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%. On the early 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 Cavs 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’d 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 with the Wizards who are last in the league for 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); Langston Galloway, PG/SG, NOP (6% 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) could potentially see some minutes at the five-spot for today’s game.
Ilyasova has scored in double-figures for all four of his appearances on the early season, 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 as well as Nerlens Noel and Ben Simmons still out.
The Sixers have a home and home with the Pacers, who rank last in the league for 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
TJ McConnell, PG, PHI, Opponent: Saturday vs. CLE (2% Owned)
After losing the positional battle with Sergio Rodriguez for the starting point guard spot, TJ McConnell has been relegated to a bench role. However, he’s averaged 5.4 APG in only 17.0 MPG for the Sixers. For the early season, that puts him 36 in APG among league leaders and would be ready to put up double-digit assists if Spanish Chocolate were to go down.
Jerryd Bayless was supposed to start in Philly, but a wrist injury has kept him out and could do so for an extended period. This is good news for both Rodriguez and McConnell as they both hold value with Bayless out of the lineup.
There is a blowout factor against the Cavs on their Saturday matchup, which may net McConnell some extra minutes. The waiver wire is tough enough for finding assists, but he’s looking like a solid streaming specialist in the early going. Extra points to McConnell for the football tackle on Ibaka in last night’s game.
Other Options: Lance Stephenson, SG/SF, NOP (12% Owned); Wade Baldwin, PG, MEM (6% Owned); TJ McConnell, PG, PHI (3% Owned); Brandon Jennings, PG, NYK (18% Owned); Isaiah Canaan, PG/SG, CHI (2% 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.