It's never too early to start streaming. Whether you have an opening due to an injury, you auction-drafted a crew of stars and scrubs, or you just didn't bother putting any effort into your last couple draft picks, you probably have a player or two on your team who isn't must-own. You're better off using that roster spot to stream players to eke out wins in close categories in your weekly head-to-head matchups.
This year, RotoBaller will be making weekly recommendations for extreme short term category specialists every week in all six counting stat categories (points, assists, threes, rebounds, steals, and blocks). Below are my Week 13 offensive category streamers for fantasy basketball - points, threes, and assists are below. All position eligibility and ownership percentages are based on Yahoo! fantasy leagues.
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Three Points Made Streamer
Kelly Olynyk, C, BOS, Opponents: Saturday vs. POR (26% Owned);
Typically, I only recommend players owned 25% or less in Yahoo leagues, but I feel like a schoolboy when writing about Kelly Olynyk. There’s tonnes of hold potential past this week, so it makes sense to highlight him here. Additionally, Olynyk has one game left in the week. That means you’ll have to strategically plan for a Thursday/Friday pickup of Seth Curry or J.J. Barea to help out with the treys while snatching up Olynyk on Saturday morning. You can do it, I believe in you.
Olynyk has seen an increase in minutes (25.8) the last five games as he’s posted 14.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.6 blocks and 2.2 treys on 63.6% from the field. On the season, he’s only averaging 20.5 minutes and it looks like Brad Stevens is warm to giving him an increased role. I think this is the point where a speculative add is worthwhile where you can cut something near the end of your bench. His per-36 numbers are 9-cat worthy and all he needs to do is pass Amir Johnson on the depth chart to return value as a hold in standard leagues. I’ll draft up the petition to Stevens, I’ll just need signatures.
Other Options: Seth Curry, PG/SG, DAL (25% Owned); Jodie Meeks, SG, ORL (8% Owned); C.J. Miles, SG/SF, IND (24% Owned); Terrence Ross, SG/SF, TOR (20% Owned); Joe Ingles, SG/SF, UTA (4% Owned); Tony Snell, SG/SF, MIL (2% Owned); Joe Harris, SG, BKN (1% Owned)
Points Streamer
Michael Carter-Williams, PG, CHI, Opponents: Friday @ ATL, Saturday vs. SAC (25% Owned)
Fred Hoiberg has kept Rajon Rondo in the doghouse longer than I anticipated. The longer it lasts, the more I believe Michael Carter-Williams is going to finish the year as the starting point guard. At this point, I think the move probably sticks. In nine games as a starter, MCW is averaging 9.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists which is at least good enough to stream for the end of the week. Additionally, he’s seeing 25.0 minutes on the floor. He’s also scored in double figure six times since being promoted, so he makes sense for a point streaming option and is available on most wires.
If you’re cooler on MCW, there are other great options available in Week 13. Iman Shumpert has also gotten a promotion over DeAndre Liggins as the starting shooting guard in Cleveland. I’ve thought about charging Marreese Speights rent because he’s occupied this space so often this season. Joe Johnson will see an increased role off the bench with Rodney Hood expected to miss at least the rest of the week. Lastly, Michael Beasley has added a needed scoring punch for the Young Bucks off the bench. All are decent options in Week 13.
Other Options: Iman Shumpert, SG/SF, CLE (5% Owned); Marreese Speights, PF/C, LAC (21% Owned); Joe Johnson, SG/SF, UTA (13% Owned); Michael Beasley, SF/PF, MIL (6% Owned);
Assists Streamer
Sergio Rodriguez/T.J. McConnell, PG, PHI, Opponents: Friday vs. TOR, Saturday vs. POR (22% Owned)
First, Jerryd Bayless went down at the beginning of the season, which bumped Sergio Rodriguez into a starting gig. Then Sergio got hurt and was supplanted by T.J. McConnell’s stellar playmaking abilities in the starting unit. Now, T.J. got hurt and we’re back to not knowing who Brett Brown likes as the starting point guard in Philly. The good news, is both point guards are 22% owned in Yahoo, which means they’re available in most leagues. The bad news, McConnell’s status is up in the air for tonight’s game, so we’re going to have to play it by ear for the rest of the week.
The Sixers have a back-to-back that starts on Friday and if McConnell doesn’t suit up tonight, then there’s still a decent chance he plays one of those games. I’d be going with the healthier option in Spanish Chocolate if there’s still no updates before Friday. There’s less risk and even coming off the bench, Rodriguez is averaging 3.3 assists in only 15.5 minutes. He should be a lock to see above that minute average if McConnell is dealing with a wrist injury. Still, a lot can change until then, so keep your eyes on updates closer to the weekend.
Raymond Felton also makes sense as an assist add as Chris Paul (wrist) will miss the next 6-8 weeks as he undergoes surgery. Felton holds averages of 10.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists as a starter on the season. Give him a look if he’s available as he should remain a hold candidate until Paul returns to the lineup.
Other Options: Raymond Felton, PG/SG, LAC (25% Owned); Matthew Dellavedova, PG/SG, MIL (21% Owned); Ty Lawson, PG, SAC (15% Owned); Jameer Nelson, PG, DEN (9% Owned);
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.