The NBA still hasn’t released its second-half schedule, but we know we still have two solid weeks of this fast-paced fantasy season before the league ends for the All-Star Game, now confirmed for. Sunday March 7. being two crazy weeks with seated stars, players in protocols and the regular wear and tear of the season leaving many teams very thin in places. Your fantasy team of the season is also likely feeling the tension, so hit the waiver thread for some reinforcements.
Looking into the week ahead, the Washington Wizards are lined up for a five-game week with a back-to-back pair to start and end that streak. If someone in your league gives up Davis Bertans or there are other options in Washington, the extra play can help them be even more productive. On the other side of the spectrum, the San Antonio Spurs face uncertainty over their COVID-19 issues and only have two games left on their schedule this week after Monday’s postponement against the Indiana Pacers . 19 of the other 28 teams will play a four-game roster this week, while nine teams are scheduled for three games.
Each week, you can find my top four pickups for the season’s fantasy basketball leagues, with other options to consider included at the bottom. If you have specific questions about your list or format, as these should have a drastic impact on your decision making, you can find me on Twitter at @ZT_Sports, where I will be happy to let you know what I would do in your situation.
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SF Saddiq Bey, Detroit Pistons (at ORL, at NOP, against SAC, against NYK)
I’m a little surprised at how slow everyone has been to catch Bey from the waiver thread, and if he’s still out there in your league, catch him while you still can. Bey should have a lot more work to do now that the Pistons and Blake Griffin have decided it is best for the veteran to sit until he is traded or released. In the Pistons’ three games since this decision was made, Bey hasn’t quite gone, which is perhaps why he’s still so available. He gets a ton of work, however, starting and registering over 31 minutes in each contest.
Bey had a monster game a week ago against the Celtics on Saturday, just before Blake was put aside, and posted a very high ceiling while he was at his best. In her last four games, Bey has averaged 18.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals while hitting an average of four 3 points per fight. The No. 19 pick in last year’s NBA Draft is expected to continue to get the green light and plenty of playing time. He has an 18.3% use rate in his last nine games. which should be enough to maintain a solid production with his high cap, which he presented with 30 points and 12 tables in this game against Boston.
SF / PF Jae Crowder, Phoenix Suns, (against POR, against CHA, at CHI, at MIN)
The Suns have several options up front, but for now it looks like they’ll start Frank Kaminsky with Crowder and Cameron Johnson in the second unit. Crowder still has potential for many minutes, playing 29 minutes on the bench in the Suns’ Friday game against the Pelicans. In that contest, Crowder hit six 3-pointers on his way to 20 points with three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
You can’t always count on Crowder to hit that many threes, but he generally puts in a very solid production in all categories. Since returning from a three-game layoff, Crowder has averaged 11.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 27.3 minutes per game. He doesn’t offer the same cap as Bey, but he’s a very proven option in a stable role on a good team.
C Guillermo Hernangómez, New Orleans Pelicans (vs DET, at MIL, at SA)
For the month of February, the Pelicans used Hernangómez as their primary save center, and the veteran Spain has shown he can play in solid numbers. In his most recent 11 games, Hernangómez has averaged 8.4 points and 8.1 rebounds. He doesn’t provide a lot of defensive stats like Crowder does, but he’s a more reliable source of rebounds and is eligible down the middle, which can be a tough niche to fill from some league’s waiver leads.
Hernangómez could be in for a busy week, depending on the severity of the two injuries suffered by Steven Adams last week. Adams was forced to leave two games early with two separate problems, and Hernagómez stepped up with 17 rebounds and 11 points in 29 minutes in the second of those games against the Blazers. Hernangómez started in Adams’ place on Friday and had nine points and 13 rebounds, falling just short of a double-double. If he continues to start he’ll be a great option, but even in his role off the bench he can be a useful addition down the middle.
PF Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves (at MIL, at CHI, at WAS, vs. PHO)
The options that are widely available in the rear area aren’t very inspiring this week, but I’ve listed a few guard mics below if you need help with that. Instead of looking at one of these pickups, though, let’s take a deeper look at McDaniels, who can help you in a specific category now that he’s raced a lot more with the Timberwolves. Minnesota had a revolving door in the frontcourt next to Karl-Anthony Towns, but they gave McDaniels more work in their last two games. The rookie has played more than 30 minutes in each contest after playing less than 30 minutes in each of his 22 games earlier this season.
With his playing time on the rise, McDaniels can be a key source of blocked shots. He has multiple blocks in five of his last six games averaging 2.3 blocks per game to go with 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists. McDaniels has also hit several 3-pointers in four of those games and is expected to continue developing that part of his game as well. Minnesota has struggled as a team, but McDaniels has been one of the bright spots with his. compatriot Anthony Edwards. Look for the team to keep him working as much as possible to see how he can be a part of their rotation going forward. If you need blocks, you can catch him now in deep leagues, but keep a close eye on his playing time as he could quickly become an addition in all formats if he continues to see more than 30 minutes. .
Other options to watch out for
- PF / C Davis Bertans, Washington Wizards
- PG / SG Kendrick Nunn, Miami Heat
- PG Theo Maledon, Oklahoma City Thunder
- C Daniel Theis, Boston Celtics
- SG / SF Grayson Allen, Memphis Grizzlies
- PF Nemanja Bjelica, Sacramento Kings
- SG / SF Derrick Jones Jr., Portland Trail Blazers
- SG / SF Josh Hart, New Orleans Pelicans
- PG / SG Patrick Beverley, Los Angeles Clippers
- PG / SG Malik Monk, Charlotte Hornets
- PG / SG Michael Carter-Williams, Orlando Magic
- C Robert Williams, Boston Celtics
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