It seems like only yesterday that we tipped off on the 2015-16 NBA season but the reality is that Thanksgiving Thursday is this week and that means the first month of action is already in the books. The good news is that teams are still trying to figure out how to maximize their lineup potential and that means there are still some hidden gems still available in most leagues. Here is a look at the four best options on the fantasy basketball waiver wire for this week.
C.J. Miles, Indiana Pacers
Small Forward
Miles rolled his ankle in practice on Sunday but he could still play on Tuesday against the Washington Wizards. Even if he doesn’t, he has been good enough of late to definitely warrant being owned in most fantasy basketball leagues. Miles has been on fire recently, averaging 20.0 points including 4.0 three-point shots per game as well as 1.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game over the last seven days. The Pacers love how Miles fits in to their starting lineup and as long as he continues to prove that he belongs, he should continue to earn big minutes. The Pacers have become a team that runs and guns, and Miles fits that game plan. That’s why he’s seeing the minutes. Recall that they got rid of their bigs (Roy Hibbert, David West) in the offseason to shift to this type of a team.
Keep in mind that Miles could miss at least one game because of the ankle injury but if he is still available, he might be worth grabbing now because he won’t be there much longer.
Zach LaVine, Minnesota Timberwolves
Point Guard
Ricky Rubio’s return to health has forced Minnesota’s hand at the point guard position, so they have experimented with LaVine at shooting guard. It has worked out for both sides so far this season LaVine has averaged 15.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 three-point shots while averaging 28.0 minutes per game over the last week of action. We’ve seen this from LaVine as he does look more like a shooting guard at times as he’s often looking to drive and score rather than set up for his teammates. That makes sense and works when he’s the two-guard but not when he’s running the point. As for Rubio, he’s a pass-first player, so he can’t really be moved.
As long as LaVine continues to show well at shooting guard, he’s going to get minutes and be fantasy relevant.
Gary Harris, Denver Nuggets
Shooting Guard
The Nuggets’ backcourt situation remains in flux with Harris, Emmanuel Mudiay, Jameer Nelson, Randy Foye and Will Barton all in the mix. However, right now they appear set on giving Mudiay and Harris the bulk of the minutes. While Mudiay is widely owned, that makes Harris a quality waiver wire option. Harris has averaged 15.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.8 three-point shots per game over the last seven days. The threes are particularly valuable as there aren’t a tone of waiver-wire options where you can pick up a couple of threes per game for your team. As long as he stays hot, he should continue to average around 30.0 minutes per game for Denver and give you decent points, threes and steals.
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Dwight Powell, Dallas Mavericks
Power Forward
The Mavericks took a major hit in the offseason when a number of key players got away from them but that created opportunity and several players have stepped up of late including Powell. The 24-year-old has averaged 9.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 21.0 minutes per game over the past week and this is a trend that should continue. He’s one of the young bodies on a team that is loaded with expired veterans up front. As long as he continues to earn decent playing time, he is a quality waiver wire option in deeper leagues.
