Welcome to another edition of Waiver Watcher! We are into the sixth week of fantasy basketball, which only means that by this time, you’ll be needing some names on the waiver that will help you this week or even for the rest of the season.
Just keep in mind that when picking up players from the waiver, the decision should highly depend on your league setup and the number of teams in your league—if it is a shallow or deep league. Be warned, though, that your worst player might be better than these guys.
Let’s get on with the list!
Kevin Huerter/Cam Reddish
I hate injuries! But one man's injury leaves the door open for another man to step up and shine. In this case, it's two people you have to look at and see if you can add one of them. DeAndre Hunter is going to miss two months with wrist surgery, and that has opened up a starting spot for Kevin Huerter. He is averaging 13.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game with 0.3 turnovers and three 3s a game on 62.5 percent shooting from the field.
If someone took him already, don’t worry, just get Cam Reddish. Reddish has come off the bench playing 26 minutes and averaging 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and two 3s per game. If both are available, who do you choose? The one with red hair or the one with red in his last name? I would choose Huerter because he’s the starter.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl’s last name gives my last name a run for its money (go on, count the letters). His name is a mouthful, so let’s just call him JRE. This second-round pick has started a couple of games when Derrick Favors was out. But even with Favors back, JRE still played around 27 minutes per game.
The past week, he averaged 11.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 0.8 turnovers only while hitting two 3s a game on 45 percent field goal shooting. Hey, that’s not bad numbers at all for the rookie. He has played the most minutes out of all the centers in Oklahoma City Thunder. With the Thunder in full-on development mode, we can expect to see more of this rookie for the rest of the season, which makes him a very good add.
Oh, did you check whose last name is longer?
Chimezie Metu
Chimezie Metu, or Metu World Peace as I like to call him, has come out of nowhere to start for the Sacramento Kings and has been productive as a starter. He has averaged 9.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks, 1.5 turnovers, and 1.3 3s per game this past week.
Although he has been shooting only 37.5 percent from the field, his ability to get points, 3s, rebounds, steals, and blocks makes up for that. Will this be enough for him to permanently stay in the starting five?
Kings head coach Luke Walton has been replaced with Alvin Gentry. This might be a potential problem if Gentry decides to change the starters and go fast but small. However, I think Metu is suited to a running game and his ability to shoot 3s, rebound, and defend might be a good fit for a faster-paced Kings team. He was benched in Gentry's first game as interim coach, but fantasy owners should keep an eye on him. I think it's better to add Metu and see what happens rather than regret not picking him up once he does end up as a permanent starter.
Larry Nance Jr.
A known under-the-radar fantasy guy, Larry Nance Jr. has been disappointing the first few weeks. But recently, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has discovered that Larry Nance Jr. is a good fit at the power forward AND center position (he must not be a vet fantasy manager like us).
Nance has been stealing minutes from Jusuf Nurkic with his defensive ability to switch and guard multiple positions. From November 10 onwards, he has cracked 20-plus minutes per game. Last week was his most productive week, averaging 12.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.3 turnovers, and a 3 on 76 percent shooting. He may be gone from the waiver already, but check first. He recently had a 7-point game, so he might have been dropped by impatient managers. If he’s on the waiver wire, go get him!
Alec Burks
Why is this guy here? Aren't the New York Knicks overloaded with guards? Kemba Walker? Evan Fournier? RJ Barrett? Derrick Rose? John Starks? OK, Starks has long been retired. That was just an age check.
Well, Alec Burks can make a case for being the best Knicks guard these past few games. Wow, I can't believe I just typed that. But yes, Burks has been the most consistent guard for the Knicks. Last week, he averaged 14.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.0 turnovers, 3.3 3s on 44 percent from the field, and shot 85 percent on free throws.
He had double figures in five of his last six games and has played more than 22 minutes per game in all of them. He has even finished games. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has been riding the hot hand, and that is none other than smart Alec Burks.
That’s it for this week's Waiver Watcher. May the adds be ever in your favor and may your teams stay healthy.
