NBA Waiver Wire: Pickups of the Week

GUARD

Caris LeVert, G, BKN - The versatile 2016 first-round pick has come on in the absence of Jeremy Lin (hamstring), scoring in double-digit in three of his last five, and playing more than 20 minutes in five of his last six. LeVert can play both guard spots and also slot in at small forward if needed, and his versatility extends to the stat sheet where he's provided modest but solid production across multiple categories. LeVert averaged 7.9 points (on 47.7 percent shooting), 2.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.4 steals in the last seven games, while also putting up nearly four three-point attempts per contest during that span. While his accuracy from long range (29.3 percent overall) leaves plenty of room for improvement, the former Michigan Wolverine has apparently carved out a consistent spot in the rotation for a team always in search of more offense.

Jerian Grant, G, CHI – An assortment of recent absences on the part of Jimmy Butler (illness), Rajon Rondo (DNP-coach's decision) and Dwyane Wade (knee and rest) has afforded Grant some extra run, as he's played 21 to 27 minutes in six consecutive games. He's parlayed the opportunity into a pair of double-digit scoring outings and solid production otherwise, as the second-year guard has averaged 10.5 points, 3.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 0.5 steals across 23.3 minutes in the last four contests, while shooting 52.0 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three-point range. Grant's playing time was much less stable early in the season, but he'd 13 to 29 minutes in a separate five-game stretch earlier in December as well, and his recent returns, coupled with Rondo's seemingly ever-changing standing with coach Fred Hoiberg, could well afford him a secure spot in the rotation for the balance of the season.

Denzel Valentine, G, CHI - Another versatile first-round pick starting to see more court time, Valentine also benefited from some of the recent personnel upheaval in Chicago. An ankle injury cost him three games, but he went off for 19 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals in 30 minutes Tuesday against the Wizards. His performance included an impressive 5-of-11 from three-point range, an area that he's proven proficient in his last 10 games in particular. Valentine boasts a 40 percent success rate from behind the arc over that stretch and could be in for a more consistent playing time even when Chicago is at full health.

Ian Clark, G, GSW - Clark has the relative misfortune of backing up one of the most talented backcourts in the league, but he's seen a definite uptick in playing time this season. He's parlaying the extra run into the best production of his four-year career, as he's boasting career highs in points (7.2), rebounds (1.4), assists (1.1), blocks (0.5), field-goal percentage (51.0) and three-point percentage (43.4) in a career-high 14.1 minutes per game. He's gone for double-digit scoring in three of the last five games in which he's played at least 10 minutes, and given the fact that the Warriors often find themselves with comfortable second-half leads, he's a candidate for some extra opportunity on virtually any night. He doesn't offer much outside of scoring categories, but can be a serviceable source of production at the bottom of your roster.

Malcolm Delaney, G, ATL - The 27-year-old has made his presence felt off the Hawks bench over the last five games with a trio of double-digit scoring performances, averaging 12.8 points (on 55.5 percent shooting), 3.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 steals during that span. Delaney's recent production certainly makes him worthy of a look for those who need an extra body at point guard, and the fact he's averaging a robust 21.3 minutes over the last six games only further his case.

FORWARD

Jason Smith, F, WAS - The veteran forward has made some noise off the Wizards bench recently, scoring in double digits in three of his last seven games and recording multiple blocks in four games during that stretch, as well. Smith's playing time fluctuates drastically, however, which limits his upside, but he's played double-digit minutes in five of his last eight, and offers the potential for some decent returns in scoring, rebounding and blocks when he spends sufficient time on the floor.

Davis Bertans, F, SAS - It's always hard to predict coach Gregg Popovich's usage of relatively inexperienced players like Bertans, but the 2011 second-round pick has at least made a solid case for himself in recent games. Bertans' playing time has been all over the place this season, ranging from seven DNPs to as many as 23 minutes. Matters have been a bit more stable in that regard the last three games, during which he's averaged 16.0 minutes, 12.3 points, 2.0 assists, 1.3 rebounds, 0.3 blocks and 0.3 steals. One of the more intriguing aspects of his skill set is his ability to score away from the basket, shooting 52.9 percent from three-point range in the last five games. While it remains to be seen if he'll continue to see similar opportunity the rest of the season, Bertans is a decent speculative pickup.

Anthony Tolliver, F, SAC - Tolliver brought a solid track record to Sacramento and is now receiving ample opportunity to provide the type of returns of which he's proven capable. The veteran saw no more than 16 minutes and 13 DNPs from the season opener through Dec. 7. However, a host of injuries have opened significant minutes, as he's averaged 28.0 minutes in the last 14 games. He's posted seven double-digit scoring efforts in the last 15, while also providing solid rebounding numbers. Tolliver also brings the added benefit of long-range contributions, as he's shot 38.4 percent from three-point range on an average of 3.2 attempts per contest.

Michael Beasley, F, MIL - The veteran has three straight double-digit scoring efforts, averaging 19.0 points on 68.8 percent shooting, along with 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks across 23.7 minutes. He's battled some injuries throughout the season and can be a bit up-and-down with his shooting, but his secure spot in the Bucks rotation and occasional starting opportunities certainly make him worthy of consideration for those looking for help in multiple categories.

CENTER

Kelly Olynyk, C, BOS - Olynyk exploded for a season-high 26 points Friday against the Hawks and also scored in double digits in two of the previous three games. He averaged 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.3 steals across 25.5 minutes during the last four, while also draining 2.3 three-pointers per game. He shot 62.9 and 69.2 percent from the field and three-point range, respectively, over that span. The 2013 first-round pick can do a little bit of everything on the stat sheet, and despite some playing time fluctuations, he's seen at least 20 minutes in five of his last six games.

Justin Hamilton, C, BKN - The 2012 first-rounder is starting to hit his stride off the Nets bench with three double-digit scoring outings over the last six, and averages of 9.6 points (on 46.6 percent shooting) and 5.3 rebounds across 19.0 minutes over the last seven. He's also averaging over one made three-pointer on 3.9 attempts per contest over that span, shooting 33.3 percent from behind the arc. Hamilton's spot in the frontcourt rotation is reasonably secure as well, as he's seen at least 14 minutes in each of the last 13 games. The big man is center-eligible as well, adding to his value in many formats.

Kevin Seraphin, C, IND - Seraphin has played 14 to 20 minutes in six straight, averaging 8.4 points (on 71.4 percent shooting), 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.2 steals and 0.2 blocks in the last five games. The veteran big man can be deployed at both center and power forward and is shooting a career-high 55.2 percent from the field in 22 games this season. While Myles Turner and Thaddeus Young remain firmly entrenched as the main cogs in the frontcourt, Seraphin appears to have carved out a modest but consistent niche, making him worth a look for those searching for some end-of-roster help in scoring and rebounding.