There are just some very damaged NBA teams right now. The Charlotte Hornets are still without multiple players including LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward and the Orlando Magic are dealing with key pieces Wendell Carter Jr and Jalen Suggs being off the basketball court. Even though both teams are sitting at the bottom of the eastern conference, there are still valuable backups who have been getting a lot of minutes that can help bolster our fantasy basketball teams. Here are a few more NBA players we can look to pick up from the fantasy basketball waiver wire.

 

 

Andrew Nembhard G Indiana Pacers - 50% Rostered

I normally don’t recommend players who are rostered in this many leagues on fantasy basketball websites, but we’re seeing even with Tyrese Haliburton healthy, Nembhard has clearly impressed the Pacers coaches and as long as Chris Duarte is still hurt, he should still get a lot of playing time and continue to take double-digit shots. Nembhard can play multiple positions and he isn’t afraid to shoot and doesn’t just chuck out low-percentage shots. He’s good at bouncing off screens while he has possession of the ball and hitting shots with that little bit of extra space.

He’s scored over 14 points per game and hit 50 percent of his field goals in his last 10 games. He’s grabbing a steal per battle and produced two multi-steal games in his last four and posted six or more rebounds in three of those games. His assists will likely drop a bit with Haliburton back and we’ll have to watch Nembhard’s turnover volume, but for now, he absolutely deserves to be rostered and he can do more on the court than Buddy Hield and Bennedict Mathurin. He’s earned himself around 30 minutes per game even with Haliburton back in action. Give Nembhard a couple of weeks to see if his production massively drops off with Haliburton on the floor with him before dropping him.

Jalen McDaniels F Charlotte Hornets - 37% Rostered

McDaniels has been shooting a bit more lately and after seeing him score 19-plus points in 3 of his last 5 games, he can be relied on for scoring, rebounding, and steals. He’s stealing one ball per game and has even blocked shots in two of his last three. McDaniels can help stretch the floor and when the Hornets are on transition, he trails the guard with the ball in case the opposing defense decides to collapse on the driver, he’s right there to finish off the play and get to the rim. He’s hit the 30-minute mark in 5 of his last 6 contests. McDaniels has also pulled down five or more rebounds in three of his last four games. Gordon Hayward and Cody Martin are sidelined, and P.J. Washington and Kelly Oubre need more help scoring and McDaniels has taken no fewer than eight shots in his last three weeks of gameplay. 

Moritz Wagner PF, C Orlando Magic - 37% Rostered

The Magic have a lot of big men, but with Wendell Carter Jr still out, Wagner, who missed the first month of the season due to injury has been able to take advantage of available minutes in the post. Even with Mo Bamba healthy, Wagner is still playing deep into games. He has a few post moves and has always battled for rebounds, and he isn’t afraid of taking contact. He can also step back and shoot long-range jumpers if needed hopefully drawing out an opposing big man out to guard him at the arc and opening the lane a bit for the rest of the offense. Wagner posted back-to-back double-doubles and he’s taken 10 or more shots in 3 of his last 4 games. Until Carter returns, we should see Wagner play at least 30 minutes for the most part as long as he can stay out of foul trouble. He’s also posted swipes in his last three outings, and he’s blocked shots in three of his last five contests. 

Jaylen Nowell G Minnesota Timberwolves - 32% Rostered

As Karl-Anthony Towns continues to sit, Nowell is sporting a usage percentage exceeding 28. He’s scored no fewer than 14 points in 5 straight contests and he doesn’t even need 30 minutes to put up production. When he’s on the floor, he takes a lot of shots, at least 13 in 4 straight battles. He’s been shooting better from downtown and in general, he’s shot under 45 percent in just 1 of his last five games. Nowell is earning his minutes not only because he’s versatile and can play both guard positions, effectively, but from playing good defense on the perimeter as well. He’s logged three or more rebounds in six straight games and posted swipes in four contests during that span. The shots have been there and will continue to be especially with Towns out of the lineup. Kyle Anderson doesn’t take many shots starting in his place.

Walker Kessler PF, C Utah Jazz - 40% Rostered

We’re starting to see more 20-plus minute games from the Jazz rookie center and he’s posted 2 double-doubles in his last 3 battles. Kessler’s timing is starting to improve and he’s able to control his physicality on defense a bit more, but he isn’t given a long leash because Kelly Olynyk and Lauri Markkanen have been aggressive and able to play heavy minutes in the post. The Jazz are starting to mess with their lineup a bit and if Kessler continues to improve, they could opt to bring Jarred Vanderbilt in off the bench a bit more giving Kessler more control over his destiny and more playing time. Kessler has blocked two or more shots in four straight games totaling 14 between the 4. He doesn’t take many shots and he doesn’t have any fancy post moves, but he’s over seven feet tall and has a big frame making it hard to box him out of the paint. Seeing him pull down eight or more rebounds in three straight games is very encouraging. 

Joe Harris SG, SF Brooklyn Nets - 24% Rostered

The Nets defense has improved, and Harris is one of the reasons why. Harris should be looked at as a short-term solution because with a healthy Ben Simmons and Stephen Curry, playing time will be divided further between the guards. Harris should see a good amount of small forward minutes splitting with Royce O’Neale. Despite shooting 40 percent from the floor, he’s shot 50 percent from the field in 4 straight games and 50 percent or better from downtown in all those games. Harris has also scored 13 or more points in 4 of his last 5 games and played over 30 minutes in all but 1 game during that span.

Harris hustles, and dives for loose balls and even if he’s not fed a ton of shots, his defense will keep him on the floor. Remember, Simmons doesn’t really want the ball on offense unless the lane is open, and Harris can continue being a strong bailout shooter from downtown. He’s grabbed four or more rebounds in four of his last five games and posted steals in three of those outings. If his shots and playing time drops, release him back out but give it a few games with Simmons back in the mix so we can see what we’re dealing with regarding the Nets rotation.

Grant Williams F Boston Celtics - 29% Rostered

He doesn’t take a lot of shots, but he’s making the most from what he’s given, and Williams has hit double figures in scoring in three of his last four games. Williams has shot over 55 percent from the floor this season.  He’ll provide relief by grabbing boards and steals and the Celtics will continue to play him over 28 minutes per game. Al Horford has been in the league’s health and safety protocol and if he needs a couple more games off, Williams should see more shots. Besides Blake Griffin, the Celtics don’t have many other players to turn to on the blocks beyond Jayson Tatum. 

Williams has recorded steals in five of his last six games and he’s produced five or more boards in two of his last three games. Even when Horford returns, Williams minutes should be safe. Once Robert Williams returns in the next few weeks, Williams minutes will start to drop a bit once we hit mid-January when Williams is more acclimated in the rotation. He should return to action before the end of 2022. 

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