NBA Waiver Wire: Pickups of the Week

GUARD

Ben Simmons, G, PHI - Simmons still doesn't have a return date from his preseason foot injury, but he has resumed running, jumping and cutting. Coach Brett Brown has already set a criteria of five full-contact, full-court sessions for Simmons before he considers deploying him in live action, so his debut still appears to be a few weeks away. However, given his immense talent, he certainly makes for an interesting option to consider at the All-Star break while he's still available in some formats.

Jamal Murray, G, DEN - Murray is coming off a spectacular 36-point showing in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, an extension of the impressive momentum with which he closed the first half of the season. The rookie scored in double figures in eight of his last 11 games before the All-Star break, and averaged 12.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists, along with 1.9 made three-pointers per game in the last 10 games. The caveat is that Emmanuel Mudiay (back) has missed 11 games since Jan. 22, which has opened up considerable opportunity for Murray. However, given his play, he likely will retain a solid spot in the Nuggets' backcourt rotation even when Murray returns.

Nik Stauskas, G, PHI - Stauskas finished the first half of the season with five straight double-digit scoring efforts, averaging 12.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists across 28.6 minutes per game, along with 2.2 made three-pointers per game. The 2014 first-round pick provided impressive returns off the bench prior to this recent stretch as well, and is averaging career highs in scoring (9.0), rebounds (2.7), assists (2.2), made three-pointers (1.6), field-goal percentage (40.5) and three-point percentage (37.6) this season.

Revisiting:

Marco Belinelli, G, CHA - We touched on Belinelli here, and he's continued to provide the type of returns that prompted his inclusion several weeks ago. He's scored in double digits in five more occasions since we initially highlighted him, averaging 11.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists over the last 10 games with 1.3 made three-pointers per game.

Jeremy Lamb, G, CHA - Belinelli's teammate Lamb was spotlighted in this space Dec. 31, and has only gotten better. He's tallied double-digit scoring in seven of his last 13 games with four coming in the last six games before the All-Star break. Lamb has been impressively efficient while generating those returns, as he played less than 20 minutes in all but one of those games. The veteran offers solid production in the rebounding category as well, making him a worthwhile waiver-wire investment heading into the second half.

FORWARD

Gerald Green, F, BOS - Green has started to show some signs of life over the last five, scoring in double figures three times and averaging 8.6 points, 1.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 14.6 minutes per game. That stretch also includes 1.4 made three-pointers, a 60.0 percent success rate from the field and 58.3 percent from three-point range. The one concern after the All-Star break will be playing time, as both Avery Bradley (Achilles) and Jaylen Brown (hip) are expected back, which could potentially curtail Green's minutes significantly.

Brandan Wright, F, MEM - Wright finally made his season debut Jan. 30 and has averaged 6.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game in his eight games, shooting 56.8 percent from the field. He was particularly impressive Monday versus the Nets, totaling 17 points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal in 21 minutes, and has already logged more than 20 minutes in three games. Given his role as Marc Gasol's primary backup, Wright stands to offer strong production in scoring and rebounds in the second half.

Nemanja Bjelica, F, MIN - Bjelica averaged 9.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in the last three games, shooting 62.5 percent from long distance on 1.7 made three-pointers per game. His minutes often max out in the teens, but Bjelica's ability to contribute across multiple categories on a team that often finds itself in high-scoring battles makes him a viable candidate off the wire.

Mike Muscala, F, ATL - Muscala provided modest but consistent production over the last 10 games, averaging 5.5 points (on 53.8 percent shooting), 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 16.6 minutes per game. He's scored seven to 10 points and hauled in four to eight boards in five of those contests, despite playing no more than 22 minutes in any game. For those in deeper formats looking for some scoring and rebounding help at this point in the season, the Hawks big man is someone to consider.

CENTER

Alex Len, C, PHO - Len rattled off four straight double-digit scoring efforts before the All-Star break, while also hauling in five to nine rebounds in each of the last five games. That bump in production has come with a corresponding increase in playing time, as Len eclipsed the 20-minute mark in three of those games and played 19 minutes in another over that span. Inconsistent minutes have been part of the problem for Len this season, however, as he's also seen single-digit allotments in five games since Jan. 8. Therefore, he makes for a risky but potentially rewarding pickup.

REVISITING:

Jusuf Nurkic, C, DEN - We covered Nurkic while he was still a member of the Nuggets here, and given his newfound opportunity in Portland, he's worth a quick refresher. Nurkic busted out for 13 points, seven rebounds, one assist, three steals and one block over 21 minutes in his Blazers debut on Wednesday, and should only be in line for improved numbers across the board in the second half of the season as Portland's unquestioned starter at the five. Nurkic has proven capable of excellent production in past when given the minutes, making him a prudent grab if he's still available.