Immediate gratification. That’s what we are after. It’s both a blessing and a curse. We can apply those sentiments to our everyday lives, but here, it’s all about fantasy basketball.
Based on the nature of the game, we have to live in the present. While it would be great that the rosters we draft in October stick with us all season, we know that’s never going to be the case. Turnover is part of the game, and you can’t afford not to cycle players in and out of the lineup. That means when players are injured, especially for a lengthy time, they are generally forgotten about.
With that being said, let’s take a look at two players on the fantasy basketball waiver wire who have recently returned from injury. There’s also another player on my radar who is taking advantage of injuries to others to carve out an expanded role.
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire
Sam Merrill, G, Cleveland Cavaliers
After missing a month with an injury, Sam Merrill returned with ease. He shook off the rust in his first game as he scored just four points in 26 minutes. Merrill is now back in Cleveland’s starting lineup, and it doesn’t appear he is leaving anytime soon.
In his last three games, Merrill is averaging 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in 27 minutes of action. We can certainly find a place for that on just about any fantasy squad, but Merrill’s value goes beyond that. He’s picking up a steal per game, but it’s from behind the arc where he can really make a difference. Merrill is averaging 3.7 three-pointers per game, on eight attempts. That alone should generate some waiver wire interest.
Tari Eason, F, Houston Rockets
While we obviously want Tari Eason to start, as he did on Christmas, it appears he’s going to be good for a minimum of about 20 minutes per night regardless.
In the four games since his return, Eason is averaging 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. That’s in line with what we have come to expect from the forward as of late, but depending on the night, there’s also upside for more.
As we look at Eason from a fantasy perspective, though, there’s more to like. Eason is averaging 1.8 steals and one block per game since his return. He’s also shooting 51.4% from the field, making 1.8 out of four attempts from beyond the arc. That’s production worthy of our waiver wire attention.
Tyler Kolek, G, New York Knicks
It all started with defense. Yes, I know that fantasy basketball generally comes down to offensive statistics, but for Tyler Kolek, it’s all about the defense.
In order to generate fantasy production, you need to be on the court. And for Kolek, it’s his effort and production on the defensive side of the ball that’s getting him playing time. And now that he has the playing time, the results are following.
While Miles McBride will be back shortly, Landry Shamet has a longer runway to return, while Josh Hart is newly sidelined with an ankle injury. That means Kolek will continue to receive playing time for the immediate future.
If we look at the past seven games for Kolek since his defensive awakening, the results are positive. The guard is averaging 22 minutes per game while being quite efficient with his production. Over that stretch, Kolek has 9.4 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.1 assists per game as he fills the stat sheet.
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