RADIO
Now more than a month into the 2014-15 NBA season, the waiver wire has taken its typical place in the weekly/daily routine of fantasy basketball managers. The following forwards, whether of the “sleeper” variety or just cashing in temporarily on an unforeseen opportunity, almost certainly deserve attention across the various formats.
Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Player List
Waiver Wire Forward for Right Now
Robert Covington (PHI, PF) - 22% Owned
Break up the Sixers. Clearly Philadelphia head coach Brett Brown was toying with the rest of the league during the 76ers’ seventeen-game losing streak because Covington has been mostly a non-factor this season, until last week’s win over Minnesota. Now Philadelphia’s secret weapon off the bench has been putting in work, averaging 29.3 minutes, 21 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3 three-pointers made over his last three games. The Philadelphia roster isn’t exactly ripe with talent so they’ll have to play any hot hand they have and play it over and over.
Honorable Mention
Mason Plumlee (BKN, PF/C) - 31% Owned
Covington’s ownership numbers have climbed exponentially over the last couple of days, so if he is unavailable is your league, look for Plumlee. Plumlee should start in place of Brook Lopez who is injured, yet again, and will miss at least a week. Plumlee is not a long term answer but a very capable short term fill-in.
Waiver Wire Forward in Deeper Leagues
James Johnson (TOR, SF/PF) - 10% Owned
Although Kyle Lowry has been racking up the fantasy stats since the injury to DeMar DeRozan, Johnson’s minutes have increased steadily and his non-scoring numbers have improved ever-so-slightly. His .168 WS/48 and 119 ORating should be proof enough that the 2009 first round pick still has some game left in his tank. Lowry, along with Lou Williams and Greivis Vasquez, will more than likely continue to shoulder the scoring load, but Johnson will see continued improvement in every other non-scoring fantasy state.
Waiver Wire Forward to Keep an Eye On
Shabazz Muhammad (MIN, SF) - 5% Owned
Um, what? How is Muhammad only owned in 5% of leagues? The 22-year-old swingman has gone on a recent scoring binge and plays for an up-pace albeit terrible team. Injuries to Ricky Rubio and now Mo Williams have Muhammad in the driver’s seat as the top outside scoring option for the Timberwolves. Any owner that has a lack of Vitamin Scoring will need to grab the Muhammad prescription off the waiver wire as soon as possible. Everybody else should wait and keep an eye on his ankle injury to clear up to see if he can have an impact in non-scoring categories. Those owners that are looking for defense should continue to look at other options.
