Welcome to Waiver Wire Wednesdays! How’s that for alliteration? My English Teachers would be proud. Every Wednesday I will highlight some players that may warrant a pickup in fantasy basketball leagues. The parameter will be the player has to be 60% or less owned in Yahoo! Fantasy Leagues. League depths vary, so they may not be suitable to your leagues. With that being said, I will also mention some deep league and shallow pickups. Without further ado, let’s get to the pickups.
Chris Kaman, C, Los Angeles Clippers (52% owned)The LA big man has been out since December 10 due to a left ankle sprain, but he is rumored to be making his way back to the lineup. He is actually a game-time decision for tonight’s game, and he will be eased into the lineup. Most likely he will begin to split time with DeAndre
Troy Murphy F/C New Jersey Nets (47% owned)
I don’t know how Murphy is still owned in almost half of Yahoo! Leagues. Let’s assume the majority of the owners have abandoned their public leagues. Murphy has been nothing short of worthless this season as Coach Avery Johnson refuses to play him. So why warrant a pickup if he’s not playing? Good question, imaginary reader, as Nets GM Billy King is sure the team will trade Murphy before the trade deadline next Thursday. Assuming Murphy shakes off his rust and lands in a favorable location, I’d assume at least his career averages of 11.8 PPG and 8.5 RPG, and 1.0 3-pointers/game.
Luke Ridnour PG, Minnesota Timberwolves (53% owned)
Ridnour, back from injury, is receiving heavy minutes in the Wolves backcourt, and his only real competition is from Johnny Flynn. Ridnour is an excellent free throw shooter and will help any team in need of steals and assists as he averaged 1.1 SPG and 5 APG over the course of his career. Keep an eye on any trade movement as Corey Brewer has been rumored to leave
Carlos Delfino SG/SF, Milwaukee Bucks (37% owned)
Delfino, mentioned in yesterday’s article here: Fantasy NBA - Every Day Coverage Starting Today! blew up in place of the injured Corey Maggette. The former first rounder is averaging 23.5 PPG, 3.0 SPG and has hit 8 three pointers in the past 2 games as a starter. Monitor Maggette’s status as Delfino’s PT hinders on the former’s status.
Marcin Gortat C, Phoenix Suns (57% owned)
How is Gortat not universally owned? Starts for an offensive-minded team: Check. Double-double machine: Check. Swats shots: Check. Stellar ratios: Check. If he’s still available, please pick him up. Gortat has not slowed down despite his streakiness.
Ramon Sessions, PG/SG, Cleveland Cavaliers (55% owned)
I understand the trepidation of not picking up players on terrible teams, but Sessions has been on fire the past two weeks. The PG has averaged 18 points, 2 steals and 9 assists per game over that span.
Jodie Meeks SG, Philadelphia 76ers (10% owned)
Meeks, the 28th-ranked player over the last two weeks, is more of a one-trick pony than the players mentioned above. The second-year player from
Young is a similar player to Meeks as he primarily contributes in points scored. However over the last two weeks, he has contributed all across the board – rebounds, assists, steals, and even chipping in a block here or there. Unfortunately, unlike Meeks, Young has only hit 2 three-pointers in that same time span. Young has been getting plenty of minutes, so he’s worth an add.
Other players to add, primarily for deeper leagues:Shaun Livingston PG,
Marcus Thornton SG, New Orleans Hornets (27% owned)
Will Bynum PG, Detroit Pistons (3% owned)
Omri Casspi SG/SF, Sacramento Kings (18% owned)
DeJuan Blair PF/C, San Antonio Spurs (58% owned)
Peja Stojakovic SG/SF, Dallas Mavericks (10% owned)
Sasha Vuajacic SG, New Jersey Nets (7% owned)
Rudy Fernandez SG, Portland Blazers (24% owned)
Randy Foye PG/SG, Los Angeles Clippers (24% owned)
Is there anyone I am missing out on? Let me know in the comments.