Welcome to week 8 of the NBA waiver wire season. Winter is coming my ladies and lords…It’s time to button up and prepare for the storms that loom. Injuries continue to take down players so it’s important as ever to keep active on the waiver wire. Here are a few players who are primed for success and ready to contribute to your fantasy basketball teams!
Week 8 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire
Killian Hayes, PG/SG – Detroit Pistons (59% rostered)
The 7th overall pick from the 2020 NBA Draft is starting to find is rhythm and he’s firing on all cylinders. No pun intended. According to my research, a cylinder is a vital part of the engine where power is generated. The power right now is for real in Killian Hayes baby! Hayes is averaging a very solid 15.8 points per game over his last five games. What makes him a must-add is his 7.4 assists per game which put him in the top 12 over that span. The talented 21-year-old also has at least two steals in three of his past five games with multi-point three-point performances. Hayes is simply filling out the stat-sheet and is an absolute must-add player. He’s a top 25 fantasy player on the week and will get plenty of opportunities on the Detroit Pistons squad that doesn’t care about the playoffs.
Jaylen Nowell, PG/SG – Minnesota Timberwolves (31% rostered)
Tis the holiday season so sweet Nowell is on our minds. Jaylen Nowell that is! Nowell is fresh off three-straight 20-point performances, averaging 22.7 points to go along with 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.7 3PTM. 22+ points on the week doesn’t grow on trees baby and Nowell has been a prime benefactor of Karl-Anthony Towns out of the Timberwolves lineup. With opportunity up in the air in Minnesota, do not sleep on Jaylen Nowell! Great add for the immediate future with Towns expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF – Dallas Mavericks (43% rostered)
When you search the Dallas Mavericks online all that comes up is where is the help for All-Star Luka Doncic? Well, Tim Hardaway Jr., heard those messages loud and clear and is taking things into his own hands. Hardaway Jr. has taken over the starting role from Reggie Bullock and is thriving in Texas baby. Over his last three games, he’s averaging a whopping 25.3 points per game as well as 6.3 3PTM. Those are Stephen Curry numbers folks! While a drop in production is imminent these are numbers we cannot ignore. Not to mention, Hardaway Jr., is also averaging 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals. Not bad for someone portrayed as just a scorer. Three-point Timmy is free for the taking for now but you better scoop him off the waiver wire quick!
Malik Monk, SG – Sacramento Kings (53% rostered)
Malik Monk is another shooter who can’t stop scoring. Monk enters his 6th-year in the league and is enjoying career highs in points as well as assists and shooting percentages. Monk is now averaging 20.8 points over his last four games while posting 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.8 3PTM. Not too shabby if you ask me! The Kings continue to play Monk significant minutes and he won’t go away with four 20+ point performances over his last six games. He’s one injury away from being an absolute must-roster player but is performing at a pace that deserves your attention in the meantime.
Walker Kessler, PF/C – Utah Jazz (24% rostered)
I mentioned Walker Kessler at the start of the season but I’m here for a reminder that the rookie 7’footer is a potential league winner and needs to be added. Kessler was unreal on Friday night posting a 20-point, 11-rebound performance against the Indiana Pacers. He followed that game with a modest but solid 8-point, 8-rebound night on Saturday. The Utah Jazz started off the season on fire but have since cooled off losing six of their last eight games. Danny Ainge does not have Championship aspirations this season and the Jazz will continue to sell pieces as the season goes along. Kessler is averaging 3 blocks per game over his last three games and 9.5 rebounds over his last two. He will take over the starting position at years-end and be a double-double machine! Add away and reap the rewards in due time!