Fantasy basketball: Players on the waiver-wire who shouldn't be
We know how important it is to use the waiver-wire to your advantage in fantasy basketball.
Yet, so many people don’t realise how many gems are around to be added to their squads.
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I’m here again to highlight some exciting adds for your squads to lead you to glory.
Under 70% Rostered (10 Team League Targets)
This should be common sense, but Brown is the Thunder’s starting centre, and he has been a beast in nearly every game since he became a member of the rotation.
Al Horford isn’t playing again, and while Brown has been an add for weeks, he is still around in over 30% of leagues.
Make sure he isn’t available in yours.
Much like Brown, Porter has been an obvious addition for a while.
He has struggled in the last couple, trying to figure out his fit next to John Wall, but I do not expect Wall to finish the season, not injured, and that should bump Porter’s value further.
I feel like I write about White every second week, but here he is again, sitting available in over 30% of Yahoo leagues.
That is inexplicable. White is locked in as the starting shooting guard, he is getting big minutes, and importantly he is producing with room for upside.
No reason he should be on any ten team waiver wire.
Under 50% Rostered (12 Team League Targets)
Cole Anthony
This one is more speculative. Anthony is set to return as early as next week from a rib fracture.
Before that injury, he was putting up solid numbers, and I don’t think Steve Clifford will take that long to start him over Michael Carter-Williams as the team’s point guard.
So, adding Anthony now will be painful for a week or so, but given the Magic teardown, he will get a ton of shots and have excellent near top 100 value.
Hamidou Diallo
Diallo pushed Josh Jackson out of the rotation in just his second game in Detroit, and as Diallo gets more comfortable, he could get 30 minutes a night for the Pistons.
He does have efficiency issues, but for a standard points league, that doesn’t matter, so I love Diallo on a 12-man squad.
Jae’Sean Tate
Tate is another one of those players who should’ve been rostered a while ago but hasn’t been due to name recognition.
That means he is on the wire in over half of Yahoo leagues. That’s insane.
Tate has got a solid role in Houston, and I don’t think that is changing.
Under 30% Rostered (14 Team League Targets)
Dennis Smith Jr
Much like Cole Anthony, Smith is currently injured, but he has a starting point guard job waiting for him when he is healthy.
Delon Wright is in Sacramento now, and Killian Hayes is still weeks away, so Smith - if he plays 28 minutes a night - could even be a 12 team guy.
But in 14 team leagues, I would be snatching him.
Théo Maledon
George Hill is in Philadelphia, and Shai Gilegous-Alexander is hurt and out for weeks.
Maledon has been starting for a while, but without Shai, his usage could go up a little, and we have seen some flashes lately.
There is the risk of Ty Jerome taking his minutes, and he is another consideration to add, but Maledon is solid as a deeper league add.
Much like with Moses Brown, Roby will benefit from Horford being out and Darius Bazley’s injury.
He can contribute in multiple categories, and his minutes should be pretty solid for the rest of the season.
Short Term Adds
This may not end up being short-term, but with LaMelo Ball out, Monk will take on a more significant role in terms of usage, minutes, and assist opportunities.
He is worth having for now.
Yes, I know DeMarcus Cousins is reportedly signing with the Clippers, but he is worse than Zubac, and he will play behind Zubac.
Serge Ibaka looks like he will be out until next week, at least with his back issue, so Zubac will continue to get good minutes as the starter and has value in that time.
Other Names
Jaden McDaniels
McDaniels is the Wolves’ starting power forward, and he has been putting up some intense games of late.
He can be inconsistent and can have low usage, but I would grab him in 12 team leagues.
Chuma Okeke
The Magic need someone to do something, and Okeke has been doing that. He is available in a lot of leagues, and his starting job isn’t in jeopardy.
I would add him in 12 team leagues.
Nerlens Noel
With Mitchell Robinson out for the season, Noel shouldn’t be sitting on any waiver wire.
Make sure he isn’t on yours as he is the Knicks’ starting centre.
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