Fantasy Basketball 9-Cat Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 3

Happy 2021! It seems strange for it to be a new year and for the NBA to only be entering its third week, but that's how things go in these strange times.

This past week's highlights include the Wizards finally winning a game and the Rockets finally getting to see what John Wall could do in a Rockets uniform. Hint: it was good things he did. Rotations have also started to round into shape and settle into what they'll be moving forward, for the most part.

Our staff at RotoBaller has great insight and daily columns on how to improve your squad and tips to make your team successful, so be sure to check them out! Now, let's get prepared for Week 3. All players in this article are rostered at 50 percent or less.

Week 3 Standard 9-Cat Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups

Columns are written based on H2H 9-category standard size leagues:

Luguentz Dort - SG/SF - Oklahoma City Thunder (48% rostered)

Has Dort shot up in terms of roster percentage a little too much, perhaps? Sure, you can make that argument. But he still does a lot of things that can help out a fantasy manager. He's made 10 threes over the past three games and while his scoring dropped back down below 15 points for the first time against the Pelicans, he still has a ton of upside. A great option if your big needs right now are points and threes.

Josh Jackson - SG/SF - Detroit Pistons (45% rostered)

I, for one, got tricked when Jackson struggled against the Cavs in the second game of the season and thought "well, guess he's trending down again," which led to me dropping him in our staff league. Oops. Jackson has scored in double-digits in four of five games so far and usually will also help you out with rebounds. He also has two combined blocks/steals in all but one game, further helping him make a case as a well-rounded option who'll provide you a boost in multiple categories.

Enes Kanter - C - Portland Trail Blazers (34% rostered)

Kanter is capable of posting a double-double on any given night. Of course, the big issue with Kanter is he'll give you nothing outside of points, rebounds, and field goal percentage, so he needs to get the needed minutes to compile big numbers in those categories. In games where he's gotten the minutes, he's been productive. In games like the Warriors one where Harry Giles II played more minutes than him as the backup center, he didn't produce. Lots of risk here, though the reward can be a huge boost in some important categories.

Cameron Johnson - SF/PF - Phoenix Suns (33% rostered)

I always love players with either PF or C eligibility who can give me three-pointers, as it helps ensure I'm getting the maximum number of threes I can get into my lineups. Well, Johnson has hit multiple threes in all but one game and has scored in double figures all but twice. His lack of rebounding and having just three blocks all year does put him at a disadvantage in your PF slot over the other kinds of production you can get, but in the right fantasy build, Johnson will have a lot of value.

Deni Avdija - SG/SF - Washington Wizards (27% rostered)

The big thing for me here is the steals. Avdija can score in the low double-digits and hit multiple threes per game, but the category where he'll really provide a boost is steals. Over the last four games, Avdija has three games with multiple steals. He's trending up right now and should only get better as a scorer, especially as he gets more chances to showcase his three-point shooting.

Naz Reid - C - Minnesota Timberwolves (23% rostered)

Maybe the biggest surprise in the early going is Naz Reid.

Reid has scored in double figures in three consecutive games. He's coming off a 7-for-10 night against the Wizards in which he scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds, plus added a steal, two blocks, and a three. He can help you out in multiple categories, and while his lack of elite rebounding is something I don't love out of a fantasy center, I think the positives here outweigh that negative. He's at least worth a lineup spot until Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist) returns.

Patty Mills - PG - San Antonio Spurs (9% rostered)

There's something to be said for consistency. Mills is basically a lock at this point to give you between 10 and 15 points, two or three rebounds, four assists, and two threes per game, with some added bonus steals and the occasional night where he explodes for 20-plus points and drains five threes. He's also made every free throw attempt this year.

Gorgui Dieng - PF/C - Memphis Grizzlies (7% rostered)

This is probably a short-term addition, but Dieng has posted consecutive strong games, including a 17-point effort against the Celtics. He's made four threes in the past two games plus has multiple blocks twice this year. He's also hitting the high single-digits in rebounds. Again, not sure how long Dieng can keep this up, but he can help fantasy managers in multiple categories right now.

Saddiq Bey - SF - Detroit Pistons (6% rostered)

The rebuilding Pistons have already put Bey in the starting lineup, and while he might move back to the bench when Blake Griffin (concussion) is back, he's shown he deserves minutes. Against Boston, Bey had 17 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and hit five threes. A very cheap source of points, threes, and rebounds right now, with steal upside. He also helps by not turning the ball over too much.

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