Hello again and welcome back – unless this is your first time here, in which case, we’re glad you finally found us! The idea here is to present to you who we think are the best fantasy players currently available on the waiver wire in more than 50 percent of leagues. The NBA’s February 8 trade deadline is quickly approaching, and while we haven’t seen any relevant trades yet, the rumor mill is in full swing. There are plenty of potential deals that could have sizeable fantasy implications, meaning fantasy owners need to remain vigilant when it comes to their research as the next big waiver wire talent could arise any day. On top of that, we have some fantasy-relevant names nearing their respective returns from injury and the typical young talent getting more opportunities on struggling rosters. In other words, most owners should be able to find something out there to meet their needs. So, with that being said, let’s not waste any more time and get to it.
Ownership percentages are for ESPN leagues as of January 18.
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Dewayne Dedmon (C – ATL) 22.7%
In the five games since returning from a stress reaction in his tibia, Dewayne Dedmon has averaged 8.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in just 21.4 minutes. While the playing time isn’t much to talk about in the fantasy world, it’s the most Dedmon’s seen since entering the NBA. And, while they are modest minutes, the Atlanta big man is making the most of them and should see more as he continues to work his way to full health. Dedmon is also one of the latest names floating around the rumor mill as, according to GiveMeSport’s Mark Deeks, the Hawks are looking to trade him before he has the chance to opt out of his contract at the end of the year. If he is traded, there’s no guarantee that it will improve his fantasy value, but it is worth monitoring. As of now, Dedmon is producing low-end production for owners in 10-12 team leagues, but given the upside of him gaining more court time as he heals and possibly even more with a trade, owners with available roster space may want to consider stashing him now. In deeper leagues, Dedmon is close to a must-add, especially now that he’s starting to add the three-point shot to his repertoire.
Yogi Ferrell (SG/PG – DAL) 11.0%
Over his last four games, Yogi Ferrell is averaging an impressive 15.3 points, six rebounds, four assists, 0.8 steals, and 2.8 made threes in 36.8 minutes. One of those games was without fellow guard J.J. Barea (groin), but whether or not he was a part of the rotation didn’t affect Ferrell’s usage during that span. The sophomore guard did come off the bench Tuesday against Denver because of the Maverick’s decision to go big, but he was still able to play 35 minutes, including the last 20 of the game for 13 points, seven assists, two rebounds, one steal, and one made three-pointer. The injury to point guard Seth Curry (stress reaction in his left leg), who has yet to play this season, has allowed Ferrell to handle a larger role in the offense. Curry’s eventual return might hurt Ferrell’s fantasy value somewhat, but that isn’t expected to happen any earlier than February (per The Dallas Morning News), and even then, Ferrell may still hold value on a team looking to develop their young talent.
Marvin Williams (SF/PF – CHA) 16.9%
I’ve never been a big fan of Marvin Williams as a fantasy player because of how inconsistent he’s been throughout most of his career, and I can’t say I’m all that excited about him now, but the veteran forward does have his moments. Currently, Williams is on a hot streak as he’s shooting 63.5 percent from the field, including a ridiculous 61.8 percent from beyond the arc (while attempting 3.9 threes per game), over his last seven games. Such high-level efficiency has lead to 13.6 points and three made three-pointers (along with 5.1 rebounds) across just 24.4 minutes per game for Williams, and while it’s certainly not sustainable, it’s worth taking advantage of while it continues. As long as he can keep it up, Williams is worth a play in most category leagues and most 12-team and deeper points leagues.
DeMarre Carroll (SF/PF – BKN) 37.6%
On pace for a career-year, DeMarre Carroll is thriving in Brooklyn as he’s averaging 12.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in 29.1 minutes per game this season. His efficiency isn’t quite what we’re used to as he’s only shooting 40 percent from the field compared to a career 43.7 percent, but Carroll is attempting more shots per game (10.5) than ever before. Because his fantasy production typically focuses on just points and rebounds, Carroll’s value is going to be higher in points leagues than it is categories making him a solid addition in the former and more of a deep league target in the latter.
Frank Ntilikina (SG/PG – NY) 2.9%
Less of an immediate play and more of a guy to keep your eye on, Frank Ntilikina is starting to show everyone why the Knicks plan to make him a large part of their future. In New York’s win versus the Nets, Ntilikina put up 10 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, and two blocks in 29 minutes – a feat never before accomplished by a Knicks rookie (dailyknicks.com). He’s obviously capable of producing at the professional level, but the resurgence of veteran point guard Jarrett Jack may be holding the rookie back. With New York still clinging to playoff hopes, however dim they might be, they’re more likely to continue rolling with the more experienced and currently red-hot Jack than they are to start force feeding Ntilikina minutes at the expense of the team’s overall production. If that scenario ever changes, or if Ntilikina is able to play his way into the starting lineup, he will become an intriguing fantasy player in 12-plus team leagues if not in standard leagues as well. For owners in need of immediate backcourt help, Jack is worth a look, though he can be inconsistent as evidenced by his past two games in which he averaged just three points, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 rebounds in 20.6 minutes.
Tyrone Wallace (SG – LAC) 7.7%
Tyrone Wallace has truly hit the floor running as he’s logged over 30 minutes in six of his seven games since first taking the court as a professional less than two weeks ago. The Clippers backcourt has been decimated by injuries, and as a result, Wallace has gained as much playing time as he can handle and is averaging 12.4 points (50% FG, 76.9% FT, 41.7% 3P), 3.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.9 blocks, 0.7 threes, and 1.3 turnovers in 31.2 minutes. Eventually, and in some cases, relatively soon, some of those injured players (notably Austin Rivers, Danilo Gallinari, and C.J. Williams) will return, but until they do, Wallace makes for a useful addition to most deep league rosters.
Other Players to Consider:
Jabari Parker and Austin Rivers are each nearing a return from injury and should put up mid-round value once healthy. The former expects to be back before the All-Star break, while the latter is still without a definitive timetable but is making progress nonetheless. Parker is worth adding now if you can afford to stash him for a few weeks while Rivers is more of a guy to just keep tabs on for the time being. Parker and Rivers are available in 34.2 percent and 19.4 percent of leagues respectively.
Greg Monroe, Alex Len, Larry Nance Jr., and Jordan Clarkson are all players who could return to fantasy relevance if the right trades happen. They’re only worth adding if you have available roster space to stash a player until the February 8 trade deadline.
Last Week’s Suggestions:
Bismack Biyombo, Michael Beasley, and JaMychal Green are all still available in the majority of leagues. Biyombo is the only must add of the three, but the other two are still putting up big numbers, though such performances are dependent on the health of their respective teammates. Beasley is a nice streaming play whenever Tim Hardaway Jr. is out, but as the starter continues to work his way back to full health, those opportunities will continue to diminish for Beasley. Green is fresh off of an 18-point 13-rebound double-double which he recorded as a result of Marc Gasol (illness) sitting out. If Gasol misses any more time, Green is worth starting in most leagues. For a more detailed analysis of each player, click here to read what we said last week.
George Haw is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from George, check out his archive and follow him @georgeWarfieldH.
