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
Hamidou Diallo, SG, Detroit Pistons
After being mentioned on the column two weeks ago, Hamidou Diallo’s stock has soared as he’s quickly become a new scoring option for the Detroit Pistons. He exploded for a 34 point game against the Spurs, but he’s been consistent over the last week. In his last 10 games, Diallo has averaged 17 points, seven rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game. He’s also averaged 53 percent from the field in those same games. He still struggles with outside shooting. But his athletic and strength ability make him a number one option off the waiver wire.
Coby White, PG, Chicago Bulls
Once a top pick in the 2019 draft, Coby White has struggled to get his career underway with lingering injuries and inefficient scoring. But after his recent stint in the COVID-19 protocols, White has played some of his best basketball. In his last eight games, White has averaged 16 points, four assists, and around a steal per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 43 percent from beyond the arc. He’s also done a great job limiting his turnovers, only averaging 1.4 over the same eight games. These are great signs from White, who could be a great sixth man for the Bulls if he continues to stay healthy.
Malik Monk, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
Inconsistent scoring and lack of strong shooting percentages prevented Malik Monk from signing a decent-sized contract over the off-season. He instead chose to bet on himself with the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s done a fine job at continuing to prove himself as a solid scorer. In the last 10 games, Monk has averaged 14 points, three rebounds, and nearly a steal per game. He’s also shot 40 percent from beyond the arc in those same games. He’s a solid player off waivers with the Lakers struggling with COVID issues.
Forwards
Kevin Love, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers
Who would have thought that we would see a career resurgence from Kevin Love, a veteran who has health with multiple injuries over the last few seasons? He’s been a front runner for the sixth man of the year award as he’s only started two games this year. In the last 10 games, Love has averaged 20 points and eight rebounds per game. He’s also shot 50 percent from beyond the arc on more than eight attempts per game. Love has been a massive contributor and leader that has led to a ton of success in Cleveland this season. He’s a perfect player to grab off waivers right now.
Jaden McDaniels, SF, Minnesota Timberwolves
Still young and raw, Jaden McDaniels has shown improvement in some departments during his second season in the NBA. COVID issues have pushed him to earn more minutes in the rotation. In the last 10 games, McDaniels has averaged 13 points, six rebounds, and around a steal per game. He’s also done well shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc, much higher than his season average. He still has a lot of development to go. But McDaniels is a solid waiver wire prospect with a lot of upside.
Terance Mann, SF, Los Angeles Clippers
After a strong playoff performance last season, Terance Mann has been much more involved in the offense for the Clippers. But with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George now out with injuries, Mann has been handed an even larger role. He’s responded well, as he’s averaged 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists. His best trait has been his shooting percentages. In the same 10 games, he’s maintained 53 percent from the field and 45 percent from three. He’s a solid option off waivers while the stars for the Clippers continue to recover from injury.
Herbert Jones, SF, New Orleans Pelicans
Herbert Jones has been one of the bigger surprises from this past draft class. As an undrafted free agent, he’s still been able to produce meaningful games for the Pelicans. COVID has given him a much bigger role as of late, as he’s been starting in the last 17 games. In his last 10 games, Jones has averaged 11 points, five rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. He could improve offensively as he’s only hit around 30 percent of his threes’ But he’s been a solid defensive player for the Pelicans and an underrated candidate off the wire.
Centers
Omer Yurtseven, C, Miami Heat
Injuries to Bam Adebayo and Dewayne Dedmon have given Omer Yurtseven an opportunity to shine with the Miami Heat. An undrafted free agent, Yurtseven has also been a huge surprise this season. In his last 10 games, five of which he started, Yurtseven has averaged 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. He could improve on his efficiency, only hitting around 45 percent of his shots. But it is still incredible to see the Miami Heat coaching staff being able to produce so much production out of any player who walks in the door. Yurtseven is a solid candidate until the other bigs for the Heat return.
Ethan Hartley 