In the blink of an eye, we are heading into Week 6 of the NBA season. Key injuries continue to rise, and Fantasy managers should have a “next man up” mentality when looking at the waiver wire.
The players featured in previous columns continue to thrive, and this week’s iteration features some familiar names as well as some new additions.
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Here are the best waiver wire additions as the new week approaches!
NBA: Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Fantasy Basketball Week 6 Schedule Primer: How Well Will Kawhi Leonard Play?
The Clippers star is reportedly returning from injury on Sunday, which is great news for fantasy managers.
Priority Additions
1. Vince Williams Jr.
2. Derik Queen
3. Kon Knueppel
4. Reed Sheppard
5. Collin Gillespie
6. Moussa Diabaté
7. Peyton Watson
8. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
9. Antoine Black
10. Harrison Barnes
11. Bobby Portis
12. Jaylon Tyson
Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (47 percent enrolled)
This will surely be the last week I can feature Knueppel in this article, as his roster percentage will exceed the 50% threshold. I’m shocked that it’s still available in over half of Yahoo! leagues, but there’s still time to catch him before it’s too late. The rookie’s numbers speak for themselves, as he has proven to be more than just a specialist in the points and three-point categories.
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Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks (42 percent)
NAW is averaging a career-high 19.7 points per game and has stepped up his offense even more over the past week. He scored 26 points against the Suns on Sunday before scoring 24 against the Pistons on Tuesday and scoring 38 points against the Spurs on Thursday. Alexander-Walker calmed down on Saturday, but with Trae Young Sidelined, NAW is going to see a ton of runs for the foreseeable future, making them a major asset.
Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets (40 percent)
Sheppard is another holdover from last week’s column, and like Knueppel, I’ll continue to include him until he’s over 50% listed. Sheppard continues to shine off the bench, and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon. Over his last seven games, he averaged 17.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 3.6 triples. His marvelous run culminated with a career-high 27 points in Friday’s close win over Denver.
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Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans (36 percent)
Queen was the No. 1 pickup in last week’s Waiver Wire article, and the fantasy managers who scooped him up were rewarded handsomely. Queen’s production in his first two starts was solid, if relatively modest, but he exploded in his next two starts, averaging 25 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocked shots. Make no mistake, Queen is a MUST-HAVE option with a very high ceiling that should be scooped up now before he gets snatched off the waiver wire.
Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks (27 percent)
Big Bobby P has always progressed considerably when Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed time, and fantasy managers should get him back while the Greek Freak is sidelined. Portis started Thursday’s loss to the 76ers, finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds, a steal and a triple in 28 minutes. He went 18/7/2 with four triples on Saturday, logging just 25 minutes. He will be a solid source of points and boards until Antetokounmpo returns.
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Moussa Diabaté, Charlotte Hornets (26 percent)
Diabate was trending upward heading into Saturday’s game against the Clippers, contributing significant production off the bench behind the starting center. Ryan Kalkbrenner. Kalkbrenner injured his ankle after just 11 minutes on Saturday, and Diabate’s fantasy value is much higher, as he has the potential to join Charlotte’s starting lineup. He’s averaging 10.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 22.9 minutes per game, so he has the potential to average a double-double with two blocks if he gets the starting minutes.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs (22 percent)
Barnes can burn you, there’s no denying that. We’ve seen him warm up quickly only to cool down just as quickly. Its recent streak of success appears more sustainable, however, with Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper And Steph’s Castle sidelined. Barnes has been a starter all season, but his production has seen a noticeable increase since Wemby has been sidelined. Over his last three games, Barnes has averaged 19.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.0 triples. Luc Kornet was a popular pickup when Wemby’s injury was announced, but Kornet just hasn’t been great in his three starts. He’s worth a look in deeper leagues, but don’t get too excited if you’re playing in a standard league.
Vince Williams Jr., Memphis Grizzlies (20 percent)
Jacques Morant has logged just six total minutes in Memphis’ last four games heading into Saturday’s game against Dallas, and the VW bus has been rolling all week. Williams Jr. averaged 9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.5 triples during that span, dishing out 15 assists in Thursday’s win over Sacramento. Williams Jr. remained productive on Saturday, producing a double-double with a 10/10/5/2 line. He didn’t establish himself as a scorer, but he provided solid fantasy value with elite rebounds, assists and steals. Williams Jr. doesn’t need to score at a high level to be relevant in standard leagues, but he has shown upside potential in that department as well.
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Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns (20 percent)
Phoenix has suffered several backcourt injuries this season and Gillespie has stepped up to answer the call. Over his last three games (all off the bench), Gillespie has contributed 18 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 3.0 triples. Although he came off the bench, he was trusted in late-game situations, as evidenced by his go-ahead start with 6.4 seconds left in Friday’s one-point win over the Timberwolves.
Peyton Watson, Denver Nuggets (18 percent)
Christian Braun is out for several weeks and Aaron Gordon aggravated his hamstring injury in Friday’s loss to Houston. This means Watson should see a lot of carries in the future. He’s seeing big minutes and he’s been the most consistent replacement option for Braun and Gordon, providing a bit more scoring in the box than Cameron Johnson Or Tim Hardaway Jr.. THJ is worth a look if you need points and triples, but Watson’s stat lines are more comprehensive and better suited to category leagues.
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Anthony Black, Orlando Magic (16 percent)
Black is having the most productive campaign of his brief NBA career averaging 11.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.6 blocks and a triple in 27 minutes. He has stepped up his efforts on both ends of the floor as of late, providing microwave offense and chase defense, both of which have been beneficial for fantasy managers, especially in category leagues.
Jaylon Tyson, Cleveland Cavaliers (10 percent roster)
Tyson has started seven of his 12 appearances this season, and the second-year man from Cal has put up good numbers for Cleveland. He returned from a five-game absence Friday and provided a 14/8/3 line with two triples, no turnovers and a 6-of-7 shooting mark. Tyson should continue to see significant minutes, and he is worth rostering in standard leagues whether he starts or comes off the bench.
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Others to consider: Jaden McDaniels (46%), Santi Aldama (44%), Dillon Brooks (42%), Neemias Queta (36%), Daniss Jenkins (28%), Moussa Diabaté (25%), Jeremiah Fears (25%), Noah Clowney (20%), Tristan da Silva (18%), Luke Kornet (12%), Jay Huff (7%), Tim Hardaway Jr. (6%)
