This article is part of our NBA Waiver Wire series.
We now have two-plus weeks of NBA action in the books, providing us with a solid sample to consider in terms of roles and rotations. This week, we're back with more waiver wire recommendations, focusing primarily on players available in at least a decent chunk of fantasy basketball leagues.
Given the havoc COVID-19 protocols have wreaked on the league over the weekend, this is an especially chaotic waiver wire period. With several star players' availability for Week 4 still in the balance, managers will have to make some difficult lineup decisions. But if players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Kyrie Irving do miss additional time, doors will be opened for players typically mired in supporting roles.
Marcus Morris, F, LAC
This is a case of a player who almost certainly wouldn't be as low-rostered as he is had he been healthy to start the season. Morris finally made his 2020-21 debut Wednesday after knee soreness cost him the first eight contests of the campaign. And although he came off the bench, he didn't look rusty while compiling 12 points, two rebounds and two assists over 18 minutes. An eventual ascension to the starting power forward role is likely – even as Nicolas Batum has been more productive of late – and Morris could certainly reward fantasy managers in multiple categories once he returns to a full workload. It's worth noting that while he wasn't as heavily relied upon after coming
We now have two-plus weeks of NBA action in the books, providing us with a solid sample to consider in terms of roles and rotations. This week, we're back with more waiver wire recommendations, focusing primarily on players available in at least a decent chunk of fantasy basketball leagues.
Given the havoc COVID-19 protocols have wreaked on the league over the weekend, this is an especially chaotic waiver wire period. With several star players' availability for Week 4 still in the balance, managers will have to make some difficult lineup decisions. But if players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Kyrie Irving do miss additional time, doors will be opened for players typically mired in supporting roles.
Marcus Morris, F, LAC
This is a case of a player who almost certainly wouldn't be as low-rostered as he is had he been healthy to start the season. Morris finally made his 2020-21 debut Wednesday after knee soreness cost him the first eight contests of the campaign. And although he came off the bench, he didn't look rusty while compiling 12 points, two rebounds and two assists over 18 minutes. An eventual ascension to the starting power forward role is likely – even as Nicolas Batum has been more productive of late – and Morris could certainly reward fantasy managers in multiple categories once he returns to a full workload. It's worth noting that while he wasn't as heavily relied upon after coming to LA via trade last season, Morris could well expand his role under new head coach Tyronn Lue.
Rudy Gay, F, SAN
Gay is still out there knocking down shots consistently at age 34, having posted four consecutive double-digit scoring performances and averaging a solid 12.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists across 23.9 minutes over nine games. Coach Gregg Popovich trusts the reliable veteran as one of the top scoring options on his second unit, so minutes aren't going to be in question. Gay hasn't been anywhere near the source of steals he was earlier in his career for some time now, but he's averaging 1.0 block per game thus far.
Bobby Portis, C/F, MIL
Portis has fit into Milwaukee's frontcourt rotation in seamless fashion, averaging 11.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 54 percent, including 40.0 percent from three-point range. After a sluggish opener, Portis has scored in double-figures in eight of his last nine games, including four double-doubles. The veteran is averaging 24.2 minutes per contest while backing up Brook Lopez, who's logging career-low minutes as the starter. That split is likely to continue as coach Mike Budenholzer looks to preserve the 32-year-old while also capitalizing on Portis' ability to lend some serious offensive punch to his second unit. In a spot start against Cleveland on Saturday, Portis went for 17 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and three assists.
Payton Pritchard, G, BOS
Pritchard has hit the floor running in his rookie season, already posting four double-digit scoring efforts and shooting an impressive 51.6 percent over his first 10 games. Pressed into a season-high allotment of 32 minutes Monday against the Raptors with both Marcus Smart and Jeff Teague out, Prichard responded with 23 points and eight assists on 8-for-13 shooting. Coach Brad Stevens clearly has no hesitation about entrusting Pritchard with a consistent backcourt role that's already affording him 22.9 minutes per contest. On a per-36 basis, the Oregon product is already putting up numbers comparable to those of his impressive college career, even as he continues to hone his efficiency from distance. With the Celtics facing a ton of uncertainty heading into Week 4, there's a decent chance Prtichard could be pressed into a much larger short-term role.
Joe Ingles, G/F, UTA
Ingles' second-unit role is secure, and the veteran wing has opened the season posting double-digit scoring tallies in five of his first eight contests. The 33-year-old is flashing improved efficiency with a 46.9 percent field goal percentage after falling below the 45.0 percent mark in each of the previous two seasons. Ingles also offers serviceable contributions in rebounds and assists. Additionally, Ingles is probably due for some progression from beyond the arc. He's sitting at just 35.0 percent right now, but he drained 38.6 percent or better of his shots from behind the arc in each of his five prior seasons. Ingles missed Friday's win over Milwaukee with a minor injury, but he'll return to the lineup Sunday.
Justin Holiday, G/F, IND
Holiday's production has historically been capped by inefficiency, as the veteran had never finished a season with better than 43.3 percent shooting. However, the 31-year-old has done a complete about-face, draining an outstanding 53.7 percent of his 7.4 attempts per game over the first eight contests, including 42.1 percent from behind the arc. Holiday currently boasts a well-rounded line of 11.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals. Just as important: those figures are coming over an average of 29.2 minutes off the bench. It remains to be seen if Holiday will experience some regression, but he's worth the add in the event that this is actually legitimate, lasting improvement.
JaMychal Green, F/C, DEN
No matter the fantasy format, Green has seemingly always been a bit underappreciated, considering he's consistently proven to be a solid rebounder and floor spacer since his early days in Memphis. Since returning from injury, the veteran is thriving in Denver, averaging a career-best 12.2 points, along with 6.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists, over 19.8 minutes across his first five games. With Michael Porter Jr. facing an additional quarantine period that will knock him out for the bulk of Week 4, Green is even more appealing as a short-term streamer.
Saddiq Bey, F, DET
The 19th overall pick is averaging 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist over his last seven games. While he sits at below 40 percent from the field, Bey has been on fire from distance, hitting nearly 48 percent of his 6.3 three-point attempts per game. As the Pistons drift further and further from contention, Bey's role should only grow. In Wednesday's game against Milwaukee, Bey played 24 minutes and finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal and six three-pointers.
Tyrese Maxey, G, PHI
Much like the Celtics, the 76ers enter Week 4 with massive levels of unpredictability. After playing Saturday's game with only seven players, Philly's path forward remains very much up in the air. It's unclear whether the likes of Shake Milton, Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid will be available for Monday's game, but what we do know is that Ben Simmons will miss at least one more contest due to an issue with his knee. It's possible Simmons could return later in the week, but given the levels of uncertainty all over the roster, Maxey is still worth an add -- especially as the Sixers enter a rare five-game week. The hope is that Saturday's game against Denver isn't the new short-term template for the Sixers, but Maxey shined with 39 points (18-33 FG), seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and three three-pointers in 44 minutes.
Cole Anthony, G, ORL
The Magic have avoided any COVID-related absences, but they were dealt a crushing blow last week when Markelle Fultz went down with a torn ACL. With Michael Carter-Williams also banged up, Anthony has moved into the starting lineup and averaged 30.0 minutes per contest. So far, the production hasn't been other-worldly -- 11.5 points, 3.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 steal -- but Anthony has already flashed plenty of potential off the bench, so don't be overly deterred by a couple of down games. Orlando heads into a four-game Week 4, but Anthony is an appealing add for the long-term, as well. His role could be affected when Carter-Williams returns, but the rookie has the higher fantasy ceiling of the two.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Austin Rivers, G, NYK
Cedi Osman, F, CLE
Jeff Teague, G, BOS
Daniel Theis, C, BOS
Dwight Howard, C, PHI
Jordan Clarkson, G, UTA
Dario Saric, F, PHO
