As we edge closer to Week 7, it’s time to take a look at what’s floating around on the waiver wire. This week we’ve got a couple of guys who, while they’re heavily owned (relative to this column’s norm), are still available in far too many leagues, and a few other less popular names who should be added before your competition wakes up. So, with that being said, let’s cut the chit-chat and get to work!
Import your team for free to get waiver wire advice 
Sean Kilpatrick (SG/PG – BKN) 51.7%
The goal of this article is to target the top players available in a majority of leagues, but sometimes there are names that, regardless of their respective ownership rates, cannot go unmentioned. Sean Kilpatrick is one of those names. He began his career with a relatively uninspired rookie campaign that saw him dress for just five games and then followed that up with a slow start last season, still struggling to see the court.
Since joining the Nets last February, however, things have completely turned around for Kilpatrick as he’s averaged 27.1 minutes while playing in all of Brooklyn’s 18 contests this year. Over that stretch, the Brooklyn shooting guard has averaged an unexpectedly useful 16 points (42.4% FG, 33.7% 3PT, 79.5% FT), 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 three-pointers per game. More recently, over his last five games, Kilpatrick has played even better, averaging 22.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.4 threes in 33.2 minutes. The move back to shooting guard has helped, and if he can keep up this current pace, Kilpatrick may lock down 25 to 30 or more minutes moving forward, regardless of whether he’s starting or coming off the bench. His high turnover rate (2.8 per game on the season and 11 over his last two games) and low shooting percentages pose a reasonable cause for concern in category leagues, but both issues should improve to some degree as he gains more experience. Kilpatrick is not yet a sure thing in the fantasy world, but he’s hot right now and has shown enough upside playing on a struggling team to warrant ownership in at least 70 percent of leagues.
Will Barton (SG/SF – DEN) 26.3%
Barton (ankle) didn’t miss a beat as he returned to action for Denver’s matchup against Houston. The Nuggets may have lost the game, but Barton and his owners definitely came out with a win. Scoring 17 points to go along with seven rebounds, five assists, one steal and one 3-pointer in 33 minutes, Barton immediately laid any doubts about his health to rest. Despite a fair share of past injury issues, including only seeing action in seven games this season, Barton displayed a high enough ceiling last year to warrant current ownership in all 10-team or deeper leagues. He’s going to get all the playing time he can handle over the next couple of weeks while fellow shooting guard Gary Harris (foot) recovers, and even when Harris does return, Barton should still have little trouble maintaining a starter’s workload. As of writing this, Denver has yet to begin their Saturday matchup against Utah and seeing as how it’s the second game of a back-to-back set for the Nuggets, Barton could be in for a more limited performance. If that is the case, owners shouldn’t overreact and should still feel confident in their new fantasy addition.
Maurice Harkless (SF/PF – POR) 48.9%
He’s back again and still trending in the right direction. Two weeks ago I suggested Harkless be added to your roster, and since then, he’s scored double-digit points in eight straight games. While that endorsement was qualified by suggesting he could lose precious time (and his starting position) to Al-Farouq Aminu (calf) when he returns from injury, it now looks like Harkless may have done enough to secure starters minutes even if he does revert to the bench. Over his last five games, the Portland forward is averaging 17.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.8 threes over 32.8 minutes. Not only is he scoring points at a career pace, but he’s doing so while shooting an efficient 51 percent from the field (39% 3PT, 76% FT). There’s a lot to love about Harkless 2.0, and owners who pick him up now will enjoy immediate production across the stat sheet along with the upside of a potential long-term fantasy starter.
Larry Nance (PF – LAL) 14.4%
Drafted in the first round by the Lakers in 2015, Larry Nance Jr. quickly made the starting lineup but was limited throughout his rookie campaign by lingering knee soreness. During that season, the Wyoming product averaged 5.5 points, five rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.4 blocks, 0.9 steals and 0.7 turnovers in 20.1 minutes per game. He struggled to find any consistency, but after a head coaching change and an off-season that allowed him to fully heal, Nance came into this season with a clean slate.
This time around, Nance’s place is with the team’s second unit, one that currently tops the league in scoring among benches. He’s proving to be an integral part of that group, and, based on coach Luke Walton’s high praise of his backups, shouldn’t have to worry about losing any playing time anytime soon. Nance is averaging 7.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.4 blocks and 0.6 turnovers in 22.1 minutes this season. And, while he’s not taking a ton of shots (5.7 field goals attempted per game) he’s also shooting a superb 59.6 percent from the field (75 percent from the line) so far. That kind of production makes him more of a deep-league play at the moment, but standard sized leagues should take notice. With the opportunity to improve his game on a young and rebuilding team, Nance’s stock is on the rise.
It’s worth noting that he is, as of Saturday morning, questionable with a right knee contusion and could end up missing the Laker’s Saturday night matchup at Memphis. So far, no information has come out regarding the severity of this injury, and while he could miss more than one game, the injury is unlikely to sideline him for an extended period of time.
OTHER PLAYERS TO CONSIDER:
DeMarre Carroll (SF – TOR) 47%
Caroll’s playing some of the best basketball we’ve seen out of him since joining the Raptors and looks poised to keep it up. He will continue sitting out one of the games in back-to-back sets for now, but that could end come the new year. Averaging 14.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.5 threes and just 0.3 turnovers in his last six games, Carroll is worth a look in all formats with a boost to his value in category leagues.
JaMychal Green (PF – MEM) 21.3%
With injuries to Chandler Parsons (calf), Mike Conley (back), James Ennis (calf), Vince Carter (hip), Brandan Wright (ankle) and Zach Randolph (personal), it’s safe to say there are plenty of minutes available to go around. As a result, Green has seen a significant boost to his production and is currently averaging 11 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 31 minutes. He’s worth a pickup and start in deeper leagues until some of those injured Grizzlies start to return.
Patty Mills (PG – SA) 18.9%
When Tony Parker is out Patty Mills is worth starting in most, if not all, leagues. Even when Parker does start, Mills has been able to put up relevant numbers – though his consistency obviously takes a hit. It’s for this reason that Mills isn’t a sure thing in shallower leagues (though his upside still warrants consideration), but owners in 12-team or deeper leagues should feel confident in picking him up and starting him on more nights than not.
George Haw is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from George, check out his archive and follow him @georgeWarfieldH.
