COVID-19 has begun to wreak havoc on the NBA season. Games are being postponed left-and-right. Players are beginning to miss time due to having or being exposed to the virus. Some of the numbers you’ll see listed below are skewed due to players playing one-to-two games over the last seven days, again, due to postponements. We’ll continue to offer our waiver wire suggestions as we normally would, but please note that we may miss on players due to circumstances we can not control week-to-week.
Each week, Nate with We Know Fantasy will present his must target waiver waiver suggestions. There will be at least five players listed each week with an attempt to cover all eligible positions. The rule of thumb is for players suggested to be owned in less than 40-percent of Yahoo and/or ESPN leagues - give or take. One player will also be owned in less than 10-percent of Yahoo and/or ESPN leagues to cater to all types of leagues. Additionally, Nate will reference both points and category strengths of all suggestions.
Overall, we had a great Week 4 on the Waiver Wire Wishlist forefront. We hit on nearly every player we suggested. Cole Anthony played over 26 minutes-per-game over the last seven days with Markelle Fultz out for the season. He’s poured in 14.3 points-per-game to go with four assists. Tyrese Maxey continues to score for the 76ers with 14.5 points-per-game. JaMychal Green was arguably our best suggestion with averaging 11.3 points and nine rebounds-per-game. Justin Holiday continues to rack up the minutes and now with Victor Oladipo out of town, you can expect him to keep up his playing time. Kelly Olynyk is grabbing 5.7 rebounds to go along with 10 points and 0.7 blocks-per-game. Melton, our suggestion owned in less than 10-percent of leagues, is closing in on 20 minutes-per-game.
Week 4 Results
Cole Anthony, PG, Orlando Magic - 26:19 MPG, 14.3 PPG, 4 APG and 1.3 SPG
Tyrese Maxey, SG, Philadelphia 76ers - 29:30 MPG, 14.5 PPG, 3.3 APG and 0.5 SPG
JaMychal Green, PF/C, Denver Nuggets - 24:19 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 8 RPG and 0.3 SPG
Justin Holiday, SG/SF, Indiana Pacers - 29:19 MPG, 9 PPG, 3.3 RPG & 0.7 SPG
Kelly Olynyk, PF/C, Miami Heat - 36 MPG, 10 PPG, 5.7 RPG & 0.7 BPG
De’Anthony Melton, PG, Memphis Grizzlies - 18:19 MPG, 9 PPG, 2.3 APG & 1.3 SPG
Week 5 Suggestions
Immanuel Quickley, PG, New York Knicks - Owned in 26% of Yahoo and 6.9% of ESPN leagues
Week 5 Matchups: vs. ORL, @GS, @SAC & @POR
The New York Knicks’ other first-round selection, Emmanuel Quickley, has quickly (no pun intended) made a name for himself in the Big Apple. Over his last four outings, Quickley has played at least 21 minutes-per-game. On Wednesday, he played 22 minutes against the Brooklyn Nets where he poured in an impressive 19 points. That’s not the only impressive game he had this past week as he followed that performance with 23 points against the Cavaliers on Friday. He does this while averaging five assists-per-game and three rebounds over the last seven days. Quickley has emerged as a must add in both points and categories leagues.
Justin Holiday, SG/SF, Indiana Pacers - Owned in 33% of Yahoo and 19.7% of ESPN leagues
Week 5 Matchups: vs. DAL, vs. ORL & vs. TOR
I know Holiday was one of my suggestions a week ago, but as he continues to remain owned in less than 40-percent of leagues, I have to include him again. Holiday already had great value coming into this week. I know this past week wasn’t the best for him, but with Victor Oladipo gone and newcomer Caris LeVert out indefinitely, Holiday’s value is at an all time high. He has played at least 23 minutes-per-game in every game thus far this season as well. Holiday is a perfect addition for category players as he does a little bit of everything.
Tristan Thompson, PF/C, Boston Celtics - Owned in 28% of Yahoo and 13.5% of ESPN leagues
Week 5 Matchups: @PHI, @PHI & vs. CLE
Attention, if you need a big man who’s going to boost your rebounding and field goal percentage categories, Thompson is your guy. He isn’t the best points play, but in categories, he’s a must grab in my opinion. There’s no denying that Thompson will be a vital part of the Celtics and their success for the remainder of the season. In every game that Thompson has played for the Celtics he has been a starter.
Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Dallas Mavericks - Owned in 19% of Yahoo and 16.1% of ESPN leagues
Week 5 Matchups: @TOR, @IND, @SA & vs. HOU
As of right now, the Mavericks have no choice but to play Cauley-Stein upwards of 30 minutes-per-game as their front-court remains thinned out. Like Thompson, Cauley-Stein’s offensive game isn’t phenomenal which limits his value in points league, but I would prefer WCS in the short term in points leagues over Thompson. Cauley-Stein has averaged double-digit rebounds over his last three games and even had a three block game against Charlotte. His value won’t remain forever, but for now, he’s a must roster.
Lonnie Walker IV, SG/SF, San Antonio Spurs - Owned in 37% of Yahoo and 23.8% of ESPN leagues
Week 5 Matchups: @POR, @GS, vs. DAL & vs. WAS
In back-to-back games against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday and Tuesday of last week, Walker put up 25 and 24 points respectively. If you play category leagues, Walker has put in 10 three-pointers and 12 rebounds over his last four outings. If you are to add Walker, be sure to monitor Derrick White’s status, for when he returns, Walker’s role will diminish.
Jeff Green, PF, Brooklyn Nets - Owned in 4% of Yahoo and 2.4% of ESPN leagues
Week 5 Matchups: vs. MIL, @CLE, @CLE & vs. MIA
The Brooklyn Nets moved a lot of their depth pieces in the blockbuster deal that landed them James Harden. As the likes of Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince and Rodions Kurucs have all been moved, someone has to see an increase in production. Even prior to the trade, Green has played at least 25 minutes over the Nets’ last six games, going over 30 minutes in three of them.