Waiver Wired: Wired: Top NBA Pickups Week 19
Before we get started, I’d be amiss not to mention a word or two about Stephen Curry. WOW! That’s all I’ve got. One word.
Games Played Week 19
4 Games: BOS, BRK, DEN, HOU, IND, LAL, MEM, MIA, MIL, OKC, PHI, PHX, POR, SAC, TOR, UTA
3 Games: ATL, CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, DET, GSW, LAC, MIN, NOP, NYK, ORL, SAS, WAS
Guys like Evan Fournier, Luol Deng, Eric Gordon, D’Angelo Russell and Jared Sullinger would have made this list and are all basically must-own players, but they’re all owned in 70 percent of leagues, or more, and my cut off is the low 60s. Here we go, and you can follow me on Twitter by clicking here!
Guards
Note: Langston Galloway (Knicks) is owned in a decent number of leagues (29%) and I like him. However, Jose Calderon is playing very well and Kurt Rambis doesn’t appear to like Gallo as much as Derek Fisher did. He’s trending down and is not a hot pickup right now, but if Calderon ever shuts it down, Galloway could quickly become relevant again. Galloway is averaging 6.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists over his last five games. As for Calderon, I simply don’t trust him. But he’s averaging 16 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 3-pointers over his last two. I just don’t see it lasting and if you own Galloway, you might just want to bench him and see how next week goes.
Zach LaVine Timberwolves 60 percent owned in Yahoo! leagues – The fact Sam Mitchell is making LaVine alternate starts with Tayshaun Prince is laughable, but don’t let it get you down. LaVine’s a better start on days when he’s starting, but either way, he’s playing 32 minutes a night and averaging 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.2 3-pointers on 54 percent shooting over his last five games.
Donald Sloan Nets 14% – Sloan has been up and down since taking over the starting reins in Brooklyn, but he’s really up right now. He’s averaging 12.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 3-pointers over his last five games. He’s getting 29 minutes a night and is helped by the departure of Joe Johnson, who’s headed to the Heat.
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Gary Harris Nuggets 21% – Harris has scored 14 or 17 points in four of his last five games and should get a boost with Danilo Gallinari out indefinitely with another sprained ankle. Harris is averaging 13.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.4 3-pointers on 44 percent shooting over his last five games, playing a whopping 36 minutes a night.
E’Twaun Moore Bulls 12% – Moore tends to really stink I nights I use him in DFS, but he’s pretty good otherwise. We still don’t know when Jimmy Butler’s coming back and Derrick Rose is banged up, further helping Moore. He’s averaging 15.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.4 3-pointers on 50 percent shooting over his last five and I’m surprised he’s not owned in more leagues.
Shelvin Mack Jazz 19% – Mack played very well on Sunday and Tuesday, then faded on Thursday and Saturday due to some poor shooting. He’s starting and averaging 11.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 3-pointers on 46 percent shooting over his last four games.
Norris Cole Pelicans 23% – Cole’s too inconsistent to be considered a must-own player, but his 21 points, six boards, eight assists and two threes on Thursday is a good reminder of what he’s capable of. He’s averaging 10.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 0.8 3-pointers over his last five, but his lack of steals and 3-pointers is disappointing.
Cory Joseph Raptors 7% – Joseph is quietly backing up both guard spots in Toronto and is playing well, averaging 12.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.0 3-pointers on 55 percent shooting over his last five games. He’s getting 25 minutes a night and looks like a sneaky add in deep leagues, if he can keep it going. He had scored in double digits in four straight before cooling off on Friday with six points on 3-of-9 shooting.
Ronnie Price Suns 3% – Price is somehow starting for the Suns and has scored in double digits in four straight games, ruining Archie Goodwin along the way. He’s averaging 26 minutes, 12.8 points, 1.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.8 blocks and 2.0 3-pointers over his last five games. I’m not happy they’re starting him over Goodwin, but the fact they view Goodwin as a shooting guard has a lot to do with it.
Markel Brown Nets 4% – Brown has hit double figures in scoring in two of his last four games, but disappeared on Saturday, when he hit just 1-of-5 shots in 18 minutes. He’s averaging 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 steals and .8 3-pointers over his last four games. The departure of Joe Johnson helps Brown and I expect him to bounce back from Saturday’s dud.
P.J. Hairston Grizzlies 2% – With Tony Allen hurting and Matt Barnes playing forward, the Grizzlies have been using Hairston at shooting guard and he had 17 points and four 3-pointers on Wednesday and 21 points with five 3-pointers on Friday. He didn’t do much on Saturday in a great matchup against the Suns, which was disappointing. He’s averaging 14 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 3.3 3-pointers in 26 minutes over his last three games, but should take a hit once Allen is back from his knee injury (which should be very soon).
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