Week 4 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire
By Adam McGill
Fantasy Basketball is feeling the effects of the lockout, just as the NFL did, with numerous serious injuries already in the first month. The shortened season will continue to be very strenuous on the entire league, making the waiver wire more important than ever. This is the latest compilation of my free agent players to pick up for week 4:
Small Leagues: 8-10 man leagues
PG Kemba Walker, CHA – The “other” rookie point guard has also steeped up in recent weeks. Walker is starting at the point in Charlotte and will only get more comfortable running Paul Silas’ offense. In his first two starts in the NBA, Walker has impressed with 37 points, 9 assists, 9 rebounds, 6 steals, and 3 blocks.
SG J.J. Redick, ORL - The former college sharp-shooter is finally getting familiarized with the speed of the NBA. He is great at coming off screens and the Magic know how to use Dwight Howard to get their guys open looks. Redick has 8 3-pointers in the last four games and can easily contribute in the mediocre Magic backcourt.
SF Kawhi Leonard, SA – Leonard has been filling in while Manu Ginobili has been sidelined with a broken left hand. Leonard started the last four games and has played 30 minutes or more in each of the last six games. He is getting plenty of minutes in the Spurs’ aging offense and the kid will get quality minutes down the stretch as the team starts to be more cautious with the big three.
PF Taj Gibson, CHI – Gibson is the type of player that does a little bit of every. He gets boards, blocks shots, and can steal the ball. He is a poor man’s Josh Smith and could provide some quality minutes in the injured Bulls’ lineup.
C Al Harrington, DEN – Harrington is a great contributor off the bench in Denver and more importantly, the big man can hit shots from the outside. He consistently scores 15 points a game and knows how to use is 6’9” frame to box out in the paint. He will be a great addition for leagues that award points for 3-pointers, as Harrington can give owners’ points and 3-pointers from a center position.
Large Leagues: 10-14 man leagues
PG Luke Ridnour, MIN – Despite all the attention that international superstar Ricky Rubio has drawn, Ridnour has continued to impress in the Timberwolves’ backcourt. He has hit 9 3-pointers in the last four games; along with 67 points, 14 dimes, 5 steals, and 3 blocks. Ridnour recently made the transition to shooting guard to accommodate for Rubio, but the veteran does not appear to be going to the bench anytime soon.
SG Mike Miller, MIA – “Eminem” is coming back from a sports hernia at the perfect time, as Dwayne Wade will likely be on the bench for at least a week with his sprained ankle. Miller is a good source of 3-pointers and points, plus he has a great free throw percentage. He will be good for at least 10 points a game and may post career numbers with this more mature heat team.
SF Chandler Parsons, HOU – Parsons has been starting for the Rockets’ the last two weeks and has put up some solid performances. He can knock down jumpers, rebound, and plays great defense.
PF Marreese Speights, MEM – The 2008 first round pick has been in the starting five in each of the last four games, averaging 10 points and 6.3 boards per contest. He is coming off a career game where he had 16 points with 12 rebounds, and the youngster will continue to dominant the paint in an otherwise thin Grizzlies’ interior defense.
C Byron Mullens, CHA – Mullens has played strongly since being thrown into the starting lineup four games ago. In that span, he is averaging 17 points, 7.5 boards, and has even hit 2 3-pointers. He is playing around 30 minutes a game, which only increases his chances of showing up more in the box score.
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