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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 8.
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
Chris Duarte - SG - Indiana Pacers (39% rostered)
Duarte is starting to find his groove again after dealing with a slump and an injury in November. The rookie from Oregon has posted double-digit scoring efforts in 7 straight games for the Pacers. In addition to the news of TJ McConnell's injury, there are murmurs that the Pacers might be looking towards a rebuild with a potential move of Carris LeVert, Myles Turner, or Domantas Sabonis, which could give Duarte quite a healthy workload moving forward.
Other streamers:
- Kevin Huerter - SG/SF - Atlanta Hawks (29% rostered)
- Garrison Mathews - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (30% rostered)
- Luke Kennard - SG/SF - Los Angeles Clippers (23% rostered)
- Malik Beasley - PG - Minnesota Timberwolves (37% rostered)
Assists - Streaming Options
Dennis Smith Jr - PG - Portland Trailblazers (20% rostered)
With the Trailblazers finding themselves down both Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons, someone was going to have to fill minutes at PG, and the former top-10 pick is seizing his opportunity. Smith Jr has played 37 and 39 minutes in his last 2 games and has had at least 5 assists in each of his last contests, Smith Jr is a great stopgap for all sorts of production in his current role. We've also seen the Trailblazers fire their GM in the last week, and CJ McCollum has been rumored to be on that front, which could also lead to a larger role for DSJ.
Other streamers:
- Tyus Jones - PG - Memphis Grizzlies (37% rostered)
- Monte Morris - PG/SG - Denver Nuggets (41% rostered)
- Kylian Hayes - PG/SG - Detroit Pistons (14% rostered)
- Joe Ingles - SG/SF/PF - Utah Jazz (37% rostered)
Rebounds - Streaming Options
Precious Achiuwa - PF/C - Toronto Raptors (24% rostered)
Achiuwa returns as the top prospect on the rebounding front for this week. He's still playing 30+ minutes per game with the Raptors dealing with injuries to OG Anunoby and Khem Birch, is still averaging over 8 rebounds per game on the season. If your team needs help on the glass, look at Achiuwa as an option.
Other streamers:
- Darius Bazley - SF/PF - Oklahoma City Thunder (22% rostered)
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (7% rostered)
- Guillermo Hernangomez - C - New Orleans Pelicans (25% rostered)
- Chimezie Metu - PF - Sacramento Kings (10% rostered)
Blocks - Streaming Options
Derrick Jones Jr - SG/SF - Chicago Bulls (8% rostered)
It's shaping up to be a big week on the waiver wire for guys with the last name "Smith Jr.". Although there is no relation by blood, this Smith Jr. also is looking to take advantage of a star player missing time. DeMar DeRozan wound up in the health and safety protocols and as a result; Jones Jr. has played huge minutes (31 and 28 in 2 games, up from his season average of 18), in those 2 games he has a combined 5 blocks and has stuffed the stat sheet both nights. DeRozan should miss at least a few more games, so DJJ can be a great short-term option on multiple fronts.
Other streamers:
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (7% rostered)
- Isaiah Hartenstein - PF/C - LA Clippers (8% rostered)
- Grant Williams - SF/PF - Boston Celtics (10% rostered)
Steals - Streaming Options
Herbert Jones - SF - New Orleans Pelicans (11% rostered)
With Josh Hart out the Pelicans have allotted his minutes to Jones; who is quickly developing a name for himself as a defensive presence in the league. Jones has been inserted into the Pelicans' starting lineup and has responded by posting 1+ steal in 7 straight games, and 1+ steal and 1+ block in 4 straight games. Defensive stats are typically hard to come by, not many premier defenders project as great fantasy options, but Jones checks all the boxes.
Other streamers:
- Dorian Finney-Smith - SF/PF - Dallas Mavericks (37% rostered)
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (17% rostered)
- Danny Green - SG/SF - Philadelphia 76ers (27% rostered)
- Dennis Smith Jr - PG - Portland Trailblazers (20% rostered)
Threes - Streaming Options
Cameron Johnson - SF/PF - Phoenix Suns (30% rostered)
In the wake of Devin Booker's injury, Johnson has really stepped up his scoring production. Johnson has registered four straight games with at least 10+ points and has had seven straight games with at least 2+ made 3s. Johnson is shooting almost 40% from 3 this year (39.6%), and plays on one of the best teams in the league. Johnson's role is secure, and as long as Booker is out, the Suns will need their depth players to produce in his absence.
Other streamers:
- Garrison Mathews - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (30% rostered)
- Danny Green - SG/SF - Philadelphia 76ers (28% rostered)
- Luke Kennard - SG - Los Angeles Clippers (20% rostered)
Field Goal Percentage - Streaming Options
Guillermo Hernangomez - C - New Orleans Pelicans (19% rostered)
The Hernangomez brother formerly known as Willy has been extremely efficient in the 9 games he's played this year, with his season FG% sitting at a very impressive 69.6% overall. In the 5 full workload games he's played since returning from an injury; Hernangomez hasn't taken less than six shots or shot below 50% in a single contest. The Pelicans have shown signs of life recently, and Hernangomez has absolutely been a contributing factor in that. If you have the space/need there is a legitimate possibility Hernangomez becomes a consistent fantasy asset.
You might want to get used to seeing Hernangomez in this section because at the rate he's playing against the rate he's being added to rosters, he's going to be the best sub-50% rostered option for quite some time. The Spaniard is shooting a blistering 62.7% from the field so far this year and is coming off back-to-back double-double games. I'm not sure you should necessarily expect double-doubles regularly, but Hernangomez has been a beast on the offensive boards and that's the simplest formula for a high FG%.
Other streamers:
- Thad Young - PF/C - San Antonio Spurs (15% rostered)
- Hamidou Diallo - SG/SF - Detorit Pistons (5% rostered)
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (9% rostered)
- Nicolas Claxton - C - Brooklyn Nets (8% rostered)
Free Throw Percentage - Streaming Options
Derrick Jones Jr - SG/SF - Chicago Bulls (8% rostered)
Throughout his career, Jones Jr. has always been known as one of the best dunkers/jumpers in the NBA, and traditionally his offensive game has been focused on getting around the rim. I say every week in this section; we are really scraping the bottom of the barrel because pretty much no one at sub-50% rostered gets to the free-throw line regularly. Therefore; our focus should be on other stats with FT% as the cherry on top. DJJ has gone to the line in both games without DeRozan, and with all his other potential opportunities that's plenty good enough for me.
Other streamers:
- Eric Bledsoe - PG/SG - Los Angeles Clippers (35% rostered)
- Danillo Gallinari - SF/PF - Atlanta Hawks (13% rostered)
- Shake Milton - PG/SG - Philadelphia 76ers (38% rostered)
- Hamidou Diallo - SG/SF - Detorit Pistons (5% rostered)
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