RADIO
Sitting here in the middle of the 2014-15 NBA season, the waiver wire has taken its typical place in the weekly/daily routine of fantasy basketball managers. The following forwards, whether of the “sleeper” variety or just cashing in temporarily on an unforeseen opportunity, almost certainly deserve attention across the various formats during Week 13 of the campaign.
Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Player List
Waiver Wire Forward for Right Now
Matt Barnes (LAC, SF) - 47% Owned
It took nearly half the season, but it appears Barnes has finally joined the fantasy party. Maybe he just needed to make an LA "fashionably late" statement. Whatever the reason, his production is finally starting to equal his hype, as Barnes has seen a rise in three pointers, points and rebounds over the last week.
Barnes struggled mightily against the Celtics but was still in averaging 15.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG and 1.6 APG in the previous five. Without any major competition behind him on the bench, it would be prudent to say he will stay in the 30+ minute range every start.
Waiver Wire Forward for Deeper Leagues
Nikola Mirotic (CHI, SF/PF) - 18% Owned
The injury to Joakim Noah will play out one of two ways for Mirotic. Either the latter will get a ton of playing time and work his way into being a short-term producer for his fantasy owners or he will stay in head coach Tom Thibodeau's proverbial doghouse after his last putrid outing while teammate Taj Gibson racks up the minutes. Gibson is probably not available in your league, so it will be difficults to pick him up.
Mirotic is completely capable of going on a hot streak and taking advantage of his unique offensive skills for a team that could frankly use his scoring ability. Do not count him out just yet.
Waiver Wire Forward to Keep An Eye On
Ersan Ilyasova (MIL, SF/PF) - 41% Owned
In the market for an as-of-yet overrated, injury plagued big man that is questionable on defense? Well if you said yes, Ilyasova is your man.
In all seriousness, it is extremely possible that Ilyasova takes advantage of his gifted abilities and a nice schedule over the next week and a half. At some point, he will wake up from this offensive slump and start producing, but we're here to tell you to not drink the kool-aid. Instead, he makes the cut on this list so his fantasy owners can take advantage of his upside at top-market value and deal him when he's much desired.
It is not a question of IF Ilyasova will wake up but WHEN. The same could be said for his eventual fall back down into reality.
