RADIO
We are about two thirds of the way to the playoffs in most leagues, so it's time to get serious about sharpening your streaming skills. Remember, the later in the season we get, the less long-term value trumps short-term value. As we get closer to the playoffs, it's all about what your available roster spots can do for you now.
This column is posted weekly as part of RotoBaller's regular season NBA coverage for the 2015-16 NBA season. It will focus on available players who could win you your H2H matchup in specific categories.
For other adds to consider, check out our NBA Waiver Wire Blog, as well as our other Week 14 coverage, including our Waiver Wire Forwards, Guards, and Centers.
Last thing, we’ll usually only focus on one player per category, but list other available options underneath. Certain guys might be listed in more than one category, so if you need help in both, be sure to make those players a priority.
Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Player List
NBA Waiver Wire: Week 14 Category Streamers
Weekend of 1/29, 1/30 & 1/31
Teams with 2 games: BOS, BKN, CHA, CLE, DAL, DET, GSW, HOU, LAC, LAL, MIA, MIN, NYK, ORL, PHO, POR
Points
Archie Goodwin (PG/SG, PHO)
Owned in 31% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, January 29 @ New York & Sunday, January 31 @ Dallas
ANALYSIS: In his third season (surprising?), the 21-year-old Goodwin has emerged as a potential building block for the downtrodden Suns. Goodwin was a seldom-used bench player prior to the season-ending injury to Eric Bledsoe several weeks ago, but has made his presence known both in the NBA and around the fantasy world. His minutes saw an immediate uptick following the injury to Bledsoe, but has now become a member of the Suns starting five, averaging just under 20 ppg in 32 minutes. Look for both his minutes and points outputs to hover around those marks in two games this weekend. Goodwin is a no-brainer pickup for the weekend, and he will most likely offer more than just short-term points value.
Other alternatives: The Hornets’ Troy Daniels is coming off a 28-point game Monday and should remain in their rotation due to injuries through the weekend. Veteran journeyman Toney Douglas has averaged 16.0 ppg in his last two games and like Daniels, should remain a contributor due to injuries. Monitor the Knicks situation this weekend. The team has a two-game slate and might rest the banged up Carmelo Anthony for at least one of them. Derrick Williams, the former disappointing 2nd overall pick has enjoyed a resurgent season for the Knicks and could contribute in the points department if Anthony sits, as could Lance Thomas.
Rebounds
Alex Len (C, PHO)
Owned in 42% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, January 29 @ New York & Sunday, January 31 @ Dallas
ANALYSIS: The Suns frontcourt has been in a state of flux this season, and stable minutes have been hard to come by for those involved. Len, a top-five pick in 2013, was putting together a strong December before falling off a bit and succumbing to several injuries. After returning January 19 from a three-game absence, Len has found his form again, averaging 11.0 rpg in his previous four games, including three games where he corralled 12 rebounds each. Not only has he been productive, but his minutes have been there too, averaging over 30 minutes since his return. With two games this weekend, expect Len’s rebounding numbers to tip the scales in your favor.
Other alternatives: Orlando’s sophomore forward Aaron Gordon has averaged 8.0 rpg over his previous five contests and has a two-game weekend on the slate. Ian Mahinmi returned from an ankle injury on Tuesday and grabbed 10 boards. Kings rookie center Willie Cauley-Stein has grabbed 7 rebounds or more his previous five games. Pelicans swingman Alonzo Gee is an intriguing option (7.0 rpg in his last five) for rebounds out of the SG/SF position.
Assists
Zach LaVine (PG, MIN)
Owned in 36% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, January 29 @ Utah & Sunday, January 31 @ Portland
ANALYSIS: LaVine has had the epitome of an up-and-down season during his sophomore campaign. When given significant playing time, he has shown off his athleticism and flashed the huge potential that made him a lottery pick a year ago. However, a healthy (for the most part) Kevin Martin and Ricky Rubio have somewhat stunted his full development. At present, Martin is a bit banged up and could miss more games, opening the door for LaVine who has averaged 4.2 apg over his last five contests.
Other alternatives: Donald Sloan has been disappointing in the assists category of late (5.0 apg over his previous five games) given how bad he is everywhere else, but he is still the Nets starting point guard and has two games this weekend. Evan Turner has been a play-maker for the Celtics this season and in his previous five games (5.2 apg) and also has two games this weekend. Dennis Schroder remains an elite talent but his path to starting remains blocked. Cory Joseph bears monitoring as he could provide a boost in the assists category in Toronto’s lone game this weekend after Kyle Lowry suffered a wrist injury Tuesday.
Steals
Corey Brewer (SG/SF, HOU)
Owned in 5% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, January 29 @ Oklahoma City & Saturday, January 30 vs. Washington
ANALYSIS: One of the best perimeter defenders in the game, Brewer has continued his propensity for steals into this season. Brewer has had five multi-steal games (topping out at four) in his last six, and back-to-back games this weekend could provide owners with the late lift they need to win the category.
Other alternatives: The Grizzlies’ Tony Allen, like Brewer, is a lockdown perimeter defender capable of multiple steals in any contest. Wizards veteran big man Nene Hilario has had another injury-plagued season, but recently returned and remains a good source of steals (1.1 spg) out of the PF/C position.
Blocks
Josh Smith (SF/PF, HOU)
Owned in 28% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, January 29 @ Oklahoma City & Saturday, January 30 vs. Washington
ANALYSIS: The trade of Smith back to the Rockets last week has provided a significant boost to his fantasy stock. In three games back with Houston, Smith has averaged 24.0 mpg, including a 28-minute night on Monday. Smith’s athleticism and ability to swat shots is still there, blocking 3 and 2 shots in each of his first two games with Houston last week. There’s a strong possibility that Smith is able to register two multi-block games this weekend, which could make a major difference in a category that could be difficult to come by.
Other alternatives: Roy Hibbert is far from the player he was in Indiana where he was a two-time All Star, but he is still more than capable of registering blocked shots in abundance, and has two games this weekend to do so. Hibbert’s replacements with the Pacers, Ian Mahinmi and rookie Myles Turner will also be nice options for blocks in Saturday's game against Denver.
Three Pointers
Devin Booker (SG, PHO)
Owned in 50% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, January 29 @ New York & Sunday, January 31 @ Dallas
ANALYSIS: Like Goodwin, Booker has emerged as a rare bright spot for the Suns in a disastrous season. His ownership levels have jumped significantly over the past few weeks as his production continues to rise. Booker has been as good as advertised from downtown (3.0 three-pointers per game in his last four) and will continue to see heavy minutes following the season-ending injury to Bledsoe. With a two-game slate this weekend, Booker is capable of at least 4+ long balls.
Other alternatives: Raptors swingman Terrence Ross has been hot from downtown (3.2 three-pointers per game in his last five), but only has one-game this weekend. Hornets veteran Spencer Hawes and the Blazers Meyers Leonard are nice options for threes from the PF/C positions.
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