Injuries should continue to increase Seth Curry’s value and ownership
We’re back again for our second installment of Fantasy Basketball deep sleepers. This is the article where we dive deep down into the waiver wire and find players owned in less than 20% of leagues that can help you win your week or league.
Two of the players mentioned last week, Wilson Chandler and Maurice Harkless, are now owned in more than 20% of leagues (so I guess people read my article). In the last week, Chandler has averaged 23.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks in 32.7 minutes. Harkless has averaged 12.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 assists in 31.8 minutes. If you picked up either one of those players (especially Chandler) you probably had an excellent week. If either of them is still on your waiver wire, pick them up right now. Remember, while everyone else is telling you to pick-up Chandler and Harkless this week, we called it right here last week. For now, here are the players you should add for Week 5.
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Vince Carter (SF/SG – MEM) 10.1% Ownership
Week 5 Schedule, four games – Monday @ Charlotte, Wednesday @ Philadelphia, Friday VS Miami, Saturday @ Miami
How is Vinsanity still relevant you ask? I mean really, it wasn’t that long ago that Carter left us in amazement with his spectacular under the legs dunk at the 2000 All-Star Game, was it? Oh wait, that was 17 years ago (wow, I’m getting old). So yes, Carter has been around for a while. While he clearly isn’t the high flyer that he was in the early 2000s, he’s still a very productive player who’s been very consistent this year. In his last seven games, Carter is averaging 13.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.6 three-pointers in 28.4 minutes a game. Carter is a very safe option, especially in a points league.
Seth Curry (SG/PG – DAL) 12.9% Ownership
Week 5 Schedule, four games – Monday @ San Antonio, Wednesday VS LA Clippers, Friday @ Cleveland, Sunday VS New Orleans
The only repeat player from last week’s list is Curry who still isn’t owned in enough leagues. Injuries are currently ravaging the Mavericks. Last week we discussed the injuries to Dirk Nowitzki (Achilles) and Deron Williams (calf). As if things couldn’t get worse, now J.J. Barea will miss the next six weeks with a calf injury. Last week I stated that Curry could be a major sleeper for the rest of the season. Well, his value just increased even more. Curry has scored double-digit points in four of his last six games and should be seeing a significant minutes increase. And with the Mavericks inevitable destination heading towards the 2017 NBA lottery, I don’t think Mark Cuban or Rick Carlisle will be rushing any of their star players back. Pick up Curry right now.
Bismack Biyombo (C – ORL) 16.1% Ownership
Week 5 Schedule, four games – Monday @ Milwaukee, Wednesday VS Phoenix, Friday VS Washington, Sunday VS Milwaukee
Coming off the bench for the Magic, Biyombo has actually been averaging more minutes than starter Nikola Vucevic over the past week. While Biyombo could be a decent streaming option in a deep points league, his maximum value is in category leagues. If you are looking for more rebounds and blocks, there are very few player currently on the wire that can solidify those statistics better than Biyombo. Averaging 8.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in the past week, Biyombo is a must-own player in all category leagues. He also provides value in leagues that reward points for double-doubles.
Thabo Sefolosha (SG/SF – ATL) 8.1% Ownership
Week 5 Schedule, four games – Tuesday VS New Orleans, Wednesday @ Indiana, Friday @ Utah, Sunday @LA Lakers
After missing the last two games with a strained knee, Sefolosha should be ready to go for the start of Week 5. Sefolosha is similar to Biyombo in that he’s a decent streaming option in deeper points leagues, but his primary value is in category leagues. While Sefolosha is a well-rounded player, he is elite in one category — steals. In fact, you could make an argument that with the exception of Chris Paul, Rudy Gay, and Kawhi Leonard, Sefolosha may be the best player at steals in the NBA. If you are looking for steals, you will most likely not find a player on the wire as good as Sefolosha. Averaging 8.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 2.0 assists in 24 minutes a game for the season, Sefolosha should be owned in more leagues.
Well, that’s it for this week. Tune in next week as we continue to scour the depths of the waiver wire to find players owned in less than 20% of leagues who can help you win your week, and could be long-term sleepers that help you win your leagues. If you have any question, feel free to hit me up on Twitter.
Steve Maro is a correspondent with FantasyPros. For more from Steve, check out his archive or follow him @maro_steve.
