NBA Waiver Wire: Week 5 Pickups and FAAB

If you've diligently tracked the NBA happenings, you're familiar with the countless injuries plaguing the Timberwolves, Rockets, and Bulls. Given the recent rash of injuries, plenty of interim value can be found on the waiver wire. Whether you're streaming for Week 5 or playing the long con, some of the players below could potentially wear both hats.

I rifled through ownership levels in Yahoo! and ESPN to find players owned in less than 60 percent of leagues, an arbitrary threshold for the purposes of this assignment. Additionally, I didn't cover players featured in previous Waiver Wire columns (Amir Johnson, DeMarre Carroll, Solomon Hill, Channing Frye, Mo Williams, etc.) out of respect to the reader and previous authors.

Point Guards

Jose Calderon, NYK: (all leagues); FAAB: $35
This suggestion mainly applies to ESPN leagues, where Calderon is owned in just 39.2 percent of leagues. Calderon's strengths present a more savory option in rotisserie leagues, as last season's 45 percent accuracy from the field and three-point line, combined with his career 87 percent free-throw stroke and 1.7 turnovers per game, suggests. Forced to be a spot-up shooter with the Mavericks ast season, Calderon will likely revert back to his customary on-ball role with the Knicks. The coaching staff has already raved about his ability to learn and execute the triangle offense, quelling any concerns on my end. Unfortunately, the 33-year-old point guard hasn't averaged more than 32 minutes per game in his previous two seasons, capping gaudy production levels. In the end, his overall box score line will be consistent, not mind-blowing.

Jarrett Jack, BRK: (watch list and deeper leagues); FAAB: $4
Jack is averaging 25.9 minutes per game this season and launching almost every time he touches the ball of late. His recent minutes bump coincides with Bojan Bogdanovic's 0-of-12 slump the past two games, and if coach Lionel Hollins doesn't like what he's seeing on the court, that player is getting benched for someone who can produce. Jack's field goal shooting (51.9 percent) and true shooting (60.1 percent) are each roughly six percent higher than his career marks, indicating regression on the horizon. However, he has reduced his three-point attempts to less than one per game, instead choosing to attack the basket with fervor, aiding his generous shooting percentages. And who could forget the elephant in the room: Deron Williams' health concerns. Granted, he fixed his ankle issues this offseason via surgery, but should an injury remove Williams from the lineup for an extended period, Jack would be the player to add. Because the Nets only play two games this upcoming week, his immediate use remains limited.

Patrick Beverley, HOU: (all standard leagues); FAAB: 17
Beverley is another under-owned player in ESPN leagues (31.2 percent). He's scored in double figures in each of his last five games and hit a total of 17 three-pointers during that stretch. Due to recent circumstances, Beverley needs to be more of an offensive weapon with Terrence Jones (leg) and Dwight Howard (knee) lacking a definitive timetable. Prior to Beverley's last two games (29 field goal attempts combined), he had only attempted at least 13 shots on three occasions through his first 102 games played. Admittedly, you're not adding him for his scoring, which can be streaky. To paraphrase Meatloaf, some nights he's breathing fire and some nights he's carved in ice. In most instances, you're attaching yourself to him for his out of position rebounds and ball-hawking defense. Any other contribution should be considered gravy. The Rockets play four games this week and two of those are quality games (nights with fewer than eight games), so you'll be able to insert him into your lineup immediately in daily leagues.

Others to consider: With injuries to Norris Cole (finger) and Brandon Jennings (thumb), Shabazz Napier and D.J. Augustin could garner a flier if damning news arises for the incumbents. Aaron Brooks is another decent streaming option with Derrick Rose (hamstring) and Kirk Hinrich (chest) questionable in the short term.

Shooting Guards

Austin Rivers, NOP: (watch list); FAAB: $0
I never thought I'd ever suggest keeping even a quarter of an eyeball on Austin Rivers, yet here we stand. Last night, Eric Gordon suffered a separated left shoulder and didn't return to the game. I don't know which way Monty Williams is leaning in this situation, so he could opt to shift Tyreke Evans to shooting guard and bring Luke Babbitt or Ryan Anderson into the starting lineup, relegating Rivers to his standard 20 minutes a night. However, Rivers did play a season-high 33 minutes last night against the Jazz, leaving room for optimism. I'm not sure if we're beyond the whole nepotism case with Rivers, but he's noticeably improved his three-point shooting, ball handling, and touch around the basket. I'm not saying he'll single handedly win you a fantasy trophy; I'm just implying the opportunity has opened up for Rivers to receive the most important stat in fantasy basketball, minutes.

Lou Williams, TOR (short-term add with long-term potential); FAAB: $6
I'm never one to overreact, but I guess we're summoning Captain Obvious for this one. After last night's career-high 36 points against the Cavaliers, Williams is now averaging 13.6 points per game, third most on the Raptors and sixth among all reserves, in 19.4 minutes per game. Not only is Williams proficient at sinking end-of-quarter buzzer beaters, he's also recorded at least two steals in seven of his last ten games. The rest of his stat line can be a bit barren, minus a few threes, so I still view him as a matchup play in standard leagues. Lucky for you, the Raptors play the Suns, Hawks (his former team), Mavericks, and Lakers this week with no back-to-back sets. Williams will receive extended run as long as James Johnson recuperates from a severe right ankle sprain, suppressing Terrence Ross' minutes in the process.

Gary Neal, CHA: (watch list and deeper leagues); FAAB: $4
It appears I'm infatuated with scoring-only guards today. No longer dealing with concussion symptoms, Neal reclaimed his customary sixth man role last Friday and provided 17 points in 29 minutes. Gerald Henderson is the starting small forward, in name only, as Michael Kidd-Gilchrist recovers from a stress reaction in his foot, sidelining him the previous five games with no return date in sight. The Hornets play four games this week and three of the top fourteen teams in terms of pace, so possessions should be plentiful. Make no mistake, Neal comes off the bench to score and occasionally snare a rebound, limiting his nightly categorical diversification. If he's not scoring, he's not truly helping your fantasy roster.

Small Forwards

Kostas Papanikolaou, HOU: (watch list and deeper leagues); FAAB: $4
No Terrence Jones (leg) or Dwight Howard (knee) for the foreseeable future is something you'll read multiple times in this article, so get used to it. The minutes are flowing in Houston; Papanikolaou just needs to find his shot (31.8 percent on the season). He currently ranks ninth among small forwards with 2.8 assists per game, a facet of his game that coach Kevin McHale raved about during the preseason. While 2.8 assists doesn't sound like much, understand he's only playing 25.3 minutes per game this season. Streamers in deep weekly leagues can deploy Papanikolaou this week because the Rockets play four games, and over his previous two games, he's played 34 and 38 minutes on the snake-bitten roster off the bench, reducing Francisco Garcia to 30-team relevancy. Shooting woes aside, Papanikolaou is averaging 0.8 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 1.5 three-pointers in his last four games, proving he can dabble is just about every box score stat.

Corey Brewer, MIN: (short-term add); FAAB: $13
Rumors have circulated of a possible address change for the nine-year veteran. What does a team do when they want to trade a player? Increase his minutes in a showcasing maneuver to bump up his value on the open market. Because Brewer owns a player option he'll likely rebuff after this season, just south of three million, President/coach Flip Saunders' stance on keeping Brewer could change, especially since the Timberwolves aren't likely to compete without Kevin Martin (wrist), Ricky Rubio (ankle), and Nikola Pekovic (ankle/wrist) slated to miss extended time. Brewer is currently tied for fourth at 2.1 steals per game, his primary contribution to fantasy rosters. Don't expect much in the way of rebounds, assists, blocks, or three-pointers while he mans the starting shooting guard station in Minnesota. Though, as long as he continues to attempt a majority of his shots in the restricted area, his field goal percentage won't sink your rotisserie team.

Harrison Barnes, GSW: (watch list and deeper leagues); FAAB: $13
David Lee (hamstring) is going to be reevaluated during the Warriors' five-game road trip, introducing a minutes crunch upon his return. Earlier this season, Lee lasted seven minutes before aggravating his hamstring, a plausible result anytime between now and his next game. As Barnes continues to develop a rhythm with the starters and shoot a career-high 51.8 percent from the field, coach Steve Kerr will need to decide if Lee is better suited coming off the bench with Andre Iguodala or starting over either Barnes or Draymond Green. Because it sounds like Lee has made significant progress, Barnes isn't a must own, even after averaging 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 three-pointers over his last six games. The increased efficiency is a result of wide open looks playing next to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, a luxury that dries up if he becomes a reserve. The rotation shouldn't change as long as the Warriors continue their winning ways, so a four-game week against the Eastern Conference with the possibility David Lee acclimates back into the rotation isn't the worst direction to travel.

Others to consider: The starting small forwards in Los Angeles, Wesley Johnson and Matt Barnes, provide consistent, low-level production for all your deep league needs.

Power Forwards

Donatas Motiejunas, HOU: (watch list and deeper leagues); FAAB: $5
He's been helter-skelter since Terrence Jones (leg) went down, securing his first double-double - 14 points and 12 rebounds - last night against the Mavericks. Motiejunas has found himself playing center in Dwight Howard's (knee) absence as well. Howard endured PRP injections this past week, calling into question his availability for the upcoming home stand. It should take a practice session or two before he's cleared, and once he returns, he could be brought along slowly. Motiejunas is a seven-footer who likes to shoot threes, and even in 38 minutes last night, he only attempted seven shots. He's turned the ball over more frequently (23) than accumulated assists (16), steals (7), or blocks (6) in limited action thus far, so don't go selling the farm for Motiejunas.

Nikola Mirotic, CHI: (speculative add in standard leagues); FAAB: $7
The injury bug fears no man. With Pau Gasol (calf) still sidelined, and Taj Gibson (ankle) in a walking boot, one would surmise that Mirotic is the next man up in the starting lineup. During his previous game, the rookie scored a career-high 24 points, accompanied by 11 rebounds, two assists, and four three-pointers in 35 minutes. Expect Mirotic to resume his reserve role once Gasol returns to action, but with two games over the next two days on the Bulls' seven-game circus road trip, absorbing Gibson's 25.8 reserve minutes per game would be my expectation. The only hang-up in the plan is coach Tom Thibodeau's reticence to rely on rookies, especially those not providing adequate defense.

Kris Humphries, WAS: (watch list and deeper leagues); FAAB: $5
Nene Hilario played all but six minutes last night due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Drew Gooden started the only other game Nene missed this season, but Humphries provided 12 points and nine rebounds in 20 minutes last night, splitting time with Gooden, Kevin Seraphin, and Rasual Butler. Because Paul Pierce thrived in the power forward spot last season, there are no guarantees Humphries starts or receives starters minutes if Nene misses action. That said, Humphries is one of the best rebounders in the league, averaging 7.3 rebounds in 21.9 minutes per game over the last six contests. Coach Randy Wittman is not one to be trifled with, so if Nene does miss time and Humphries sits under 25 minutes per game, standard league owners not clamoring for rebounds and quality percentages can look elsewhere. The Wizards play three games this week, two scheduled before Thanksgiving.

Others to consider: Anthony Bennett likely returns to the bench when Thaddeus Young rejoins the team this week, but he's shown glimpses over the past week to label him stash worthy under the right circumstance.

Centers

Ian Mahinmi, IND: (short-term add); FAAB: $4
Roy Hibbert exited last night's game with a sprained ankle, returned briefly, then left for good. The Pacers play four games this week and Mahinmi would likely start with Lavoy Allen seeing an increased role. Mahinmi was limited by foul trouble, but still posted 12 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and one block in 26 minutes last night. I postulated a short-term add in the event Hibbert misses action and you're looking to stream blocks for the week. The Pacers engage in four games, two of which are quality games. If the news on Hibbert sounds encouraging, Mahinmi's relevance probably won't extend beyond the first two games, nixing my short-term add advice.

Brandan Wright, DAL: (12-team and deeper); FAAB: $7
Wright is leading the league in field goal percentage (78.5 percent) while averaging 1.5 blocks in 19 minutes per game. The efficiency alone requires he be owned in rotisserie leagues while the blocks rank him 23rd, tied with the likes of DeMarcus Cousins and Andre Drummond on a per game basis. His season-high in minutes, 26, is discouraging, but the Mavericks play the Knicks, Pacers, 76ers, and Raptors this week. With what seems to be three potential blowouts, Wright's minutes could be curbed during an otherwise friendly schedule. With two quality games on the slate, managers in daily leagues can squeeze some use out of the league leader in Offensive Rating (161.1), per Basketball Reference. For comparison, the next closest player, Courtney Lee, has an Offensive Rating of 138.6.

Kyle O'Quinn, ORL: (watch list); FAAB: $0
O'Quinn wants to return as early as Wednesday, missing at least the Magic's first game this week. An ankle injury in the season opener has sidelined him for a suspiciously long time. Tobias Harris missed the Magic's game last night with a calf ailment, severity unknown. O'Quinn is the only true rim deterrent the Magic employ, so even in limited minutes, he'll provide starter-level block numbers. For the non-believers, O'Quinn blocked 75 shots over the final 46 games (1.6 per) last season, and furnished 1.9 blocks in 23.7 minutes per game once he was inserted into the starting lineup (19 games). He's not a traditional low-post big, instead relying on a well-crafted mid-range game combined with the passing acuity of a guard to boost his fantasy value. He still needs to wrestle minutes away from Nikola Vucevic and Channing Frye before achieving relevance in standard leagues.

Others to consider: Tarik Black has been starting during Dwight Howard's hiatus, yet not producing even a tenth of the output. Anderson Varejao is owned in 40.3 percent of ESPN leagues and can be a quality play when healthy but easily discarded when a must-own player hits the waiver wire.