This article is part of our Category Strategy series.
Happy New Year. No bizarrely under-owned names jump out this week, so let's launch right into the recommendations.
The Jazz play five games this week, increasing the value of several waiver-relevant players. Only 11 teams play three games this week, compared to 18 who play four. As result, players on the 76ers, Bulls, Celtics, Hawks, Mavericks, Pacers, Pelicans, Pistons, Spurs, Timberwolves, and Trail Blazers take a slight hit. It is an unusually balanced schedule this week, with either seven or eight games every night. Therefore, managers in daily lineups-no games max leagues should be able to use all players with a game every night.
Points
Josh Richardson, Heat
(Ownership: ESPN – 24%; Yahoo – 57%; CBS – 75%)
Richardson struggled with his shot after returning from a wrist injury in his shooting hand. In an eight-game stretch after his return he shot a miserable 33.8 percent from the field, tanking his season-long averages. Since then, he's found his stride, hitting 50.0 percent over his last four, and scoring 18.8 points per game. When healthy and on his game, Richardson is an unusually efficient shooter for a guard. Goran Dragic, the current leader of the Miami backcourt, is featured heavily in trade rumors – a possible eventuality that would cement Richardson's already-large role in the rotation.
At this point in his career, Tony Parker has almost no upside. But he's still scoring efficiently and dishing assists, and warrants a look for any team needing those talents. He's already a
Happy New Year. No bizarrely under-owned names jump out this week, so let's launch right into the recommendations.
The Jazz play five games this week, increasing the value of several waiver-relevant players. Only 11 teams play three games this week, compared to 18 who play four. As result, players on the 76ers, Bulls, Celtics, Hawks, Mavericks, Pacers, Pelicans, Pistons, Spurs, Timberwolves, and Trail Blazers take a slight hit. It is an unusually balanced schedule this week, with either seven or eight games every night. Therefore, managers in daily lineups-no games max leagues should be able to use all players with a game every night.
Points
Josh Richardson, Heat
(Ownership: ESPN – 24%; Yahoo – 57%; CBS – 75%)
Richardson struggled with his shot after returning from a wrist injury in his shooting hand. In an eight-game stretch after his return he shot a miserable 33.8 percent from the field, tanking his season-long averages. Since then, he's found his stride, hitting 50.0 percent over his last four, and scoring 18.8 points per game. When healthy and on his game, Richardson is an unusually efficient shooter for a guard. Goran Dragic, the current leader of the Miami backcourt, is featured heavily in trade rumors – a possible eventuality that would cement Richardson's already-large role in the rotation.
At this point in his career, Tony Parker has almost no upside. But he's still scoring efficiently and dishing assists, and warrants a look for any team needing those talents. He's already a top-200 player (barely), though he's likely to remain scarcely owned all season.
Other suggestions: Tony Parker, Spurs; Montrezl Harrell, Rockets
Deep leagues only: Shabazz Muhammad, Timberwolves
Three-Pointers
Buddy Hield, Pelicans
(Ownership: ESPN – 21%; Yahoo – 36%; CBS – 49%)
Hield is slowly turning into the player many hoped he'd be on day one. He's averaging 2.8 threes per game over his last four and has hit double-digit points in eight of his last 10. His primary skill is his long-range jumper, and the Pelicans drafted him with the hope that he could play significant minutes and produce right away. It took some time to develop, but it looks like it's finally coming together. After Richardson, Hield is the player in this article with the best chance to stay on your roster for the rest of the season.
Troy Daniels continues to light it up from behind the arc, making 15 threes in his last four games. He's strictly a threes specialist, but a very good one.
Other suggestions: Marreese Speights, Clippers; Troy Daniels, Grizzlies
Rebounds
Dwight Powell, Mavericks
(Ownership: ESPN – 9%; Yahoo – 20%; CBS – 23%)
Powell has become a fairly stable piece in the Mavericks' rotation. When Andrew Bogut misses games, Powell plays at least 20 minutes (with only one exception). But even in games with Bogut, Powell is still averaging close to 20 minutes. He has picked up his rebounding pace lately, averaging 6.5 per game over his last eight.
Kosta Koufos warrants some mention for his 18 rebounds in the past two games. He is a strong rebounder but is only a good option in deep leagues. The Kings have too many big men, many of which are as good as or better than Koufos, to have confidence in his workload. He's unlikely to ever get booted from the rotation entirely, but every night there is the risk that he plays fewer than 15 minutes.
Other suggestions: Joakim Noah, Knicks; Dario Saric, 76ers; Thomas Robinson, Lakers
Deep leagues only: Kosta Koufos, Kings; Cristiano Felicio, Bulls
Assists
T.J. McConnell, 76ers
(Ownership: ESPN – 4%; Yahoo – 7%; CBS – 19%)
Sergio Rodriguez (ankle) will miss his second game in a row Tuesday, which opens up significant minutes for McConnell. He played 36 minutes when Rodriguez sat out Friday. McConnell is averaging 8.5 assists per 36 minutes this season. It's still unclear how long Rodriguez will be out -- he's sitting out Wednesday -- but McConnell is worth adding for that one game alone.
Malcolm Brogdon was mentioned here last week, and after his New Year's Eve triple-double, it warrants repeating. He's still an inconsistent rookie, and he'll still have good nights and bad ones. He's capable of contributing a few points, rebounds, or steals, though his most reliable production is in assists. But he's making the most of Matthew Dellavedova's absence, and could be earning an extended role even after Dellavedova's return.
Other suggestions: Malcolm Brogdon, Bucks; Tony Parker, Spurs; Brandon Jennings, Knicks
Steals
Tony Allen, Grizzlies
(Ownership: ESPN – 19%; Yahoo – 29%; CBS – 43%)
Allen remains the first name steals-needy owners should look to for help. He had at least one steal in every game in December, and averages 1.7 on the season. His scoring and rebounding are both up this season, and I suspect that part of his low ownership is caused by his reputation as a steals-only contributor. He's still only worth adding for teams lacking thefts, but he's doing more to supplement his profile than in past seasons.
Other suggestions: Terrence Ross, Raptors; Seth Curry, Mavericks
Blocks
Andrew Bogut, Mavericks
(Ownership: ESPN – 19%; Yahoo – 37%; CBS – 44%)
Bogut is a strong option in deep leagues, but he is only worth adding on an as-needed basis in standard leagues. After missing 12 of the Mavericks' past 14 games, he is expected to be back in action Tuesday. Bogut is a strong rebounder and shot blocker, and a capable passer, but he is limited by his health. He has been injury prone for years, and so typically is limited to fewer than 25 minutes when he plays. It's enough to rack up some meaningful blocks, but he can really damage a team in scoring. The best thing about Bogut is that he is pretty reliable – his production is fairly stable and predictable, so you can make a calculated and educated decision on whether adding and using him will help your team.
Other suggestions: Lucas Nogueira, Raptors
