One of the biggest keys to success in fantasy basketball leagues is the ability to work the waiver wire and find the perfect pieces to compliment the star power on your roster. Every week there is a solid group of complimentary pieces available on the wire that can provide quality production based on their opportunity and schedule. Here is a look at the top waiver wire pickup that should still be available in your NBA fantasy league.
PG: J.J. Barea, Dallas Mavericks
Barea ranks slightly ahead of John Wall and Dennis Schroder for sixth in the NBA in drives per game and his consistency when it comes to getting to the basket has helped maintain his strong production out of the gate. Barea is averaging 17.2 points, 5.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 three-point shots per game for the Mavericks and should continue to put up decent numbers as long as he continues to average around 33.8 minutes per game in Dallas. Barea is owned in less than 70-percent of fantasy basketball leagues so he could still be available for your team this week.
The Mavericks have had an inauspicious start to the season as they are just 2-5 on the year. They were a playoff team last year but as of now, they look like they’ll have an uphill battle to make the postseason.
SG: Sean Kilpatrick, Brooklyn Nets
Kilpatrick’s high usage with the Nets makes him another underrated waiver wire guard pickup for this week’s action. Kilpatrick has averaged 26.2 minutes per game for Brooklyn and has taken advantage of their need for scoring by averaging 17.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 three-point shots per game.
The Nets are still starting to use him as a point guard with the second unit, which means he’s going to get more minutes and fill out the stat sheet even more so. Case and point: on Friday, Kilpatrick had 19 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and two threes against the Charlotte Hornets. That’s some excellent value for someone who is just hanging out on the waiver wire. He is still available in more than 70-percent of NBA fantasy leagues, so consider Kilpatrick if you need some scoring help at the shooting guard position.
SF: Wilson Chandler, Denver Nuggets
There is a good chance that Chandler won’t be available in close to 80-percent of NBA fantasy leagues for very much longer if he continues to average 15.7 points per game for the Nuggets. The veteran wing has also chipped in with 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 three-point shot in 29.3 minutes per game and that makes him worthy of a roster spot in most leagues. The Nuggets are a very young team with a lot of inconsistent contributors, but Chandler is a veteran presence who should provide a steadying influence and steady contributions. While he’s not going to deliver you first-round value, he’s definitely someone who can round out your bench and provide some points, threes and rebounds.
PF: Ersan Ilyasova, Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are desperate for scoring help and Ilyasova could fit in nicely as a stretch-four that can provide a reliable source for three-point shots and help create space for players like Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor. Ilyasova has averaged 17.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 25.5 minutes per game over his last two contests while averaging 1.8 three-point shots per game so far this season. Ilyasova can be a steady source of points and three-point shots at a position where that is rare and that makes him an intriguing fantasy option considering he is still available in over 90-percent of leagues. Even thought the Sixers frontcourt is loaded, he should get enough action to be considered for most NBA fantasy rosters.
C: Clint Capela, Houston Rockets
Capela’s ownership has increased over the past couple of weeks but he is still available in more than 60-percent of leagues so it’s worth grabbing him now if you need help at the center position. Capela has averaged 8.7 points and 8.0 rebounds in 23.0 minutes per game and will continue to be a reliable source of production in both categories moving forward.
