RADIO
Heading into calendar year 2015, the waiver wire has taken its typical place in the weekly/daily routine of fantasy basketball managers. The following forwards, whether of the “sleeper” variety or just cashing in temporarily on an unforeseen opportunity, almost certainly deserve attention across the various formats during Week 10 of the campaign.
Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Player List
Waiver Wire Forward for Right Now
Corey Brewer (HOU, SG/SF) – 38% Owned
Since his trade from Minnesota to Houston Brewer has found a home coming off the bench as a valuable second scoring option for the Rockets. In four games with his new team, Brewer is logging just under 25 minutes per game while averaging 16.25 points- up from 10.5 with Minnesota- and compiling at least a .500 FG shooting percentage in three of those four.
Fantasy owners can expect Brewer’s points and minutes to remain high as Houston remains as a top-eight pace team while slugging along to the tune of a 105.1 offensive rating, good enough for 18th in the league. The Rockets will need Brewer’s shooting and scoring to keep up with their style of play and stay as a high seed in the mighty Western Conference.
Honorable Mention
Shabazz Muhammad (MIN, SG/SF) – 47% Owned
Muhammad has been on the radar for a few weeks now so it should come as no surprise that he is once again on this list. Even with the return of Kevin Martin likely coming very soon, Muhammad is versatile enough to play different positions on the floor so his losing minutes is not probable.
The Timberwolves have had a tough season and are clearly in rebuilding mode, but Muhammad will continue to be a bright spot for any fantasy owner. For more analysis, this piece from early December still holds up for the Minnesota swingman.
Waiver Wire Forward in Deep Leagues
Danny Granger (MIA, SF) – 5% Owned
There are probably several voices in your head asking questions right now when those words above are recited. Another Miami forward? Is this guy serious? Is Granger still in the league? Do the words “knee” or “injury” mean anything to this jabroni of an author? Yes, yes, yes and yes.
The ten-year journeyman has logged no fewer than 18 minutes in Miami’s last five games and exploded over the last two games for 39 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal while shooting .700 from the field. Naturally Granger does come with some health baggage considering his history but there’s no evidence to support the idea that he will suffer from an imminent injury.
Frankly, considering that Chris Bosh and Josh McRoberts are currently out and Shawne Williams remains as sporadic as ever, Granger will probably be leaned on heavily as a second or third scoring option for the immediate future.
Waiver Wire Forward to Keep an Eye On
Jonas Jerebko (DET, SF/PF) – 4% Owned
Detroit swingman Kyle Singler may very well be the big immediate winner with the waiving of Josh Smith, but Jerebko offers perhaps the most upside between the two. The Swede is not really worth an add yet, unless owners are in deep 16 or 18 team leagues, but his playing time has increased considerably since Smith left town.
When conducting the side-by-side comparison with Singler, Jerebko has a higher player efficiency rating, total shooting percentage, total rebound percentage, assist percentage....yada yada yada, he trumps Singler in every single advanced metric.
It is true that Singler's numbers may be skewed because he is playing against tougher competition as Jerebko was mainly getting garbage time this season, but it really should not be long before head coach Stan van Gundy can no longer ignore the obvious.
