RADIO
Our NBA fantasy draft seems like it was just yesterday. Yet some of the players we picked near the end, it feels like they've been screwing us for months... Can you relate to the feeling? If so, maybe, just maybe it's time to move on.
It's easier for those in a 10-12 man league. There are plenty of quality players still available and you don't have to put up with low-end players under-performing. But what about us in a 20 team league? Should I keep someone who is driving me insane just because I'm not sure if a guy who I'm not too familiar with, and is not owned in a high percentage of fantasy leagues is going to be worth the pickup?
Well, if you have faith in one of my favorite players of all time, or are looking for short term value expected to take a dip later on in the season, then by all means cut lose the anchor that's sinking your boat and get one of these hard working rowers to lead you to higher shores. Here are today's Week 4 deeper league waiver wire pickups for your fantasy basketball teams.
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Deep League Adds for Week 4
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG, Sacramento Kings (13% Owned in Yahoo! Leagues)
Quite frankly, I am shocked that Bogdan Bogdanovic is still not owned in such a majority of leagues. I said it before and I'll say it again, Bogdan could become one of the best European players to ever play in the NBA. He has plenty of experience from playing in Partizan and Fenerbahce, two of the Europe's giants. Further more, he had a large role on both teams, he was a leader and he took on responsibility in tough, difficult, close games. All of that built his winner's character.
And he is off to a decent start in the NBA, too. His 10.1 points with 0.9 threes on 48.3% from the field and no misses in seven attempts from the charity stripe, 2.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.1 turnovers. That has him ranked in the top-120 in my league's Yahoo fantasy rankings. And all of that in just 24 minutes per game.
2Bog is a big project for the Kings and it's hard to imagine they will keep him on this low a minutes average. He was injured to start the season, so that may be a part of the reason. Also, he is still getting accustomed to his new surroundings and the type of play in the NBA. I believe "God Given" (that is what his name means in Serbian and what a suitable nickname it is!) will only get better and better.
If you need an efficient shooter who is a natural scorer who gives his best on the defensive end too and works his ass off for his team, both real life and fantasy, pick him up. Bogdan has the skills and the mindset to make your squad a winnering one.
James Ennis III, SG/SF, Memphis Grizzlies (11% Owned in Yahoo! Leagues)
James Ennis III has quietly crept his way into the fantasy top-100 by obtaining the starting gig with the Memphis Grizzlies. Now JaMychal Green getting injured most probably provided Ennis with some extra minutes, but he has definitely earned them. He is not an extraordinary player nor an unworldly fantasy contributor. However, he is a guy who works hard, doesn't hurt you in any way and can get you that extra board, steal or assist to win you your fantasy matchup.
He is averaging 9.4 PTS with 0.8 3PM on 56.1 FG% and 87.0 FT%, 4.7 REB, 1.5 AST, 0.7 STL, 0.3 BLK and 0.7 TO in 30.5 minutes per game. James is especially valuable to those in rotisserie leagues or those sporting a well-balanced squad with no punt categories with his all-around multi-cat production.
Now the third of the Ennises will probably see his role diminish with the return of starting PF Green, but he will still get minutes in the mid 20s and will remain the contributor he is now, only in a slightly smaller volume. If you're in a deep enough league, that should be enough to warrant a pickup.
Kyle Anderson, SG/SF, San Antonio Spurs (7% Owned in Yahoo! Leagues)
Kyle Anderson is another guy who is enjoying an increased workload while one of his colleagues is battling to get healthy. And that colleague is non other than the Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard. Anderson is really using his opportunity to impose himself on coach Gregg Popovich with averages of 7.7 points with 0.2 three-pointers on 47.2% field goals and 71.4% from the free throw line, 6.5 boards, 2.2 dimes, 0.8 steals, 0.9 rejections and 0.9 turnovers in 26 minutes per outing.
Those are some great out of position big man stats from Kyle, and his owners must sincerely appreciate that. I have him on my punt FT% team (not that he hurts you there with his 1.9 attempts a game) and he has been golden. The defensive stats that he gets, without hurting you anywhere are tough to match so deep on the wire, and that FG% and rebound rate from a SG eligible player can boost his value even further, depending on the league settings and team build.
Furthermore, coach Pop recently indicated that Kawhi is coming along slower than expected, and it is thought that he will not be returning this month. That gives Kyle even more time to produce for his fantasy owners, more appeal as a short-term pickup. And who knows? Maybe Kawhi is brought along even more slowly than now, maybe Rudy Gay has another season with 70 or less games played (he played more that than in just 2 seasons in this decade) or maybe Anderson earns enough trust with his legendary coach to average 25+ minutes even with those all stars on court.
Anyway, if you see value in Anderson and don't mind him probably seeing a lesser role later on in the season (when you can drop him for another hot player if it comes to that) I advise taking a flier on him. He can help your team a lot in several categories and with him being owned in just 7% of the leagues, it is likely you can have him for nothing.
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