The Phoenix Suns can’t escape injuries as Chris Paul recently returned and now Deandre Ayton is hurt. Cameron Johnson and Cameron Payne are injured, and Devin Booker was dealing with a sore hamstring. The Atlanta Hawks are another team hampered by injuries as Dejounte Murray and John Collins are still hurt and Clint Capela just got injured. There are plenty of open minutes in the Hawks frontcourt. Not every player you pick up has to be a long-term solution. Adding short-term solutions with higher temporary ceilings will keep your fantasy basketball teams producing. Here are some players we can rely on that could be on your fantasy basketball waiver wire.

 

Josh Okogie SG, SF Phoenix Suns - 3% Rostered

Okogie is on quite a run scoring in double figures in four of his last six games and while Cameron Johnson is out, Okogie should continue to play 20-plus minutes in most games. He’s been helping on the glass and defending the elbow. He’s pulled down six or more boards in four of his last seven contests. He’s quick, good at swinging the ball around and he keeps the Suns offense moving a little quicker when he’s on the floor. Okogie is smart in that he’ll drive through traffic to force the opposing defense to collapse and then hit the open man on the arc. Okogie acts like a decoy in these situations, but it results in minor assist-production. He’s grabbed swipes in three straight games and he’s coming off producing a double-double. If he continues to get at least 20 minutes of playing time, keep him at the end of your fantasy football bench, but if his minutes drop and he’s not scoring, drop him. 

Nickeil Alexander-Walker SG, SF Utah Jazz - 27% Rostered

It hasn’t been the most productive season for Alexander-Walker, but the Jazz have a lot of guards and with Collin Sexton out, we’ve seen Alexander-Walker play 20 minutes or more in 5 straight games. He scored 11 or more points in 4 games during that span, and he can rotate to multiple spots in the Jazz lineup. He pulled down four or more boards in three games during that span. Alexander-Walker can rotate to small forward and he’s been helpful in guarding players right inside the arc. He’s blocked shots in each of his last three games and he stole the ball in three of his last five battles. He hits at least one three-pointer per battle and after the Jazz next two games against the Bucks and Cavs, the Jazz get a stretch of easier matchups in which the Jazz back and midcourt should thrive. He’s shooting over 48 percent from the field and over 43 percent from beyond the arc. 

Onyeka Okongwu C Atlanta Hawks - 45% Rostered

There’s a chance that he’s already picked up, but if Okongwu is on your waiver wire, grab him immediately because Clint Capela is hurt and even John Collins is still out, and the Hawks need size in the middle and Okongwu will see an uptick in playing time. He’s played over 20 minutes in 4 of his last 5 games and he’s scored double-digits in 3 of those games and he’s grabbed 9 or more rebounds in each of his last 3 contests. He doesn’t have many moves to the basket, but with the Hornets, Magic, Bulls, and Pistons upcoming on the Hawks schedule, he should have an easier time getting position in the paint to keep plays alive and produce points from layups, dunks, and putbacks. He’s also stolen the ball in four straight games. He’s been doing a better job controlling his physicality in the lane and hasn’t been getting into foul trouble.

Naji Marshall, SF, PF New Orleans Pelicans - 13% Rostered

Brandon Ingram was supposed to make his return to the court after injuring his toe a few weeks ago, but, reports are out that he’s not ready yet and may need to sit out another few games the Pelicans are playing very well right now so why rush him back? Marshall has taken advantage of Ingram being out by playing extra minutes and certainly taking extra shots. He scored at least 13 points in 5 of his last 7 battles and posted steals in 5 of those games. He just produced four steals in one game. He’s had a few matchups recently in which he took 11 shots. Marshall is good at scoring from the elbow and has shot 45 percent from the floor. He powers down his defender and works his way deeper into the paint. As long as Ingram is out, Marshall can be trusted, but the Pelicans are loaded with depth and if he isn’t shooting well, they have plenty of other shooters they can turn to Marshall will serve as a bailout option but between the scoring and steals, he’s worth a temporary roster spot.

Donte DiVincenzo G Golden State Warriors - 31% Rostered

DiVincenzo’s minutes have jumped big-time recently and with Stephen Curry out for at least the next few weeks with an injured shoulder, DiVincenzo will run more of the offense. Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole are perfectly capable of bringing up the ball, but DiVincenzo will lead the reserves on offense, and let’s not forget, the Warriors aren’t shy about resting players and DiVincenzo will see a minutes boost more often than not for the rest of the season. He’s scored 10 or more points in 3 of his last 5 battles, but it’s his rebounding during this stretch that has been eye-opening. DiVincenzo has posted seven or more rebounds in five straight games. He’ll crash the boards against bigger players, and he consistently steals the ball. DiVincenzo has produced four multi-steal games in his last six. Expect his shots and assists to rise over the next few weeks and we’ve already seen him take at least 10 in both of his last 2 contests. 

Quentin Grimes SG, SF New York Knicks - 14% rostered

Grimes started the season hurt and he hadn’t found any kind of shooting rhythm since re-joining the team in November, but all of a sudden, the Knicks are playing better, and he’s seen a noticeable minutes boost. Grimes has scored in double figures in three of his last four games and he’s shot at least 50 percent from the floor in 4 of his last 6 contests. The quality of shots Grimes has taken recently has improved. He's not chucking up as many shots and he’s finding more openings off the screen, and he doesn’t exclusively stay at the arc. One of the reason’s the Knicks didn’t trade for Donovan Mitchell was because of how much they coveted Grimes and expected him to be their go-to shooter from the outside. Grimes has been rebounding more consistently pulling down at least four rebounds in five straight games. Grimes has upped his defense lately on the ball blocking shots in four of his last five games. Expect to see him play deeper into games as he’s been one of the reasons why the Knicks have been the hottest team in the eastern conference over the last couple of weeks. 

Markelle Fultz G Orlando Magic - 40% Rostered

Fultz is getting the leash of playing time lengthened since joining the Magic at the end of November. He’s scored 10 or more points in 4 of his last 7 and 15 or more points in 2 of his last 3 games. Fultz is a good ball-handler, but a very questionable shooter, and his shooting was crushed a few years ago when he was still on the 76ers. With more playing time, comes more shot opportunities and assists and the Magic are still without Jalen Suggs and Gary Harris and they continue to bring Cole Anthony in off the bench. Fultz has been starting and he’s dropped five or more dimes in two of his last three outings. He’s coming off a four-steal game and he’s swiping 1.1 balls per battle this season even when Suggs comes back, Fultz should still be the team’s starting point guard. He’s taken eight or more shots in all but two games since he was activated. 

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