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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 23.
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 is to 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. 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. Final mid-week steamers of the season, let's get into it!
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Points - Streaming Options
Brandon Williams - PG - Portland Trail Blazers (35% rostered)
With Damian Lillard officially shut down for the remainder of this disappointing Blazers' season, and Anfernee Simons dealing with an injury it is officially all systems go for Williams. Williams is averaging 14.6 points in 25.5 minutes per game, but if you look at his recent game log you'll see consistent numbers above those averages. This is a starting PG on the waiver wire, not something that happens often.
Other streamers:
- Tre Mann - SG - Oklahoma City Thunder (25% rostered)
- Kevin Huerter - SG/SF - Atlanta Hawks (38% rostered)
- Devin Vassell -SG/SF - San Antonio Spurs (40% rostered)
- Eric Gordon - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (25% rostered)
- Reggie Bullock - SG/SF - Dallas Mavericks (14% rostered)
Assists - Streaming Options
Bones Hyland - PG/SG - Denver Nuggets (44% rostered)
Highland has seized the opportunity given to him by Coach Mike Malone and is becoming a key part of the Nuggets' rotation. Hyland has registered 4+ assists in four of his last five games, and has a nice scoring upside as well; posting double-digit points in six straight games.
Assists are as weak as ever this week, so back to old faithful. The Wolves currently have five players listed as game-time decisions for their next game against the Thunder. Beverley brings a defensive upside and could see increased run thanks to a tender D'Angelo Russell hamstring.
- De'Anthony Melton - PG/SG - Memphis Grizzlies (41% rostered)
- Patrick Beverley - PG/SG - Minnesota Timberwolves (35% rostered)
- Raul Neto - PG - Washington Wizards (11% rostered)
Rebounds - Streaming Options
Otto Porter Jr. - SF/PF - Golden State Warriors (26% rostered)
With Steph Curry out for the remainder of the regular season, and Draymond Green still shaking off an injury, the Warriors need all hands on deck for their stretch run. Porter has posted back-to-back double-doubles with a combined 31 rebounds in those two games. Granted, I don't think OPJ is going to reincarnate into Dennis Rodman and do that every single night, however he's still averaging 6 rebounds per game on the season which is nothing to scoff at.
Other streamers:
- Precious Achiuwa - PF/C - Toronto Raptors (32% rostered)
- Onyeka Okongwu- PF/C- Atlanta Hawks (26% rostered)
- Mason Plumlee - C - Charlotte Hornets (46% rostered)
Blocks - Streaming Options
Jaxson Hayes - PF/C - New Orleans Pelicans (39% rostered)
Hayes been featured far and wide in this article throughout the season, but this is the first time I can recall giving him props for his defense. With Brandon Ingram continuing to miss time, the Pelicans have been in need of additional scoring, which is right up Hayes' alley. What I'm sure the Pelicans were not expecting was Hayes' contributions on the defensive end. Hayes has posted a block in six straight games, and has played 27+ minutes in all of those contests. As long as Ingram is out, Hayes remains a solid fantasy asset.
Other streamers:
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (24% rostered)
- Alperen Sengun - C - Houston Rockets (32% rostered)
Steals - Streaming Options
Alex Caruso - SG - Chicago Bulls (41% rostered)
Caruso returned two weeks ago after missing two and a half months with injury and picked up right where he left off on the defensive end of the court. Caruso has registered a steal in four straight games, and has posted eight total steals in six games since his return from injury. His upcoming schedule is loaded with teams with week guard play (NO, NYK, WAS), and if he's still available in your league stop reading this article and go grab him now!
Other streamers:
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (11% rostered)
- Chuma Okeke - PF - Orlando Magic (36% rostered)
- Raul Neto - PG - Washington Wizards (5% rostered)
Threes - Streaming Options
Duncan Robinson - SG - Miami Heat (45% rostered)
Robinson had a rough start to the year but has seemingly made his way back to his old form since the All-Star Break. For a category that is pretty much exclusively based on volume, what's not to love about a guy taking eight 3's and making three per game?
Week 2: Robinson continues to take and make 3's at well above the league average lately, but since this is such an important category I tried to juice up the honorable mentions list a bit.
Other streamers:
- Luke Kennard - SG/SF - LA Clippers (25% rostered)
- Garrison Mathews - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (15% rostered)
- Tre Mann - SG - Oklahoma City Thunder (25% rostered)
- Kevin Huerter - SG/SF - Atlanta Hawks (31% rostered)
- Eric Gordon - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (25% rostered)
- Reggie Bullock - SG/SF - Dallas Mavericks (14% rostered)
Field Goal Percentage - Streaming Options
Drew Eubanks - PF/C - Portland Trail Blazers (35% rostered)
Eubanks has had a bit of a revitalization since going to Portland around the trade deadline, and is posting nearly 2x the number of everything compared to what he was doing in San Antonio. It's only fitting to end the season with an offensive rebounding machine, which Eubanks has quietly become. In the 12 games Eubanks has played for Portland he averages just about 3 offensive rebounds per game, and is shooting 62.5% from the field, which makes him a perfect fit for this category.
Other streamers:
- Isaiah Hartenstein - PF/C - LA Clippers (16% rostered)
- Isaiah Jackson - PF/C - Indiana Pacers (37% rostered)
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (35% rostered)
Free Throw Percentage - Streaming Options
Tre Mann - SG - Oklahoma City Thunder (25% rostered)
Mann has been playing too well to exclude from a write-up. March has been the month of Mann, with only one game of single digit scoring, and five games scoring 20+. Mann is shooting 77% from the line during this rookie season, but Mann is clearly set up for extended run during these final weeks of the season and opportunity should be aplenty.
Other streamers:
- Otto Porter Jr. - SF/PF - Golden State Warriors (26% rostered)
- Bones Hyland - PG/SG - Denver Nuggets (44% rostered)
- Danilo Gallinari - PF - Atlanta Hawks (36% rostered)
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