Post-Trade Deadline Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups: Guards

In our weekly look at the waiver wire in fantasy basketball, RotoBaller Brad Leibfried gives us some in-depth NBA analysis about which guards to target off the waiver wire, and which guards to continue scouting. RotoBaller covers the best fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups each week, so stay tuned!

Waiver Wire Pickups at the Guard Position

Now that we are past the trade deadline, new players are finding key roles, making them solid additions to your fantasy team.

Kent Bazemore: In one of the more under the radar moves at the deadline, Bazemore went to the Lakers in the Steve Blake trade.  In his four game with the Lakers, Bazermore has set his career high in points three times!  Those games have seen him score 15, 17, 23, 15 respectively while also tossing in 8 steals and 12 assists.  Coach Mike D’Antoni has a way of turning little known players into fantasy studs and given the fact that he is getting 35 minutes a game in Los Angeles, that seems like what is happening to Bazemore.  If he has not yet been picked up in your league make sure you are finding room for him, especially since the Lakers play five games next week.

Alec Burks: With talented players like Trey Burke, Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors on the team, it is easy to see why Burks recent production has gone under the radar.  The young wing has been on a scoring binge of late having scored in double figures in eight straight games, including four games over 20.  On the season Burks is also contributing 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists a night which help to bolster his all-around fantasy game.  With no one to push him for playing time, Burks should continue to see good minutes and shot attempts for the struggling Jazz.

Patty Mills: The best case of a plug and play option, Mills goes from very little value when Tony Parker is playing to a stud when he is out.  In Parker’s recent absence, Mills has posted scoring nights of 32, 29 and 25 along with solid number of assists and boards.  The disappointing thing is that he is still only getting 23 minutes a game over the past week but has still been a good source of scoring.  It is unknown when Parker will be back, but until he is Mills is a must own in all formats.

Guards to Keep Your Eye On

Tony Allen: Since returning from injury three games ago, Allen has continued his solid all-around game.  The veteran is an elite source of steals and can be a good contributor in points and rebounds.  Keep an eye on his playing time going forward.

C.J. McCollum: The rookie in Portland has seen a sharp decline in his minutes since the return of Mo Williams.  When Williams was out, McCollum had three straight double figure scoring games.  Hold off for now, but if he can find more minutes he should provide solid value.