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. As always, both opportunity and performance are taken into consideration for these players. Learn to think like a NERD!
Guards
Bruce Brown, SG, Brooklyn Nets
After being considered a steal when traded from the Detroit Pistons to the Brooklyn Nets, Bruce Brown has been a critical role player for the Nets as they continue to work through injuries to their star players. In his last 10 games, Brown has averaged 10 points, five rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. He’s been excellent with his shot selection, hitting around 50 percent from the field. And while not taking many three-pointers, Brown has averaged 53 percent from three. His role will continue to be important if the Nets want to stay alive in the playoff hunt while Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons continue to work towards their return.
Tre Mann, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
Mentioned on last week’s waiver wire after having a 30 point game against the New York Knicks, Tre Mann has taken a solid jump as he’s been included in the starting lineup. In his last 10 games, Mann has averaged 13 points, three rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. He could use some major improvement on his shooting percentages, as he only averaged 36 percent from the field and 31 percent from beyond the arc. But at only 21 years old, he has plenty of room for improvement. It’s important that Mark Daigneault is including him in the rotation.
Raul Neto, PG, Washington Wizards
Now in his second season with the Washington Wizards, Raul Neto has seen an increased role with Bradley Beal going down for the rest of the season. In his last 10 games where he has started in seven of them, Neto has averaged 11 points, five assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He’s also shot a solid 48 percent from the field in those same games. While the Wizards are still a bubble team in the Eastern Conference, Neto should see a consistent role for the rest of the season.
Forwards
Bogdon Bogdanovic, SG/SF, Atlanta Hawks
After having one of his best seasons last year, Bogdon Bogdanovic has struggled a bit to put on that same kind of production as he’s been in and out of the lineup with injuries. He has improved a little bit of late, averaging 17 points, four rebounds, four assists, and 1.8 steals over his last 10 games. He’s also shot a lethal 43 percent from beyond the arc in those same games. Now looking to be fully healthy, Bogdanovic could be lined up for a productive end-of-the-season run.
Terance Mann, SF, Los Angeles Clippers
After a stellar playoff run with the Clippers last season, Terance Mann has failed to establish consistent production due to a lot of changes in the team’s lineup. In his last 10 games, Mann has averaged 13 points, six rebounds, three assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He’s also shot a stellar 53 percent from the field. It’s hard to determine what his role is going forward as he has been featured in and out of the starting lineup with fluctuating minutes but he has proven to be productive with whatever role he’s given.
Oshae Brissett, PF, Indiana Pacers
After Domantas Sabonis was traded to the Sacramento Kings, a lot of rotation changes were made to the frontcourt of the Pacers. With that, Oshae Brissett has benefited a ton from the changes. In his last six games since the trade, Brissett has averaged 16 points, eight rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. He’s also shot around 14 field goals a game, hitting about 43 percent of them. He’s been involved a ton in the offense since the trade deadline and that should only continue for the rest of the fantasy season.
Jalen Smith, PF, Indiana Pacers
Jalen Smith is another player who has benefited well after he was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Indiana Pacers. He’s finally been given the opportunity to show his game after being drafted to a very crowded frontcourt. In his six games with the Pacers, Smith has averaged 12 points and seven rebounds. He’s shot a very impressive 45 percent from beyond the arc, something he never got to showcase with the Suns. He still has a ton of upside as a top-10 draft pick from only a year ago and should have plenty of opportunities to improve with the Pacers going forward.
Centers
Andre Drummond, C, Brooklyn Nets
After being part of the James Harden deal that shipped him to Philadelphia, Andre Drummond has been given an opportunity to join a new team’s starting lineup after primarily being the backup with the 76ers. In his first five games with the Brooklyn Nets, Drummond has averaged 11 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He’s also done well shooting 56 percent from the field, his best since his second season in the NBA. He’s a solid pickup if still available as he fills a critical role for the Nets who are looking to stay in the playoff hunt.
Ethan Hartley 