When you find yourself in a fantasy league where the usual suspects just aren’t found on the waiver wire – what do you do? Well, here’s a list of players just for you – six players trending up on the fantasy rankings as well as their teams’ depth charts. Some might be permanent, some only injury replacements but, hey, nothing is truly permanent – my new (and quite expensive) wireless headphones started falling apart only days after the purchase.
Week 5 Fantasy Basketball Deep Waiver Wire Adds
Kenyon Martin Jr., SF/PF – Houston Rockets(22% rostered)
Kenyon Martin Jr. has played himself into a solid role in the Rockets rotation. The fantasy expectations weren’t too high with an ADP of 513 on Fantrax. Since the fantasy drafts, though, Martin has played well enough to be a decent contributor in most fantasy leagues. Particularly in the last two weeks, Martin has been a borderline top-100 fantasy player.
Jevon Carter, PG – Milwaukee Bucks (22% rostered)
With Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Giannis Antetokounmpo out injured, Jevon Carter has become the Bucks’ leading scorer and assist man. As long as those three remain out, Carter is a must-roster in most leagues. Once they begin to return, Carter could still see minutes in the mid-twenties. That is enough to contribute in threes and assists in deeper leagues.
Charles Bassey, C – San Antonio Spurs (16% rostered)
With Zach Collins out for at least the near future, the fourth-stringer, according to most online depth charts, Charles Bassey, has played himself into the Spurs rotation. In the last 3 games, he has averaged 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal in 17 minutes of playing time. Minutes are never guaranteed, especially in the Spurs rotation, but Bassey could be a solid source of off-ball stats as long as Collins remains out.
Gabe Vincent, PG/SG – Miami Heat (10% rostered)
Gabe Vincent has made the most of his opportunity with Jimmy Butler and, now, Tyler Herro being out with injuries. While Butler is already back, and Herro is expected to be back any day, Vincent’s good play could have given him a more prominent role in the rotation. In extended minutes, Vincent’s contributions have been the strongest in threes, steals, and points.
Killian Hayes, PG/SG – Detroit Pistons (16% rostered)
Cade Cunningham is expected to be out for at least a week with a shin injury. Enter Killian Hayes. In the first two games without Cunningham, Hayes averaged a 13-6-7 with 1.5 steals and two threes. I see no reason to expect that to end while Cunningham is out. Hayes is a prospect in his own right so there is an upside to rostering him outside of the Cunningham injury.
Austin Reaves, SG – Los Angeles Lakers (5% rostered)
There is clearly an opportunity for any bench player in the Lakers with the mini-injury crisis. Mainly, it’s just one guy missing but he’s the main guy. In the last two, Reaves has averaged 17 points with good percentages. While not yet ready to fill LeBron’s shoes, Reaves’ scoring would be needed even when LeBron returns to the lineup.