It's never too early to start streaming. Whether you have an opening due to an injury, you auction-drafted a crew of stars and scrubs, or you just didn't bother putting any effort into your last couple draft picks, you probably have a player or two on your team who isn't must-own. You're better off using that roster spot to stream players to eke out wins in close categories in your weekly head-to-head matchups.
This year, RotoBaller will be making weekly recommendations for extreme short term category specialists every week in all six counting stat categories (points, assists, threes, rebounds, steals, and blocks). Your week one offensive category streamers for points, threes, and assists are below. All position eligibility and ownership percentages are based on Yahoo! fantasy leagues.
Editor's Note: New users that sign up on FantasyAces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive our full season NBA (or NFL) Premium Pass for free (includes DFS Cheat Sheets). Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium Pass.
Three Points Made Streamer
Channing Frye, PF/C, CLE, Opponents: Friday @ WAS, Sunday vs. CHA (5% Owned)
Since getting moved to Cleveland from Orlando, Channing Frye is averaging 1.8 3PTM on 4.4 3PA with a solid 39.8 3P%. In the early going of the season, he’s averaged 2.6 3PTM and 10.6 PTS in only 17.5 MPG. He’s the definition of perimeter specialist and will do one thing really, really good.
On the season, the Cavaliers are averaging a league-leading 35.7 three-point attempts and are second in makes (13.0 3PTM on 36.4 3P%). The Cavs suffered their first loss last night to the Hawks as they decided they would die by the three. They attempted a ridiculous 42 treys, but only made 11 (26.2 3P%). One thing is obvious; they’ll continue to hoist it up with the best of them.
On Friday, the Cavs square off against a Wizards team that is last in the league in opponent 3PTM (11.3). Consequently, they’ll see the Hornets who rank seventh from the bottom in opponent 3PTM (10.3). The Cavs should feast and Frye should be able to put up a few crooked numbers in the three-point column in the process. He should be available in most leagues and makes for a great streaming option in the late week.
Other Options: Ersan Ilyasova, SF/PF, PHI, (20% Owned in Yahoo); Terrence Ross, SG/SF, TOR (8% Owned); Luke Babbitt, SF, MIA (1% Owned);
Points Streamer
Ersan Ilyasova, SF/PF, PHI, Opponents: Friday vs. IND, Saturday @ ATL (20% Owned)
The Sixers have been using Ersan Ilyasova in multiple positions as he's even shared the floor with the younger, better version of himself, Dario Saric. He brings a legitimate shooting threat to the starting lineup, something they lacked with Jerami Grant. Brett Brown loves his versatility and with Embiid out (rest), Ilyasova could potentially see some minutes at the five-spot for today’s game.
Ilyasova has scored in double-figures in all four of his appearances, including his time with the Thunder. He’s averaging 2.4 3PTM and 15.0 PTS with the Sixers in 25.7 MPG. The minutes should be there in the short-term with Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid sitting on a minute’s cap, while Nerlens Noel and Ben Simmons are still out.
The Sixers have a home and home with the Pacers, who rank last in the league in opponent field-goals made (41.4). The Sixers will look to capture their first win of the season and Ilyasova should be able to take advantage with the point totals. He's available in 80% of leagues. The three-pointers will come as an added bonus.
Other Options: E’Twaun Moore, PG/SG, NOP, (16% Owned in Yahoo); Wilson Chandler, SG/SF, DEN (28% Owned); Frank Kaminsky, PF/C, CHA (14% Owned)
Assists Streamer
Ty Lawson, PG, SAC, Opponent: Thursday vs. LAL, Friday @ POR (19% Owned)
This is not a typo, we realize Darren Collison has returned from his suspension, but that doesn’t mean Ty Lawson holds zero value in fantasy hoops. Lawson still started on Tuesday, but the chances he remains the starter are minuscule, and I’m betting this is his last week in the starting unit. All I’m saying is we should take advantage of the production while it’s there for the taking. Owners have been dropping him like a bad habit, evidenced by a negative 10% change in ownership across Yahoo! leagues in anticipation of Collison’s return. He should be available in most leagues as a streaming option.
Lawson has looked awful at times as the starter, but he has put up awesome value for assists (6.6 AST). That’s above league average and you won’t find value anywhere near that on the waiver wire, especially considering assists are the toughest stats to stream. He’s at least worth owning as a stream option for the late week, but I’d even hold on until the wheels fall off. To be fair, that shouldn’t be much longer. Give him a look.
Other Options: TJ McConnell, PG, PHI (3% Owned); Tyus Jones, PG, MIN (0% Owned); Jameer Nelson, PG, DEN (5% Owned)
By popular demand, RotoBaller has aggregated all of our fantasy basketball NBA waiver wire pickups into a running list of NBA waiver options, so bookmark the page and check back often for updates.