Fantasy Basketball

Fantasy Basketball 2014-15: Waiver Wire Fix — Week 6

Photo Credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Welcome to the week five Waiver Wire Fix. Be sure to check back here every weekend for the duration of the fantasy hoops season for more wire targets. I’ve begun breaking the column down according to player types. This should help you find the player that fits your teams specific needs best. There will be different categories every week, so I hope you enjoy the new format. If you’re not sure if you should drop a certain player from your team for one of these targets then shoot me a tweet and I’ll give my two cents.

I only discuss players that are owned in less that 51% of ESPN leagues. I also won’t repeat players that I’ve mentioned in a previous column unless it’s absolutely needed because they’ve leaped into an even better opportunity. This all said, if any of these players are available in your league you should grab/consider them: Giannis Antetokounmpo (owned in 62% of ESPN leagues), Danny Green (57%), Jose Calderon (52%), Louis Williams (51%), Trey Burke (49%), Mo Williams (43%), Courtney Lee (39%), DeMarre Carroll (31% – needs to be owned in most leagues), Gorgui Dieng (30% – should be all leagues while Pekovic out), K.J. McDaniels (27% – get him now before it’s too late. Great stls/blks from a wing), George Hill (26% – stasher, out until mid-December), Solomon Hill (15%), and Corey Brewer (14%).

Now, let’s get to the waiver wire targets for this week.

Serving Dishes:

Greivis Vasquez (18%) – Since the injury to DeMar DeRozan, Vasquez has been starting for the Raptors and getting a lot of minutes which he’s used quite productively. Aside from Friday night, where Greivis just couldn’t hit a shot for his life, he’s been balling out to a cool line of 15.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, one steal and 2.5 treys while shooting 50% from the field since the DeRozan injury. Vas is a great guy to take advantage of while DDR is sidelined and should continue to see around 30 minutes a night. DeRozan is listed as week-to-week and while surgery has been ruled out, it doesn’t sound as if he’ll be hitting the hardwood any time soon.

Jason Terry (4%) – I can’t even believe the poor Rockets are in a spot where they have to look to the Jet to play a major role but here they are. With Patrick Beverley and Isaiah Canaan out with injuries — although it doesn’t seem for much longer — you have to use Terry until they return because his stats have taken flight. Starting the last three games Jet has landed a 17.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 dimes, 1.7 swipes and a sick 3.3 treys line while shooting 46% from the field in 36 minutes. It may not feel right, but ignore the name and long-term value and just absorb these stats while he’s starting and enjoying a boosted usage rate, even if it’s only for a few games.

Manu Ginobili (39%) – The balding wonder continues to defy his doubters even at the age of 37. Manu is the epitome of “unsexy” but he has proven that when he’s fully healthy, he’s a nice fantasy asset. While the scoring is very up and down — only scored in double digits in six of 13 Novemeber games — he still manages to hold a respectable average of 11.9 PPG. His nicest attribute is his assistance to your team’s assist totals. He also pitches in 1.4 treys, right about one steal and is a nice free throw shooter (80% on 3.5 FTA/gm). If your team lacks in assists and you can handle some poor shooting games mixed in for the end output, Manu is a fine option.

(Update: Tony Parker left Friday nights game with a hamstring injury. If he misses any time this is a decent boost for Manu who would fill-in at point some and hold a higher usage rate. Cory Joseph would also become a nice temporary add.)

Big and Tall:

Tyler Zeller (3%) – It pains me to write this as a believer of Kelly Olynyk but after this past week he has earned a mention. Zeller has pulled down double digit boards in three of the Celtics last four games, all of which he started. While he’s only averaged 26 minutes over that span, his playing time has slowly increased each game (from 23 – 24 – 27 – 31) and the closer he stays to 30 minutes the better for his fantasy potential. Zeller is a rebound specialist in terms of fantasy as he’s not much of a scorer nor passer, but he has had one block in each of the games he’s started which is a fair plus. It’s hard to say how long he’ll remain the starter or how long his minutes will remain this high, but as long as he keeps playing well and knowing his role, he should at least see around 25 minutes which is enough for him to bring you near double-doubles and a block.

J.J. Hickson (9%) – Hickson is frustrating fantasy owners everywhere, and that’s just the owners of Kenneth Faried and Timofey Mozgov who have lost some playing time to the veteran big man. Hickson is still only getting 23 minutes a night but he’s delivering solidly considering. JJ isn’t a must add by any means but if you’re lacking in the big man department, he’s able to provide you with a lift and if his minutes ever take a jump up he could really do damage. In the past four games Hickson has went for 9.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 1.3 blocks and shot 82% from the free-throw line. As long as his minutes stay limited to the low-20s, don’t expect anything heroic but he can stay right along the line posted above.

Deeper Leagues:

Kris Humphries (3%) – The guy’s scoring is down more than it’s up but the only reason you’d consider adding Humphries to your team is if you’re in dire need for rebounds or in a deeper league. Starting in the place of Nene of late, Humphries has been a decently effective fantasy guy averaging nine points, nine boards while shooting a fair 46% from the field and 70% from the line. While Nene is out, if you are suffocating from the lack of rebounds your team is getting, think about adding the ex-Kardashian or at least use him as a streamer.

Rodney Hood (1%) – After missing a stretch of 10 games in November, Hood has returned to find himself sitting in the starting lineup after a shoulder injury to Jazz starter Alec Burks. Hood is still very raw and hasn’t shown that he’s going to fill the stat sheet as of yet. The kid can undoubtedly do one thing though, shoot the long ball. The rookie knocked down two 3-pointers a night at Duke last season, and that’s about what he’ll do while filling in as the starter in Utah. If you’re in a deeper league or have a big need for threes, think about Hood but temper your expectations beyond points and treys.

For more fantasy hoops analysis and to have any questions you may have answered, follow Zack on Twitter @BigZack44

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7 Comments

  1. December 7, 2014 at 9:36 am

    I only have 1 spot available atm for a guy that is a project. I currently have Jabari in there, should I drop for KJ? I would feel like such an idiot if jabari turned it on..

  2. December 7, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    Man, that is a tough one as I like Jabari to improve and love KJ long-term especially because of his steals and blocks. Jabari is really your worst guy? Is this a keeper league or redraft? I think if that’s the only drop option, I would stick it out with Jabari. His steals are nice too and has overall better upside this yr.

  3. Tyler
    December 7, 2014 at 10:55 pm

    Hi Zack, what’s up man?
    I have a few questions if you can help me out.
    Lineup is below:
    12 team 9cat h2h, no IR
    G – cp3, rubio, holiday, kj mcdaniels
    F – kawhi, hayward, draymond, terrence jones
    C – horford, brook lopez, robin lopez, sullinger, jordan hill

    So as you can see I have 3 long term injuries in rubio tjones and brook lopez. Do you think I should wait it out and tank the next 3 weeks or so? Or do I drop TJones for production like Brandan Wright, Tyler Zeller, Teletovic, Mason Plumlee or Kyle OQuinn? I’m currently ranked in the middle btw. 3 wins and 2 losses. Thanks dude!

    • December 8, 2014 at 7:21 pm

      I’m ok with cutting TJones right now. There’s just too big of a cloud over that whole injury right now and w/ you suffering two other big injuries, you need to make a move. If your league doesn’t have a tight transaction limit, I would just stream that spot daily with a player who has a nice matchup or value play.

  4. December 8, 2014 at 5:03 am

    Hey Zack,

    Yeah, Jabari is the one performing the worst at the moment. I’m currently sitting in fourth, its tight, but I’ve got KD back now, so I should be fine for a top 3 seed for playoffs. I’m in a 10 man H2H, 20$ buy in. I think my move should probably be to make a 2 for 1 deal and try and free up some wiggle room for hot waiver wires.
    Brandon Knight
    Beal
    Lawson
    Tobias
    Favors
    Ibaka
    Sullinger
    Marc Gasol
    Durant
    Markieff
    Parker
    Rubio
    Kevin Martin

    • December 8, 2014 at 7:27 pm

      Team is doing well to be in 4th with all of those injured players. In a 10-teamer, I wouldn’t be scared to cut KevMart if you a good waiver option came about. I am 100% for Happy Hour deals especially in shallower leagues. Anytime you can upgrade a top player, it’s a big benefit + the wire add after the trade.

  5. December 9, 2014 at 5:14 am

    Ah yah, Kevmart… those tasty 3’s and points just felt like good run support for Kevin Durant.

    Thanks for the input Zack. I trust your opinion the most out of the fantasy expert columns out there.

    C