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Max Kulish looks at some mid-week waiver wire options for fantasy basketball leagues. These players may be free agents to target on waivers in Week 12.
If you're one of those fantasy basketball players that sets a lineup at the beginning of the week, checks out, and then comes back seven days later to see how things shook out, this post is not for you.
This is for those who are grinding through each day and keeping track of categories as the days tick off. Maybe you need a handful of assists to get you over and win the week, or maybe a key injury is forcing you to rethink a category you previously considered stable. The goal is here to is target specific players who are rostered in less than half of Yahoo! leagues who will help you get you into the winner's circle. Mostly we're looking at players who might be available in 12-team leagues, but there will be some deeper options too when available.
As is always the case when streaming, it's possible that some of these recommended options are worthy of a longer-term add. But in order to hold long term, you first have to make the pickup. Regardless of where you're deficient, here are some names to consider to help you make up ground in the short term. Be sure to check out my Twitter (@Maxadelphia) for my nightly NBA plays, as well. Let's get into it!
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Points - Streaming Options
Devin Vassell - SG/SF - San Antonio Spurs (33% rostered)
In the two games since teammates Doug McDermott and Lonnie Walker IV were placed in health protocols Vassell has scored 15 and 19 points and has taken 29 shot attempts. Even though starting PG Dejounte Murray is scheduled to return from the Covid list, I still think Vassell can be a nice option for the next week, especially considering the Spurs will play 4 games during this week.
Other streamers:
- Max Struss - SG/SF - Miami Heat (20% rostered)
- Eric Gordon - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (39% rostered)
- Terrence Ross - SG/SF - Orlando Magic (33% rostered)
- Malik Monk - PG/SG - LA Lakers (47% rostered)
Assists - Streaming Options
Patrick Beverley - PG/SG - Minnesota Timberwolves (28% rostered)
After missing four games, Beverley has returned to an injured Timberwolves team. Still without KAT and D-Lo, Beverley has filled in exceptionally since returning. In his four games back from health protocols he has tallied 31 assists, a double-double, and at least one defensive stat in every game. Beverley can contribute on multiple fronts, and that's why he makes for a great addition until at least one (or maybe both) of the Timberwolves star players returns.
- Facundo Campazzo - PG - Denver Nuggets (32% rostered)
- Eric Gordon - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (41% rostered)
- Kylian Hayes - PG/SG - Detroit Pistons (8% rostered)
- Anfernee Simons - PG/SG - Portland Trailblazers (32% rostered)
Rebounds - Streaming Options
Mason Plumlee - C - Charlotte Hornets (47% rostered)
The Hornets play fast and loose, and Plumlee may not be great at much, but boyyyyyyy is he tall and good at jumping for rebounds. Plumlee is currently 3rd on the team in rebounding and is their only healthy true center at the moment with PJ Washington continuing to miss time.
Other streamers:
- Jalen Smith - C - Phoenix Suns (32% rostered)
- Damian Jones - C - Sacramento Kings (26% rostered)
- Nassir Little - SF - Portland Trailblazers (13% rostered)
- Dwight Howard - C - Los Angeles Lakers (11% rostered)
Blocks - Streaming Options
Nicolas Claxton - SF - Portland Trailblazers (47% rostered)
Claxton continues to produce at a high clip on the defensive side of the ball. Claxton averages 1.1 blocks per game for his career and has posted 11 blocks in his last 5 games. (and 4 steals to boot). With LaMarcus Aldridge continuing to miss time for an injury after returning from Covid protocols, it's worth monitoring his conditioning and his production. Aldridge has never been known for his defensive abilities, which means there will always be a role of some kind for Claxton, even when Aldridge is 100%.
Other streamers:
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (9% rostered)
- Nassir Little - SF - Portland Trailblazers (22% rostered)
- Dwight Howard - C - Los Angeles Lakers (11% rostered)
Steals - Streaming Options
Herbert Jones - SF - New Orleans Pelicans (48% rostered)
The cat is out of the bag with Jones who is fully on the radar both in fantasy and real-life alike. Jones is now a regular starter for the Pelicans, and is averaging 1.4 steals per game on the season. The Alabama product has started to get more involved offensively as well, posting double-digit scoring totals in 4 of his last 5 games, including a career-high 26 points against the Cavaliers. Buy-in now on Jones in dynasty formats as well.
Other streamers:
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (17% rostered)
- Danny Green - SG/SF - Philadelphia 76ers (17% rostered)
- Darius Bazley - SF/PF - Oklahoma City Thunder (18% rostered)
Threes - Streaming Options
Anfernee Simons - PG/SG - Portland Trailblazers (32% rostered)
Damian Lillard has joined CJ McCollum on the injured list which means full steam ahead for Simons. In his first game without Lillard, Simons only went off for a career-high 43 points and 9 3's made. I'm not really sure what else I need to say other than stop reading this sentence and go pick up Simons ASAP.
Other streamers:
- Max Struss - SG/SF - Miami Heat (20% rostered)
- Malik Monk - PG/SG - LA Lakers (47% rostered)
- Eric Gordon - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (41% rostered)
Field Goal Percentage - Streaming Options
Damian Jones - C - Sacramento Kings (26% rostered)
Jones has taken over the starting Center role for the Kings after Richaun Holmes was placed on the Covid list. As always for FG% we want to focus on players who take high percentage shots around the net, and Jones only averages .5 3s attempted per game, which shows he's more inclined to take shots close to the basket.
Other streamers:
- Thad Young - PF/C - San Antonio Spurs (15% rostered)
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (20% rostered)
Free Throw Percentage - Streaming Options
Facundo Campazzo - PG - Denver Nuggets (32% rostered)
Campazzo continues to do two things: play 30+ minutes and go to the free-throw line. Most of the time the hardest part of this whole article is finding a player for this section that takes free throws regularly, and this week Campazzo is a shining star. He has taken free throws in six consecutive games and is shooting 85.6% from the line this year.
Other streamers:
- Furkan Korkmaz - SG/SF - Philadelphia 76ers (5% rostered)
- Brandon Clarke - SF/PF - Memphis Grizzlies (20% rostered)
- Max Struss - SG/SF - Miami Heat (20% rostered)
- Terrence Ross - SG/SF - Orlando Magic (33% rostered)
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