NBA Waiver Wire: Pick-Ups and FAAB for Week 11

With two thirds of the league playing four games this week, there are a plethora of fantasy options that are available to savvy owners. Only two teams play two games, the Raptors and the Heat, and both squads don't lace them up until Thursday, so waiver-wire adds from those teams only really start coming into play in the second half of the week, but in weekly leagues, there's nothing to see here.

Of the teams playing four games, the Nets have the most fantasy-friendly schedule, taking on the Mavericks, Celtics, and Sixers at home, then traveling to face the surging Pistons. The Blazers take on the Lakers twice, which on the surface is great, but the Blazers' bench is so sparingly used that fantasy value is thin on the ground. So, let's see who are decent waiver-wire targets for the upcoming week.

Point Guard

Patrick Beverley, HOU: (long-term add); (FAAB: $12)
We all know by now that James Harden is the Rockets' main scorer and distributor. But that doesn't mean that their designated point guard, Patrick Beverley, is bereft of fantasy value. On the contrary, the 49 percent of people owning Beverley on ESPN have been benefitting from his production for weeks. Although Houston plays four games this week, the first three of those are on the road and include a matchup with the Bulls, but don't let that deter you from adding Beverley. Known more for his tenacious on-ball defense, Beverley has improved his fantasy output this season, averaging more points, three-pointers, rebounds, and assists than last season. In fact, the 2.5 three-pointers he is currently knocking down per game has him ranked eighth in the NBA, ahead of such noted long-range bombers as Nick Young, Gerald Green, Kevin Durant, and Ryan Anderson. Add in the 5.0 rebounds he's averaging, seventh for point guards, and you have some definite fantasy that is underappreciated. Add Beverley for this week, and ride him out for the duration of the season.

C.J. Watson, IND: (short-term add); (FAAB: $2)
With George Hill ruled out for at least the next three games with a strained groin, it's time for C.J. Watson to resume fantasy relevance. Although Watson missed the last game with a sore foot, he's likely to go next week, and will presumably start against the Jazz, Warriors, and Celtics, and then, if Hill returns, Watson should still have decent value against the Sixers on Saturday. As a starter this season, Watson is averaging 13.0 points, 1.3 three-pointers, and 4.3 assists, with a usage rate of 20.7 percent. His value in standard leagues will dissipate once Hill returns, but for next week, he's a great addition if you have a roster spot open.

Others to consider: If Brandon Jennings is available, and the 74 percent ownership on ESPN shows that he is in some leagues, you need to grab him. He's not the most aesthetically pleasing basketball player to watch, but with things changing in Detroit, his play has improved recently, and has standard league fantasy value. Jarrett Jack continues to start in Brooklyn, but who know how long that continues. While he starts there is value, but I'm struggling to believe there will be long-term production from Jack with the Nets. Evan Turner has started three straight games at point guard for the Celtics, making him worth a speculative flier, but he only helps in the meat-and-potato stats. Turner generally doesn't do much on defense or beyond the arc.

Shooting Guard

C.J. Miles, IND: (deeper league, short-term standard league flier); (FAAB: $4)
If there is anything we know about C.J. Miles it's that he's injury prone (played over 70 games just twice in nine seasons), streaky, and he can hit three-pointers in bunches (11 in his past two games). On an Indiana team searching for anyone who can score, Miles is getting minutes (33 mpg in the last two) and has a role as the go-to scorer off the bench. Having already had games of seven, six and five three-pointers made, and scoring over 20 points in his last two, Miles has intriguing upside, but historically, he has been inconsistent. It's worth noting, though, that he's scored less than 11 points just once in his last nine games. His brutal shooting (36 percent for the season) has improved recently to 43 percent in his last six games, and historically, he has been a better source of steals than what we've seen this season, averaging 1.7 steals per 36 minutes last season, as opposed to the 1.0 he is at this season, so there is scope for improvement there. Don't blow your entire wad on adding Miles, but while he's hot, he's a nice addition, especially with the Pacers missing George Hill for at least the next three games.

Dion Waiters: (deeper leagues, flier); (FAAB: $1)
The curious case of Dion Waiters continues this season, with the new super-charged Cavaliers lineup forcing him out of offensive touches. But, with LeBron James out for the next two weeks, Waiters may find himself called upon more. Although his scoring and field goal attempts are down from the last two season, Waiters has paid more attention to his defensive game, averaging 2.3 steals in his past eight games, whereas he averaged just 0.9 last season in two more minutes. With no James, Waiters should get more minutes, and should handle the ball more, averaging 3.3 assists in the three games sans LeBron. He's not for everybody, but deep league players should see a bump in Waiters' value the next two weeks.

Others to consider:Tony Allen is always a guy who can help bump your steal numbers, but is offensively challenged. Sergey Karasev continues to start in Brooklyn and get minutes, but the production isn't enough to warrant standard league consideration. The Nets do have a great schedule though, and Karasev has averaged 28 minutes a game in the last month, so deeper league owners will want to take note.

Small Forward

DeMarre Carroll, ATL: (all leagues); (FAAB: $14)
I know J.J. Calle has been stressing the addition of Carroll for weeks now, and I can't agree more with his analysis. Carroll, even disregarding the four games he plays this weeks, is someone who should not be on the waiver-wire. Carroll's ownership dropped again, down to 30 percent on ESPN, which is just baffling to me. Carroll is producing, is in no danger of losing his job, is on a winning, successful team and has a fantasy-friendly game. As a small forward, he's had three double-digit rebound games, he can hit three-pointers in bunches and he has nabbed a steal in six straight contests. His shooting has tailed off, hitting only 40 percent of his shots in the last six games, but as a career 45 percent shooter, we should see that number rise in the coming weeks. In his last six games, he is averaging 11.0 points, 1.3 three-pointers, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. That is something I know I could use.

P.J. Tucker, PHX: (long-term add); (FAAB: $8)
Owned in just five percent of leagues on ESPN, Tucker, much like Carroll, is a solid fantasy producer that goes unnoticed by many. While his role isn't as stable as Carroll's, the Suns aren't blessed with many great defenders or rebounders, and that's exactly what Tucker can be for them. He's played 30 minutes a game in his last four, averaging 10.5 points, 1.3 three-pointers, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals on a great, but unsustainable, 60 percent shooting from the field. That's fuelled by a red-hot 56 percent from deep, but although that is astronomically high, he is shooting 43 percent from deep on the season. Tucker is probably a better rotisserie option than head-to-head given his solid, but unspectacular production across the board, but with the Suns playing four games, including a Tuesday/Wednesday back to back against the fantasy friendly Bucks and Timberwolves, adding Tucker is not a ridiculous move. If you are worried about the Suns backcourt and wing rotation, and rightly so, just be aware that Tucker has played under 24 minutes just once in the last three weeks.

Others to consider: Dealing with Jason Kidd's rotation is like playing Russian Roulette, but Khris Middleton has been starting for three straight games, a minor miracle. Like most Bucks, you aren't banking on long-term production, but while he's starting, he's a decent deep league guy. In a similar vein, Jared Dudley, who is averaging 13.0 points in his last six games with 2.2 three-pointers and 5.2 rebounds, is worth considering. He's playing exclusively off the bench, but still getting 29 minutes a game, and if you can stomach the roller-coaster nature of Kidd, Dudley and Middleton could have value. It likely won't be both of them, though. Players in 10-team and shallower leagues will want to make sure to add Andrew Wiggins if he's available. Wiggins has scored 20+ points in five of his last six games.

Power Forward

Tristan Thompson, CLE: (long-term add); (FAAB: $8)
What's the most important stat in fantasy basketball? Minutes. Tristan Thompson is getting a lot of minutes. In his last four games, Thompson is averaging 40 per game, and even with Kevin Love back, there doesn't appear to be an end in sight to the voluminous court time the young forward will get. Anderson Varejao's injury opened up a ton of time for Thompson, and he's responded, notching double-doubles in his last four games. While Thompson's game and upside may be limited, what you'll get is rebounds, points, a nice field goal percentage and low turnovers. In those last four games, Thompson is averaging 15.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 1.0 block on 59 percent shooting. Sure, there'll be no three-pointers, no assists, no steals and subpar free throw shooting, but getting those other numbers, if it suits your team, is a good result. Owned in just 39 percent of leagues on ESPN, Thompson's ownership has risen 13 percent recently and will likely continue to do so, so if you want to secure what will likely be long-term, low-end value, you'll need to jump on soon.

Robert Covington, PHI: (long-term add); (FAAB: $10)
The guy everyone was talking about has cooled off, as was expected, but that doesn't mean he doesn't warrant a place of your fantasy team. Somehow, the must-own waiver-wire pickup of the season is owned in just 33 percent of leagues, with an ownership rate dropping each week. This is despite the fact that Covington has started the last 10 games, averaging 34 minutes in those starts, with 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 2.7 three-pointers. Sure, the 38 percent shooting is tough to stomach, especially in rotisserie leagues, but in a head-to-head scenario, where you are punting percentages, Covington is a no-brainer. Coach Brett Brown has shown no sign of replacing him in the lineup, so there's no reason to think that the recent level of production won't stick. One of the bonuses of Covington's fantasy value is that he doesn't need a ton of the ball, a great thing when playing alongside Michael Carter-Williams and Tony Wroten. He has a usage rate of just 19.8 percent as a starter and is able to contribute in multiple categories. If he isn't owned in your league, try to find a spot on your team.

Others to consider: With LeBron James out, Shawn Marion may see extra run and can help in rebounds, steals and blocks, but he is for deeper leagues only. In his first game without James though, Marion pulled down 10 rebounds and a block. The Hornets play four games this week, so Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller are both reasonable targets in 14-team leagues for this week without Al Jefferson. The upside isn't high, but there is production to be had. Williams will play more minutes, but both guys are worth owning in 14-team leagues. Derrick Williams moved into the starting lineup for the Kings on Thursday, and though he's failed to live up to his promise in the past, he's getting a fresh look by the Kings right now and is worth a flier in 12-team leagues this week.

Center

Gorgui Dieng, MIN: (all leagues); (FAAB: $14)
For some reason, Gorgui Dieng is owned in just 52 percent of leagues on ESPN. That number is too low. Sure, at some stage, Nikola Pekovic will return to the lineup, but if there's one thing we know about Pekovic, it's that he won't remain healthy. From an injury that was supposedly a day-to-day ankle problem, Pekovic has now missed 23 games and isn't close to returning. Once he is cleared for full practice, he'll need two weeks of solid practice, as per Flip Saunders, and then will likely come back through the D-League. So, onto Dieng. As a starter, the second-year center is averaging 9.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks, while shooting 50 percent from the field and 74 percent from line. If you can't use those numbers on your team, congratulations, because you have a very strong lineup.

Rudy Gobert, UTA: (weekly add); (FAAB: $2)
Is this the break Rudy Gobert fans have been waiting for? Enes Kanter missed Saturday's game with an ankle sprain and didn't travel with the team. That's not too much of an issue because the Jazz play again Monday, but back home when Kanter could easily rejoin the starting lineup. If, and it's an if at this stage, Kanter was to miss more time, Gobert will have significant value. But, when Kanter plays, Gobert's upside is severely limited. The last game Gobert played with a healthy Kanter, he registered five rebounds and one block, going scoreless in 16 minutes. That is the risk. But, given the minutes, Gobert is a fantastic source of boards, blocks and field goal percentage and is no slough at the line, hitting 86 percent of his free throws in his last five games. I don't recommend investing a lot in Gobert, because although he is the internet's favorite big man, the reality is, he just doesn't get enough minutes when Kanter and Derrick Favors are healthy to justify owning him in most standard leagues. The only case in which I can see owning him long-term, in say a 10-team league, is if you are desperate for blocks. But, as a cheap flier for this week with a troublesome ankle for his Turkish counterpart, he's a nice addition.

Others to consider:Timofey Mozgov is still available in a lot of leagues and remains the starter in Denver, but Jusuf Nurkic needs to be added to all watch lists given his recent play. Deep-league managers will want to take a flier on Nurkic immediately. John Henson will be forced into action with no Larry Sanders and Ersan Ilyasova, but even with literally no other big men on hand bar Zaza Pachulia and Johnny O'Bryant, Jason Kidd has yet to play Henson more than 24 minutes. With the Knicks in disarray, basketball and health wise, Cole Aldrich should be able to put up big numbers again this week.