Gorgui Dieng (PF/C, ATL): Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups

Gorgui Dieng is worth considering as a fantasy basketball waiver wire pickup heading into Week 2 of the NBA season.

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ROSTERED IN: 3% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Did you know Gorgui Dieng is now a member of the Atlanta Hawks? He’s on his fourth team in the last three years but looks to be locked into the backup center role behind starter Clint Capela. That is at least until second-year man Onyeka Okongwu returns from offseason shoulder surgery.

In his first game, he logged just 14.5 minutes in a blowout win over the Mavericks. In that short stint, he put up nine points (4-5 FG, 1-2 3PT), six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two blocks. He also didn’t record a single turnover. He followed that performance up by going for five points, eight rebounds, and one assist in almost 19 minutes of action in his second game of the season. These aren't gaudy numbers by any means, but he's shooting 75% from the field and has even hit a couple of three-pointers.

Throughout his career, Dieng has always been good on a per-minute basis. He typically only plays between 15 and 20 minutes per game but can absolutely fill up the box score in that amount of time. He provides you with those ever-so-valuable defensive statistics without hurting your shooting percentages and turnovers.

The Hawks play four games next week, all against teams with multiple big men that will require the Hawks to use both Capela and Dieng. He’s not the flashiest pickup, but he won’t hurt you in any one category while helping you with FG%, FT%, rebounds, steals, and blocks – all without committing many turnovers in Week 2.

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