This article is part of our NBA Waiver Wire series.
GUARD
Marco Belinelli, G, CHA - The veteran sharpshooter scored in double digits in five of his last six games, hitting multiple three-pointers three times and shooting 51.4 percent from the field in the last four games. While he's heavily scoring-dependent, his playing time is secure and he's averaging the third-highest shooting (44.1) and three-point percentages (40.2) of his career.
Garrett Temple, G, SAC – With Rudy Gay out for the season with his Achilles' tendon injury, Temple is now the starting small forward for the Kings. He scored in double digits in three of his last five games, and while he's primarily known for his defense (multiple steals in three of his last four games), he also provides modest yet consistent rebounds and assists. He averaged 9.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals in his last seven games, and those numbers should inch upward as long as he continues to start.
Jameer Nelson, G, DEN - Nelson is enjoying a nice run with the first unit while Emmanuel Mudiay remains sidelined with a back injury, averaging 11.3 points, 6.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 32.5 minutes in the last four games while shooting 52.8 percent from the field. Mudiay missed the last three games and is expected to miss at least the next two. Even when he returns, Nelson is still capable of producing with the second unit — he scored in double digits in four of seven games from late December to mid-January.
GUARD
Marco Belinelli, G, CHA - The veteran sharpshooter scored in double digits in five of his last six games, hitting multiple three-pointers three times and shooting 51.4 percent from the field in the last four games. While he's heavily scoring-dependent, his playing time is secure and he's averaging the third-highest shooting (44.1) and three-point percentages (40.2) of his career.
Garrett Temple, G, SAC – With Rudy Gay out for the season with his Achilles' tendon injury, Temple is now the starting small forward for the Kings. He scored in double digits in three of his last five games, and while he's primarily known for his defense (multiple steals in three of his last four games), he also provides modest yet consistent rebounds and assists. He averaged 9.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals in his last seven games, and those numbers should inch upward as long as he continues to start.
Jameer Nelson, G, DEN - Nelson is enjoying a nice run with the first unit while Emmanuel Mudiay remains sidelined with a back injury, averaging 11.3 points, 6.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 32.5 minutes in the last four games while shooting 52.8 percent from the field. Mudiay missed the last three games and is expected to miss at least the next two. Even when he returns, Nelson is still capable of producing with the second unit — he scored in double digits in four of seven games from late December to mid-January.
Alec Burks, G, UTA - Burks is finally healthy and is already starting to provide the returns he's proven capable of, averaging 12.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in the last four games while shooting 57.6 percent from the field. Burks played 19 to 25 minutes in the first three games of that stretch but only 14 minutes Thursday with the return of Rodney Hood. Even though his playing time is a bit uncertain, the offense he can provide with modest court time should keep him a consistent part of the backcourt rotation.
Patty Mills, G, SAN - The veteran is enjoying one of the best seasons of his eight-year career, as his 10.2 points per game is the second most of his career. Mills is shooting 46.0 percent from the field, including 43.3 percent from from behind the arc, his best since his rookie season. The 28-year-old averaged 11.3 points, 3.0 assists, 1.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.3 made three-pointers in his last six games. Averaging a career-high 22.1 minutes, Mills is a safe pickup for those needing help in multiple offensive categories.
FORWARD
Paul Zipser, F, CHI - Zipser's profile shot up considerably when Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg surprisingly started him Friday over Dwyane Wade, who was benched for disciplinary reasons. However, the German had already been coming on since being recalled from the D-League on Jan. 8, posting a pair of double-digit scoring outings off the bench. He then totaled 14 points and five rebounds in 27 minutes during his one-night run with the first unit. The versatile Zipser plays both small forward and shooting guard, which could help him find a consistent spot in the rotation.
Terrence Ross, F, TOR - Ross' teammate Norman Powell got all the press last week filling in admirably for the injured DeMar DeRozan. However, Powell's production off the bench, to which he'll soon return, doesn't stand up too well under closer inspection, as he scored in single digits in 12 of the previous 16 games, as well as scoreless in two others during that stretch. Ross' production is much more consistent. He scored in double digits in eight games during that same span and also totaled 21 points just three games ago. The five-year veteran averaged a solid 9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 2.1 made three-pointers in the last eight games and can play either small forward or shooting guard, a pivotal factor in the 22.3 minutes per game he averages.
Jonas Jerebko, F, BOS - Jerebko has run with the first unit the last two games, averaging 7.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 blocks in 25.0 minutes. Previously, Jerebko's minutes off the bench were consistently in the teens, but he provided solid production relative to the playing time, as he averaged 5.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17.8 minutes in the previous 13 games. Whether his new spot in the rotation sticks over the long term, he remains a serviceable option in deep formats for those needing some end-of-bench help at forward.
Kelly Oubre Jr., F, WAS - Oubre played no less than 20 minutes in the last eight games and hit the 30-minute mark twice. He scored in double digits five times during that span, including four consecutive, averaging 9.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 26.3 minutes per game. His spot as Otto Porter's top backup at the three appears secure.
CENTERS
Al Jefferson, C, IND - Big Al continues to maximize his modest amount of time on the floor, averaging 12.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game in his last seven games. That stretch includes two 20-point games in just 17 minutes each and 10 points in 10 minutes in another contest. While his production is ultimately capped by his reserve role and the fairly hard ceiling on his minutes, Jefferson is a viable option for those needing scoring and rebounding help, particularly in deeper formats.
Donatas Motiejunas, C, NOP - Motiejunas is finally healthy after extensive back problems, and his minutes and production are starting to increase. With Anthony Davis in and out of the lineup with his own health issues, Motiejunas has played more than 20 minutes in two of the last three games, while scoring in double digits in three consecutive. The big man can drain from anywhere and in a hurry, shooting 48.8 percent from the floor and 44.4 percent from behind the arc over his 10 games this season. He averaged 11.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 made three-pointers in his last three, and his ability to play either power forward or center figures to continue affording him plenty of minutes.
Ivica Zubac, C, LAL - The 19-year-old posted three double-doubles in his last five games, playing 19 to 28 minutes in four of those games. He outpaced starter Timofey Mozgov by a wide margin in playing time in the last two games and boasted a 22.0 percent usage rate in the last eight games. The surging rookie makes for an excellent pickup in both single-season and dynasty formats and could move into the starting rotation in the second half of the season as the Lakers are without playoff aspirations.
