In Week 8, we’re trekking to the North Pole to unwrap the underrated toys the elves made but no kid wanted. So grab a sense of humor as we uncover the most obscure, the most unexpected, and the most “Did he seriously just pick him up?,” Fantasy Basketball Deep League Waiver Wire Adds to save your fantasy team.
The following players are rostered in < 50% of Fantrax leagues.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Deep League Waiver Wire Adds for Week 8
Dante Exum, PG – Dallas Mavericks (25% rostered)
Recommending Exum as an add was DEFINITELY not on my bingo card, but here we are! The 28-year-old has started the last two games for the Mavericks, averaging 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.5 three-pointers, and 1.0 steals in 29.5 minutes. The Australian native should be added and started in all leagues while Kyrie Irving (heel) is sidelined, and has no timetable for a return.
Derrick Jones Jr., SF/PF – Dallas Mavericks (40% rostered)
Jones Jr. is another Maverick I’m looking at following Kyrie Irving’s injury. The 26-year-old has been on fire, scoring double-digit points over his last five games, averaging 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks. “Airplane Mode” was already interesting, but now that Kyrie Irving is out indefinitely, the UNLV product is a must-add.
Isaiah Hartenstein, C – New York Knicks (36% rostered)
Hartenstein started the second half for the injured Mitchell Robinson (ankle) at Boston back on Dec. 8 and finished with 16 rebounds, five points, four assists, and two blocks. With Robinson undergoing additional testing on his ankle, his status is uncertain until the results come back, which could open up the door for Hartenstein. The 25-year-old is a speculative add in deeper leagues, especially if you need boards and swats.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG/SF – Minnesota Timberwolves (25% rostered)
Anthony Edwards exited the game only four minutes in against the Grizzlies on Dec. 8 because of the nagging hip injury that forced him to sit two of Minnesota’s last three outings. If Edwards is forced to miss Monday and beyond, Alexander Walker will be the primary beneficiary. In the two games without Edwards, the 25-year-old averaged 13.0 points, 4.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 three-pointers, 2.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 33.1 minutes. “NAW” would be higher on this list if we had definitive word on Edwards’ status for this week, but he should have a healthy nightly floor either way in the starting lineup.
Orlando Robinson, C – Miami Heat (36% rostered)
Robinson is taking advantage of Bam Adebayo’s absence over the past three games, averaging 12.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 three-pointers, and 1.7 stocks. With Adebayo already ruled out for Monday, the 23-year-old is looking at at least another spot start, which will equate to solid points, boards, dimes, treys, and stocks.
Kevin Love, PF – Miami Heat (28% rostered)
Love exploded off the bench against his former team on Dec. 8, posting 14 points, 12 rebounds, four three-pointers, three assists, one steal, and one block in 28 minutes. Even before his recent blow-up game, the 35-year-old was averaging 7.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 three-pointers over his previous nine games. The UCLA product is an underrated fantasy asset and a consistent fantasy asset, who should continue to post decent boards, points, dimes, and treys.
Day’Ron Sharpe, C – Brooklyn Nets (31% rostered)
Sharpe is another player putting up consistent stats off the bench, averaging 8.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 stocks in 20.5 minutes. The 22-year-old should continue helping fantasy managers with boards, field-goal percentage, and blocks.
Duop Reath, C – Portland Trailblazers (14% rostered)
Reath has started the past two games for the injured Deandre Ayton (knee), averaging 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 three-pointers, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. Ayton has carried the doubtful tag before the last two games, which bodes well for “Christmas Reath” picking up additional starts.
As we wrap up this Deep League Waiver Wire Adds article, remember that in the wild world of fantasy basketball, you’re not just managing a team; you’re practically running a circus.
So, get ready to juggle waiver wire decisions, make slam-dunk moves, and dodge fantasy curveballs. Lace up your virtual shoes and let the games begin.
As for this article? In the famous words of Chick Hearn, “You can put this one in the refrigerator. The door’s closed, the lights are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter’s getting hard and the Jell-O is jiggling.”
Good luck in Week 8!