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Week 9 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: NBA Guards

By File:Jameer Nelson Mavs.jpg: Keith Allison derivative work: Chrishmt0423 [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

In his Week 9 NBA Waiver Wire column, Lou Cappetta focuses on a few guards that could deserve some attention in your fantasy basketball league.

Happy Holidays everyone. There has been some big moves made this past week in the NBA, namely the trade of Rajon Rondo and the release of Josh Smith. These two huge moves means there will be a ripple effect in fantasy waiver wires everywhere.

This week, we are going to focus on NBA guards you should strongly consider adding, as they will seemingly see an increase in production as a direct result of these moves.

Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Player List

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Waiver Wire Guard For Right Now

Marcus Smart (BOS, PG) - 46% owned

With Rondo sent to Dallas, and the Boston Celtics going nowhere, it makes sense that Coach Brad Stevens would give his young players as much run as possible. This alone makes Smart a must add in leagues with 12 or more teams.

Smart is not Rondo, but he is good for some threes and great defensive stats. So far, however, Smart has been underwhelming in three games without Rondo, and Stevens has used three different starting point guards in that span. There is also concerns about Smart's scoring ability, especially his jump shot, that may leave him in a bench role for now.

Eventually, Smart is going to receive more minutes. If he is available in your league, grab him now.

 

Waiver Wire Guard For Deeper Leagues

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (DET, SG) - 20% Owned

When Josh Smith was waived by the Pistons, Stan Van Gundy made it perfectly clear that the new plan is to play Detroit's young players in an attempt to see what is there for the future. This is great news for a guy like Caldwell-Pope.

"KCP" has had issues with efficiency to this point, but is averaging 12.5 points while knocking down 2.0 treys per game at a 36.3 percent clip. He is also getting more than 30 minutes per contest, meaning there should be plenty of chances to improve those numbers going forward.

 

Waiver Wire Guard To Keep An Eye On

Jameer Nelson (BOS, PG) - 34% Owned

Nelson has been one of the worst point guards in the NBA this season. He has offered little to fantasy owners and looks as if he is on the last legs of his NBA playing days.

With that said, a change of scenery may due Nelson some good. It seems the Boston starting point guard gig is going to belong to Marcus Smart, but just in case Brad Stevens decides he wants to use a veteran floor general to lead his young talent, and help develop his young point guard, Nelson is worth keeping an eye on. It is unlikely, but stranger things have happened.

If Nelson can recapture a bit of his former self, he can be a nice source of threes, points and assists.

 

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Mitchell Robinson

Available for Game 3
Chicago Bulls

Bulls Hire Alex Kaufman as Windy City Bulls General Manager
E.J. Liddell

Agrees to Two-Year Deal with Greek Club Aris
Matas Buzelis

Will Play for Lithuania This Summer
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Has Concerns About Heat Roster If Traded to Miami
Bobby Witt Jr.

Exits Early with Knee Soreness
Mitchell Robinson

Has Technical Foul Rescinded After Game 2 Win
Jarquez Hunter

Is it Time for Dynasty Managers to Move on From Jarquez Hunter?
Elijah Arroyo

Worth Buying Low on in Dynasty Formats?
Tre Tucker

Profiles as a Dynasty Sell-High Candidate Entering 2026
Jack Bech

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Jaydon Blue

a Dynasty Buy-Low Candidate After Underwhelming Rookie Year?
Saquon Barkley

in Line for Larger Pass-Catching Role in 2026?
Karl-Anthony Towns

Eligible for Massive Extension
Isaiah Stewart

Could Draw Trade Interest
Chase Briscoe

Is Chase Briscoe Worth Rostering for DFS at Michigan?
Philadelphia 76ers

Jameer Nelson Promoted to Executive Vice President
Domantas Sabonis

Could be Traded This Summer
Ty Gibbs

Is Ty Gibbs Worth Rostering at Michigan This Week for DFS?
William Byron

Will Start at the Rear at Michigan After Unapproved Adjustments
NASCAR

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Joey Logano

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Daniel Suarez

Might Have Tournament Appeal for Michigan DFS Lineups
Jonah Coleman

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William Carrier

Suffers Upper-Body Injury in Game 3 Versus Golden Knights
Darius Slayton

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Sebastian Aho

Records Two Assists in Losing Effort
Keaton Mitchell

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Jordan Staal

Scores in Third Consecutive Game
Shea Theodore

Caps Multi-Point Effort With Game-Winning Goal Saturday
Kayshon Boutte

Will Attend Mandatory Minicamp
Denny Hamlin

Puts DFS Managers in Tough Spot for Michigan
Chase Elliott

Can Chase Elliott Get Back to His Old Ways at Michigan?
Chris Buescher

Looking for Another Solid Run at Michigan
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Collects Two Points in Overtime Win
Jonathon Brooks

to Be Carolina's Lead Back in 2026?
Carson Hocevar

Qualifies Second, Seeking Redemption at Michigan
Ross Chastain

Can DFS Managers Trust Ross Chastain at Michigan?
Mitch Marner

Scores Fastest Hat Trick in Finals History
Brad Keselowski

Has Been Solid at Michigan
Will Smith

Scratched With Neck Stiffness, Expected to Return on Sunday
Kenneth Gainwell

Standing Out at OTAs
Bhayshul Tuten

"Picking Up Steam," More in-Tune With New Scheme
Auston Matthews

Maple Leafs Confident of Keeping Auston Matthews
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Wins Second Vezina Trophy
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Uncertain for Game 3 Against Hurricanes
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Will Howard

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DK Metcalf

Dynasty Stock is Declining Rapidly Entering 2026
Hunter Greene

Could Return Before the All-Star Break
Isaac TeSlaa

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Troy Franklin

a Dynasty Hold with Potentially Rough Times Ahead
Dylan Harper

Remains a Bright Spot for San Antonio
De'Aaron Fox

Shoots Well in a Loss to the Knicks
Victor Wembanyama

Scores 29 Points in Game 2 Loss
OG Anunoby

Anchors Knicks' Defense in Finals Game 2
Mikal Bridges

Helps Knicks Secure a Game 2 Victory
Karl-Anthony Towns

Records Another Finals Double-Double
Jalen Brunson

Overcomes Cold Night to Seal Game 2
Michael Harris II

Dealing With Back Tightness, Not Believed to be Serious
Byron Buxton

Suffers Shoulder Contusion After Colliding With the Wall
Sacramento Kings

Kings Want to Trade Their Larger Contracts
Chicago Bulls

Darius Acuff Jr. Works Out for Bulls
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Could Get Traded
MIN

Marcus Johansson Returning to Europe
Thomas White

Likely to Miss Rest of Season With Shoulder Capsular Sprain
Mitchell Robinson

is Upgraded to Available for Game 2
Cole Caufield

Earns Lady Byng Trophy
Nick Suzuki

Lands Selke Trophy
Jose Altuve

Astros Reinstate Jose Altuve From the Injured List
CFB

Reed Harris Hoping to Fill Void in Arizona State Receiving Room
CFB

Nick Marsh Gearing Up for Breakout
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Drew Mestemaker Looking to Catapult Oklahoma State Offense in 2026
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Rocco Becht Brings Experience to New-Look Nittany Lions
CFB

Can Trey White, Adam Trick Keep Texas Tech's Defensive Front Elite?
CFB

Devon Dampier is Key to Success for Morgan Scalley in Year 1
Aaron Judge

Yankees Officially Place Aaron Judge on Injured List With Fractured Rib
Francisco Lindor

Expected to Return in "About a Couple Weeks"
Corey Seager

Rangers Activate Corey Seager From the Injured List
Gabriel Bonfim

Set For UFC Vegas 118 Main Event
Belal Muhammad

In Dire Need Of Win
Edmen Shahbazyan

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 118
Shayne Gostisbehere

Dishes Out Two Power-Play Assists in Comeback Win
Brendan Allen

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Seth Jarvis

Ties Finals With Power-Play Goal
Mark Stone

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Tom Nolan

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Mitch Marner

Records Two Assists in Game 2 Loss
Farés Ziam

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Brett Howden

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Brayden McNabb

Hospitalized After Taking Puck to Face
Aaron Judge

Diagnosed with Stress Fracture, Out 4-6 Weeks
Shohei Ohtani

has "Small" Blister, a "Non-Issue" for his Pitching Starts
Brent Rooker

Out on Thursday Due to Knee Soreness
Frederik Andersen

Hurricanes Retain Confidence in Frederik Andersen
Vincent Trocheck

Maple Leafs Interested in Vincent Trocheck
Dylan Larkin

Requests Trade From Red Wings
Corey Seager

Expected to Return This Weekend
Lucas Erceg

Royals to Mix and Match in Ninth With Lucas Erceg Struggling
Aaron Judge

to Undergo Additional Imaging
Ketel Marte

Out on Wednesday With Back, Hamstring Injuries
Corbin Burnes

has Teres Major Strain, Unlikely to Return Until September
Rickie Fowler

Looks To Continue Resurgent Season At Memorial
CFB

Can Eric Singleton Jr. Fully Break Out at Third School?
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Katin Houser Steps into QB1 Role for Illinois
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Savion Hiter an Immediate Impact Freshman for Michigan
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Isaiah Horton Set to Take Over KC Concepcion's Role
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UCLA Transfer Karson Gordon Signs with Austin Peay
CFB

Will Muschamp Bringing New Intensity to Texas Practices
Gary Woodland

Brings Boom-or-Bust Potential to Memorial
Jordan Spieth

Still Searching for a Breakthrough
Alex Smalley

Brings Elite Form to Memorial Tournament
Justin Rose

Looks to Recapture Memorial Tournament Success
Cameron Young

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Chris Gotterup

Needs to Find Fairways at Muirfield Village
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Stay Hot at Memorial Tournament
Matt Fitzpatrick

Positioned for Success at Muirfield Village
Keegan Bradley

Looking for Another Strong Finish at Muirfield
Justin Thomas

is an Exciting Play This Week in Ohio
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Win Memorial Tournament for Third Consecutive Year
Rory McIlroy

Looking for Better Performance at Muirfield Village
Drake Baldwin

Could Return During Braves Next Homestand
Garrett Crochet

Diagnosed With Low-Grade Lat Strain
Russell Henley

Coming to Ohio on the Heels of Latest Victory
Tommy Fleetwood

Looking for Better Iron Play at Memorial Tournament
Patrick Cantlay

Looks to Continue Dominance at Muirfield Village
Ludvig Aberg

a Great Fit for Muirfield Village
Aaron Judge

Out on Tuesday With Rib/Shoulder Injury
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SEC Coach Calls Buster Faulkner a "Home-Run Hire"
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Auburn a Sleeper in the SEC Under Alex Golesh?
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Noah Fifita Primed for Strong 2026 Campaign
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Oregon Assistant Coach Charged with DUII, Reckless Driving
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Tight End Nick Pollack Commits to Clemson
Akshay Bhatia

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Aaron Rai

Primed to take on the Memorial Tournament
J.J. Spaun

Rebounded at Charles Schwab Challenge
Xander Schauffele

One to Watch This Week in Ohio
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