Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Week 8 Adds Include Bey, Nembhard, Kuzma

As the calendar flips to December, we are greeted with yet more injuries to key players. However, when it comes to fantasy basketball, there is always a silver lining, that being an opportunity for someone to prove themselves on the biggest stage. As always, the waiver wire is the place to be, providing managers with bargain players who could be about to ascend in the fantasy basketball rankings. And remember, never assume a player is rostered. It always pays to double-check, just in case they have been overlooked.

Identifying players who are benefiting from expanded roles–whether it's an offensive threat delivering points and threes or a defensive-minded player boosting your blocks and steals–is vital as you navigate the season.

Let's dive into nine key NBA sleepers whose current stats suggest they are poised for significant value and are currently rostered in fewer than 40% of Yahoo leagues.

Yahoo High Score Leagues

Saddiq Bey, New Orleans Pelicans (38% rostered)

Bey has quietly been one of the more surprising players this season, and that was even before Zion Williamson was ruled out for multiple weeks due to an adductor injury. Bey has scored at least 20 points in four straight games, consistently logging upwards of 32 minutes. His last seven appearances have yielded an abundance of fantasy points, scoring 37, 34, 42, 40, 44, 45 and 42 across that span. It appears as though he is locked in as a member of the starting lineup, and although Jordan Poole and Herb Jones will return at some point, Bey warrants a roster spot in all formats for now.

Peyton Watson, Denver Nuggets (27% rostered)

Although Watson is playing easily the best basketball of his career, he remains available in far too many leagues. Both Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun are dealing with long-term injuries, ensuring Watson a spot in the starting lineup. While his value is typically built on defensive numbers, his assured role seems to have unlocked some offensive upside we haven't seen before. In his last eight games, Watson's fantasy points have ranged from 22 to 53, culminating in an average of 34 during that time. He has also played at least 34 minutes in eight of the past 10 games, highlighting the fact that his role is here to stay.

Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics (37% rostered)

Recent injuries have slowed Queta, both in terms of availability and production. However, he has scored at least 40 fantasy points in two of his past three games, and it is clear that his role as the starting center is safe as houses. In the midst of a breakout season, Queta has been a consistent source of rebounds and blocks, while also chipping in on the offensive end from time to time. A lack of versatility when it comes to scoring does limit his overall upside; however, he has done more than enough to warrant a roster spot in all formats, including High Score leagues.

Standard 9-Category Leagues

Ryan Nembhard, Dallas Mavericks (26% rostered)

After playing limited minutes off the bench during the first month of the season, Nembhard has since assumed the role of starting point guard. In his four starts, the rookie is averaging 17.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 3.0 three-pointers in 28.2 minutes per game. He has recorded back-to-back double-doubles, while also leading the Mavericks to three straight wins. Nothing is certain when it comes to Jason Kidd's rotations, meaning Nembhard's night-to-night value could hinge on not only how well he is playing, but also how well those behind him are playing. With that said, he should definitely be added across all formats, just in case this turns into a rest-of-season situation.

Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento Kings (4% rostered)

Common sense finally prevailed during Sacramento's most recent loss, with Raynaud logging a career-high 32 minutes, during which he recorded 25 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block and two three-pointers. Domantas Sabonis remains sidelined with a knee injury, meaning Raynaud has an opportunity to prove himself a little earlier than expected. He has played at least 20 minutes in three straight games, and while there are no guarantees in Sacramento, he is worth taking a chance on, given what we saw on Wednesday.

T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers (17% rostered)

After a slow start, McConnell has settled into his usual role off the bench. In seven games over the past two weeks, he has averaged 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.7 steals in 18.6 minutes per game, and that includes a six-minute dud against the Cavaliers. Although he is likely to be limited to no more than about 24 minutes on any given night, McConnell has proven year after year that he can put up fantasy-relevant numbers, even in a limited role. He won't be for everyone, but if it is assists and steals you are looking for, McConnell could just be your man.

Standard Points Leagues

Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee Bucks (21% rostered)

It's fair to say that we are not basing this recommendation on what Kuzma has done for us lately. In fact, you could say that his lack of production calls for him to be dropped, rather than added. However, with Giannis Antetokounmpo likely to miss at least two weeks, someone has to step in to fill the void. It will almost certainly be an 'all hands on deck' situation, but Kuzma certainly has a great opportunity in front of him. Assuming he can carve out at least 27 minutes per game for the foreseeable future, he has a chance to force his way back into the standard league discussion.

Khris Middleton, Washington Wizards (14% rostered)

Don't look now, but Middleton has started doing some stuff, scoring double digits in six of his past seven games. He continues to play just one game of any back-to-back set; however, his minutes and production have both started to trend in the right direction. There is no reason to think he will get back to being the player we got to know so well during his time in Milwaukee. With that said, he still has the ability to chip in across multiple categories, having averaged almost 26 fantasy points per game in five appearances over the past two weeks. 

Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans (27% rostered)

Fears has been able to make the most of an unfortunate situation in New Orleans, that being that the team is terrible and multiple key players have been struck down by injury. The impressive rookie has scored at least 20 points in three straight games, while also chipping in consistently on the defensive end. The eventual return of Jordan Poole will complicate things slightly, although Fears had already supplanted him in the rotation prior to his injury. While there will be some ups and downs, Fears appears to be locked in as a starter, making him a viable fantasy asset across all formats.