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On behalf of RotoBaller, we wish everyone a Happy New Year.
Looking into Week 12, the NBA was hit by the John Wall (heel) season-ending injury news on Saturday, so owners should be picking up Tomas Satoransky almost everywhere before they continue reading. 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 12 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. 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 12.
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!
Week 12 Schedule
4 Games - Raptors, Suns, Magic, Thunder, Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Hornets, Hawks
3 Games - Wizards, Jazz, Spurs, Kings, Trail Blazers, Sixers, Pelicans, Bucks, Heat, Lakers, Clippers, Pacers, Rockets, Warriors, Pistons, Nuggets, Cavaliers, Bulls, Nets, Celtics
2 Games - Knicks
Week 12 Standard Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
I write my columns based on H2H 9-category standard size leagues:
Tomas Satoransky - PG/SG, WIZARDS (45% Ownership)
With John Wall (heel surgery) out for the remainder of the season, Satoransky gets a major boost and immediately vaults himself into must-own status. When Wall missed two months last season, Satorsanky averaged 10.4 points, 4.2 boards and 6.0 assists and 1.1 3-pointers on 54% shooting and 90% from the line. That's good enough for top-75 in nine-category leagues, and he should be grabbed everywhere available. He was great on Saturday night, netting 20 points with four boards and six assists to go along with four triples. Furthermore, he's one of those run, don't walk to the waiver wire moments.
Justise Winslow - SF/PF, HEAT (63% Ownership)
Winslow has cooled off lately but has suddenly started to heat up in a big way. The Duke product now averaged 22.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals, 2.0 triples and 1.7 turnovers on 59.2% shooting over his last three games. He's taken a huge leap this season by adding 3-pointers into his game, and that's helped his fantasy value significantly. With Goran Dragic (knee) out, Winslow will continue to share the ball-handling duties with Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson.
Tyler Johnson - PG/SG, HEAT (42% Ownership)
Goran Dragic (knee surgery) is ruled out for the next two months; Johnson receives a boost in playing time. They're winners of seven from their last 10 games, and he has excelled in the added opportunity. Although Johnson won't be a high assist guy, he's worth owning in most leagues given that he can score and hit 3-pointers. Johnson is averaging 14.8 points and 2.8 3-pointers made over the last five games, including a 25-point outing on 6-of-9 from deep on Sunday. Get him on your team and enjoy the goodies for the next two months.
Jerami Grant - SF/PF, THUNDER (70% Ownership)
Grant has been steady all season but has really cooled off over the last month. However, he's starting to pick it up again in recent weeks. The athletic forward is averaging 15.6 points on an elite 60 percent from the field over the last five games, to go along 2.0 blocks in that span. The Thunder are one of the top teams in the Western Conference, and with him thriving thus far this season - he'll likely finish the season as the Thunder's power forward.
Fred Vanvleet - PG, RAPTORS (54% Ownership)
Vanvleet has been terrific all season for the Raptors, as he's leading the second-unit in one of the best benches in the entire league. His ability to play with the starters gives him some standard league consideration, and he's scored in double-figures in four straight contests as well. His upside in 3-pointers, assists, and steals makes him a worthy streamer on any given night.
Thomas Bryant - C, WIZARDS (34% Ownership)
Thomas Bryant continues to thrive in the starting lineup, and the injuries to both John Wall (heel surgery) and Markieff Morris (neck) will shift the offense into a more free-flowing offense and added minutes for Bryant. Bryant had a massive double-double with 21 points and 10 boards on Saturday night. He's worth a long look in all 12+ team leagues given that he can anchor your field goal percentage and rebound. He'll have some upside in blocks and can stretch the floor with his ability to hit 3-pointers.
Noah Vonleh - PF, KNICKS (54% Ownership)
The injury to Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and Lance Thomas (knee) will give Vonleh a bigger leash for more minutes and contributions as he was already a stable player to roster in most 12-team leagues. Vonleh has averaged 11.8 points and 11.2 boards per game over the five. The upside and minutes continue to be there, so scoop him up and hope he continues to have a fine season.
Kevin Knox - SF/PF, KNICKS (59% Ownership)
Have to give him credit when it due, but Knox has quickly turned his rookie campaign around last week since being re-inserted back into the starting lineup. Knox has now scored in double-figures in four straight games and is averaging 17.4 points, 6.6 boards and 2.6 3-pointers per game over the last five. He's not contributing much in the defensive stats, but we shouldn't nitpick too much for a 19-year old rookie. He's worth owning in standard leagues, but I wouldn't hesitate to use this as a moment to sell and get a player in return with a more positive outlook.
Monte Morris - PG, NUGGETS (39% Ownership)
Gary Harris (hip) will miss at least another week, and Morris will likely get a bulk of those minutes playing next to Jamal Murray. Given that assists are hard to come by, Morris is a must-add player right now, and he's ranked #16 over the past two weeks in nine-category leagues. He's scored double-figures in eight straight games now and continues to thrive in the Sixth-Man role.
Derrick White - PG, SPURS (15% Ownership)
White has played a lot better lately, having scored double-digits in two in a row and having a total of eight steals in the past game as well. Perhaps he's over his heel injury and has earned the trust of Coach Popovich again. It's not a guarantee if he can continue to be consistent like this, but he's worth an add given the upside in 3-pointers, assists, and defensive stats from a point-guard position.
D.J. Augustin - PG, MAGIC (41% Ownership)
Augustin will be a streamer option all season long, but he's done enough lately to warrant more attention. Give him a look if you have someone to drop, considering he has four games on Week 12. Augustin is currently having a gem on Sunday, putting up 26 points on four triples to go along with eight dimes, two steals on a perfect 10-of-10 shooting from the line.
Luke Kornet - PF/C, KNICKS (11% Ownership)
Kornet entered the starting lineup this past week at the expense of Enes Kanter moving to the bench. This move comes as no surprise as David Fizzdale continues to jerk around the rotations time and time again in New York. However, it's given Kornet an opportunity to shine as he's scored 23 and 14 points in the past two games, to go along with averages of 5.5 3-pointers and 5.0 assists in that span. It'll be interesting how Mitchell Robinson's (ankle) return impacts his playing time, but he should be added to see if he continues to start. For the record, the Knicks are playing for absolutely nothing but lottery balls so Kornet could be a major contributor for the tanking Knicks.
Mikal Bridges - SG/SF, SUNS (29% Ownership)
Bridges continues to log heavy minutes, as the Suns are fully invested in developing their young players. He's averaged 33 minutes in the month of December and is really starting to heat up after a brutal start to the season. At this point, he's worth a look in all 12-team leagues given his defensive contributions and 3-pointers (2.2 steals, 1.2 blocks, 2.0 3-pointers over the last five) Keep your eyes on him and the tanking Phoenix Suns.
Week 12 Deeper Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
Dante Exum - PG, JAZZ (5% Ownership)
Exum has now scored in double-figures in three straight outings, and Ricky Rubio (back, knee contusions) is currently without a timetable. Although Rubio is not expected to be out for long, Exum warrants attention to be added in all 14+ team leagues with his recent play. He racked up 13 assists 0n Saturday night against the Knicks.
Austin Rivers - PG/SG, ROCKETS (8% Ownership)
Rivers is playing heavy minutes with all the injured Rockets lately, and Eric Gordon (knee) has already been ruled out Monday. Rivers figures to be the main beneficiary of this news and he'll offer a hint up of upside in 3-pointers and assists. Just don't expect any efficiency or any defensive stats at all from Rivers.
Bryn Forbes - PG, SPURS (22% Ownership)
Forbes is now averaging 14.4 point and 4.0 dimes over the last five. He's also added 2.4 3-pointers made during that span. If he's going to continue to play heavy minutes (31 minutes over last five) and hit his 3-pointers, he needs to be added in most leagues.
Marvin Williams - SF/PF, HORNETS (52% Ownership)
Marvin Williams can be frustrating to own, but his ability to produce great value will keep him in the top-100 roto value all season. He'll continue to have a big game, followed by a couple of stinkers and good ones all season. He'll be useful to stream if you need 3 pointers, with a sprinkle of steals and blocks.
Kelly Oubre Jr. - SF, SUNS (53% Ownership)
Oubre may have found a nice home in Phoenix, having played heavy minutes out the gate since he's been traded from Washington. It's not too clear what his role may look in a couple of weeks, especially given the Suns are loaded with wings on their roster. But he's an offensive punch that the Suns can really benefit from, so he's worth a look in deeper leagues.
Rodions Kurucs - SF/PF, NETS (22% Ownership)
Kurucs has taken advantage of the injured Allen Crabbe (knee) and looks to be a great fit in the Nets offense lately. The Latvian forward lit it up last week but has struggled in the past two games. Still, he looks to be someone to have earned a spot in the rotation. He's someone to heavily monitor as the season goes on and he has a hint of upside you won't find elsewhere on the waiver wire.
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.
