The fantasy basketball season is winding down with the playoffs right around the corner now. For those still in contention, now is the time to either lock up a playoff seed or improve on your postseason position. We took the time to break down some intriguing options for this week that could still be available in your league. Here is a look at the top NBA waiver wire picks for this week.
PG: Jeremy Lin, Brooklyn Nets
Lin has been excellent since returning from his hamstring injury as he has averaged 17.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steal and 2.8 three-point shots over his last four games. Brooklyn’s lack of talent has forced them to rely even more on Lin’s production and that should make him a reliable option moving forward for as long as he can stay healthy. The Nets play four games this week so Lin is worth taking a chance on if you need help at the point guard position.
SG: Rodney Hood, Utah Jazz
Hood has been very inconsistent of late but he has shown flashes of his immense potential and could be in for a productive stint if he could improve in that area. The third-year shooting guard has averaged 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 assists per game over his last 10 contests, including a 28-point performance in last Sunday’s win over the Sacramento Kings. Hood will likely still struggle with consistency but his potential makes him worth owning with Utah set to play four games this week.
SF: Norman Powell, Toronto Raptors
Injuries have opened up room for Powell to average just over 21.0 minutes per game over his last 10 contests and he has been a decent contributor over that span. Powell has averaged 11.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 steals over those 10 games including a 21-point performance in a win over the Washington Wizards. Powell has the skill set to put up decent numbers and as long as Toronto is dealing with injuries they should continue to lean on him.
PF: David Lee, San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio is missing LaMarcus Aldridge as the veteran big man continues to deal with a Heart Arrhythmia. While his absence caps the Spurs potential in the short-term, it has opened up an opportunity for Lee to play more minutes of late. Lee only played 11 minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder but in the games on either side of that loss he averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. It’s unreasonable to expect Lee to put up those kind of numbers every time the Spurs play but with Aldridge sidelined he could be a decent waiver wire option for spot starts in favorable matchups over the next couple of weeks.
C: Kosta Koufos, Sacramento Kings
The DeMarcus Cousins era is over in Sacramento and while there is still plenty up in the air when it comes to the future of the franchise there is at least one potential fantasy basketball free agent on their roster that is worth picking up right now. Koufos has registered three double-doubles over his last five games while averaging 11.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 0.6 blocks over that span. Koufos isn’t an excellent long-term option but his short-term value is fairly decent as a capable center in a week when the Kings will play four games.
C: Larry Sanders, Cleveland Cavaliers
Remember how Larry Sanders said he was done with the NBA? Well, it looks like he’s back. The former Milwaukee Bucks player had previously retired due to bouts of depression, saying he had lost his passion. Apparently, he’s rediscovered his love for the game. The Cavs have waived Andrew Bogut, who broke his leg, and have signed Sanders in a corresponding move. Sanders will work his way back into shape in the D-League but he could have some serious value. He should get big minutes – even though he hasn’t played since 2015 – but remember that he averaged 7.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in just 21.7 minutes per game back then. He could approach a double-double with a couple of blocks per game. Make sure you go grab him before someone else does.
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