The waiver wire this week is filled with guys who may not blow you away with their overall production but should intrigue you because of their consistency night in and night out. Finding someone who is going to contribute every night is more important than potential and possible production. Also, getting rid of guys who haven't been contributing of late and are dead weight at the end of your bench is also just as important. All of these and more are on this week's list of waiver wire stars.
Be sure to also check out our Week 12 Waiver Wire Guards and Forwards.
Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Player List
NBA Centers: Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups & Sleepers
John Henson (MIL, PF/C) - 13% Owned
Henson got a four year extension in the offseason and was expected to play a larger role on the team than he did in his first three years. It has taken a while but Henson's position on the team is starting to materialize. He basically plays as a direct replacement to Greg Monroe at the center position. Depending on the flow of the game, Henson might play more than Monroe or get more shots than Monroe just because Milwaukee's second unit is doing well. Most of the time though he gets minutes based not only on his play but also on the play of Monroe. If Greg is really hot then Henson will barely see the court. Henson is still an up and down back up player that will be difficult to trust with a roster spot. But he has gotten a consistent role that should only increase depending on how well he plays. Henson's 7.1 points and 4.0 rebounds are just the basement of what he can do -- his biggest value lies in his massive upside.
Steven Adams (OKC, C) - 10% Owned
Adams is a big man who is used mainly for his toughness and grit. While they are admirable and necessary qualities for a basketball team, they usually don't translate into fantasy points. Well, Adams' toughness also comes with a little bit of basketball skills as well. Over the last two weeks, he's averaging 8 points, 7 rebounds, and one block a game while shooting 70% from the field and 81% from the free throw line. This performance crested in Sunday's loss against the Trailblazers, when the big man played 35 minutes and posted 17 points and 10 rebounds without missing from the field. While this may be close to Adams' ceiling, he has been very consistent this year and can be relied upon more than other similar big man options.
Bismack Biyombo (TOR, C) - 14% Owned
After absolutely setting the rebounding world on fire for a few weeks, Biyombo has fully crashed back down to Earth. The return of Jonas Valanciunas has left Biyombo back with his bench role. Coming off the bench just doesn't suit Biyombo as he's gone from 10 rebounds a game for a few weeks to less than 5 per game over the last two weeks. Biyombo's outbust was fool's good dependent on the health of Valanciunas. He should be let go and replaced with someone who is more consistent.
Ian Mahinmi (IND, C) - 30% Owned
Mahinmi continues to go unnoticed on the fantasy radar despite putting together a solid season so far. Over the last 30 days he's averaging 10 points, 7.8 rebounds, and one block a game while shooting 65% from the field and 67% from the free throw line. The Pacers have three pretty decent big men in Mahinmi, Jordan Hill, and Lavoy Allen. Everyone basically got an equal chance to prove themselves as Roy Hibbert's replacement. Collectively they have been able to do well, but Mahinmi has had the most fantasy value and is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, and field goal percentage. This is the first time he's a starter in his eight year career and he has shown that he is worthy of the position.
NBA & Fantasy Basketball Chat Room
[iflychat_embed id="c-11" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]