Ricky Dimon
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Not too much unlike the Masters if you want to delve into some serious cross-sport examples, an NBA fantasy season cannot be won in the early stages. But it can be lost with an especially poor start. So if you endured a rough first week and the roster is sapped either by injuries or simply by bad basketball, here are some potential waiver wire pickups who could keep your team afloat.
Malik Monk, SG, Hornets
Get on the Monk bandwagon now, because he should not last long on the waiver wire. His situation with the Hornets is too good right now for fantasy owners to sleep on. Although the former Kentucky standout is not starting at shooting guard, Jeremy Lamb is unspectacular and Monk has actually logged more minutes (26.8 mpg to Lamb’s 24.3 mpg) through four contests. Point guard Kemba Walker is on fire, but he can’t provide for Charlotte’s entire offense. Monk is currently leading the supporting cast with 13.5 points per game while shooting 40.7 percent from beyond the arc.
T.J. Warren, PF, Suns
Warren averaged 19.6 ppg last season while starting in all 65 of his appearances, but is he is undoubtedly available in plenty of leagues because Phoenix sent him to the bench following Trevor Ariza’s arrival. But that has not yet hurt Warren’s production, as the 25-year-old is currently playing like a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. Seeing a decent 23.3 minutes per contest, Warren is contributing 20.0 ppg while shooting 58.5 percent from the floor (8-for-14 from long distance). The N.C. State product poured in 27 points during Monday’s loss to Golden State.
Jae Crowder, PF, Jazz
Like Warren, Crowder finds himself on a team led by a star guard (Donovan Mitchell in Utah, Devin Booker in Phoenix), but there are still plenty of statistics to go around. And just like Warren, Crowder is getting his fair share of minutes off the bench—30.3 mpg through three outings, in fact, for the fourth most on the team (and more than starting power forward Derrick Favors). The seventh-year veteran out of Marquette is delivering on his opportunities to the tune of 15.0 ppg and 6.7 rpg. He is shooting 47.6 percent (6-for-14 from deep) and has not yet committed a single turnover.
J.J. Barea, PG, Mavericks
Listed generously at 6’0’’ and not exactly the most gifted athlete in hardwood history, Barea has been overachieving throughout his entire career. Aside from winning an NBA title with the Mavericks in 2010-11, maintaining relevancy—and more—on this current team is perhaps the 34-year-old’s greatest accomplishment. After all, Dallas already had guard Dennis Smith Jr. and now it also features 2018 first-round draft pick Luka Doncic. Nonetheless, Barea is certainly making the most of his 20.0 minutes per game; he’s currently contributing 10.0 ppg and an outstanding 8.3 apg. Owners who need dimes: get him!
Boban Marjanovic, C, Clippers
Marjanovic is somewhat of a cult hero, and he deserves every bit of that reverence. After all, this guy hung on the rim following a dunk during the Clippers’ season-opening loss to Denver—except that his feet were still on the ground. Admittedly, Marjanovic did jump (a little bit) before the dunk, but he certainly didn’t have to. Whatever the case, here’s what’s really important: the 7’3’’ Serbian is averaging 11.7 ppg and 4.7 rpg while shooting a cool 75 percent from the field. He’ll have to start logging more than 13.0 mpg to become a fantasy force, but it’s not like starting center Marcin Gortat has a monopoly on the position.
