RADIO
Max Kulish looks at some mid-week waiver wire options for fantasy basketball leagues. These players may be free agents to target on waivers in Week 13.
If you're one of those fantasy basketball players that sets a lineup at the beginning of the week, checks out, and then comes back seven days later to see how things shook out, this post is not for you.
This is for those who are grinding through each day and keeping track of categories as the days tick off. Maybe you need a handful of assists to get you over and win the week, or maybe a key injury is forcing you to rethink a category you previously considered stable. The goal is here to is target specific players who are rostered in less than half of Yahoo! leagues who will help you get you into the winner's circle. Mostly we're looking at players who might be available in 12-team leagues, but there will be some deeper options too when available.
As is always the case when streaming, it's possible that some of these recommended options are worthy of a longer-term add. But in order to hold long term, you first have to make the pickup. Regardless of where you're deficient, here are some names to consider to help you make up ground in the short term. Be sure to check out my Twitter (@Maxadelphia) for my nightly NBA plays, as well. Let's get into it!
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Points - Streaming Options
Lonnie Walker IV - SG/SF - San Antonio Spurs (22% rostered)
This is a deja-vu moment because last week I featured Walker IV's teammate Devin Vassell in this same spot, but with the two flipping positions in the context of health protocols, Walker IV is the man to target in San Antonio. Even with Dejounte Murray returning to the lineup, Walker IV has taken 50 (!) shots the last three games since returning to the lineup. He's had point totals of 13, 25, 15 in those 3 games, and has started for the Spurs in all three.
In the two games since teammates Doug McDermott and Lonnie Walker IV were placed in health protocols Vassell has scored 15 and 19 points and has taken 29 shot attempts. Even though starting PG Dejounte Murray is scheduled to return from the Covid list, I still think Vassell can be a nice option for the next week, especially considering the Spurs will play 4 games during this week.
Other streamers:
- Max Struss - SG/SF - Miami Heat (27% rostered)
- Eric Gordon - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (27% rostered)
- Terrence Ross - SG/SF - Orlando Magic (43% rostered)
- Patty Mills - PG/SG - Brooklyn Nets (45% rostered)
Assists - Streaming Options
Facundo Campazzo - PG - Denver Nuggets (18% rostered)
Campazzo is the clear #2 ball-handler for this Nuggets team, and honestly, he's not really doing too much else as of late. For what it's worth, he has retained his spot in the starting lineup with the return of Monte Morris, and as we saw in December if Morris leaves the lineup for whatever reason Campazzo becomes a per-minute beast.
- Patrick Beverley - PG/SG - Minnesota Timberwolves (28% rostered)
- Kylian Hayes - PG/SG - Detroit Pistons (8% rostered)
Rebounds - Streaming Options
Hassan Whiteside - C - Utah Jazz (33% rostered)
In the three-game stretch Whiteside has played with All-Star C Rudy Gobert out of the lineup, he has posted rebounding totals of 7, 8, & 14. Whiteside has always been known as a defensive presence but has never been able to carve out a starting role. When he's able to play 25+ minutes a night consistently like he is currently, he is capable of being an elite fantasy asset. As long as Gobert remains out, Whiteside is a premier rebounding (and blocks) option.
Other streamers:
- Precious Achiuwa - PF/C - Toronto Raptors (12% rostered)
- Nassir Little - SF - Portland Trailblazers (19% rostered)
- Mason Plumlee - PF/C - Charlotte Hornets (40% rostered)
Blocks - Streaming Options
Nassir Little - SF - Portland Trailblazers (15% rostered)
With the Blazers season dependent on them treading water until Damian Lillard returns, they're asking key rotation pieces to play big minutes. Little has become part of that rotation, averaging nearly double his minutes per game from last year, and playing 31+ minutes in five straight games. Think of Little as the best all-around option with blocks upside, not the most consistent source for the stat.
Other streamers:
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (16% rostered)
- Hassan Whiteside - C - Utah Jazz (33% rostered)
- Mason Plumlee - PF/C - Charlotte Hornets (40% rostered)
Steals - Streaming Options
Matisse Thybulle - SF - Philadelphia 76ers (38% rostered)
With Sixers' starting PG Tyrese Maxey in health protocols, and backup guard Shake Milton hurt the rest of the Sixers guards have all had to step up their minutes. Thybulle is 7th in the NBA in steals per game at 1.8 and has five in two games since returning from his own absence. Not typically known for offensive production, Thybulle has posted double-digit scoring efforts in both games as well.
Other streamers:
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (17% rostered)
- Josh Richardson - SG/SF - Boston Celtics (9% rostered)
- Darius Bazley - SF/PF - Oklahoma City Thunder (18% rostered)
Threes - Streaming Options
Furkan Korkmaz - SG/SF - Philadelphia 76ers (9% rostered)
Double-dipping here with the Sixers due to unique circumstances that the team is facing. Korkmaz has a reputation for being a gunner, averaging exactly 4.9 3's attempted per game for almost three seasons straight now. The Sixers are currently on a 7 game win streak, mainly led by Joel Embiid, but when teams inevitably commit more resources to the Sixers' big man to try and slow him down, that leaves shooters like Korkmaz open.
Other streamers:
- Max Struss - SG/SF - Miami Heat (20% rostered)
- Patty Mills - PG/SG - Brooklyn Nets (45% rostered)
- Nicolas Batum - SF/PF - LA Clippers (18% rostered)
Field Goal Percentage - Streaming Options
Hassan Whiteside - C - Utah Jazz (33% rostered)
Featuring Whiteside for the 2nd time, because he is the golden standard for FG%: he hasn't taken a single 3 point attempt ALL YEAR! Regardless of how good you are on defense (or how bad on offense), that is almost unthinkable in the modern NBA. If Whiteside is taking shots, they're close to the basket, only 7 of his 177 FGA's have come outside the paint which feels like it can't be possible (but it is).
Other streamers:
- Alex Len - PF/C - Sacramento Kings (12% rostered)
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (20% rostered)
Free Throw Percentage - Streaming Options
Terrence Ross - SG/SF - Orlando Magic (33% rostered)
Ross has made a career off being a prolific scorer in the NBA, and a big part of that success has been attributed to the free-throw line. In 11 years in the league, he has a career average of 1.5 FT attempts per game and is an 84% shooter. He has 4+ FT attempts in 8 of his last 10 games, and is by far the most consistent at getting to the line for all players that fit the sub-50% rostered criteria.
Other streamers:
- Furkan Korkmaz - SG/SF - Philadelphia 76ers (9% rostered)
- Brandon Clarke - SF/PF - Memphis Grizzlies (20% rostered)
- Max Struss - SG/SF - Miami Heat (20% rostered)
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