Here are this week's top waiver players that could be big in the upcoming week:
Guards-
1) Earl Watson (IND)- Watson has been on this list before, and will continue to be on it so long as T.J. Ford is out of the rotation. The Pacers certainly don't really have any other option at the point guard spot, so it's Watson's for the taking pending any acquisitions or trades. He's been sporadic (as was Ford) as a starter, but if you're desperate for a point guard, Watson is a decent option. Just have to keep your expectations very low and take the bad with the good.
2) Kyle Lowry (HOU)- I really love the way Lowry plays and wish he got more minutes. But, with Aaron Brooks playing lights out, it's hard to stick two 6-foot point guards on the court the same time. Lowry simply does it all when he plays. He's averaging 10 ppg, 6 rpg, & 6 apg in his last three games. If Brooks were to ever miss significant time with an injury, be ready to pounce on Lowry. In the meantime, Lowry is a nice spot start if you're willing to roll the dice on a player to get in an extra game or two for the week.
3) Mario Chalmers (MIA)- This pickup is all based on Miami's decision to keep Carlos Arroyo or not. The Heat have until January 6th to decide whether to keep his contract for the rest of the year. If Miami doesn't pick up the option, Chalmers will gain his starting spot and be an okay player to pick up as the minutes will be there. However, if Miami picks up Arroyo's contract, Arroyo is the waiver guy I'd look for because obviously, the Heat like him and wouldn't pick up the option to have him sit on the bench.
Forwards-
1) Jeff Pendergraph/Donte Cunningham (POR)- Portland continues to have bad luck with their big men as Aldridge is the latest big to get injured (Oden & Pryzbilla). Thus, the Blazers need to dig deep off their bench for a big man to fill the gap. Step in the young guns, Pendergraph and Cunningham. Pendergraph got the last start, but only logged 9 minutes while Cunningham logged 23 minutes. It's pretty much a toss up, but if I were to pick one up, I'd go with Pendergraph.
2) Matt Barnes (ORL)- Barnes is probably listed as a Guard/Forward in most leagues, but he'll be an option on the forwards list for this post. 'Vinsanity' went down with an injury in their last contest and vows to play in their next game. However, I don't think Stan Van Gundy & Co. will rush him back. Barnes is back in the starting lineup and posts versatile stat lines even with Carter in the lineup. If VC happens to miss any time, these lines could be even bigger.
3) Mike Miller (WAS)- Miller is slated to come back sometime this week (even as early as Tuesday). He's a viable option in most league formats, but doesn't put up huge numbers, rather, all-around stats. Also, with the big news that 'Agent 0' could be facing a big suspension for his "gun related" incident with teammate Javaris Crittenton, Miller may be forced to pick up his slack for however long Arenas is gone. Give Miller a week to get back into game shape if you're taking a flyer on him.
Centers-
1) Juwan Howard (POR)- This goes along with what I mentioned earlier with the Forwards from Portland. This time, the old veteran, Juwan Howard, is also a beneficiary of Aldridge missing time with injury. Juwan has quietly been filling in nicely averaging 9 ppg, nearly 6 rpg, 1 apg, and almost 2 spg. Not bad for pick up, and his numbers could go up slightly with Portland's lack of bigs.
2) Roy Hibbert (IND)- Yes, he's another who's been on the watch list a couple of times. And, yes, he'll probably be on here all season. His potential is too great to ignore, and you have to think he'll be more consistent as we head into the second-half of the season. The biggest obstacle for Dr. Hibbert is staying out of foul trouble. You'll also have to look at the matchups the Pacers face. If they're facing a team that likes to run, Hibbert probably won't be logging very many minutes that game as he has a hard time getting up and down the court. So, if you need a #3 center, Hibbert is a nice fill in.
Good luck this week! And, as always, thanks for reading and following the blog. Be sure to pass it around to everyone!
Guards-
1) Earl Watson (IND)- Watson has been on this list before, and will continue to be on it so long as T.J. Ford is out of the rotation. The Pacers certainly don't really have any other option at the point guard spot, so it's Watson's for the taking pending any acquisitions or trades. He's been sporadic (as was Ford) as a starter, but if you're desperate for a point guard, Watson is a decent option. Just have to keep your expectations very low and take the bad with the good.
2) Kyle Lowry (HOU)- I really love the way Lowry plays and wish he got more minutes. But, with Aaron Brooks playing lights out, it's hard to stick two 6-foot point guards on the court the same time. Lowry simply does it all when he plays. He's averaging 10 ppg, 6 rpg, & 6 apg in his last three games. If Brooks were to ever miss significant time with an injury, be ready to pounce on Lowry. In the meantime, Lowry is a nice spot start if you're willing to roll the dice on a player to get in an extra game or two for the week.
3) Mario Chalmers (MIA)- This pickup is all based on Miami's decision to keep Carlos Arroyo or not. The Heat have until January 6th to decide whether to keep his contract for the rest of the year. If Miami doesn't pick up the option, Chalmers will gain his starting spot and be an okay player to pick up as the minutes will be there. However, if Miami picks up Arroyo's contract, Arroyo is the waiver guy I'd look for because obviously, the Heat like him and wouldn't pick up the option to have him sit on the bench.
Forwards-
1) Jeff Pendergraph/Donte Cunningham (POR)- Portland continues to have bad luck with their big men as Aldridge is the latest big to get injured (Oden & Pryzbilla). Thus, the Blazers need to dig deep off their bench for a big man to fill the gap. Step in the young guns, Pendergraph and Cunningham. Pendergraph got the last start, but only logged 9 minutes while Cunningham logged 23 minutes. It's pretty much a toss up, but if I were to pick one up, I'd go with Pendergraph.
2) Matt Barnes (ORL)- Barnes is probably listed as a Guard/Forward in most leagues, but he'll be an option on the forwards list for this post. 'Vinsanity' went down with an injury in their last contest and vows to play in their next game. However, I don't think Stan Van Gundy & Co. will rush him back. Barnes is back in the starting lineup and posts versatile stat lines even with Carter in the lineup. If VC happens to miss any time, these lines could be even bigger.
3) Mike Miller (WAS)- Miller is slated to come back sometime this week (even as early as Tuesday). He's a viable option in most league formats, but doesn't put up huge numbers, rather, all-around stats. Also, with the big news that 'Agent 0' could be facing a big suspension for his "gun related" incident with teammate Javaris Crittenton, Miller may be forced to pick up his slack for however long Arenas is gone. Give Miller a week to get back into game shape if you're taking a flyer on him.
Centers-
1) Juwan Howard (POR)- This goes along with what I mentioned earlier with the Forwards from Portland. This time, the old veteran, Juwan Howard, is also a beneficiary of Aldridge missing time with injury. Juwan has quietly been filling in nicely averaging 9 ppg, nearly 6 rpg, 1 apg, and almost 2 spg. Not bad for pick up, and his numbers could go up slightly with Portland's lack of bigs.
2) Roy Hibbert (IND)- Yes, he's another who's been on the watch list a couple of times. And, yes, he'll probably be on here all season. His potential is too great to ignore, and you have to think he'll be more consistent as we head into the second-half of the season. The biggest obstacle for Dr. Hibbert is staying out of foul trouble. You'll also have to look at the matchups the Pacers face. If they're facing a team that likes to run, Hibbert probably won't be logging very many minutes that game as he has a hard time getting up and down the court. So, if you need a #3 center, Hibbert is a nice fill in.
Good luck this week! And, as always, thanks for reading and following the blog. Be sure to pass it around to everyone!
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