With the NBA All-Star break fast approaching the time is now to position your team in the playoff race in order to solidify yourself as a contender in fantasy basketball leagues before the final stretch. We took a look at some potential free agent talent that could be available in your league in order to provide some help at each position based on your needs for the next seven days. Here is a look at the top NBA waiver wire pickups for this week in NBA fantasy.
PG: Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks
Brogdon was demoted to the Milwaukee bench in favor of Matthew Dellavedova over the weekend but it could represent an excellent opportunity to buy low with a chance to grab him either via trade or off the waiver wire this week. Brogdon only scored on basket on 10 shots in his last game but he is still averaging 10.0 points, 4.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.6 three-point shots over his last five games including that terrible outing over the weekend. The Bucks might not start Brogdon this week but they should still give him some decent minutes and with Milwaukee set to play four game he could be an excellent waiver wire pickup at the point guard position.
The Bucks have been slipping of late, which is why they’ve been tinkering with their lineup. Not only is Brogdon back in the mix but John Henson went from start to DNP-CD. The Bucks are just 3-7 in their last 10 games and have gone from being a playoff team to a team that’s on the outside looking in at 21-13.
SG: Iman Shumpert, Cleveland Cavaliers
Shumpert has scored double-digit point totals in four straight games and has averaged 13.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 2.8 three-point shots per game over that span. Cleveland needs Shumpert to play a bigger role behind their big three and with J.R. Smith potentially done for the regular season he is primed to remain in a starter role. The Cavaliers play four games this week so now is the time to grab Shumpert in your NBA fantasy league before it is too late.
The Cavs have slumped and have frequently talked about trades or changing around their lineup to spark a change in momentum. They have lost two straight and are just 4-6 in their last 10. That’s somewhat shocking for a team that only lost six times in their first 29 games this season.
SF: Terrence Ross, Toronto Raptors
It will be very interesting to see if the Raptors hang on to Ross at the trade deadline as he has averaged 10.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 three-point shots per game while playing an average of 28 minutes over his last five contests. Ross will continue to receive decent minutes as the sixth man in Toronto right now and his NBA fantasy league stock should benefit from the fact that the Raptors play four games this week.
PF: Sam Dekker, Houston Rockets
Dekker received his first career start when Ryan Anderson was forced to miss a game with an illness on Saturday and he took full advantage with a career-high 30 points, four rebounds, two steals and six three-point shots. Those are ridiculous numbers for a potential rising star at the position and while Anderson should be back this week Dekker did have 17 points and seven rebounds in his previous game so there is reason to believe he can build on those strong performances this week. Houston is set to play four games this week so it makes sense to grab Dekker now if you need help at the power forward position. The Rockets have a solidified rotation for the most part but it will be tough to justify keeping this player from getting bigger minutes.
C: Cody Zeller, Charlotte Hornets
Zeller has registered double-digit point totals in four of his last five games and has averaged 11.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 56% from the field over that span. Those are quality numbers for a big man that is still available in a good number of NBA fantasy leagues. With the Hornets set to play four games, Zeller is an excellent waiver wire option at the center position this week.
Bet on all of the big games this week at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
