This article is part of our NBA Waiver Wire series.
Looking for DeJuan Blair
Professional general managers miss players. How else would you explain all the teams that passed on DeJuan Blair this year, or Gilbert Arenas back in 2001? Hell, Tom Brady was a sixth-round pick.
The pros leave talent on the table in every draft - and so do fantasy owners. Which means even before the season has begun, there are players worth considering on the waiver wire in just about every league. Here's a list of players that could have real value this season but based on their average draft position (ADP), are available in a lot of leagues.
Note: For the purposes of this column, I'll be using percent-owned and average draft position stats pulled from ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball, using player values based on standard eight-category roto scoring. If your league uses another format, adjust accordingly.
Lou Williams (ADP: 105.9) and Nate Robinson (ADP: 106.5) - Wrote about these guys on the Rotosynthesis blog this week. Both are scoring guards in high-octane systems, and both could more prominent roles in their teams' offense this season.
Wilson Chandler (ADP: 111.6) - Surprising to see a key rotation player on a Mike D'Antoni team getting drafted this low.
Luol Deng (ADP: 113.1) - Deng has been out of sync in the preseason as he works his way back into shape after missing half of last season, and that could be a reason why he's getting drafted this low. He has the potential for a major bounce-back campaign.
Corey Maggette (ADP: 117.4) - Depending on how the Stephen Jackson drama plays out, Maggette could become a more important option for the Warriors. Even if he doesn't, his excellent free-throw shooting is a major asset in roto leagues.
Brandon Jennings (ADP: 124.4) - I don't love drafting rookies either, but Jennings has been posting very impressive point and assist numbers in the preseason.
Brandon Rush (ADP: 140.0) - Mike Dunleavy isn't coming back any time soon, which means Rush will be Jim O'Brien's starting two guard for the foreseeable future. Rush posted very impressive numbers down the stretch last season, and should be able to pick up where he left off.
Hakim Warrick (ADP: 140.0) - Playing well in the preseason, and being used at center on occasion.
Ronny Turiaf (ADP: 140.0) - Was one of the league leaders in blocks last season in just over 21 minutes per game. Don Nelson is considering playing Turiaf and Andris Biedrins together more this season.
Channing Frye (ADP: 140.0) - Center-eligible, starting, and playing with Steve Nash. What's not to like?
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (ADP: 140.0) - Won't score much, but contributes in hard-to-fill categories (steals, blocks) that count just as much as points.
Article first appeared on 10/20/09
