This article is part of our NBA Waiver Wire series.
GUARD
Leandro Barbosa, G, PHO - The veteran has always proven capable of providing solid scoring numbers when given playing time, and accordingly, he's produced with a recent uptick in minutes. Barbosa played 23 and 20 minutes, respectively, in the last two games, scoring 16 and 14 points in those contests. He's been coming on since early February, averaging 8.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists on 43.2 percent shooting from the field in the last 10 games. Barbosa has apparently supplanted Brandon Knight in the rotation, furthering his appeal for those in deep formats looking for scoring help.
Delon Wright, G, TOR - The trickle-down effect of Kyle Lowry's wrist injury has been positive for Wright, who has averaged 6.6 points, 1.3 assists and 1.1 rebounds on 51.9 percent field-goal shooting in the last seven games. That stretch includes two games with double-digit scoring and three games with more than 20 minutes of playing time. Wright figures to have a secure spot in the rotation for the time being given his performance, making him a viable pickup in deep leagues.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, G, PHI - In mid-February, we suggested keeping an eye on Luwawu-Cabarrot, and he's validated the suggestion since that point. Luwawu-Cabarrot averaged 6.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in his last five games, playing 17 to 25 minutes in four of those games. The 21-year-old has struggled with his shot but still came just a rebound short of a double-double Friday against the Knicks
GUARD
Leandro Barbosa, G, PHO - The veteran has always proven capable of providing solid scoring numbers when given playing time, and accordingly, he's produced with a recent uptick in minutes. Barbosa played 23 and 20 minutes, respectively, in the last two games, scoring 16 and 14 points in those contests. He's been coming on since early February, averaging 8.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists on 43.2 percent shooting from the field in the last 10 games. Barbosa has apparently supplanted Brandon Knight in the rotation, furthering his appeal for those in deep formats looking for scoring help.
Delon Wright, G, TOR - The trickle-down effect of Kyle Lowry's wrist injury has been positive for Wright, who has averaged 6.6 points, 1.3 assists and 1.1 rebounds on 51.9 percent field-goal shooting in the last seven games. That stretch includes two games with double-digit scoring and three games with more than 20 minutes of playing time. Wright figures to have a secure spot in the rotation for the time being given his performance, making him a viable pickup in deep leagues.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, G, PHI - In mid-February, we suggested keeping an eye on Luwawu-Cabarrot, and he's validated the suggestion since that point. Luwawu-Cabarrot averaged 6.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in his last five games, playing 17 to 25 minutes in four of those games. The 21-year-old has struggled with his shot but still came just a rebound short of a double-double Friday against the Knicks and appears to have a secure spot in the Sixers' rotation. With the ability to be deployed at either small forward or two-guard , he provides fantasy owners in deeper formats with a solid option.
Josh Richardson, G, MIA - Richardson just returned Feb. 24 from a prolonged absence due to an ankle injury, so he's still working his way back to his usual playing time. He played at least 24 minutes in each of the last three games, including 25 Saturday against the Cavaliers. It's uncertain if he will regain the starting shooting guard role that Dion Waiters has thrived in, but Richardson figures to remain an integral part of the rotation. He's only topped out at seven points - which he accomplished in each of the last two games - since his return but is bound to improve as he continues to knock rust off.
Revisting:
Cory Joseph, G, TOR - Joseph was in our crosshairs Dec. 24, and given his significant change in role, he's certainly worth a quick refresher. Joseph is the Raptors' starting point guard in the wake of Kyle Lowry's wrist injury and has already posted four double-digit scoring efforts with the first unit, along with a 17.3 percent usage rate since the All-Star break. He averaged 11.4 points, 4.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals with 47.3 percent shooting from the field in the last five games and is in line for some solid secondary production in support of DeMar DeRozan for the next several weeks.
Keep An Eye On:
Norris Cole, G, OKC - Cole debuted in Oklahoma City on Thursday against the Blazers after spending time earlier this season in the Chinese Basketball Association. He immediately slotted in as Russell Westbrook's backup at point guard and produced seven points, two assists, one rebound and one steal in 11 minutes in his debut. However, he scored only two points in 10 minutes in his second game Friday, so the extent of his role as he gets further acclimated is certainly worth monitoring. The 28-year-old has proven capable of multi-category production and averaged career highs in points (10.6), assists (3.7) and rebounds (3.4) with the Pelicans last season.
FORWARD
Vince Carter, F, MEM - Carter has been typically solid all season and is averaging his highest scoring (7.9), rebound (3.1) and assist (1.8) numbers since 2013-14. He averaged 7.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 made three-pointers in 21.7 minutes per game in his last 10 games. That stretch includes four double-digit scoring efforts, and with starter Chandler Parsons still not looking right, Carter figures to continue in his high-usage reserve role.
Glenn Robinson III, G, IND - The Slam Dunk champion is Paul George's primary backup at the three, averaging 7.8 points and 2.4 rebounds on superb 66.7 percent shooting from the field in 17.4 minutes per game in the last five games. Robinson also has three double-digit scoring efforts in the last six games and offers solid returns across the stat sheet.
Lance Thomas, F, NYK - Thomas has parlayed recent starting opportunities into above-average production. He's rattled off four consecutive double-digit scoring games, averaging 13.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 1.5 made three-pointers while shooting 54.3 percent from the field and 60.0 percent from three-point range. Coach Jeff Hornacek opted to keep Thomas in the starting five even after Kristaps Porzingis' return, shifting Porzingis to center with Thomas at power forward. With Joakim Noah out the next several weeks, that arrangement could well endure as long as Thomas continues producing.
Maurice Harkless, F, POR - Harkless has thrived since jumping into the starting five Feb. 9 in place of Evan Turner (hand), posting four double-digit scoring efforts in seven games with six to 10 rebounds in four games, as well. Anyone not named Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum on the Blazers will always have their usage capped to a degree, but Harkless is certainly capable of rewarding fantasy owners with solid production across the stat sheet, as evidenced by his 12.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals on 53.1 percent shooting in 36.3 minutes in the last four games.
Patrick McCaw, F, GS - McCaw has gotten first crack at the starting small forward role in the wake of Kevin Durant's knee injury, and the early returns have been encouraging. He averaged 9.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 26.5 minutes per game in the first two games with extended run, and his new role certainly makes him a viable pickup. Matt Barnes' arrival in Golden State could certainly eat into the rookie's playing time, but McCaw seems destined for a notable uptick in usage no matter the scenario.
CENTER
Alan Williams, C, PHO - Williams scored in double digits in five consecutive games, including double-doubles in the last two. He played 22 and 34 minutes and is sporting a 23.2 percent usage rate during that stretch, knocking veteran Tyson Chandler out of the rotation in the process. The 24-year-old big man is undersized at 6-foot-8, but that's yet to hinder him, as he averaged 14.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steals in the last five games.
Ian Mahinmi, C, WAS - Mahinmi returned from an extended layoff Feb. 8 and is finally enjoying a prolonged stretch of health. He's seeing minutes in the mid-teens at minimum, averaging 5.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks over the last four. His playing time, while modest, seems secure as Marcin Gortat's primary backup, and he therefore is a serviceable option in deep leagues for those desperate for some help at center.
