And they're off! The fantasy playoffs are finally here and I hope you're in! If you are, and you need some boarder-line standard league candidates for the SG and SF spots, keep on reading.
The three players we will be talking about today all contribute in roughly the same way to their respective fantasy teams. But depending on your team's situation, playoff schedule and personal preferences, all three have a different values.
Here are our Week 21 waiver wire pickups for the wing spot here at RotoBaller.
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Standard League Waiver Wire Wing Adds
Danny Green, SG/SF, SAS (58% owned)
Ahhh, Danny Green! Huge ceiling, low floor. A guy who was a top-25 just two seasons ago has gotten himself in a situation where he's owned in just 58% of Yahoo leagues. He still shows glimpses of his fantasy genius but the inconsistency is just heartbreaking for so many of us owners.
He isn't great this season with averages of 7.6 PTS with 1.9 3PM on 40.3 FG% and 81.0 FT%, 3.3 REB, 1.8 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.8 BLK and 1.1 TO in 27 minutes per game. Not really great, but not too bad either.
And now, with LaMarcus Aldridge out indefinitely with a heart condition and Tony Parker sitting out San Antonio's last three with a back problem, Green might see some more responsibility on the offense. And if he can combine more shots with an increase of field goal efficiency, he could be right back to that fantasy greatness again. I wouldn't really expect so much from him, but top-80 production the rest of the way is not at all out of the question.
You could use Green's fantasy playoff schedule to your advantage as well, as he plays another three games this week (Wed, Sat and Sun). He plays another three next week, two of which are on 5-game nights, and he finishes the default playoffs with a four-game week.
So, if could use those defensive stats along with the threes and a bit of other stats, he might just be that joker of the wire, especially in those close, single-steal H2H fantasy playoff matchups, that wins it all for you.
Courtney Lee, SG/SF, NY (53% owned)
Let me start this one off with the fact that the New York has only one game left this week, their matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, March 16. So if that's a deal-breaker for you, skip right ahead to the Other Standard League options and our Deep League candidate. But if you're in good shape this week, or even have a Bye, the Knicks have a wonderful schedule in the next two weeks.
Let's take a look at Courtney before we discuss the implications of the Knicks schedule on your fantasy team. Lee has been contributing to his fantasy owners pretty decently this season. He had slight ups and downs to be honest, but he's still been flirting with top-100 value on the season with averages of 10.6 PTS with 1.5 3PM on 45.6 FG% and 84.7 FT%, 3.4 REB, 2.2 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.3 BLK and 0.8 TO in 32 minutes per outing. That's pretty much what can be expected from him the rest of the way.
So, if you could use that kind of production and can afford to disregard the one game left this week, here's another reason to consider picking him up. Next week he plays four times in total, once on an eight-game night, once on a seven-game night and twice on a five-game night. Just to put things in perspective, on the other three days that week, a total of 28 games will be played. Furthermore, in the final week of the fantasy playoffs the Knicks have another four games lined up and one of them comes on a six-game night. If you liked what you read, give Lee a good, long look.
Other options: Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF, ATL (57% owned) and Brandon Ingram, SG/SF, LAL (50% owned)
Deep League Waiver Wire Wing Adds
Matt Barnes, SG/SF, GSW (13% owned)
We all know how valuable Matt Barnes can be when he's playing on his level. We all also know how frustrating it is when he is having one or more of his duds. He was in a decent spot with the Kings for a while this season, but then the Kings went full-development mode, so Barnes was asked to move on. When he joined the star-filled Warriors, it didn't seem as if he will continue to be fantasy relevant. But with the injury to Kevin Durant, Barnes might just prove he is still worth a roster spot in deeper leagues.
He has been pretty good in his last two for his new team, nearly missing a double-double in each of those games, averaging 12.0 points with 2.0 three-pointers on 38.9% from the field and no misses in six attempts from the line, 9.0 boards, 3.5 dimes, 1.0 steals, 0.5 blocks and 3.5 turnovers in 29 minutes per contest. He isn't expected to do so well from the charity stripe or get that many boards the rest of the way, but neither will he shoot his field goals so poorly nor turn the ball over 3.5 times a game.
The Warriors play another two games this week, one of which is on a six-game night. And later they play four games apiece in the next two weeks. So if you're in a deep league and like what Matt brings to the table, and believe he can hold on to this kind of a role with the team that has set the record for most wins in a single NBA regular season last year, give him a go. His across the board contribution could prove to be just what you needed to bring other owners in your league down to their knees.
Other options: Solomon Hill, SG/SF, NO (20% owned) and Wayne Ellington, SG/SF, MIA (15% owned)
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