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Looking ahead into Week 8, owners should have a slight idea of what their team's strengths and weaknesses are. It's never too early to explore trades to boost your team's chances, especially in head-to-head leagues. With that said, we're here to bless you all with everything you guys need to stay ahead of your opponents in all your fantasy leagues. Below are our recommended waiver wire pickups for Week 8 of the fantasy basketball season, for those looking to beef up their teams. We wish everyone the best of luck in your leagues and may the odds forever be in your favor!
It's the best time to start exploring trades, and get out ahead before it's too late! Sell high, buy low - trying to look for ways to improve your team despite where you are in the standings will go a long way for you in case injuries and cold streaks happen.
As a reminder for most leagues, it's crucial to plan ahead. Waiver wire adds, scheduling and player injuries are all things to consider. Drop the dead weight, make an effort to improve your team by maximizing your weekly adds and utilizing streamer spots via the waiver wire. Don't be attached to short-term pickups when there is a hot player on the horizon, especially if a hot player can stick with significant minutes the rest of the season. Be wary of weekly streaming options and stay ahead of your opponents. 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 8.
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Week 8 Schedule
4 Games - Cavaliers, Nuggets, Nets, Pistons, Pelicans, Knicks, Spurs, Raptors
3 Games - Hawks, Hornets, Bulls, Wizards, Jazz, Kings, Trail Blazers, Suns, Magic, Thunder, Timberwolves, Bucks, Heat, Grizzlies, Lakers, Clippers, Pacers, Rockets, Mavericks
2 Games - Celtics, Sixers
Week 8 Standard Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
I write my columns based on H2H 9-category standard size leagues:
Tim Frazier - PG, PELICANS (20% Ownership)
Frazier has been promoted to the starting lineup with Elfrid Payton (finger surgery) looking to miss the next six weeks. He's answered the call in a respectable fashion, averaging 8.3 points, 10.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 triples over the past three games. The Pelicans also play four times this week, and he should be able to help your team with an extra boost of assists.
Damyean Dotson - SG/SF, KNICKS (10% Ownership)
Dotson has re-entered the rotation, and there's no telling how long it'll last given how unpredictable David Fizzdale's rotations are. Dotson contributed a season-high 21 points with five rebounds, one assist, one steal, and five 3-pointers in 33 minutes on Sunday, and knocked Frank Ntilikina out of the rotation entirely. Dotson has scored in double-digit scoring in three straight games and looks to have regained Fizzdale's trust. However, New York's still a mess.
Nemanja Bjelica - PF, KINGS (39% Ownership)
Marvin Bagley (back spasms) is nursing a back injury at the moment, and the Kings would be wise to let the #2 overall pick take as much time as he needs. Bjelica was a must-own playing earlier in the season but has really played poorly lately with inconsistent minutes. He'll get another chance to get things rolling again with Bagley on the sidelines, although Bagley's injury isn't considered serious.
Kyle Anderson - SG/SF, GRIZZLIES (63% Ownership)
Slo-mo has really worked his way into the standard league consideration after a brutal start. He's no longer battling a sore Achilles, and while the numbers won't wow you, he'll contribute in most categories to help you in many ways. He's doing enough in multiple categories to keep, even though he is boring to roster. Pick him up if you have dead weight on your roster.
Noah Vonleh - PF/C, KNICKS (43% Ownership)
Vonleh did have three subpar games following his three-game hot streak but bounced back on Sunday with 15 points on a perfect 6-for-6 from the field. He looks to be one of Fizzdale's favorites, so he'll continue to produce low-end value as long as he keeps starting for the Knicks.
Richaun Holmes -PF/C, SUNS (8% Ownership)
The steals and blocks are undeniable, and he should be picked up in most leagues because it's been that consistent. He's averaging 2.2 blocks and 1.4 steals over the last five games, all while still being able to average 10.0 points on 67 percent shooting in only 18 minutes of playing time. That span has him inside the top-100 in nine-category leagues, and that should be a good enough indicator he's worth owning, especially if you need a big man. If anything ever happens to Deandre Ayton, Holmes would become a very hot pickup. He's loaded with upside, and the departure of Tyson Chandler has given Holmes a stable backup role on the Suns.
Markieff Morris - PF/C, WIZARDS (63% Ownership)
Dwight Howard (butt) will likely need to have surgery, giving Morris a clear-cut path to minutes. He was a borderline player to own because of his inconsistency, but the Wizards will now have no choice but to give Morris more minutes because Thomas Bryant is not ready to take upon a bigger role to play over 20 minutes per game given his inexperience. Morris is averaging 16.2 points and 8.6 boards per game. Give him a look.
Bogdan Bogdanovic - SG/SF, KINGS (69% Ownership)
Bogdanovic has been playing very well lately, and not only is he a cornerstone of his game is suited for fantasy. He's hit double-digit scoring in six straight contests. He's a must-own, must-start player. Don't let him remain on your waiver wire, although your league size is probably shallow if he still is.
Terrence Ross - SG/SF, MAGIC (48% Ownership)
Ross has re-emerged as a reliable enough threat to be considered as a standard league add again, and he'll continue to bomb away from deep for a Magic team that is now suddenly looking into sneaking into the playoff hunt. The Magic loves his scoring ability off the bench, and he's been hot enough that he needs to be on rosters if he's going to continue hitting shots.
Week 8 Deeper Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
Jeremy Lin - PG/SG, HAWKS (17% Ownership)
Lin missed the last games with a sore ankle but is probably heading into Monday's contest. He'll look to get back on track and given how well he's played before the injury; he should have his normal 22-25 minute role on this Hawks team. John Collins (ankle) returning will also mean there's another big man to throw passes to, so he's worth at least a streamer spot this upcoming week.
Jordan Clarkson - PG/SG, CAVALIERS (43% Ownership)
Clarkson will get a chance to average double-figures on a team that desperately needs offense. He's an undersized shoot-first shooting guard, which is why his upside is capped because of his inability to play on the other end of the ball. He does little else outside of points, which has been well-documented. Clarkson has scored 25, 16, and 17 points in the past three games, so he might be for you if you're in dire need of some extra points and a couple of assists. Clarkson is more suited for deeper leagues.
Kevin Knox - SF/PF, KNICKS (23% Ownership)
Knox's hype coming into the season has quickly diminished. He has struggled with his shot and shot selection, where his inability to make it up for other parts of his game makes him an unappealing fantasy asset. He should get better as the season goes on because the Knicks will soon realize their rookies are the only thing that can boost the moral of this quick and tanking franchise. Knox will need to get better with taking better shots, while contributing in assists, steals, and blocks before we consider him as a standard league option. Knox did score a career-high 26 points on Saturday, and they play four games this week.
Emmanuel Mudiay - PG/SG, KNICKS (16% Ownership)
Mudiay has played well as of late for the Knicks, scoring season-high 28 points with three rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers in 36 minutes on Saturday. He did only have three points prior to this outburst, so it's anyone's guess what he'll do the next time out. There's no telling if he'll continue to start, and it's anyone's guess given Fizdale's constant jerking of the rotation. He's worth a look if you can deal with the volatile production.
Derrick White - PG, SPURS (12% Ownership)
White has quietly played well lately, having scored 10 points, five rebounds, six assists, and a 3-pointer in 33 minutes off the bench in Sunday's win over the Blazers. He's also scored 11 points and had nine assists on Friday as well, so he could be getting hot. I'd give him a look given how the Spurs have very little option in the point guard position.
More Fantasy Basketball Analysis
By popular demand, RotoBaller has aggregated all of our fantasy basketball NBA waiver wire pickups into a running list of NBA waiver options, so bookmark the page and check back often for updates.
