The key to winning your fantasy basketball league is not how well you draft, but the players you add off waivers. This is extremely important because securing hidden talent could replace those late-round selections that aren’t having the best season. Here at NFS, we provide the best picks for players you should grab off waivers now before it is too late. As always, both opportunity and performance are taken into consideration for these players. Learn to think like a NERD! Check out the NBA Player Consistency Rankings to see how consistent, good or bad, players are, determined by stats, not hunches or anecdotal evidence!
Guards
Max Strus, SG, Miami Heat
The Miami Heat continue to prove that their development of all young players is by far the best in the NBA. Max Strus is another player who is stepping up to fill roles filled by players who are now dealing with injuries or COVID issues. He’s done a phenomenal job at doing more than the minimum. In his last 10 games, Strus has averaged 15 points and four rebounds a game. He’s also shot 47 percent from the field and 40 percent from three, both strong percentages to have to stay in the rotation. He’s a great short-term option off waivers while he continues to get a lot of reps on a depleted Heat team.
Patty Mills, PG, Brooklyn Nets
Always a reliable backup veteran guard, Patty Mills has had one of his best seasons in his career now with the Brooklyn Nets. He’s had multiple games this season where he’s hit seven or more threes in a game. But he’s been more consistent than that. In his last 10 games, Mills has averaged 18 points and two assist while shooting around 39 percent from beyond the arc. With Kyrie Irving still out due to COVID protocols, Mills has been forced to play over 35 minutes a game, giving him a lot of volume to work with. He’s a perfect option off waivers until Kyrie eventually returns to playing.
Hamidou Diallo, SG, Detroit Pistons
A crowded backcourt with a new team hasn’t given Hamidou Diallo the best opportunity to shine with the Detriot Pistons. But injuries have opened up his playing time enough to become productive for the team. In his last 10 games, Diallo has averaged 12 points, four rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. Diallo is also shooting almost 55 percent from the field in those games. He’s still around league average, 37 percent, from beyond the arc, something he’s struggled with since being at Kentucky. He’s a quality player off the waiver wire with a lot of potential to still play at a higher level.
B.J. Boston, SG, Los Angeles Clippers
With Paul George going down the next three to four weeks with a torn UCL, there are a lot of players that could step up a fill his role. One player who isn’t on most’s radars but could make a splash is Brandon Boston Jr., a rookie from Kentucky. He was selected in the second round after being a five-star recruit out of high school. He’s been balling in the G-League this year, averaging 21 points on 50 percent shooting from beyond the arc. He’s long, athletically gifted, and is more than talented to be a decent level scorer in the pros. He’s worth keeping on radars for the time being.
Forwards
Kyle Anderson, SF/PF, Memphis Grizzlies
While not being the most appealing player in terms of his playstyle, Kyle Anderson has been a solid waiver wire selection for years now. He’s continued to be an all-around producer for the Grizzlies. Over his last 10 games, Anderson has averaged nine points, six rebounds, three assists, 1.6 steals, and nearly a block per game. He’s also done a great job on improving his jumper, hitting around 40 percent of his threes. Now in his fourth year with the team, Anderson has been reliable throughout his entire tenure. He’s a good pick-up off waivers.
Cam Reddish, SF/SG, Atlanta Hawks
Despite the Atlanta Hawks going through with COVID issues, Cam Reddish has been able to earn more offensive reps to improve his overall game. Players like Trae Young and John Collins have been forced to miss games from protocols. In his last 10 games, Reddish has averaged 15 points, two rebounds, and a steal per game. He’s also done well improving his outside shot, hitting around 41 percent from three. His future role will be important once the Hawks are a fully healthy roster once again.
Chuma Okeke, PF, Orlando Magic
Since Aaron Gordon was traded to the Nuggets, Chuma Okeke has always been a player on radars who could be a new breakout player. That’s come in bursts but never in a consistent form just yet. He’s shown some flashes this season before entering the COVID protocols. He’s shown much improvement defensively, averaging 2.1 per game over his last 10. But he still has a lot to work on. His shooting percentages are far from what they should be, hitting below 35 percent from the field and 25 percent from three. He could improve as a passer, only averaging about 1.5 assists per game. He’s worth watching on radars in the meantime.
Centers
DeMarcus Cousins, C, Milwaukee Bucks
Bouncing around from team to team, DeMarcus Cousins has still proven to be an offensive machine when any team gives him a call. He’s now with the Milwaukee Bucks as they deal with injuries to their frontcourt starters. In his last 10 games, Cousins has been able to average eight points, six rebounds, and a steal per game in only about 17 minutes of game action a night. He struggles to manage efficient shooting percentages. But he’s another short-term option on the waivers while players and teams continue to go through their COVID struggles.
Ethan Hartley 