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Looking into Week 11, It's never too early to explore trades to boost your team's chances, especially in head-to-head leagues. With that said, we're here to bless you all with everything you guys need to stay ahead of your opponents in all your fantasy leagues. Below are our recommended waiver wire pickups for Week 11 of the fantasy basketball season, for those looking to beef up their teams. We wish everyone the best of luck in your leagues and may the odds forever be in your favor!
It's the best time to start exploring trades, and get out ahead before it's too late! Sell high, buy low - trying to look for ways to improve your team despite where you are in the standings will go a long way for you in case injuries and cold streaks happen. As a reminder for most leagues, it's crucial to plan ahead. Waiver wire adds, scheduling and player injuries are all things to consider. Drop the dead weight, make an effort to improve your team by maximizing your weekly adds and utilizing streamer spots via the waiver wire. Don't be attached to short-term pickups when there is a hot player on the horizon, especially if a hot player can stick with significant minutes the rest of the season. Be wary of weekly streaming options and stay ahead of your opponents. Our staff at RotoBaller has great insight and daily columns on how to improve your squad and tips to make your team successful, so be sure to check them out! Now let's get prepared for Week 11.
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Week 11 Schedule
4 Games - Lakers, Trail Blazers
3 Games - Hawks, Celtics, Nets, Hornets, Bulls, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pistons, Warriors, Rockets, Bucks, Heat, Pelicans, Timberwolves, Knicks, Magic, Sixers, Suns, Kings, Spurs, Raptors, Jazz, Wizards
2 Games - Pacers, Grizzlies
Week 11 Standard Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
I write my columns based on H2H 9-category standard size leagues:
Tyler Johnson - PG/SG, HEAT (40% Ownership)
Goran Dragic (knee surgery) is ruled out for the next two months, which has vaulted Johnson into the starting lineup for the Miami Heat. They're winners of five in a row and he has excelled in the starting lineup. Although Johnson won't be a high assist guy, he's worth owning in most leagues given that he can score and hit 3-pointers. Johnson is averaging 16.6 points and 3.2 3-pointers made over the last five games, including a 25-point outing on 6-of-9 from deep on Sunday. Get him on your team and enjoy the goodies for the next two months.
Jerami Grant - SF/PF, THUNDER (65% Ownership)
Grant has been steady all season but has really cooled off over the last month. However, he's starting to pick it up again in recent weeks. The athletic forward is averaging 15.6 points on an elite 64 percent from the field over the last five games, to go along 1.2 blocks in that span. The Thunder are one of the top teams in the Western Conference, and with him thriving thus far this season - he'll likely finish the season as the Thunder's power forward.
Reggie Bullock - SG/SF, PISTONS (37% Ownership)
Bullock was red-hot heading into Sunday, but was held to only eight points on 2-of-6 shooting, to go one rebound, three assists and two turnovers in 37 minutes. The heavy minutes are a good indication that Coach Dwyane Casey believes in him to space the floor. He has hit 21 3-points in the past five games, so he can certainly help in that department. He won't give you much else, so think long of you want to drop for the sharpshooter.
Fred Vanvleet - PG, RAPTORS (51% Ownership)
Vanvleet has been terrific all season for the Raptors, as he's leading the second-unit in one of the best benches in the entire league. His ability to play with the starters gives him some standard league consideration, and he's scored in double-figures in four straight contests as well. His upside in 3-pointers, assists, and steals makes him a worthy streamer on any given night.
Thomas Bryant - C, WIZARDS (17% Ownership)
Thomas Bryant came out of nowhere on Saturday night and busted out with 31 points with 13 rebounds, making a perfect 14-of-14 from the field. He wasn't nearly as good Sunday, but still managed to score 11 points with seven rebounds. He's worth a long look in most leagues given that he can anchor your field goal percentage and rebound. He'll have some upside in blocks and can stretch the floor with his ability to hit 3-pointers.
Jeff Green - SF/PF, WIZARDS (32% Ownership)
Otto Porter JR. (knee) has missed seven straight games and his return date is still unknown. Green has taken full advantage and he'll continue to log heavy minutes as long as Dwight Howard (butt) and Porter is out. He's worth a look as long as he's hot, having been a top-75 player in nine-category leagues over the last two weeks.
Noah Vonleh - PF, KNICKS (44% Ownership)
The injury to Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and Lance Thomas (knee) will give Vonleh a bigger leash for more minutes and contributions as he was already a stable player to roster in most 12-team leagues. Vonleh has averaged 8.4 points and 10.0 boards per game over the five. The upside and minutes continue to be there, so scoop him up and hope he continues to have a fine season.
Nemanja Bjelica - PF, KINGS (54% Ownership)
Marvin Bagley (knee bruise) is out at least for another week, which makes Bjelica a must-own player again. The Kings lean on him to space the floor and with Bagley out of the way, he'll be an excellent source of triples with nice percentages.
Kevin Knox - SF/PF, KNICKS (59% Ownership)
Have to give him credit when it due, but Knox has quickly turned his rookie campaign around last week since being re-inserted back into the starting lineup. Knox has now scored in double-figures in four straight games and is averaging 17.4 points, 6.6 boards and 2.6 3-pointers per game over the last five. He's not contributing much in the defensive stats, but we shouldn't nitpick too much for a 19-year old rookie. He's worth owning in standard leagues, but I wouldn't hesitate to use this as a moment to sell and get a player in return with a more positive outlook.
Monte Morris - PG, NUGGETS (38% Ownership)
Gary Harris (hip) will miss at least another week and Morris will likely get a bulk of those minutes playing next to Jamal Murray. Given that assists are hard to come by, Morris is a must-add player right now and he's ranked #16 over the past two weeks in nine-category leagues. He's scored double-figures in eight straight games now and continues to thrive in the Sixth-Man role.
Kevin Huerter - SG, HAWKS (14% Ownership)
Taurean Prince (ankle) will miss extended time, where Prince being out for at least another week or so gives Huerter a huge boost. He's one of the best shooters in this draft and he's logging heavy minutes despite some quiet outings over the last week. He'll have some inconsistency given that he's a rookie, so he's still a hold in most 12+ team leagues.
Joe Harris - SG, NETS (59% Ownership)
Harris is healthy again, and the Nets continue to give him big minutes. He's going to be a resourceful source of 3-pointers as long as he's logging close to 30 minutes per game, and his percentages won't hurt you anywhere. He's worth a look in all 14+ team leagues.
Emmanuel Mudiay - PG/SG, KNICKS (58% Ownership)
Mudiay has played well as of late for the Knicks, having reached double-digit scoring in six straight games. His fantasy game is very similar to Reggie Jackson, as the assists to turnover ratio is mediocre at best and the percentages will prevent him from being a top-100 asset. However, he's been very good as of late, averaging just over 20 points and 5.5 dimes per game in the month of December. He's worth owning in most leagues if he continues to put up this level of production.
Week 11 Deeper Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
Kelly Olynyk - PF/C, HEAT (41% Ownership)
The minutes has dialed down a bit with Hassan White back on the court, but we all knew that. However, Olynyk is still a key part of the bench mob for the Heat and they need his offensive punch off the bench. He hasn't played nearly as well the past week, but he's still worth holding onto in deeper leagues.
Marvin Williams - SF/PF, HORNETS (53% Ownership)
Marvin Williams can be frustrating to own, but his ability to produce great value will keep him in the top-125 roto value all season. Williams went off for 24 points on seven made triples on Friday night but shot just 1-of-9 from the field for four points on Sunday. He'll be useful to stream if you need 3 pointers, with a sprinkle of steals and blocks.
Mikal Bridges - SG/SF, SUNS (11% Ownership)
Bridges continues to log heavy minutes, as the Suns are fully invested in developing their young players. He's played over 30 minutes in five straight games and picked up nine points with three rebounds, four assists, one block, and five steals. At this point, he's worth a look in deeper leagues given his defensive contributions (2.2 steals over last five) but can quickly vault into the standard league consideration at some point later into the season. Keep your eyes on him and the tanking Phoenix Suns.
Rajon Rondo - PG, LAKERS (48% Ownership)
Rondo (hand) returned to action on Friday and dished out nine assists in only 22 minutes of action. He'll be the head of the snake for the second-unit for the Lakers so he's resourceful when you're in need of assists. Dimes are hard to get on the waiver wire so he's certainly worth a pick up if you need point guard stats.
Kelly Oubre Jr. - SF, SUNS (57% Ownership)
Oubre may have found a nice home in Phoenix, having played heavy minutes out the gate since he's been traded from Washington. It's not too clear what his role may look in a couple of weeks, especially given the Suns are loaded with wings on their roster. But he's an offensive punch that the Suns can really benefit from, so he's worth a look in deeper leagues.
Rodions Kurucs - SF/PF, NETS (6% Ownership)
Kurucs has taken advantage of the injured Allen Crabbe (knee) and looks to be a great fit in the Nets offense lately. The Latvian forward has scored 24 and 16 points over the last two games and he looks to be someone to have earned a spot in the rotation. He's someone to heavily monitor as the season goes on and he has a hint of upside you won't find elsewhere on the waiver wire.
Landry Shamet - SG, SIXERS (2% Ownership)
Shamet has been so consistent he can be used as a streamer in any format as a 3-point specialist. The Sixers desperately need outside shooting outside of J.J. Reddick and he provides just that. Shamet has drained 11 3-pointers in the last five games and he can help put the odds in your favor if you need help in the 3-pointers category.
More Fantasy Basketball Analysis
By popular demand, RotoBaller has aggregated all of our fantasy basketball NBA waiver wire pickups into a running list of NBA waiver options, so bookmark the page and check back often for updates.