Another week of fantasy basketball in the books and another mixed outing for the Waiver Wire Wishlist. The likes of Jeremy Lamb is getting back into the swing of things after recovering from a torn ACL. Other names like Kendrick Nunn and Jeff Green continue to impress. The others of last week’s article, not so much. We’re nearing the halfway point of the fantasy basketball season as Week 16 wraps up most leagues. Let’s get into our Week 7 suggestions!
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.
Lamb is slowly getting back into form after coming back from a torn ACL. He averaged 12.5 points-per-game over the last week on over 26 minutes-per-game. Expect those minutes to continue to increase with each game he plays. Rodney Hood played quality minutes but didn’t do much with the 24-plus minutes as he put in just five points-per-game. Isaiah Roby played less than 20 minutes-per-game but made the most of it with 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds-per-game. I’d hold Roby with anticipation that Al Horford may be traded. Nunn continues to play a ton of minutes as the Heat continue to deal with injuries. In over 35 minutes-per-game, Nunn averaged 12.7 points with two assists and a steal. Mo Wagner played just one game this week at 10 minutes and Jeff Green continues to be very involved in the Nets’ rotation.
Week 6 Results
Jeremy Lamb, SG/SF, Indiana Pacers - 26:15 MPG, 12.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG & 0.8 SPG
Rodney Hood, SG/SF, Portland Trailblazers - 24:4 MPG, 5 PPG, 2.3 RPG & 1.7 SPG
Isaiah Roby, PF, Oklahoma City Thunder - 18:45 MPG, 7.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG & 0.5 BPG
Kendrick Nunn, PG/SG, Miami Heat - 35:4 MPG, 12.7 PPG, 2 APG & 1 SPG
Mo Wagner, PF/C, Washington Wizards - 10 MPG, 0 PPG & 4 RPG
Jeff Green, PF, Brooklyn Nets - 31:19 MPG, 10.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG & 1.7 SPG
Week 7 Suggestions
Cody Zeller, C, Charlotte Hornets - Owned in 26% of Yahoo and 14.2% of ESPN leagues
Week 7 Matchups: @MIA, vs. PHI, vs. UTA & vs. WAS
Zeller missed most of the early part of the season after suffering a broken hand in the Hornets’ season opener. He’s returned to the starting lineup in Charlotte where he’s averaged 29.9 minutes-per-game, 9.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4 assists-per-game. What he does isn’t sexy by any means, but Zeller is a consistent fantasy contributor and now that he’s back in starter minutes. He’s a must add, especially with big men continuing to be hard to find via the waiver wire.
Gary Trent Jr., SG, Portland Trailblazers - Owned in 32% of Yahoo and 15.2% of ESPN leagues
Week 7 Matchups: @MIL, @WAS, @PHI & @NY
Last week, we suggested the wrong fill in Trailblazer starter. To my defense, I did suggest targeting Gary Trent in my Rodney Hood analysis as well. Anyhow, Trent is the guy from Portland you want to own in the absence of C.J. McCollum. Also, Trent’s value was in part to Robert Covington hitting the bench with a concussion. With Covington down, Trent has posted 22, 23 and 18 points respectively over the team’s last three outings. When Covington is back, it’ll hurt Trent’s value but with the production he’s contributing, he can’t be ignored.
Ivica Zubac, C, Los Angeles Clippers - Owned in 34% of Yahoo and 40.8% of ESPN leagues
Week 7 Matchups: @BKN, @CLE, vs. BOS & vs. SAC
As I always mention, finding big man value is tough off of the waiver wire. This week, not only do you have Cody Zeller, you have Zubac. Zubac quietly has posted double-doubles in three of his last five games. While doing this, he’s snuck into the top 75 in fantasy basketball players. He is a bit volatile as he comes off of the Los Angeles bench and averages just over 20 minutes-per-game. With his production however, he’s a must add. Let’s not forget to mention that he plays four games this week.
Thaddeus Young, PF, Chicago Bulls - Owned in 25% of Yahoo and 22.2% of ESPN leagues
Week 7 Matchups: vs. NY, vs. NY, @ORL & @ORL
Wendell Carter Jr. is out for at least four weeks with a quad injury and in his absence, Thaddeus Young will play starting minutes. Young has been playing most of his minutes at center. Young missed a triple-double against the Celtics by just one rebound and one assist. He followed up that impressive outing with an 11 rebound and 11 assist game against the Trailblazers. If you play in a categories league, a big man who adds assists without giving away too many rebounds in the process is a must add.
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG, Portland Trailblazers - Owned in 8% of Yahoo and 3.5% of ESPN leagues
Week 7 Matchups: @MIL, @WAS, @PHI & @NY
Here’s our “less than 10% owned” suggestion of the week. Over his last three games, again, like Trent, with McCollum out, Simons has averaged 18.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 26.7 minutes. McCollum is set to miss at least another month and Simons is actually the only other point guard listed on the Trailblazers’ roster. We know he’s going to get minutes with McCollum out. We’ll have to wait and see what he does when McCollum returns.
Doug McDermott, SF/PF, Indiana Pacers - Owned in 13% of Yahoo and 10.5% of ESPN leagues
Week 7 Matchups: vs. MEM, @MIL, vs. NO & vs. UTA
We’ve been waiting for McDermott’s minutes to dip but that doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen. He originally entered the Pacers’ starting lineup when Myles Turner left with a broken Hand. Upon Turners’ return, McDermott remained in the start lineup. Even when Jeremy Lamb returned to the team, McDermott is still playing 29 minutes-per-game. Over his last seven games (which is a decent sample size) McDermott has averaged 15.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.9 threes.