RADIO
One thing we've been missing at RotoBaller has been a focus on points leagues. We know many of you play in them, though, so we'll be presenting you all with a weekly points league waiver column, to help you find players who can get you to the top in that format.
There has been a lot of crazy news over the last week with injuries and with the NBA's health and safety protocols for covid. One of the biggest stories was Seth Curry sitting on the Philadelphia 76ers' bench on Thursday's night game versus the Brooklyn Nets and getting a positive covid test result during the first quarter. With the 10-day mandatory self-quarantining plus more missed time for any player who might test positive for covid, the Philadelphia 76ers and possibly the Brooklyn Nets might play with smaller rosters as players deal with these guidelines.
Our staff at RotoBaller has great insight and daily columns on how to improve your squad and tips to make your team successful, so be sure to check them out! Now, let's get prepared for Week 4. All players in this article are rostered at 50 percent or less.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers received five total writing awards and 13 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, tops in the industry! Congrats to all the award winners and nominees including NBA Writer of the Year, Best NFL Series, MLB Series, PGA Writer and Player Notes writer of the year. Be sure to follow their analysis, rankings and advice all year long, and win big with RotoBaller! Read More!
Points League - Waiver Wire Adds
Columns are written based on H2H Points Standard Size Leagues:
Cole Anthony - PG - Orlando Magic (46% Rostered)
The Orlando Magic received sad news this week as their starting point guard Markelle Fultz suffered a season-ending injury with a torn left ACL. As the Magic fight for a playoff spot this season making it the last two years as the 7th or 8th seed, rookie Cole Anthony steps into the starting spotlight.
While Anthony wasn't having a spectacular start to the year before Fultz got injured, he was playing fine off the bench and providing good backup point guard minutes. There is a high chance that Anthony needs time to fully integrate into the starting lineup and should be considered a long-term add.
The positives for adding Cole Anthony to your fantasy team are that he has the starting role and should see upwards of 30 minutes or more per night. The Orlando Magic don't currently have another true point guard on their roster, and it looks like Terrence Ross will be the primary ball-handler for the second unit.
Cameron Johnson - SF/PF - Phoenix Suns (33% Rostered)
Entering his 2nd year as a pro, Cameron Johnson has carved out a piece of the rotation on the Phoenix Suns for his outstanding perimeter defense and 3-point shooting skills. Currently averaging 26 minutes a night, Johnson has a perfect game for the typical 3 and D player and is most likely wanted by every team in the NBA. For fantasy, Johnson is giving 24.46 fantasy points in only 26 minutes per night. There is room for Johnson to grow during his sophomore season which could earn him more minutes down the line.
Kelly Olynyk - PF/C - Miami Heat (30 % Rostered)
Kelly Olynyk continues to have a starting role for the Miami Heat and is the best performing big man alongside Bam Adebayo. Olynyk's ability to stretch the floor as a 3-point shooter makes him valuable to start next to Adebayo or when playing as the backup center. Over his seven games, Olynyk is averaging 25.58 fantasy points per game.
Josh Hart - SG/SF - New Orleans Pelicans (23% Rostered)
Josh Hart is entering his fourth year as a 3-and-D player for the New Orleans Pelicans and has been receiving the most minutes for the Pelicans bench unit. Hart isn't known as a scorer but his ability to grab rebounds for his size and position is remarkable. So far this season, Hart is averaging 8.4 points and 8.6 rebounds.
Even when Hart's shot isn't finding its mark, he can bring in fantasy points with his rebounding skills, making him a worthwhile add with his 22.65 fantasy points per game.
Austin Rivers - PG/SG - New York Knicks (23% Rostered)
The New York Knicks are off to a great start of the season and as Tom Thibodeau, the head coach for the Knicks, has been experimenting with lineups, Austin Rivers has been the beneficiary of the 6th man role. Averaging 27 minutes and 22.12 fantasy points a night, Rivers is a solid pickup while the Knicks are riding hot to an above .500 start.
Tyus Jones - PG - Memphis Grizzlies (20% Rostered)
Tyus Jones has continued his starting role and providing great value in fantasy as Ja Morant remains sidelined. Jones was already the backup point guard before Morant got hurt and naturally took the starting job. Jones is a stable addition to your roster until Morant returns and Jones' role gets reduced to a backup job.
Tyrese Maxey - SG - Philadelphia 76ers (12% Rostered)
With news of Seth Curry testing positive for Covid during their last game against the Brooklyn Nets, questions about how the 76ers can continue to play games in the upcoming weeks came forward. Tobias Harris and Curry have been ruled out for health and safety protocols while Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are being listed as out for injury purposes. This is where rookie Tyrese Maxey took matters into his own hands for their latest game against the Denver Nuggets.
Maxey exploded in his first start on the depleted 76ers lineup having a line of 39 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. Maxey also shot lights out from the field making 18 of his 33 shots, giving him a 54% field goal percentage. He made 3 out of his 8 attempts from 3 but sadly didn't make it to the free-throw line.
While this was an encouraging performance to see Maxey play well in his first start, don't get your expectations too high for the rest of the season. Maxey should be a solid short term add while the 76ers continue to have players out for injury or the health and safety protocol. Give him a chance for this week if you have a flier spot open for streaming.
De'Anthony Melton - PG/SG - Memphis Grizzlies (7% Rostered)
De'Anthony Melton has only recently debuted for the Memphis Grizzlies this season on January 5th but already had an impact for fantasy averaging 23.1 fantasy points in his first 3 games. Melton is yet another Memphis guard that is seeing an extended role while Ja Morant is sidelined with a grade 2 left ankle sprain.
Melton has had flashes of high scoring nights, so far this season his fantasy points have been carried by the fact that he can contribute in every category. Averaging 9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1 block in 19.6 minutes per game. The only factor that could limit Melton from keeping this level of production or higher is his access to minutes. Even with Morant out, the Grizzlies had four guards including Melton come off the bench in their last game.
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