Robin Lopez (CHI, C) - Week 20 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-team leagues

OWNED IN: 18%

ANALYSIS: Robin Lopez is currently playing his best basketball this season. He has upped his production significantly since being inserted into the starting lineup after Wendell Carter Jr. went down with a thumb injury.

The 7-foot center has played very well over the last seven contests, scoring in double figures in each of those outings which include a season-high 25-point against the Grizzlies on February 13th. He has made 50 of his 74 shot attempts (67.5 percent) during this stretch.

Lopez is producing 12.1 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 62.6 percent from the floor over the 16 games since Carter's injury with 14 of those appearances coming as a starter. Nearly 80 percent of those points have come in the paint with 2.3 points per game as a result of his 2.3 offensive rebounds. The 30-year-old also has swatted away 1.3 shots a game during this stretch as he has recorded at least one block in 12 of the games, notching multi-blocks on four occasions. He has seen at least 30 minutes of playing time in three straight games and four of six. Plus, his usage has been around 20 percent over the last month.

With the 11-year veteran playing so well, and with the Bulls really having no other options at center due to Carter's injury and the Bobby Portis trade to Washington, Lopez is likely to see the bulk of the playing time in the middle. So, fantasy owners looking for a reliable five who plays hard and is also a solid rim-protector should pick up Lopez off the waiver wire immediately. While his fantasy ceiling is limited, he will help owners looking for scoring, shooting percentage as well as a few rebounds, assists and blocks from their center.