that still has three games remaining for the week. Beasley provides very little in terms of assists and defensive stats, which doesn’t make him the best fantasy option. However, he is averaging 2.9 three-pointers per game, putting him on pace to average at least that many for the fourth straight season. Those in need of three-pointers need to look no further than Beasley for help.

Kevin Love, PF/C (38%)

Love is only logging 19 minutes per game this season. Still, he has averaged 10.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.7 three-pointers. After shooting an abnormally low 38.9 percent from the field last season, he is shooting 45.5 percent this season. The Heat still have two more games left to play and they are dealing with a few injuries, making Love a worthwhile pickup.

Nick Richards, C (37%)

How is Richards only rostered in this few leagues still? He has started 15 straight games for the Hornets since Mark Williams (back) went down. During that span, he averaged 9.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, while shooting 66.3 percent from the field. There have been no positive updates regarding Williams, so expect Richards to remain in his starting role.

Deep Leagues Streaming Options

Taurean Prince, SF/PF (19%)

This isn’t the first time that we’ve highlighted Prince when the schedule works in his favor. He has provided the Lakers with important shooting, averaging 2.2 three-pointers per game. He is shooting 39.3 percent from behind the arc and has been aided by logging a career-high 31 minutes per game. The reason to add him is for three-pointers, but an added bonus is that he has averaged 1.9 steals over his last seven games.

Andrew Nembhard, PG/SG (16%)

The big news of the week was Tyrese Haliburton going down with a hamstring injury. He is going to miss at least the next two weeks, which made T.J. McConnell a hot waiver wire option. He is now rostered in more than half of Yahoo leagues, and rightfully so. For those in deeper formats who missed out on McConnell, don’t sleep on Nembhard. He started Wednesday with Haliburton out against the Wizards and logged 26 minutes. Despite a less than stellar stat line of two points, five assists, and two steals, the added playing time makes him a viable fantasy option.

Matisse Thybulle, SG/SF (14%)

When playing in deep head-to-head leagues, hunting for players who can contribute in a particular area of need can sometimes be key. Those looking for points, rebounds, and/or assists should not be interested in adding Thybulle. However, those seeking defensive stats should consider him with the Trail Blazers being the other team that has three games left this week. For the season, he has averaged 1.6 steals and 0.9 blocks.

Nick Smith Jr., PG/SG (1%)

The Hornets continue to play without LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Gordon Hayward (calf). The rookie Smith has been given a chance to play more lately, averaging 19 minutes over their last nine games. During that span, he averaged 9.7 points and 2.2 three-pointers. For the season, he is shooting a robust 47.6 percent from behind the arc. Given that he is still available in so many leagues, even those in the deepest of formats might be able to add him to get a boost in three-pointers.

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