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It's week 2 -- we're far enough into the season to start latching onto breakout waiver wire stars. If you haven't already, it's time to start adding these guys while they're still available.
This year, we're tossing out our old convention of separating waiver wire posts into positions, and instead we're separating them into depth of league -- standard, shallow, deep, etc. The NBA is trending to positionless basketball, so we at RotoBaller should too.
For standard (10-12 team) league adds, we use a general rule of thumb of an ownership rate of under 50% on Yahoo. All position eligibility based on Yahoo leagues.
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Standard League Adds for Week 2
John Collins, PF/C - Atlanta Hawks
Ownership: 47%
11.8 PPG / 7.8 REB / 1.0 BLK / .528 FG%
With all the makings of a Fantasy MVP, John Collins should be rostered in standard leagues. The rookie big man was drafted 19th overall by the Atlanta Hawks out of Wake Forest, where he was first team all-ACC. After a strong preseason, where he earned All-Summer League First Team honors, Collins is already putting up solid numbers early this season. An athletic big, at 6’10”, he has a lot of room to grow but is in a great situation in Atlanta. Without Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard, the Hawks have an obvious void to fill as the only real competition at Power Forward is Ersan Ilyasova. Ilyasova is 30 years old, on a one year contract, and has durability issues.
The Hawks are not expected to compete in the East, so Collins will surely get minutes as the season goes on. Though, he is already showing his worth as one of the highest energy players so far this young season, producing good numbers in limited minutes. He has flashed his potential with athletic pick and rolls, a mid-range jumper, and versatility by playing the 5 when Dewayne Dedmon sits. Collins has averaged 19 minutes a game so far this season, but already has a double-double to his name, and has a Player Efficiency rating of 25.62. Yes, it’s early in the season, but a player who was supposed to be somewhat of a project is already showing dividends. Pick him up now, as he won’t be around for much longer.
Kelly Oubre Jr., SF - Washington Wizards
Ownership: 24%
10.7 PPG / 6.3 AST / 2.0 STL / 440 FG%
Coming into the season, Oubre was expected to play a key sixth man role for the Wizards. However, with early injuries to Markieff Morris (hernia) and Jason Smith (shoulder), Oubre is pushing for a starting role by showing he is finally ready. Already with 2 starts this season, he has had a huge workload, playing 35 minutes a game, and making the most of it. He is showing his ability to have an impact right now, and worthy of a roster spot going forward. Even when Morris and Smith return, he should provide value in standard leagues as he has been one of Scott Brooks young projects and has shown growth so far in his range and defensive aggressiveness.
Still only 21, he has a smooth jumpshot, with added range, and has grown into a body ready for drives into the paint. The minutes won’t be this high the whole season, but it is not unreasonable to expect something close to 30 MPG. When Morris returns, expect Oubre to be a swingman, filling in whenever Morris or Otto Porter need a breather down the stretch. The Wizards obviously like what they see, as they have recently picked up his fourth-year option on his rookie contract, and the maturing forward will now be in like to show his worth.
Terry Rozier, PG/SG - Boston Celtics
Ownership 48%
12.7 PPG / 5.7 AST / 3.3 REB / 483 FG%
Terry Rozier is displaying why Danny Ainge didn’t pull the trigger on trading the young Guard last year, as he was tied to just about every rumor out there. Expected to be a rotation piece for the Celtics, Rozier has taken advantage of the opportunity the injuries of Gordon Hayward (ankle) and Marcus Smart (ankles) provided. Through the first three games, Rozier is averaging a stellar line of 12.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.3 APG, and 2.0 SPG. He has also shown off his range, with 2.0 3PG and played with more discipline of defense. If he can maintain the defensive discipline, he is sure to earn more trust and a longer leash through the season.
There is no question about the talent level of the young Celtics team, but their depth was already in question before being ravished by injuries. But, with the impressive play so far by Rozier, pressure may subside if he can continue at this pace. You can expect for his efficiency to drop a bit, as his FG% will drop as his minute’s increase, but that doesn’t necessarily mean his counting stats will be adversely affected. He is a great stash to have with good upside as the season progresses, possibly playing himself into the sixth man of the year conversation. Though, with Brad Stevens’ offense, there will undoubtedly be some frustrating moments this season.
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