The Post All-Star Break Waiver Wire Is Open For The Taking

February 25, 2019

Week 20 fantasy basketball waiver wire adds for standard leagues. Take a look at three NBA players who are owned in less than 50% of fantasy basketball leagues and should be picked up.

So, this will be fun. We are one day back into the NBA groove and there are going to be some waiver wire options budding up all over the place for the second half of the season. For the most recent narratives that were established last night, there are already a few players that have seemed to find productivity in their "new" homes. One name that should pop right up in your brain should be both Enes Kanter and Kenneth Faried. Kanter on one hand, looks rejuvenated and downright happy in Portland. He had the talent, but New York was simply in a rebuilding stage when Kanter was more of a playoff-role player. All in all, after last night, do not sleep on Enes Kanter. Moving onto Faried, there's literally one thing. He hit a three. He didn't just toss up some shot to save the shot clock, he literally took a three and made it. This doesn't mean Faried is going to help you in that category, BUT, that upside is now there. Faried has yet to really be a player who took consistent shots. While it shouldn't be a trend, anyone looking for general production needs to look at Faried simply because of this potentially new found upside. He might hurt percentages, but sometimes taking and making those one or two threes a game can change the entire dynamic of who you are used as a player, and how teams defend you.

Faried showing off his ability to space the floor should me more consistent moving forward, but don't bank on this being a breakthrough. It is in a sense, but more because he is a low-post player that is increasing his range, rather than a secret weapon the Rockets just didn't want shooting threes. This is just improvement, so be wary. Once again, I am stuck without pictures available for ANY of the players I mentioned, so here. Enjoy this take on Kelly Oubre Jr. finishing the year strong and being one of the best fantasy players in March, and Goran Dragic being extremely productive within his first two games back.

Make sure to stay updated on injuries and return times, but as far as I'm concerned, these next three players will see the biggest benefit. As a reminder, 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.

Standard League Adds for Week 20

Dion Waiters, G  – Miami Heat

Ownership: 19%

10.2 PPG / 2.0 3PTM / .411 FG% / 2.6 APG

With Goran Dragic getting closer every day to his return, it's unclear on how exactly this will affect Dion Waiters. It's hard to believe less spacing can hurt this time in anyway, but at this point in the season, production might be the only thing going around in Miami. They have struggled for a decent part of the season and while the East is more competitive, it's unfortunate that the Heat have seemed to take a step-back as a whole.

With this, it's easy to see Waiters' production going in any direction. While at first, I thought Dragic might just take away from Waiter's isolation game and hurt production, that would only happen is Head Coach Erik Spoelstra decides he wants to start running the offense through non-Waiters facets.

The Heat can't afford to just not pass their best shooter the ball, so while a team-oriented approach might not favor Waiters, I have faith in Spoelstra not abandoning one of his lone bright spots on the team. The minutes seem unsustainable, but for the time being, Waiters is an absolute gem. This should continue as long as the shooting holds up, but even with Dragic's return, I think they will be able to share the backcourt and thrive respectively.

Ed Davis, PF/C – Brooklyn Nets

Ownership 8%

6.1 PPG / 8.6 RPG / .5 SPG / .5 BPG / .623 FG%

Ed Davis doesn't hold the greatest name value because of his attention to rebounds, but it doesn't change how productive he has been in general this season. If you need rebounds, look no further because he will be a consistent source for that, especially if he keeps getting a touch over 20 minutes a game.

Another important note is his contributions on the defensive end. He isn't getting more than a steal or block a game on average, but he is absolutely giving whatever team he is on, an increased defensive effort which is leading to more raw stats. He will give you a boost in efficiency categories as well, but the most important reason for adding Davis would be for rebounds....obviously.

Cody Zeller, C – Charlotte Hornets

Ownership 28%

9.6 PPG / 6.7 RPG / .555 FG% / .8 BPG / .8 SPG

Much like the appeal of Ed Davis, Cody Zeller does few things, but he does them well. Not only will he be a consistent option on a team that needs him, but he contributes both sides of the ball at a frequent rate. The eye test favors Zeller because he seems to always be in the right spot, and he puts forth enough effort on defense to actually accumulate a few blocks and steals every game.

Moving forward it's hard to see promise in the Hornets as a whole, but Kemba Walker knows how to use a good center and Zeller is more than willing to pass up shots and put his body on the line for his point guard. Luckily, Walker does a great job of supporting his teammates, and that means finding Zeller on as many rolls it takes for him to get comfortable around the rim. Zeller has a decently high ownership right now, but I assume a few more solid outings by the end of this month and half the leagues will have Zeller owned.

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