X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

NBA Waiver Wire: Punting Small Stats (FT%, 3PM, AST) for Week 5

By bwjcaptures. CCSA2.0, Wikicommons via Flickr (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gerald_Henderson_Bobcats_2.jpg)

Milos Zvekic looks at NBA players to target on the waiver wire when punting FT%, assists, and/or threes. Follow RotoBaller for more fantasy basketball strategy.

Traditional centers are becoming nearly extinct. Small ball, many three point shoots, a lot of running and high scoring is threatening to change the game of basketball for good. But some of us still remain faithful to our dominant, post up bigs. Bigs who can't shoot from distance, don't pass a lot and find it easier to dunk the ball from the free throw line than to hit the free throw shot. We remain faithful, at least in our fantasy basketball teams.

If you're one of the brave who decided to punt some or all of the small stats, here are some players owned in less than half of the Yahoo! leagues, who could fit your strategy well and help you win some categories you're targeting.

Editor's Note: New users that sign up on FantasyAces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive BOTH our full season NBA and NFL Premium Passes for free, a $119.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium Passes.

 

Waiver Wire Guard for Punting Small Stats

Gerald Henderson, SG/SF, PHI (5% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

With this years first overall draft pick Ben Simmons injured, there have been a lot more minutes to go around for all the 76ers players. One of the guys who took advantage is Gerald Henderson. He is scoring 10.0 points on 48.2% from the field, adding 2.7 rebounds and one steal in his 25 minutes a night. He also turns the ball over less than once per game, gets 0.2 blocks so far this season (and his career average is double that number so that should go up as well) and he doesn't kill your small stats either with 1.4 AST, 0.6 3PM and 73.7 FT% on just 1.5 attempt on average.

As long as he is getting minutes in the mid 20s those are the stats you can expect from him. Considering he signed a two year deal worth 18 million dollars before this season, it would make sense for Henderson to get those minutes no matter what.

He is a pretty well rounded guy and his defense and double digit scoring on a pretty nice FG efficiency so far this season make him a deep league option for owners who could use his multi cat contribution.

Other guard options: Tyler Johnson, PG/SG, MIA (46% owned), Andre Roberson, SG/SF, OKC (10% owned), P.J. Tucker, SG/SF, PHO (7% owned)

 

Waiver Wire Forward for Punting Small Stats

Brandon Ingram, SF, LAL (48% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

Brandon Ingram hasn't shown too much of his talent so far in his rookie season to be honest. But it's all about upside with him. Let's not forget that he is the 2nd overall pick in this year's draft. Another fact that goes in his favor is that he is on a young and talented Lakers team. They probably won't be able to contend for the title in the next few years, until their core players improve. And Brandon Ingram (along with the likes of D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle) is one of the players whose development is key to Lakers getting back to their winning ways. That means he will get the space and time on the court to show what he's made of.

He has been slow to adapt to the NBA so far, posting just 6.7 PTS, 3.2 REB, 1.6 AST, 0.6 STL and 0.4 BLK on just 38.3 FG% and 75 FT% with 1.0 TO and 0.4 3PM in 22 minutes per game. Compare that to his college averages of 17.3 PTS, 6.8 REB, 1.1 STL and 1.4 BLK on 44.2 FG% and 2.2 3PM and you can see why he was taken at #2 and it really isn't about weather he will get better, but more about when and how much better will he be this season.

So if Ingram is available in your league, and you like exciting, high upside players, scoop him up. He should get the run and he has the talent to be worth the gamble.

Other wing options: Alan Williams, PF, PHO (9% owned), Jared Dudley, SG/SF/PF, PHO (17% owned),Larry Nance Jr., PF, LAL (19% owned)

 

Waiver Wire Center for Punting Small Stats

Alex Len, PF/C, PHO (45% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

Alex Len is made for the Small Stats Punt. His value goes way up if you disregard his lowly 0.8 assists, no threes and 63.8 free throw percentage. His 8.7 PTS, 7.7 REB, 0.6 ST, 1.2 BLK on 47.9% from the field and 1.0 TO in just 22 MIN per game come in very useful for his owners. But those 22 MIN per game are what is most concerning about him.

Phoenix has several players in it's frontcourt who are battling for minutes. Although rookie forwards Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss have had an underwhelming start to the season, who's to say they won't start adapting to the NBA soon and begin getting more court time. Even with his biggest rival for minutes at the center, Tyson Chandler, out due to his mother passing away, Alex still hasn't seen much more playing time. And Alan Williams came out of nowhere and double doubled in both of his previous two games, adding 4 steals and 5 blocks to his line, so he is a threat to Len's minutes too.

Len is very useful and gives his best, especially on defense. In addition to his 1.8 combined blocks and steals, he is second in the NBA in contested shots with 13.3 per game. That dedication should give him some extra minutes.

Len is a true Punt Small Stats center. He is talented and still only 23 years old. But the Suns are pretty crowded at his position and he will be in a constant battle for minutes. If he can win that battle and get his minutes to high 20s, he could be a cornerstone for your punting teams championship run!

Other center options: Andrew Bogut, C, DAL (50% owned), Dwight Powell, PF/C, DAL (4% owned), Cody Zeller (37% owned)


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.



POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

C.J. Stroud

to Miss Another Game
Jonathan Kuminga

Remains Out Tuesday
Keegan Murray

Could Make his Season Debut This Week
Caris LeVert

Liston as Out on Tuesday
Tobias Harris

Could Return Thursday
Ausar Thompson

Questionable Again on Tuesday
Joe Mixon

Uncertainty Remains Around Joe Mixon's Return Timeline
Cade Cunningham

is Questionable Tuesday in Atlanta
Jaylen Warren

Mike Tomlin Optimistic About Jaylen Warren's Availability for Week 12
C.J. Stroud

Not Expected to Play on Thursday Night
Aaron Rodgers

Won't Need Surgery on Fractured Wrist, Could Play in Week 12?
Davis Mills

Prepping for Third Straight Start in Week 12?
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Mason Rudolph

Could Make His First Start of 2025 in Week 12
Brock Wright

Sets Career-High in Targets; Lined Up for More Work?
Stephon Castle

Out Against Grizzlies
Kimani Vidal

Struggles Again and Faces Role Uncertainty After Bye
Dak Prescott

in Full Command Monday Night With Four Touchdown Passes
Quentin Johnston

Posts Zero Catches During Offensive Collapse
George Pickens

Erupts for 144 Yards, Touchdown in Monday Night Win
Jrue Holiday

Unlikely to Play Tuesday
CeeDee Lamb

George Pickens Benched for First Drive
LeBron James

Officially Listed as Questionable for Tuesday
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Exits Monday's Game With Groin Injury
Julian Strawther

Out on Monday
Cameron Johnson

Cleared for Action Monday
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Available Against Bulls
Zaccharie Risacher

Considered Questionable for Tuesday's Game
Onyeka Okongwu

Iffy for Tuesday
Kristaps Porzingis

May Miss Another Game Tuesday
Jalen Suggs

Listed as Questionable for Tuesday
Paolo Banchero

to Remain Out Tuesday
Ayo Dosunmu

Playing on Minutes Restriction Monday
Tre Jones

Still Out Monday
Saddiq Bey

Won't Play Against OKC
Alex Singleton

Broncos Optimistic Patrick Surtain, Alex Singleton Will Return After the Bye
Trey Hendrickson

Doubtful Again in Week 12
Shedeur Sanders

Expected to Make First Career Start in Week 12
Josh Jacobs

Dealing With Knee Contusion
Mikael Granlund

Unavailable Monday
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
Conor Garland

Misses Monday's Game
Eetu Luostarinen

Out on Monday
Drake London

Considered "Week-to-Week"
Drew Doughty

Listed as Week-to-Week
Ja'Marr Chase

Being Suspended for One Game for Unsportsmanlike Conduct
John Carlson

a Game-Time Call Monday
Viktor Arvidsson

Out Week-to-Week
Charlie McAvoy

Out Against Hurricanes
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers Won't Open Brandon Aiyuk's Practice Window This Week
Joe Burrow

Could Do 11-on-11 Work This Week in Practice
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Mitchell Marner

Establishes Vegas Record Sunday
Mats Zuccarello

Logs Two Assists in Overtime Victory
Lucas Raymond

Leads Red Wings to Victory at MSG
Quinn Hughes

Delivers Four Assists in Sunday's Win
Conor Garland

Limited to Handful of Minutes Sunday
Ryan Hartman

Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Adrian Kempe

Agrees to $85 Million Extension With Kings
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

Wins Unanimous Decision At UFC 322
Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Michael Morales

Remains Unbeaten
Leon Edwards

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

Suffers Brutal First-Round Knockout Loss
Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Josh Naylor

Mariners Finalizing Five-Year Contract
Scott Mayfield

Available Sunday
NYI

Max Shabanov Returns From 12-Game Absence Sunday
Samuel Honzek

Out Week-to-Week
Kirby Dach

Sidelined for 4-6 Weeks
Thatcher Demko

Considered Week-to-Week
Filip Hronek

Good to Go Sunday
Quinn Hughes

Back in Action Sunday
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
CFB

Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful vs. Arkansas On Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Blue Jays Interested in Signing Edwin Diaz?
Jacob deGrom

Named AL Comeback Player of the Year
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Wins NL Comeback Player of the Year Award
Aroldis Chapman

Named AL Reliever of the Year
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Named NL Reliever of the Year
Justin Thomas

Will Miss Start Of 2026 After Undergoing Back Surgery
Islam Makhachev

Set For UFC 322 Main Event
Jack Della Maddalena

Set For His First Title Defense
Zhang Weili

Can Become The New Women's Flyweight Champion
Valentina Shevchenko

Set For UFC 322 Co-Main Event
Michael Morales

Looks To Remain Undefeated
CFB

Mario Craver a Game-Time Decision for Week 12
Sean Brady

Set For Title Eliminator Bout
Carlos Prates

A Favorite At UFC 322
Leon Edwards

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set To Open Up UFC 322 Main Card
Beneil Dariush

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
CFB

Virginia's Chandler Morris Trending Toward Facing Duke on Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Says There's a "50-50" Chance he Returns to Mets
Shohei Ohtani

Wins his Fourth MVP Award
Aaron Judge

Wins AL MVP Award Again
Raisel Iglesias

Dodgers Interested in Signing Raisel Iglesias
Pete Alonso

Orioles Could be in the Mix to Sign Pete Alonso
Félix Bautista

Felix Bautista Could Return in Second Half in 2026
Kodai Senga

Attracting Trade Interest, Will the Mets Move him?
Yordan Alvarez

Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Byron Buxton

Could Waive his No-Trade Clause
Paul Skenes

the Unanimous NL Cy Young Winner
Tarik Skubal

Wins AL Cy Young for Second Straight Year