Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: NBA Forwards - First Month Rundown

In this week's NBA Waiver Wire column, Sam Nedimyer focuses on forwards that could deserve attention in your Fantasy Basketball league heading into the season's second month.

Now that we are a month into the season, it is time to do a full review of the waiver-wire situation at the forward positions. The following players, whether of the “sleeper” variety or just cashing in temporarily on an unforeseen opportunity, almost certainly deserve attention across the various formats.

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

Shallow League Wire (36% - 50% owned)

Harrison Barnes (GS, SF/PF) – 47% Owned

Since the Warriors’ five point win over the Thunder on November 23, Barnes’ point production has decreased but his 7.8 rebounds per game over his last five is well above his average of 6.2 per game.  Barnes is in the top five in nearly every advanced metric on the Golden State roster, so there’s no reason to think he won’t continue to be at least a third or fourth scoring option for the Warriors from night to night.  He’s worth at least a stash and is a viable starting option on most nights.

Iman Shumpert (NY, SG/SF) – 41% Owned

Shumpert’s 51 TS% has taken quite a plunge over the last ten days as he’s drained only 30% of his shots from the field.  Suffice it to say that this has caused him to see less minutes on the court.  That’s not the only numbers that have dropped.  Shumpert’s WS/48 and VORP have dropped considerably over the same span to place him below the league averages in both categories.  Playing for the Knicks is bad enough this season, but seeing less playing time and production while playing for the Knicks is suspect at best.  As a fantasy owner, it would be best to hold off using a roster spot on the 24-year-old.

Corey Brewer (MIN, SG/SF) – 39% Owned

If Winston Churchill were alive today he would probably describe Brewer’s game as a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Perhaps the only thing consistent about Brewer is his inconsistency.  Some nights he is flirting with a triple-double and on other nights he’s barely hitting 28% from the field.  However there is some hope for former Gator.  Wolves coach Flip Saunders has been playing Brewer a lot in close games as he’s routinely played 28+ minutes in seven of the last eight games.  This reason alone is enough to keep Brewer on the radar or keep him on the roster for spot starts in favorable matchups.

Standard League Wire (21% - 35% owned)

Tristan Thompson (CLE, PF/C) – 35% Owned

The ownership numbers for Thompson have exploded over the last week primarily due to the contusion sustained by Anderson Varejao.  Thompson was already an adequate fill-in for most fantasy owners but now that Varejao will be missing some time, it’s safe to say that the 2011 first round pick will get plenty of chances in the near future.  Owners should snatch Thompson up if they’re looking for immediate short-term production.

Wesley Johnson (LAL, SG/SF) – 29% Owned

Once upon a time in the not too distant past, non-Laker fans would happily tune in after 9:30pm EST to catch a glimpse of a good basketball team putting in work.  Those days have since passed.  However the collapse of the Lakers as a team has allowed certain players get a lot of playing time who otherwise wouldn’t on other teams.  Johnson fits into that mold of player.  He’s played a lot of minutes since November 11 and there’s no reason to think his playing time will drop anytime soon.  In terms of advanced assessment, his teammate Kobe Bryant is being used an estimated- and disturbingly high- 36.4% of every play whilst on the floor, so it’s safe to say Johnson won’t exactly be the go-to-guy.  He’s a viable fill-in.

Solomon Hill (IND, SG/SF) – 27% Owned

It seems like something amazing happened last week: the Indiana Pacers sustained no major injuries.  With all the injuries to the Hoosier State’s roster since the end of summer, one guy in particular has taken advantage of the opportunity.  An otherwise back-end bench player on most other teams, Hill has stepped up to become a top scoring option for the Pacers.  With all the offensive opportunities presented to him this season, as well as adding in his already above par defense, Hill should be a near-immediate add in most leagues.

Shawne Williams (MIA, SF/PF) – 23% Owned

Barring any future unforeseen injury to Josh McRoberts, Williams appears to be on the back-end of his season high point.  He took advantage of the injury to McRoberts in the early part of the season as he was the hot-hand behind the three point arc for the Heat, but his overall shooting percentage has decreased and as a result, so has his minutes.  Now that McRoberts is returning, Williams’ value will plummet.  Grab him only in the deepest of leagues.

Evan Turner (BOS, SG/SF) – 22% Owned

The fourth-year swingman has put up seemingly solid numbers off the bench for the Celtics, but one needs to look deeper at his true potential value.  Turner has low WS/48 and VORP numbers, .033 and 0.0 respectively, for a 4-10 squad.  That just won’t cut it.  Unless there’s an injury sustained by a starter, Turner doesn’t possess any true fantasy value.

Kevin Garnett (BRK, PF/C) – 21% Owned

It’s amazing to think that Garnett is in his twentieth- 20! -season.  He’s clearly no longer the player he was in Minnesota or even Boston, but if you’re an owner that is in desperate need of rebounds then Garnett is worth an add.  And if you’re an owner in a league that has an “Attempt to bite an opponent like Mike Tyson” category, then feel free to add Garnett and keep him as a regular starter.

Deep League Wire (1% - 20% owned)

Ed Davis (LAL, PF/C) – 19% Owned

One of these days Davis will bust out.  It will happen.  It’s just that he and Lakers coach Byron Scott are making it very difficult for the bust out to happen.  Coach Scott is playing the Davis sparingly as the four-year vet has yet to put in 30 minutes in a game and Davis isn’t really making the most of his opportunities as he has yet to truly assert his himself when on the floor.  He even went 18 minutes against the Raptors on Sunday without attempting a shot.  Yesh.  As of now, he provides 12-14 team league value.

Jeremy Lamb (OKC, SG/SF) – 18% Owned

Until Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant return, Lamb remains as a top scoring option for the Thunder.  It’s actually rather surprising to see Lamb not more heavily owned in more leagues.  He’s averaging 12.0 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.1 APG and 1.2 SPG.  Those are all more than capable numbers in any league.  Add him now.

Luis Scola (IND, PF/C) – 8% Owned

David West has returned so whatever value Scola had over the last week or so has completely diminished.  His fantasy owners should look elsewhere as soon as possible.

Paul George (IND, SG/SF) – 7% Owned

Just wanted to see if you’re still paying attention.  Also if you were wondering, “is George on any teams?”  The answer is yes.  Try to exploit any trade with an owner of a team that has George as that owner is obviously not paying attention and you could probably get away with it. [Enter evil laugh].

Anthony Bennett (MIN, SF/PF) – 7% Owned

Thaddeus Young and Shabazz Muhammad (add him before Bennett) both possess a threat to Bennett’s playing time and coach Saunders will not sit the hot hand, regardless of upside.  Bennett’s potential is still intriguing but his window of opportunity is closing every day.

Khris Middleton (MIL, SF/PF) – 5% Owned

Most followers thought the Bucks would improve in 2014, but so far Milwaukee has been better than anticipated. Because of the surprising improvement of the starters, guys like Middleton have seen less time and as a result less production. Middleton’s case is a tad different as he’s actually been able to exploit inferior matchups when he’s on the court. Still, it is best to avoid him now as he has been relegated to the bench with the re-emergence of O.J. Mayo. He is at best a DFS starter from time to time.