NBA Waiver Wire: Pickups of the Week

GUARD

Trade Beneficiaries

Corey Brewer, G, LAL - Brewer's move to the Lakers could pay dividends, considering he's expected to step into Lou Williams' old shooting guard role off the bench. Brewer hadn't exactly been efficient in Houston this season, but could be in line for more consistent playing time in the Lakers' rotation at both two-guard and small forward. It's worth noting Brewer averaged 11.5 to 12.3 points per game between the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons while averaging less than 30 minutes per game in two of those campaigns. He's certainly proven capable of generating serviceable production in the allotment of playing time he's likely to see in LA.

Norman Powell, G, TOR - Powell has had some impressive stretches this season while filling in for DeMar DeRozan, but his inclusion here is due to the possible bump in minutes he's expected to see with fellow swingman Terrence Ross now in Orlando. Powell is averaging a career-high 7.3 points on 45.0 percent shooting from the field in 17.3 minutes per game this season and has upside off the bench as DeRozan's primary backup.

Justin Anderson, F, PHI - Anderson's inclusion in largely speculative, as he received inconsistent playing time in Dallas this season. Now a member of the Sixers, Anderson could potentially see time at shooting guard and both forward spots. That could well carve him out a decent amount of playing time on an improving Philadelphia squad that's seeking to build around a young core. Anderson has shown plenty of upside when given the opportunity this season, such as when he scored in double figures in three consecutive games in late January playing 16 to 24 minutes.

Standard Pickups

Dante Exum, G, UTA - Exum had been coming on before the All-Star break, and the extended layoff did nothing to cool him. He posted double-digit scoring efforts in four of the seven games leading up to All-Star weekend and started the second half with 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal against the Bucks on Friday night. He's averaged 8.1 points (on 53.2 percent shooting), 1.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists in 16.3 minutes in the last 10 games, making him a viable guard option.

Revisiting

Ish Smith, G, DET - The Pistons didn't move Reggie Jackson at the trade deadline, but Smith, who we covered Feb. 4., has been outstanding off the bench. He dished out 16 assists in Thursday's comeback win over the Hornets and has rattled off five double-digit scoring efforts in the seven games since we first highlighted him. He also averaged a solid 23.0 minutes in the last 10 games and his spot in the Pistons' backcourt rotation is about as secure as can be.

Alex Abrines, G, OKC - We covered Abrines when he was in the midst of a nice stretch due to Victor Oladipo's extended absence with a wrist injury. He was the beneficiary of an injury to his backcourt mate once again to kick off the second half, going off for 19 points in 29 minutes against the Lakers on Friday while Oladipo sat with a back injury. However, the main reason for consideration now is the departure of Anthony Morrow to Chicago at the trade deadline. Morrow averaged 15.7 minutes per game in OKC, and Abrines should see his opportunity expand off the bench. Moreover, he could be in line for a modest run of starts if Oladipo misses more time.

Buddy Hield, G, SAC - We focused on Hield in early January, and he's become particularly relevant once again following his move to Sacramento at the trade deadline. The rookie went off for 16 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal over 26 minutes in his Kings debut Thursday. As one of the centerpieces of the trade that saw DeMarcus Cousins leave town, he should be line for plenty of run. Hield has shown the ability to fill out scoring columns in particular, but also brings some sneaky value in rebounds. The Kings sport one of the league's most crowded backcourts, but Hield should see robust opportunity on a team increasingly desperate for offense.

FORWARD

Trade Beneficiaries

Richaun Holmes, F, PHI - Dario Saric (see below) stands to be the biggest beneficiary of the Sixers' frontcourt revamping at the trade deadline, but Holmes should see a positive trickle-down effect, as well. He's averaged 7.2 points and 5.0 rebounds over the last 10 games and totaled 12 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes in the first game after Nerlens Noel and Ersan Ilyasova both left town. That could well be a harbinger of what's to come, as Holmes is now Saric's primary backup at the four.

Bobby Portis, F, CHI - Taj Gibson is now a member of the Thunder, leaving Portis as the starting power forward for the moment, though Nikola Mirotic (see below) could still receive more minutes. That scenario played out in Chicago's first game without Gibson, but Portis still turned in nine points and seven boards in just 16 minutes. He also posted double-digit scoring in two of the three games prior to the All-Star break and is certainly capable of solid returns in scoring, rebounding and shooting percentage.

Mario Hezonja, F, ORL - The domino effect of Serge Ibaka's departure and Aaron Gordon's subsequent move to Ibaka's old power forward spot didn't result in Hezonja stepping into the starting lineup at the three, as Terrence Ross came over in the Ibaka trade to fill that role. However, the 22-year-old Hezonja now slots in as Ross' primary backup at small forward, and had already been enjoying an uptick in production before the trade. Hezonja has averaged a solid 9.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals over the last four games with 1.5 made three-pointers per game. He also played 25 minutes in the first game after the All-Star break despite Orlando being at full health, an encouraging development.

Revisiting

Dario Saric, F, PHI - Saric was highlighted in this space back Dec. 31, but he's never been more relevant than now. The Sixers did some spring cleaning in their frontcourt by jettisoning both Nerlens Noel and Ersan Ilyasova in trades, opening the opportunity for Saric to start at the four. He got matters off on the right foot Thursday, totaling 20 points and 11 rebounds. His usage had already been substantial off the bench, as Saric had posted double-digit shot attempts in seven of eight games leading to the All-Star break. With the starting power forward job now in his possession, his upside becomes even greater.

Nikola Mirotic, F, CHI - Mirotic was spotlighted back Dec. 24 and another look is certainly warranted in the wake of the aforementioned trade of Taj Gibson to the Thunder. As mentioned, Bobby Portis also will see increased opportunity, but Mirotic brings the greater fantasy upside. He demonstrated as much in the first game following the All-Star break, tallying 20 points, eight boards and two assists with four made three-pointers over 37 minutes. Mirotic can fill out the same areas of the stat sheet that Portis can, with the added benefit of some very good contributions from long range.

Keep An Eye On

Skal Labissiere, F, SAC - The rookie is worth keeping an eye on in the immediate future, given what should be a notable increase in playing time. After being out of the rotation the majority of the season, Labissiere produced 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal over just 14 minutes in the Kings' first game without Cousins. Labissiere now slots in as the primary backup at the four to Anthony Tolliver, whom we covered Jan. 15 and whom is also worthy of consideration as the new Sacramento starting power forward.

CENTER

Revisiting

Willie Cauley-Stein, C, SAC - The second-year big man made a recent appearance in this space while DeMarcus Cousins was still in Sacramento, but he's worth a quick mention once again with the latter now in New Orleans. If the Kings' first game without Cousins is any indication, Cauley-Stein could well be the biggest beneficiary of his former frontcourt mate's departure, as he went off for a career-high 29 points with 10 rebounds in 35 minutes in Thursday's victory over the Nuggets. While he may not see that degree of playing time each night, it's clear that Cauley-Stein will see a sizable bump in opportunity.

Salah Mejri, C, DAL - We suggested keeping an eye on Mejri a few weeks ago, and he's worth a quick refresher given the potential increase in minutes he could see with Andrew Bogut out of town. The 30-year-old big man had already started to see fairly consistent playing time before the All-Star break due to Bogut's frequent absences, and had provided serviceable-to-spectacular rebounding production in particular. In the first game following the All-Star break, the Mavs opted to go with Harrison Barnes at the four and Dirk Nowitzki at center, but Mejri still saw a solid 19 minutes, during which he provided five points, seven rebounds, two blocks and one steal. While newly acquired Nerlens Noel is expected to start at center, Mejri could well work his way into the primary backup role, shifting Nowitzki back to his natural power forward spot.