Are we cursed or something? Just when we suggest adding Anfernee Simons, who has been an early season front runner for the Sixth Man of the Year Award, he drops to just 21 minutes-per-game while averaging just five points. We did have some good weekly performances out of the likes of Devin Vassel and Georges Niang, but we also had some bad performances. Week 5 should be better for us, we hope.
I made the mistake of not entering a fantasy basketball league on ESPN, so I won’t have ownership numbers for there, but when it comes to basketball, the ownership between Yahoo and ESPN are very similar. With that being said, I will tend to stay under the 40-percent owned mark on Yahoo for my waiver wire suggestions this season. You can find out how our previous week went below and see the results of the entire season at the end of this article. I will suggest at least five players each week which will cover every position (PG, SG, SF, PF and C.) My suggestions too will revolve around both point-s and categories leagues. Also please note that position eligibility is not the same between Yahoo and ESPN so that will differ as well. Additionally, I will suggest at least one player owned in less than 10-percent of leagues to cater to all league shapes and sizes.
As previously mentioned, Simons had one of his worst weeks of the season with playing just 21 minutes while averaging five points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assist. The Spurs’ Vassel had a good week, averaging 13.7 points with a handful of rebounds in just over 26 minutes-per-game. Malik Beasley did not play as we thought he would, averaging just 8.8 points on the week. Josh Richardson continues to be a fantasy darling when called upon, playing over 30 minutes-per-game, averaging over 11 points, four rebounds, while adding 1.5 steals and a block. T.J. Warren did not make his season debut last week, but Niang had a good week for the injury riddled 76ers. He averaged 12.3 points-per-game. Khem Birch was less than desired for playing just 16 minutes, grabbing five boards and averaging four points.
Week 4 Results (Last Seven Days)
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG, Portland Trail Blazers - 21 MPG, 5 PPG, 1.7 RPG & 1.3 APG
Devin Vassel, SG, San Antonio Spurs - 26:4 MPG, 13.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.7 APG & 1 BPG
Malik Beasley, PG/SG, Minnesota Timberwolves - 25:3 MPG, 8.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG & 0.7 SPG
Josh Richardson, SG/SF, Boston Celtics - 30:3 MPG, 11.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.5 SPG & 1 BPG
T.J. Warren, SF/PF, Indiana Pacers - DNP
Georges Niang, SF/PF, Philadelphia 76ers - 24 MPG, 12.3 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 1.5 APG & 1.8 SPG
Khem Birch, PF/C, Toronto Raptors - 16 MPG, 4 PPG, 5 RPG & 1 APG
Week 5 Suggestions
Darius Bazley, SF/PF, Oklahoma City Thunder - Owned in 39% of Yahoo leagues
Week 5 Matchups: vs. MIA, vs. HOU, @MIL & @BOS
If you need some rebounding help, here’s a guy for you. In every game that Bazley has played for the Thunder thus far this season, he has started. He started the season with a line of 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 assist, which includes a shooting slump early in the season. Now, he’s being much more productive with the ball in his hands. In the last week, he’s averaging 33 minutes, 13.3 points, 8.7 rebounds with a block. He’s a must add this week.
Bones Hyland, PG/SG, Denver Nuggets - Owned in 14% of Yahoo leagues
Week 5 Matchups: @DAL, vs. PHI, vs. CHI & @PHX
With Jamal Murray out for the season, the Nuggets have been using Monte Morris and Facundo Campazzo to fill the void. Let’s just say that isn’t working out as the team would hope. Therefore, one of the best names in the sport has emerged. One of the summer league and pre-season standouts, Bones Hyland is now seeing over 20 minutes-per-game for the Nuggets. Head Coach Mike Malone is known for bringing rookies along slowly so we know now that Hyland has topped 20 minutes in three consecutive games, he’s probably going to stay with this larger role in the team’s rotation. He has scored 12, 15 and 18 points across the last three games.
Josh Richardson, SG/SF, Boston Celtics - Owned in 11% of Yahoo leagues
Week 5 Matchups: @CLE, @ATL, vs. LAL & vs. OKC
As long as Jaylen Brown is sidelined, Josh Richardson has some great fantasy value. Although dealing with knee tendonitis and missing Sunday’s outing with the Cavaliers, he’s probable to play Monday. In his last three games, he’s averaged 31 minutes, 12 points, three rebounds, two assists with a steal and a block. Again, once Brown is back Richardson will be dropable, but with the additional lack of depth on the wing in Boston, Richardson should be a great play for at least one more week.
Frank Kaminsky, C, Phoenix Suns - Owned in 39% of Yahoo Leagues
Week 5 Matchups: @MIN, vs. DAL, vs. DAL & vs. DEN
Frank Kaminsky has had some huge games while starting in place of the injured DeAndre Ayton. He had a 31 point outing against the Trailblazers and has a line of 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds with a block in 28 minutes-per-game without Ayton. Once Ayton returns from injury, which could be any day now, Kaminsky will go back to irrelevance, but you have to ride this rain until it derails. Hop aboard.
Herbert Jones, SF, New Orleans Pelicans - Owned in 2% of Yahoo leagues
Week 5 Matchups: @WAS, @MIA, vs. LAC & @IND
This situation could get complicated with Brandon Ingram set to return from the IR soon, but as it is right now, the second round rookie is playing starting minutes for the Pelicans. In just his second game of his career, he was slotted into the Pelicans’ starting lineup and has since started three consecutive games. He’s averaged 10.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals over the past week. Use him now while you can.
Daniel Theis, PF/C, Houston Rockets - Owned in 26% of Yahoo leagues
Week 5 Matchups: @MEM, @OKC & @NYK
The veteran bigman is having himself a pretty good stretch of games as of late. On a very bad Rockets’ team, anyone can have all of the opportunities to showcase what they have. Theis is averaging 12.7 points on 69.6 percent shooting to go along with 4.7 rebounds and a block-per-game. In categories leagues, these are the type of moves that can win weeks.
Week 2 Results (Last Seven Days)
Cam Reddish, SG/SF, Atlanta Hawks - 24:3 MPG, 14 PPG, 1.8 3PM, 2.5 RPG & 1.3 SPG
Monte Morris, PG, Denver Nuggets - 29:15 MPG, 13.5 PPG, 1.3 3PM & 4.5 APG
Precious Achiuwa, SF/PF, Toronto Raptors - 20:3 MPG, 6 PPG, 6 RPG & 0.5 BPG
LaMarcus Aldridge, PF/C, Brooklyn Nets - 20:19 MPG, 14.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG & 0.7 BPG
Damion Lee, SG/SF, Golden State Warriors - 29:3 MPG, 17 PPG, 4 3PM & 4.5 RPG
Week 3 Results (Last Seven Days)
Shake Milton, PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers - 24:1 MPG,11.7 PPG, 3.8 APG, 4 RPG & 1 SPG
Jalen Brunson, PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks - 34 MPG, 23 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.7 APG & 1 SPG
Josh Hart, SG/SF, New Orleans Pelicans - 30:4 MPG, 11.7 PPG, 7 RPG & 2.3 APG
Serge Ibaka, PF/C, Los Angeles Clippers - 8 MPG, 1 RPG, 1 APG & 1 BPG
Jarred Vanderbilt, PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves - 26 MPG, 8.3 PPG, 8 RPG & 0.7 BPG