I’m not sure how it happened, but we’re entering the midway point of the Fantasy Basketball season. Last week was a big success for us with the Waiver Wire Wishlist. We hit on nearly every player we suggested. As we hit the midway point, there’s still a lot of work to be done. Teams can still make or miss the playoffs over the few weeks leading into the playoffs. Be diligent and play the waiver wire.
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.
Like I previously mentioned, we had a great week on the waiver wire forefront. Cody Zeller was our top suggestion and he averaged a double-double on the week with 16 pints and 11 rebounds on 35:4 minutes-per-game. He also added 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks, making him a category beast on the week. Gary Trent Jr. continued his success with C.J. McCollum sidelined. He averaged just shy of 20 points-per-game while playing over 35 minutes. Although Ivica Zubac played just 21:45 minutes-per-game, he averaged eight points and eight rebounds on the week. Thaddeus Young continued to impress in Wendell Carter Jr. 's absence, racking up the categories with 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and a staggering 2.3 steals-per-game. Anfernee Simons played just 15:57 minutes-per-game but did manage to average eight points. Doug McDermott was our final suggestion of the week as he continues his impressive season with 13.5 points-per-game while grabbing 6.3 rebounds.
Week 7 Results
Cody Zeller, C, Charlotte Hornets - 35:4 MPG, 16 PPG, 11 RPG, 1.3 SPG & 1.3 BPG
Gary Trent Jr., SG, Portland Trailblazers - 35:3 MPG, 19.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG & 0.5 SPG
Ivica Zubac, C, Los Angeles Clippers - 21:45 MPG, 8.5 PPG, 8 RPG & 1 BPG
Thaddeus Young, PF, Chicago Bulls - 28:45 MPG, 14.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.8 APG & 2.3 SPG
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG, Portland Trailblazers - 15:57 MPG, 8.1 PPG, 1.1 APG & 0.2 SPG
Doug McDermott, SF/PF, Indiana Pacers - 31 MPG, 13.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG & 0.3 SPG
Week 8 Suggestions
Jakob Poeltl, C, San Antonio Spurs - Owned in 35% of Yahoo and 10.3% of ESPN leagues
Week 8 Matchups: vs. GS, vs. GS, @ATL & @CHA
LaMarcus Aldridge is out with a hip injury, freeing up time for Poeltl to step into the spotlight. Aldridge’s injury may not be short term either. Per 36-minutes this season, Poeltl has averaged 11.0 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, and 0.9 steals. He’s a must add and there’s a strong chance he’s already gone from your league’s waiver wire. If he’s still there, make sure he’s your top priority this week. I preach weekly about the importance of waiver wire big men. He’s a great one for you.
Patrick Williams, SF, Chicago Bulls - Owned in 21% of Yahoo and 12.3% of ESPN leagues
Week 8 Matchups: vs. WAS, vs. NO, vs. LAC & @IND
It’s time the Bulls let one of the most exciting rookies loose. Otto Porter Jr. is out indefinitely with a back injury and Lauri Markkanen recently injured his shoulder. This is going to open up 30-plus minutes for the Florida State product. Over Williams’ last two outings, he’s averaged 18.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 blocks. The sky's the limit for this rookie and I’m excited to see what he does with starter minutes.
Kendrick Nunn, SG, Miami Heat - Owned in 32% of Yahoo and 34.2% of ESPN leagues
Week 8 Matchups: vs. NY, @HOU & @UTA
Nunn is a player who keeps making appearances on this series. This time, due to Goran Dragic’s recent ankle injury, that looked pretty bad. On top of that, Avery Bradley is set to miss several weeks with a calf injury. Nunn has dropped 25 and 16 points respectively in his last two outings. In Nunn’s last nine active games he’s put up 17.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 50-percent from the field. With his minutes up due to injuries, he’s a must add in my books.
Jae’Sean Tate, SG/SF, Houston Rockets - Owned in 7% of Yahoo and 6.2% of ESPN leagues
Week 8 Matchups: @CHA, @NO, vs, MIA & @NY
This is odd to say, but with Christian Wood’s recent injury that required him to be wheelchaired off of the court, Tate should see a boost in production. Why may you ask? There’s literally only three players on the Rockets taller than 6-foot-6, so Tate's insane wingspan will have him playing big man minutes. Although he’s a starter for the Rockets, already he plays less than 30 minutes-per-game so with Wood potentially out long term, he could see over 30 minutes.
Juan Toscano-Anderson, SF, Golden State Warriors - Owned in 9% of Yahoo and 3.9% of ESPN leagues
Week 8 Matchups: @SA, @SA, vs. ORL & vs. BKN
Normally I include just one player owned in less than 10-percent of ESPN leagues, but this week I have two. The Golden State Warriors are lacking front court depth and with James Wiseman sidelined with a wrist injury and Kevon Looney with an ankle injury, someone has to get front court minutes. Both Wiseman and Looney should miss the upcoming week which will make Toscano-Anderson a valuable streaming option.
Theo Maledon, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder - Owned in 16% of Yahoo and 5.5% of ESPN leagues
Week 8 Matchups: @LAL, @LAL & @DEN
With George Hill out with a thumb injury, Maledon has stepped into the starting lineup and has not disappointed. He's averaged 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and two steals in 29.8 minutes. He should see starting minutes for at least the next three weeks as that is how long we should see Hill sidelined for.
Comments