It is already February and we are onto Week 7 of the NBA season! Celtics guard Marcus Smart has a calf strain that will sideline him for at least 2-3 weeks after a scary-looking injury against the Lakers on Saturday night. Suns guard Devin Booker has missed the last four games with a hamstring injury, leaving a void on your fantasy team. But injuries happen, and that’s why you must stay active on the waiver wire!
Here are the top fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups for Week 7 of the NBA season. In order to be included in the weekly waiver article, players must be rostered in less than 60 percent of ESPN fantasy basketball leagues.
All stats are gathered on the morning of Jan. 31 and do not take into account Sunday night’s results.
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves (44.1%)
The first overall pick has officially gotten a feel for the game at the professional level. Anthony Edwards is averaging 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.7 triples across 26.5 minutes per contest over the past three games. He also received his first career start against the 76ers and scored 15 points with four rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes. Edwards’ ceiling is only going to increase as the season moves along, because the Timberwolves are young and missing some key players in their rotation. His minutes should see an increase if he continues to start, making him a must-add off the fantasy basketball waiver wire.
Jeremy Lamb, Pacers (39.9%)
Jeremy Lamb has looked sharp since returning a few games ago from his torn ACL injury last year. He has scored at least 20 points in four games and, with Caris LeVert out indefinitely, his role should continue to increase. He’s been quite reliable, averaging 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals across 25.2 minutes per game. Lamb is a solid option in 8-cat and 9-cat leagues for his steals and FG%, so if you’re lacking in that area, grab him before it’s too late. He received his first start against the Hornets this past week, which means the coaching staff is beginning to trust him in the main rotation.
Jae Crowder, Suns (30.5%)
With Devin Booker dealing with injury, the Phoenix Suns bench players are getting more minutes. Jae Crowder has seen an even larger boost, with Dario Saric also out. Over the past four games, Crowder’s logged at least 29 minutes per contest and hasn’t scored less than 14 points in that span. Cam Johnson will likely eat into most of the available minutes as well, but Crowder is an established veteran presence on a young team. At just 30 percent ownership, it’s likely you can pick him up in your league and take advantage of his production. He’s a solid fantasy option for three-pointers in category-based leagues as he’s averaging 2.6 per game.
Cole Anthony, Magic (30.5%)
I’ve included Cole Anthony a few times now in this series, but his production at his ownership is too hard to pass up. Markelle Fultz won’t be returning anytime and, as a rookie, Anthony will have plenty of eyes on him. He’s averaging 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.6 across 26.3 minutes per contest and hasn’t logged less than 30 minutes in the past five games. He has plenty of upside on a young team that’s weak at the guard position, so his role will only increase for the rest of the season.
Patty Mills, Spurs (24.9%)
A team that is filled with talented point guards is the San Antonio Spurs. Despite coming off the bench, Patty Mills has been producing solid fantasy numbers over the past few games. On the season, he’s averaging a career-high 14.3 points, 2.9 assists and 2.7 triples across 25.5 minutes per game. Recently, he’s emerged as a streaming option in category leagues for steals, as he’s totaled eight across the last five games. Steals are hard to come by on the fantasy basketball waiver wire, so if you’re struggling there, act fast and add Mills.
Other fantasy considerations for all league-types: Naz Reid, MIN (24.6%); Royce O’Neale, UTAH (20.3%); Jeff Green, BKN (12.4%); Marcus Morris Sr., LAC (9.7%); Gary Harris, DEN (8.9%)
