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Immediately upon Kyle Lowry's return to the starting lineup, Fred Vanvleet went down with an injury that looks like it will keep him out for at least two weeks. Since most people were concerned about how Lowry will impact VanVleet production, it's pretty clear now. Outside of the Raptors, there is one player that has gone from one of the worst players in the league statistically almost yearly, to TOP 30 PRODUCTION over the past two weeks.
For those of you that have been under a rock for the past month, that player is Ben McLemore. He is averaging close to 20 points a game with close to five three's a game. That is unreal given the fact that he is only 23% owned and putting up numbers in key categories. This wave is real and there is reason to ride it until he runs out of steam. With the Rockets roster, it doesn't look like his hot streak will end and whether it's a standard league, DFS, whatever, McLemore is finally legitimate.
Make sure to stay updated on injuries and return times, but as far as I'm concerned, these next three players will see the biggest benefit. As a reminder, for standard (10-12 team) league adds, we use a general rule of thumb of an ownership rate of under 50% on Yahoo. All position eligibility based on Yahoo leagues. If you have any questions find me in the NBA Chat Room or @HalfCourtJester on Twitter.
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Free Agent Waiver Adds for Week 8
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF – Dallas Mavericks
Ownership: 33%
13.2 PPG / 1.8 APG / .433 FG% / 2.4 3MPG
It seems like his ownership is rising every time I refresh so I have to hurry up and get this puppy published. Tim Hardaway Jr. has not been the only Maverick impressing this season, but looking from the outside in, it's great to see Hardaway hitting his shots consistently and looking confident in an offense that he doesn't have to singlehandedly fuel. He will only grow more and more comfortable in these rotations and playing with Luka Doncic, so these out spurts should grow more and more frequent as opponents start to focus their attention toward more physically impactful players.
Matisse Thybulle , SG/SF – Philadelphia 76ers
Ownership 7%
4.7 PPG / .429 FG% / 1.3 APG / 1.5 SPG
Not a promising statistical outlook whatsoever, but we aren't concerned with what he has done. Looking at what he is going to do and what he is capable of, last game against the Raptors was clearly his breakout game. Will he pick up right where he left off? Probably. Is it sustainable? Not so much. He is a struggling shooter and players who struggle to score can't find consistent production unless they are the epitome of a role player.
Thybulle isn't there yet but when he can score, he is clearly bringing much needed value with it. Since this should lead to a solid week for Thybulle who faces Boston, New Orleans, Brooklyn, and Miami this upcoming week, he should be the odd man out when it comes to opposing teams defensive schemes.
Jakob Poeltl, C – San Antonio Spurs
Ownership 19%
6.0 PPG / 6.0 RPG / .594 FG% / 1.3 BPG
Most of Jakob Poeltl's value is coming just from his high-block games, but that is what most people are looking for anyway in deep leagues. You won't be finding many studs on the wire this last, but someone who can post near two blocks a game needs to be rostered. Looking at the next week it's not looking good, but there's room for improvement. He faces two teams who he will not be able to really get solid contests on, so look for the following week to be where he picks his momentum back up.
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.
