Top Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 5

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Andrew Ortenberg

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Each week, we’ll be bringing you the best names to look for on your fantasy basketball waiver wire. Still being early in the season, there are lots of good names to pickup who are still owned in a relatively low percentage of leagues. Here’s who to look for and put a claim in on your fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups for week 5

Guards

Quinn Cook – PG – Golden State Warriors: Cook is a great pickup this week if you’re looking to stream a guard. It was recently announced that Stephen Curry will miss at least another ten days with his groin injury, locking Cook into extended playing time. In the Warriors’ game against the Hawks a couple of days ago, Cook played 34 minutes and scored 18 points while dropping six dimes. Playing a large role in a very high scoring offense, you should definitely scoop up Cook while you still can. The Duke product is still only owned in very few leagues on ESPN.

Derrick White – PG – San Antonio Spurs: I like White almost as much as I like Cook. Speaking of injuries, San Antonio has dealt with a ton in their backcourt, guaranteeing a large role for White, their 2017 first round pick. White was dealing with an injury of his own recently, but is now fully healthy. He’s scored in double figures in three straight games, and has 16 assists during that time. He’s also a decent source of steals and threes, and provides value in a lot of categories.

Forwards:

Wilson Chandler – F – Philadelphia 76ers: Chandler is a sneaky good pickup. He’s had a very quiet 2018, but that’s only because Philadelphia has been easing him in as he returns from injury. With the Jimmy Butler trade now official, there’s even more playing time available because the 76ers sent out two key forwards in Robert Covington and Dario Saric, and only got one in return. In the team’s first game with Butler, Chandler played 23 minutes and scored 14 points. If you’re looking for points and rebounds moving forward, you could do a lot worse than Chandler, who is barely owned in any leagues.

Terrence Ross – SF – Orlando Magic: Ross is great because he qualifies at both small forward and shooting guard, so you can plug him into virtually any lineup. He’s been on an absolute tear recently, and is beginning to play a bigger and bigger role in the Magic offense. In addition to hitting the game-winning three against the 76ers Wednesday, he’s scored 58 points over his last three games, and has made an eye-popping 12 threes in that span. He’ll get you a ton of threes if that’s what you need, and has also been pulling down a decent number of rebounds recently.

Centers:

Tyson Chandler – C – Los Angeles Lakers: If you’re looking for a center, Chandler is the way to go. The well-traveled big man has finally found a home in Los Angeles, and has played at least 20 minutes in every game since signing with the team. Throughout his career he’s proven to be a prolific rebounder and shot-blocker when given ample minutes, and that should continue with the Lakers. If you’re in need of those categories, he’s definitely worth a look.

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