October 26, 2016

JT picks fantasy basketball waiver wire streamers and adds for points, assists, and three pointers in Week 1 of the NBA season. These players can be sleepers.

It's never too early to start streaming. Whether you have an opening due to an injury, you auction-drafted a crew of stars and scrubs, or you just didn't bother putting any effort into your last couple draft picks, you probably have a player or two on your team who isn't must-own. You're better off using that roster spot to stream players to eke out wins in close categories in your weekly head-to-head matchups.

This year, RotoBaller will be making weekly recommendations for extreme short term category specialists every week in all six counting stat categories (points, assists, threes, rebounds, steals, and blocks). Your week one offensive category streamers for points, threes, and assists are below. All position eligibility and ownership percentages are based on Yahoo! fantasy leagues.

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

Three Points Made Streamer

E'Twaun Moore, PG/SG, NOP, Opponents: Fri vs. GSW, Sat @ SAS (19% Owned in Yahoo)

Not only will Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans be absent to start the season, but sharpshooter Eric Gordon left for Houston, opening a need for spacing in the New Orleans backcourt. Surprisingly, Alvin Gentry has given the starting spot to Moore (over rookie Buddy Hield) to start the season.  It could translate into enough minutes for standard league relevance.

In five preseason games, E’Twaun shot 52.9% from three, averaging just under two three-pointers per game. Additionally, he put up a career-high 45.2% from deep with the Bulls last season and has improved his field-goal percentage since entering the league in 2011. He should provide value in his ability to efficiently rack up threes, which the Pelicans are hurting for.

For the short-term, he should have no problem holding down the starting spot as he can both space the floor and act as a secondary ball-handler. There could be an opportunity to hold for the early parts of the season. With two additional games for the weekend he’s looking like a great offensive streaming option for extra treys in Week 1.

Other Options: Wilson Chandler, SG/SF, DEN (19% Owned); Jared Dudley, SG/SF, PHX (9% Owned); Patrick Patterson, PF/C, TOR (9% Owned)

Points Streamer

Ty Lawson, PG, SAC, Opponents: SAS, MIN (19% Owned in Yahoo)

Despite missing his flight and worries of suspension, Coach Joerger announced that Lawson will see 30 – 40 minutes until Darren Collison makes his return in eight games. That’s going to add up to a whole lot of usage. The Kings don’t have a choice as they cut both Jordan Farmar and Isaiah Cousins leaving Lawson as the only true point-guard on the current roster.

He’s one season removed from averaging 15.2 points per game and with the likes of Arron Afflalo, Ben McLemore, and Garrett Temple alongside him in the Kings backcourt, he’ll have every opportunity to drain buckets. He’s had a declining field-goal percentage since entering the league, so his opportunity to take shots may end up being a negative in that category.

Regardless, with two games in the late week and a promise of minutes in Week One, Lawson makes for one of the best streaming options in the early season. If there’s a time for Ty to show some life, it would be now. There should be no reason he sits on the waiver wire while Collison serves his suspension.

Other Options: Joe Johnson, SG/SF, UTA (19% Owned); Wilson Chandler, SG/SF, DEN (19% Owned); Roy Hibbert, C, CHA (23% Owned)

Assists Streamer

Ty Lawson, PG, SAC, Opponents: SAS, MIN (19% Owned in Yahoo)

Before a disastrous season in Houston/Indiana, Ty Lawson averaged just over six and a half assists per game and was one of the better point-guard options for assists. Lawson could easily have a bounce back campaign as he’ll once again headline the lead guard spot in Sacramento for at least the next eight games.

There’s plenty of inefficiencies to the former Tarheels’ game, but he should end up providing strong totals for the short-term. If nothing else, he’ll provide above-average dimes in one of the toughest categories to stream. Depending on the next eight games, Lawson could challenge Darren Collison (or at least make it interesting) for starting floor-general duties.

In deeper leagues, worst-case is he plays backup all season, which still holds value if you’re looking for a cheap assists option. More than anything, he’s a good handcuff for Collison owners; let’s see how it plays out when he returns from suspension.

Other Options: Sergio Rodriguez, PG, PHI (4% Owned); T.J. McConnell, PG, PHI (6% Owned); Tyler Johnson, PG/SG, MIA (20% Owned)