It’s still early in the 2017-18 NBA season but injuries and opportunities have opened the door for a number of players around the association to produce at a high level early on. While the star players have already been locked in to fantasy basketball league rosters, there are likely still a number of underrated options available on the waiver wire in your league. Here is a look at the best NBA fantasy waiver wire options for this week.
PF/C: Alex Len, Phoenix Suns
The rumor is that the Suns are attempting to package veteran center Tyson Chandler with Eric Bledsoe in an attempt to get a substantial return for that tandem from a contending team. If that happens, Len’s vale at the center position would skyrocket. As for now, Len has already proven capable while playing both the center and power forward positions. Len has averaged 11.8 pints, 8.5 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per game this season. His numbers would see a small bump if he could secure a starting job in Phoenix. If you need help at the center or power forward position then grab Len now because his value will only continue to rise as a dual-position fantasy threat this season.
SG: Austin Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers
An injury to Milos Teodosic opened the door for Rivers to move in to the starting lineup in Los Angeles. The young guard has taken full advantage of the situation. Rivers has averaged 17.3 points, 2.3 steals and 3.7 three-point shots per game over his last three contests. As long as he remains in the Clippers starting lineup he should be a quality waiver wire option at the shooting guard position.
PF: Skal Labissiere, Sacramento Kings
Despite the presence of Zach Randolph in Sacramento, Labissiere has still produce some solid numbers so far this season. The young power forward has averaged 12.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.0 block per game despite coming off the bench behind Randolph. However, the veteran Z-Bo is expected to sit the second of back-to-back games this season, which should open the door for Labissiere to play even more minutes. While he isn’t a must-own option by any means, Labissiere could be a capable waiver wire option all season He should get the most opportunities in the weeks when the Kings have a busy schedule.
PG: Jarrett Jack, New York Knicks
Jack moved in to the starting lineup by the Knicks on Friday and produced immediately. The veteran point guard scored eight points with seven rebounds, five assists, a steal and a three-point shot in 26 minutes on the floor. Jack might not be a prized long-term option at the position. However, he is still capable of performing at a high level in the short term while providing those in need of help at the point guard position a small boost.
SF: Caris LeVert, Brooklyn Nets
LeVert has delivered some decent numbers while starting four of Brooklyn’s first six games. LeVert has averaged 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game through the first three weeks of the season. While he has shot just 37-percent from the field so far, the potential is there for LeVert to produce even better scoring numbers once his shots start to fall for the Nets.
PG: Tyler Ulis, Phoenix Suns
Ulis is a guy that’s still owned in about less than 10% of leagues and it’s understandable. He’s behind Mike James in the rotation. What is more relevant here, though, is that Ulis has outplayed him. He has seen 21 minutes or more in each of his last three games and he’s averaged 10.7 points per game along with just over four assists and over two steals.
You can’t ignore the numbers from last year when he got to start and that’s what we’re really investing in. As a starter last season, Ulis averaged 16.1 points, 8.5 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.9 steals. He could wind up with the job at any point now. If he does, he’s going to be very valuable in NBA fantasy. Keep an eye on this situation over the next week or so.
The 2017-18 NBA is well underway. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
