Dennis Smith Jr. (PG/SG, CHA) - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 42% of leagues

ANALYSIS: What is Adam Silver waiting for to create a Comeback Player of the Season award? It might not make much sense for him to do that this year, though, as we're barely one week into the season but we could very well declare the winner already: Dennis Smith Jr.

Let me put it simply before I dig deeper: DSJ is currently a top-65 player in fantasy leagues, he's averaging more than 30 DKFP per game (top-80), and he's putting up 1.03 DKFP/min  (top-70, min. 25 MPG).

Of course, had LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier not gotten injured perhaps we had never got to enjoy the Dennis Experience but that is not the case and so we're here riding this exciting wave. DSJ went back down to Mother Earth on Friday when he finally didn't crack the 10-point barrier (4 points against Orlando), but he's been excellent otherwise and he bounced back on Saturday with a 13-9-8 against the Dubs hitting 2 treys on top of everything.

DSJ scored 10+ points in all prior four games and is averaging 11.5+ PPG, 3.5+ RPG, 6+ APG, and 1.5+ SPG per game so far this campaign having started three of five games played to date. There are 34 guys averaging a nightly 11-5 and just six adding two steals per game to that line. None of the former 34 is rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN rosters other than DSJ. None of the latter six is in fewer than 90% (!) rosters.

Smith Jr., of course, is still available in more than 60% of leagues, which borders malpractice by fantasy GMs out there whether LaMelo/Rozier are back healthy or not these days.

There will obviously be a downtick in production once everything gets back to normal but Smith has definitely proved his worth and value for the Hornets already in the baby season and he will get handed a rather significant role even if that's coming off the pine. Must-roster, must-start player as long as the two main guards of Charlotte are out. Must-roster, maybe-start once he gets demoted to the bench.

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