Streaming players off the waiver wire is one of the most underrated aspects of winning a fantasy basketball league championship. There are always key players available in free agency that can help you in any given week and we broke down the list by position in order to help you gain an edge in this week’s fantasy matchups. Here is a look at the top NBA waiver wire pickups for this week.
PG: Patty Mills, San Antonio Spurs
Mills is technically still the Spurs’ backup point guard but the reality is his production has made him a better option than Tony Parker in fantasy basketball leagues. Mills has really turned it up of late with at least 15 points in three straight games and he is averaging 3.3 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 3.3 three-point shots over that span. San Antonio needs Mills to step up and play a bigger role behind the aging Parker this season and he could be a sneaky good pickup if you need help at the point guard position this week.
SG: Nick Young, Los Angeles Lakers
Young’s ownership dropped during his six-game absence but he returned with 15 points and four rebounds in Sunday’s 118-112 loss to the New York Knicks and he has the potential to help at the shooting guard position. Young has averaged 13.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 three-point shots per game this season and considering the Lakers play four games this week you might want to add him to your roster.
SF: T.J. Warren, Phoenix Suns
Warren’s head injury has led to him being dropped in a number of fantasy basketball leagues but with his pending return right around the corner now might be the time to grab him before it is too late. Warren was excellent out of the gate for Phoenix this season as he averaged 17.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 32.4 minutes per game so there is no reason to leave him on the waiver wire once he returns. Those that need help at the small forward position could grab him this week and hopes that he continues to play at a high level once he is back. He may be a player that other members of your NBA fantasy league have forgotten about.
PF: Dwight Powell, Dallas Mavericks
Injuries to Dirk Nowitzki and Andrew Bogut have forced the Mavericks to rely a little more Powell and he has responded with some solid production over his last two games. Powell has averaged 11.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists while playing 23.5 minutes per game over his last two contests and he should continue to see decent playing time this coming week. Dallas is set to play four games over the next seven days so if you need help at the power forward position than Powell could be a strong option.
Remember that on the season, the Mavs have been the worst team in the Western Conference. They have just five wins in 24 games. Why this is relevant for NBA fantasy is that at some point, the Mavs might decide they need to start a youth movement or they might decide not to rush veterans like Nowitzki and Bogut back into the lineup (since the team has nothing to play for). That being the case, guys like Powell may get the opportunity to soak up more minutes. This is a good buy-low opportunity for NBA fantasy purposes.
C: John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks
Henson’s dual-eligibility at the power forward and center positions make him an intriguing option for this week. The former first round pick has averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game over his last two contests and while Jason Kidd’s rotation has been unreliable he seems content to give Henson significant playing time as long as he continues to produce for him. Henson isn’t the sexiest option but if you need help at either PF or C then he could be a strong waiver wire option this week.
On the season, the Bucks are now 11-11 and are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are just one game back of the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth and final playoff spot.
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