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
Monte Morris, PG, Denver Nuggets
A consistent point guard throughout his entire career, Monte Morris has been tasked with handling a lot more duties this season with Jamal Murray still recovering from a torn ACL. He’s been able to put on some stretches of games where he is hot from the field. In his last 10 games, Morris has averaged 13 points, five assists, and less than turnover a game. He’s also done well shooting above 50 percent from the field and above 45 percent from beyond the arc. his role should stay consistent with the fantasy playoffs around the corner and no signal that Murray is coming back before then.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG/SF, Washington Wizards
A member of the trade that sent Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been a productive 3 and D player for the Wizards, who are still trying to turn the corner. He’s been on a bit of a hot streak as of late. In his last 10 games, KCP has averaged 17 points, three rebounds, three assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He’s also shot a stellar 51 percent from beyond the arc. His role should also stay consistent going forward since Bradley Beal is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Malachi Flynn, PG, Toronto Raptors
With Fred VanVleet being out for the last five games, Malachi Flynn has been able to show off his improvements in his second season. In the four games that Flynn has been able to start in, he’s averaged 16 points, four rebounds, six assists, and a steal per game. He’s also shot an effective 55 percent from three as well. It is unclear when FVV will return to the starting lineup, but Flynn is worth watching on radars for the time being since Nick Nurse relies on his starters heavily.
Forwards
Cam Johnson, SF/PF, Phoenix Suns
After being selected in the lottery a few seasons ago, Cam Johnson has filled out to be a solid player off the bench for the Suns. He’s been on one of the best stretches of his entire career since the All-Star Break. In his last 10 games, Johnson has averaged 17 points, three rebounds, and three assists per game. He’s also shot a very impressive 53 percent from the field, 50 percent from three, and 93 percent from the free-throw line. Johnson has seemed to find his role coming off the bench but it wouldn’t be surprising if he was moved to the starting lineup if his defense improved.
Jalen Smith, PF, Indiana Pacers
Mentioned on last week’s waiver wire as a player who could break out with his new team, Jalen Smith has done just that with the Pacers. He recently finished a game with 15 points and 15 rebounds. he’s averaged a double-double over his last four games. He’s also shot 57 percent from the field and 37 percent from three on over four attempts per game. After looking like an early bust from his class, Smith has turned his trajectory around to looking like a quality cornerstone for the future of the Pacers.
Chuma Okeke, PF, Orlando Magic
Chuma Okeke has been on the radar for the entire season as a young prospect who could show a ton of improvement in his second season. While he has yet to show that consistently, Okeke has been on a better stretch of games as of later. Over his last 10 games, Okeke has averaged 11 points, six rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. He’s shown decent improvement in his three-point shooting, but that’s certainly an aspect he could still improve upon. He’s a great player to add for deeper formatted fantasy leagues.
Centers
Isaiah Roby, PF/C, Oklahoma City Thunder
Even with all the young talent, the Thunder have throughout the roster, Isaiah Roby is one of the more underrated within that core. He’s been on a bit of a breakout of his own in recent games. Over his last nine games, Roby has averaged 12 points, six rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. However, he’s averaged as high as 15 points and seven boards over his last six games. Roby could be a solid frontcourt contributor going forward if he were to stay consistent with his production.
DeMarcus Cousins, C, Denver Nuggets
Despite not playing a full season with one team since 2019, DeMarcus Cousins has still been able to produce well with whatever team he’s playing for. Now with the Nuggets, Cousins has done well filling a backup center role they’ve been looking for since JaVale McGee left in free agency. Over his last five games with the team, Cousins has averaged 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He’s also shot 56 percent from the field and 45 percent from three on just over two attempts. Even past his prime, Cousins can still play high-quality basketball at 31 years old.
Ethan Hartley 