Week 13 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: NBA Deep Sleepers

January 22, 2015

In his Week 13 NBA Waiver Wire column, David Sass focuses on some deep-league sleepers for your fantasy basketball purposes.

Now in Week 13 of the 2014-15 NBA season, the waiver wire is in its typical place in the weekly/daily routine of fantasy basketball managers. The following group of players are not of the typical standard-league variety, but rather options for those participating in deeper formats.

Unless you have the roster space to stash one of these fringe contributors as a sleeper, there is little reason to own any of them outside of leagues with 12 or more teams.

Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues

Deep League Waiver Wire Options

Shabazz Napier (MIA, PG) - 3% Owned

After starring at UConn, it was rumored that the Heat selected Napier because he was LeBron James' favorite player in the draft. However, after LeBron went back home to Cleveland, Napier did not fare that well in the beginning of the season.

Following some time in the D-League, Napier has finally earned some praise and playing time from Coach Eric Spoelstra. When Dwyane Wade is inured, Napier typically starts and gets significant minutes.

Napier has also been a great value play in DFS leagues when Wade is out. Over the past week, Napier has averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals. That is a solid stat line from a player gaining more minutes each game.

Langston Galloway (NYK, PG) - 12% Owned

The Knicks' season has not gone right for anybody, except Galloway, who has now earned a starting spot and significant minutes.

With the Knicks throwing the season away, and resting veterans, Galloway’s minutes will only rise as the season goes on. During the last two weeks, the young guard has averaged 11.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 9-of-23 from three-point range over six games.

C.J. Miles (IND, SG/SF) - 25% Owned

Miles has been an absolute fantasy stud lately and has not shown any signs of slowing down. The Pacers have been waiting for someone to fill the scoring void in Paul George’s absence, and Miles, somewhat surprisingly, has been the one stepping up in recent days.

In January so far, Miles has scored 13 or more points in 8-of-11 games while averaging 3.6 boards, 2.5 threes and 1.3 steals. The streaky swingman has been on a nice roll, so grab him off the waiver wire while he is still hot.

Tiago Splitter (SAS, C) - 10% Owned

Splitter has finally re-gained the trust of Gregg Popovich after losing it earlier in the year. It was just announced that the Spurs will stick with Duncan and Splitter as the starters up front, at least in the short term.

Over his last five games, Splitter has put up 8.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting a solid 53.3 percent from the field. He has plenty of potential and could be a steal for any fantasy owner that needs a big man.

Keeper League Pickup of the Week

Anthony Bennett (MIN, SF/PF) - 4% Owned

The first overall pick in the draft two years ago, Bennett has shown some promise since being trading to the Timberwolves in the Kevin Love deal.

Bennett needed to find his niche in the NBA, as most thought he was too small to be a power forward, which was his position in college. He still needs to get into better shape and work harder, but could eventually turn into a nice NBA player with his range and post-up game.

Bennett would not be much help now to your fantasy team right now. However, if he keeps improving, the former UNLV star could emerge as a steady contributor going into next season.