NBA Waiver Wire: Pick-Ups and FAAB for Week 9

Injuries to Jabari Parker, Robin Lopez, Chris Bosh, Andrew Bogut, Lance Stephenson, Kawhi Leonard, and more, have created opportunities for less heralded individuals to become of use in fantasy. The Rajon Rondo and Corey Brewer trades cleared playing time for intriguing neophytes boasting limitless potential. Transitioning awkwardly to the upcoming schedule, the Sixers embark on a seven-game road trip Sunday. They won't return home until January 5th. On Tuesday, Andrew Wiggins finally gets to play in Cleveland, and on Friday, Isaiah Thomas returns to Sacramento. The Jazz and Pistons are the only teams slated for two games this week. The Pistons don't play their first game until Friday, and the Knicks don't play their first game until Christmas. All teams have Christmas Eve (January 24th) off, so I recommend watching Jingle All the Way, It's a Wonderful Life, Die Hard, and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

Point Guard

Marcus Smart, BOS: (standard head-to-head league flier); FAAB: $20
I view Smart as a long-term investment. He's still overcoming an Achilles injury, and we don't know if or how Brad Stevens will use Jameer Nelson. I also think it's unfair to place lofty expectations on rookies. You're not adding Smart for help in offense or percentages. For someone who attempts an exorbitant amount of three-pointers (3.7 in 17.3 minutes per game), Smart is only converting at a 29 percent clip, similar to his proficiency from the shorter collegiate three-point line. He's a rebound hound and ball thief, and should the front office clear out Nelson and Evan Turner by the trade deadline, an assist aggregator. First, he needs to get healthy. Second, coach Brad Stevens needs to play him 25-30 minutes a night. Neither is immediately guaranteed, so I'm halting expectations over the next few weeks. If he needs to sit on my fantasy roster's bench, so be it. I'm looking beyond the now. The Boston Celtics play 53 games in 2015, the most of any team in the NBA. They're one of ten teams to play a maximum 12 games during the abbreviated fantasy head-to-head playoffs (weeks 21-23). If Stevens ultimately promotes Smart to primary ball handler, I want to make sure he's on my roster.

Jerryd Bayless, MIL: (watch list); FAAB: $1
Bayless has played a team-high 228 fourth quarter minutes for the Bucks this season. That is not a misprint. On a per-game basis, he still comes out on top at 8.5 fourth quarter minutes per game. Believe you me, I was as startled as many of you reading this bit of useful information. Over the past three games, Bayless is averaging 14.3 points, 3.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 three-pointers in 26.2 minutes per game. I'm not overly excited by such plaid numbers myself. He's third on the team in usage rate at 23.7 percent and shooting an unsustainable 54 percent from the field and 62 percent from beyond the arc in Jabari Parker's absence. To top off this Bayless lovefest, he's leading the NBA in free-throw shooting at 98 percent, a red flag for a career 82 percent shooter. On one hand, he's providing semi-useful stats, and there are plenty of available minutes the rest of the season. On the other hand, he's Jerryd Bayless, and the clock is rapidly approaching midnight.

Shaun Livingston, GSW: (watch list); FAAB: $0
Andrew Bogut (knee) has missed the last six games, excluding two minutes, with no indication he'll return anytime soon in the wake of PRP injections. In that time, Livingston is averaging 10.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 23.1 minutes per game. He was playing 15.9 minutes per game prior to Bogut's knee injury, so the bump in minutes makes Livingston watch list worthy, if not relevant until Bogut returns. The only foil in this otherwise airtight plan is the presumed return of David Lee (hamstring). Coach Steve Kerr believes Lee will play as soon as this week, barring setback. It stands to reason that Lee won't immediately consume Bogut's 25.2 minutes per game, especially since he played seven minutes this regular season before aggravating his hamstring. If you're scrounging the waiver wire list for a competent replacement, consider Livingston. The Warriors play four games this week, and two of those are against the Lakers and Timberwolves.

Others to consider:Jarrett Jack, Dennis Schroder, and Cory Joseph are possible injury replacement candidates. Deron Williams was diagnosed with a calf strain and could miss time. Schroder started that last two games with Jeff Teague (hamstring) sidelined. Joseph started the past five games and eight of the last nine. The Nets play three games this week. The Hawks and Spurs play four games.

Shooting Guard

Evan Fournier, ORL: (watch list and deep league relevance); FAAB: $5
Can I interest you in More Champagne? Hopefully, you understood that reference. Over the past five games, Fournier is averaging 16.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 three-pointers in 35.5 minutes per game. Only six of his 68 attempts were fired from the midrange area, providing an above average field goal mark of 47 percent in that time. Coinciding with Fournier's revival was the return of Nikola Vucevic four games ago. As the individual who covers the Magic for RotoWire, I can reveal that Fournier and Vucevic exclusively speak French to each other when on the court. They developed chemistry in training camp that translated into a starting gig that Fournier retained even after Victor Oladipo's season debut. What hasn't come across on the box score lately is Fournier's improved defense. Last week during a home-and-home against the Hawks, he helped limit Kyle Korver to 17 combined points on 4-of-10 shooting in both games. It may not sound like much, but we're talking about always-in-motion Kyle Korver. The Magic only play three games this week and the fewest games (47) in 2015, so you're mainly adding Fournier if you need ~14 points and a few three-pointers per game. To answer your earlier question, More Champagne is Fournier's nickname.

Shabazz Muhammad, MIN: (standard league flier); FAAB: $18
With Corey Brewer in Houston, Muhammad started the most recent game and recorded 26 points, five rebounds, and a career-high five assists in a team-high 38 minutes. In the post-Kevin Martin era, Muhammad leads the team in usage rate at 26.3 percent. In those 15 games, he's averaging a team-high 15.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 23.5 minutes per game. His 52 percent field goal mark during that span isn't aided by a ridiculously hot shooting night. Muhammad utilizes a polished low post game, bullying smaller defenders with brute strength and hitting them with his patented lefty jump hook in the blink of an eye. He's attempted only 12 three-pointers in Martin's absence, with 71 percent of his shots nestled in the paint. The Timberwolves play three road games this week, but he'll retain value until Kevin Martin returns or defenses force him into ill-advised mid-range jumpers.

Gary Neal, CHA: (short-term points and threes add); FAAB: $1
Neal routinely replaced Lance Stephenson (pelvis) in the fourth quarter when he was healthy. Now that Stephenson is reportedly sidelined through Christmas, Neal only has to contend with Gerald Henderson. In 24.1 minutes per game, Neal is averaging 11.9 points per game, third highest on the Hornets. Most importantly, he's shooting a team-high 38 percent from downtown on a team that ranks 28th in three-point percentage (32 percent). Defaulting to my fourth quarter shtick, Neal leads the team at 9.0 fourth quarter minutes per game. Clifford relies on veterans like Neal and Marvin Williams late in ball games because they can hit the deep ball and help space the floor for Al Jefferson. The Hornets play four games this week and two games before Wednesday, so at worst, you could stream Neal at the start of the week in daily fantasy leagues.

Others to consider:O.J. Mayo played two good games off the bench to start the season and everyone lost their minds. In the wake of Jabari Parker's season-ending injury, Mayo should receive more touches. I say should because we're still working within the confines of coach Jason Kidd's rotation.

Small Forward

Khris Middleton, MIL: (flier); FAAB: $5
Middleton is averaging 16.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals when he plays at least 29 minutes per game. He's reached that minute plateau five times all season, and only Brandon Knight is averaging more than 30 minutes per game. Much like the situation in Toronto when DeMar DeRozan (groin) was removed from basketball activities, it's unwise to assume one player fills the void left by Jabari Parker. Instead, a collection of misfits, some of whom are currently injured, will attempt to keep the 14-14 Bucks afloat. As of Sunday morning, nine Bucks are averaging more than 20 minutes per game. Middleton ranks second on the team in steals (1.2 per game) and tied for second in three-point accuracy (39 percent). Though he can't create his own shot or finish at the rim, his floor spacing will remain vital in helping Giannis Antetokounmpo continuing to score 7.9 of his 12.3 points per game in the paint (fifth most among all small forwards).

Evan Turner, BOS: (standard leagues); FAAB: $7
I don't want to sound super weird, but Evan Turner just became fantasy relevant. Had Rajon Rondo not returned in time for the start of the regular season, Stevens planned on using Turner as his primary ball handler. That dream has come to fruition, and fantasy managers who missed out on Marcus Smart should consider Turner as a consolation prize. He's shooting a career-high 48 percent from the field that is likely unsustainable, but apart from that, the rest of his stats are legit. In 23.4 minutes per game, he's averaging 9.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. Those are extremely useful in three-category leagues and somewhat helpful in nine-category leagues. The only unforeseen roadblock is the addition of Jameer Nelson. Stevens could keep Turner in a bench role, where he's flourished as the leader of the second unit. In that parallel universe, Turner's value stagnates. Take as collateral this Stevens quote following their most recent win, sans Rondo, "[No system changes]. The same roles that we had in the preseason. We were playing without [Rondo] in the preseason, so I really haven't had to communicate anything different to any of those guys."

Mike Dunleavy, CHI: (watch list and deeper leagues); FAAB: $2
Dunleavy's been plodding along, somewhat unnoticed, much like a Honda Accord. In 26 games, he's averaging 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 three-pointers in 30.8 minutes per game. The only thing I can possibly sell you on is his durability. He played all 82 games last season and hasn't missed a game this season. He's shooting a great 40 percent from downtown, buy in all honesty, anyone who has ever owned Dunleavy in fantasy eventually cut him, digitally not physically. With the Bulls playing four games this week, and me trying to write about new players every week, Dunleavy fits the bill as someone you can chuck into your weekly lineup if you've run out of options. Players who I have written about previously who may be available in your league include Sir Robert Covington, Tim Hardaway, Marco Belinelli, Harrison Barnes, and of course, DeMarre Carroll.

Others to consider:Jared Dudley is the other small forward option in Milwaukee. He's provided better counting stats than Middleton over the past three games, but at the same time, he's Jared Dudley. Vince Carter showed signs of life this past week, averaging 14.7 points, 1.0 steals, and 3.0 three-pointers in three games. The Bucks and Grizzlies play three games each this week.

Power Forward

Shawne Williams, MIA: (watch list and deeper league three-point help); FAAB: $1
Williams moved back into the starting lineup after coach Erik Spoelstra gave up on Justin Hamilton as Josh McRobert's replacement. In 18 starts, Williams is averaging 9.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.1 three-pointers in 27.5 minutes per game. That's near-elite level three-point production when he's getting a sizable helping of minutes. His main competitor for minutes is Udonis Haslem, not exactly the most reliable fantasy option. The absence of Chris Bosh (calf) opens up plenty of more minutes in the interim. You'll want to keep an eye on Williams with the Heat squaring off against the Sixers this week.

Marreese Speights, GSW: (watch list); FAAB: $2
As mentioned with Shaun Livingston, Andrew Bogut (knee) is out indefinitely following PRP treatment. Also noted above is the impending return of David Lee (hamstring). Even though Bogut has missed all but two minutes of the previous six games, Speights is only playing 20.7 minutes per game. He's averaging 11.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 50 percent from the field. At some point we have to concede that his early season hot stretch is becoming the norm. It's still difficult to roster him in standard leagues because of the minutes cap, but if David Lee suffers another setback, perhaps Kerr bumps the minutes to a respectable 25 per game.

Nikola Mirotic, CHI: (short-term standard league appeal); FAAB: $8
Mirotic is owned in less than 17 percent of Yahoo! leagues and less than 13 percent of ESPN leagues. The Bulls play four games this week. Taj Gibson (ankle) may not return in time to play Monday or Tuesday. The last time Gibson rested because of an injured ankle, he missed six games over the span of 14 days. Thus far, he's missed two games in the last five days. If Gibson does return for the Christmas tilt against the Lakers, the game may be over by the third quarter, permitting Mirotic to bomb away over the final 12 minutes. In the nine games he's played at least 25 minutes, Mirotic is averaging 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 2.2 three-pointers. Suffice it to say, I added Mirotic in my 12-team rotisserie league while writing this paragraph.

Others to consider:Boris Diaw is the only Spur to play every game this season. The Spurs play four games this week and three of those are quality games (days when less than half the league plays). He's been the one fixture in Popovich's lineup, so you should be able to slip him into yours.

Center

Chris Kaman, POR: (watch list and deeper leagues); FAAB: $4
Robin Lopez (hand) is expected to miss 6-7 weeks as of last Tuesday. That timeline pushes right up against the All-Star break, so the final tally may end up closer to nine weeks. Coach Terry Stotts already showed his hand by keeping Kaman in the second unit with Steve Blake over the previous three games. Though his starting center may alternate nightly, Kaman's value shouldn't waver. He consistently plays 20 minutes a night and has been providing 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.0 block while shooting 50 percent from the floor. Essentially, his ceiling is his floor. LaMarcus Aldridge will pick up sparse center minutes, and Thomas Robinson will have everyone wondering why he doesn't play more often. While everyone else adds and drops Robinson and Dorell Wright a game too late, you'll be stroking your beard like a mad genius for latching onto Kaman for his consistent production.

Kelly Olynyk, BOS: (standard leagues); FAAB: $8
I hope you like stats because that's what you're getting. Olynyk is owned in 39 percent of ESPN leagues. I understand nobody wants to add any of the frontcourt players in Boston after the team acquired Brandan Wright. However, the numbers I pulled from nbawowy.com were quite alarming. With Rajon Rondo on the bench, Olynyk was shooting 12 percent higher from the field, as opposed to Tyler Zeller whose accuracy dropped 13 percent with Rondo on the bench. Some of that noise can be attributed to Olynyk's demotion, forcing him to play against inferior second units. Upon further glance, Olynyk's three-point accuracy improved from 35 percent with Rondo to 50 percent without him. Clearly, Olynyk evolved into a hybrid Sam Perkins. Opposing centers are giving him too much space on the perimeter, and Olynyk is capitalizing like any professional NBA player should. As a reserve, his stats are almost better in every category. In 11 games since Zeller replaced him in the starting lineup, Olynyk is averaging 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 1.2 three-pointers in 25.3 minutes per game. Meet this week's winner of the categorical diversification award.

Others to consider:Chris Andersen replaced Chris Bosh (calf) in the starting lineup. He provides limited upside with a plethora of blocks. The Heat play three games this week, and Bosh's status is up in the air.