This article is part of our NBA Waiver Wire series.
GUARDS
Joe Harris, G, BKN – The 25-year-old shooting guard averaged 8.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.3 blocks over the last four games, while also averaging 2.3 made three-pointers per contest over that span. He's averaged 23.9 minutes per game this season, a major uptick from his first two campaigns, which were spent buried in the Cavs' rotation. With solid success rates of 43.9 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three-point range over his first 29 games in a Nets uniform, Harris brings some appealing multicategory potential for a bench player.
Austin Rivers, G, LAC – Rivers' secure role in the Clippers' backcourt rotation and offensive upside make him a worthy add. Most recently, he's rattled off five double-digit scoring efforts in his last eight games, making multiple three-pointers in all of those contests. He's also seen more than 20 minutes in 12 of the last 13 games, and is averaging 13.7 points, 2.6 assists, 1.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals over the last seven, along with 2.9 made three-pointers. With Chris Paul currently hobbled by a hamstring injury, Rivers could see even more opportunity than usual in the immediate future.
Tyler Johnson, G, MIA – Johnson has taken advantage of the slew of injuries to the Heat's backcourt, averaging 14.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals over the last 15 contests, with tallies of 27 and 32 points within that stretch. Johnson provides a bit of everything fantasy-wise and
GUARDS
Joe Harris, G, BKN – The 25-year-old shooting guard averaged 8.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.3 blocks over the last four games, while also averaging 2.3 made three-pointers per contest over that span. He's averaged 23.9 minutes per game this season, a major uptick from his first two campaigns, which were spent buried in the Cavs' rotation. With solid success rates of 43.9 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three-point range over his first 29 games in a Nets uniform, Harris brings some appealing multicategory potential for a bench player.
Austin Rivers, G, LAC – Rivers' secure role in the Clippers' backcourt rotation and offensive upside make him a worthy add. Most recently, he's rattled off five double-digit scoring efforts in his last eight games, making multiple three-pointers in all of those contests. He's also seen more than 20 minutes in 12 of the last 13 games, and is averaging 13.7 points, 2.6 assists, 1.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals over the last seven, along with 2.9 made three-pointers. With Chris Paul currently hobbled by a hamstring injury, Rivers could see even more opportunity than usual in the immediate future.
Tyler Johnson, G, MIA – Johnson has taken advantage of the slew of injuries to the Heat's backcourt, averaging 14.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals over the last 15 contests, with tallies of 27 and 32 points within that stretch. Johnson provides a bit of everything fantasy-wise and can play either guard spot, helping to lock in his minutes, which have been at 30 or more in 12 straight.
Cory Joseph, G, TOR – Understandably overshadowed by the dynamic duo in front of him on the Raptors' depth chart at guard, Joseph nevertheless has carved out a niche on the second unit. He's posted double-digit scoring efforts in three of his last four, and averaged 10.2 points, 5.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 0.8 steals over his last five contests overall. His minutes have also been at 20 or more in six consecutive, giving him some playing time security.
Malcolm Brogdon, G, MIL – The rookie has come on in December, making highlight reels with dunks over Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, while seeing playing time well north of 20 minutes per night. He's tallied consecutive double-digit scoring efforts and five overall in his last nine games. He seems to be coming into his own as an effective ball distributor as well, with an average of 6.3 assists over the last three. Perhaps most impressive is his recent shooting improvement, which is up to 44.0 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc. Although Bucks head coach Jason Kidd's rotations seem to always give cause for concern, Brogdon's talent is helping him solidify a dependable allotment of playing time.
FORWARDS
Marreese Speights, F, LAC – Already highly proficient at maximizing his typically modest amounts of playing time, Speights should see an uptick in minutes during Blake Griffin's absence due to a knee injury. He's put together four straight double-digit scoring efforts despite his somewhat limited minutes and is capable of providing strong returns in the rebounding and three-point categories as well. With even a few extra minutes per game over the next several weeks while Griffin remains sidelined, Speights stands to reward those who nab him on the wire.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, F, BKN – Hollis-Jefferson has settled nicely into his role on the Nets' second unit, averaging 10.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks over the last eight games. His shooting over that span has been particularly notable, as he's managed a 50.8 percent success rate from the field on his way to three double-digit scoring efforts. A strong force on the boards, Hollis-Jefferson can offer fantasy owners some serviceable help across the stat sheet in his current allotment of approximately 20 minutes per game.
Nikola Mirotic, F, CHI – Mirotic fell out of the rotation for a couple of games earlier in the month, and the demotion seems to have served as a wake-up call. He's rattled off three straight double-digit scoring efforts, with the most recent a double-double against the Hornets. Mirotic's proficiency from long range always gives him an added fantasy dimension, and he's proven apt at hauling in an abundant amount of rebounds when given sufficient playing time as well. Although he's currently averaging only 20 minutes per contest, Mirotic's arrow appears to be trending upward.
James Ennis III, F, MEM – Ennis recently came back from a 14-game absence due to a calf injury and is now back on the second unit with Chandler Parsons returning to the fold. However, the 26-year-old is still an important part of the Grizzlies' rotation. He's received between 16 and 21 minutes in the four games since his return, tallying double-digit scoring (13 points) for the first time since the injury in his last game against the Rockets. Ennis provided a number of productive outings across the stat sheet earlier in the season, and although Parsons' return will naturally eat into his opportunity, the former still shapes up as a worthy add for those looking for help across multiple categories.
CENTERS
Montrezl Harrell, C, HOU – Harrell is another player already benefiting from an injury in front of him, as he's been parlaying some extended run due to Clint Capela's leg injury into appealing production. The big man has back-to-back double-digit scoring outings, shooting 15 of 22 over that span. He's averaged 11.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.3 blocks over his last four, and with only two of those games being starts. His returns should only ramp up over the next several weeks as he continues to serve as the starter at the five over veteran Nene Hilario.
Frank Kaminsky III, C, CHA – Kaminsky can slot in at either forward or center, which is always a plus to secure more playing time. Accordingly, Kaminsky has seen under 20 minutes in only four games this season and has tallied double digits in the scoring column in three of his last five games. A big man with a soft shooting touch, he even brings some promise in area of three-pointers in addition to virtually every other category.
Willy Hernangomez, C, NYK – Hernangomez is a player to watch, as he seems to be forcing his way into the Knicks' frontcourt rotation with his recent play. The big man has double-digit boards in three of the last five games and consecutive double-digit scoring efforts as well, while also playing more than 20 minutes in four of the last five. The rookie is shooting 57.8 percent overall this season, and with the injury-prone and aging Joakim Noah in front of him, Hernangomez is always on the cusp of an uptick in playing time.
INJURY REPORT
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