Finding value in fantasy basketball leagues often comes down to injuries and the ability to snag quality players that are given bigger opportunities as a result. However, the window for those players is only so big and in certain cases it is only a matter of time before they close completely. That looks like the case for a handful of players from the Cleveland Cavaliers that have benefited early on from the absence of Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert. Both Irving and Shumpert are nearing a return and that means lesser opportunities for players like Mo Williams, Matthew Dellavedova and Richard Jefferson. The good news is there always seems to be a strong cast of available talent on the waiver wire and that will certainly be the case again this week. Here is a look at four strong waiver wire options for this week.
SF: Omri Casspi, Sacramento Kings
George Karl is desperate to turn the Kings into a winner and while a combination of injuries and inconsistent play has led to a 9-15 start, Sacramento is coming off back-to-back wins. Karl has liked what he has seen from pairing Casspi up with Rudy Gay in his frontcourt. Casspi has thrived since the promotion with averages of 15.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 three-point shots per game over the last week of action. He has an outside shot and that’s forcing opposing bigs to move away from the basket and respect it. That means that DeMarcus Cousins has been more effective inside and players like Rudy Gay have been able to get to the rim with less resistance. Casspi originally got the role because of the injury to Willie Cauley-Stein and while he’s going to be out a while, expect Casspit to keep his role as long as the team is playing well. He is a strong waiver wire play for those that need help on the wing.
PF: Jon Leuer Phoenix Suns
Leuer is another veteran player that has capitalized on the opportunity given to him this season. He has played an even bigger role for the Suns with Tyson Chandler injured and Markieff Morris demanding trades and looking to play his way out of the desert. Leuer has averaged 13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game over the last week of action and there is every reason to think he can continue to match those averages over this next week with Phoenix set to play four games.
SG: O.J. Mayo, Milwaukee Bucks
Jason Kidd has been so upset with the lack of production he has received from his backcourt tandems that he continues to switch them up but with Jerryd Bayless and Greivis Vasquez both injured he is severely limited with his options right now and that means a real opportunity for Mayo. The veteran guard has averaged 14.0 points, 3.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.0 three-point shots per game over the past week of action and should continue to get a ton of looks as Milwaukee’s starting shooting guard until the Bucks get some healthy bodies back in the lineup.
PF: Cody Zeller, Charlotte Hornets
Al Jefferson is nursing a calf injury and is out for at least a couple more games due to suspension, so Zeller has the opportunity to really establish a bigger role for himself in the meantime. He looked good in Saturday’s date with the Boston Celtics as he scored 12 points with five rebounds and an assist. Zeller has shown flashes of his potential already this season but his play has been somewhat erratic overall so consider him a strong option if you need help at the power forward position in deeper fantasy leagues with the awareness that Jefferson will return eventually and Zeller’s value will diminish at least in the short-term.
