Fantasy Basketball Specialists Who Can Save Your Draft

Points

Eric Paschall, SF/PF, Golden State Warriors

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USA Today

Paschall is averaging 15.6 points in the season, which is certainly not bad for a rookie. But in the past three games, the 23-year old is good for 20.3 points a game, even better scoring than Kemba Walker, Blake Griffin, or Kristaps Porzingis over that span.Without D’Angelo Russell, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson, the Warriors will need every scoring drop from Paschall’s repertoire. That’s why he is going to be one of the better and yet, unknown, scoring options that will surely help any fantasy team with scoring deficiencies.

Rebounds

Richaun Holmes, C, Sacramento Kings

Kings center Richaun Holmes (22) reacts after getting called for a foul during a game Oct. 14 at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
Photo: Jeff Swinger / USA TODAY Sports

Holmes, available in over 40% of Yahoo and 80% of ESPN leagues, is averaging 7.4 rebounds for the season but over the past six games, he is good for 9.3 caroms a game. He is ranked 20th in the league during that span, ahead of Kevin Love, Montrezl Harrell, and Julius Randle.

However, Holmes barely do anything else that’s why even if he can rebound with the best of them, make sure your fantasy team can cushion the lack of assists or steals.

Other options: DeAndre Jordan (10.4 RPG in the past 5); Nicolas Batum (nine rebounds in season debut); Trey Lyles (7.4 RPG over the past eight)

Assists

Bruce Brown, Jr., PG/SG, Detroit Pistons

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Photo: Carlos Osorio, AP

If you have missed out on the elite point guards of the draft, chances are, you have found yourself in a hole in the dimes department. And as any fantasy basketball aficionado knows, there’s probably not much you can do on the waiver wire unless you pull off a trade.

That said, it doesn’t mean there are no longer solid options available on the wire. Case on point: Bruce Brown, Jr. BBJ is averaging 5.8 assists over the past six games, even better than Donovan Mitchell or Eric Bledsoe. He will probably take a hit soon if Blake Griffin returns to 100% but right now, BBJ is as good as any option in the waiver wire for assists.

Other options: Rajon Rondo (4.7 assists in 19 minutes a game); Tomas Satoransky (5.1 assists over the past 7)

Steals

Frank Ntilikina, PG, New York Knicks

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Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports

The young Frenchman still lacks the offensive chops to be a consistent NBA point guard but defensively, he has the stats to back it up.

Ntilikina is averaging 1.6 steals for the season and 2.0 steals (also 1.1 BPG during that span) over the past seven games. The only thing you have to watch out is if Elfrid Payton and Dennis Smith, Jr. comes back which means Ntilikina will probably be riding the bench.

Blocks

Nerlens Noel, C, OKC Thunder

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Photo Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Noel is a backup therefore he plays backup minutes but it doesn’t matter. He is one of the best shot-blocking artists in the league per minute and overall.

The former lottery pick just got his streak of at least one block halted at seven games but I’m sure that’s just a blip on the radar. He has accumulated 15 blocks over his last seven games (2.1 BPG over that span), good for 8th in the NBA.

The better news is that is available in 76% of Yahoo and 96.5% of ESPN leagues.

3PTM

Bryn Forbes, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs

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via HoopsHype

Out of all the top 30 three point shooters in the NBA (by 3PT made), probably Deveonte Graham is the biggest surprise (tied at 7th). That means Graham’s 3.6 3PTM (with 20 points and 6.8 assists) are probably plucked somewhere by a smart manager.

But with the league shooting deep from all over, you won’t have any shortage of options. For example, Forbes, the Spurs sharpshooter, is averaging 2.7 treys a game, good for 19th in the league. He is only owned in 78% of Yahoo and almost 92% of ESPN leagues.

FG%

Moe Wagner, C, Washington Wizards

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Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

As you may have already known, you can’t just plug in someone who shoots 60% from the floor and expect him to move the needle in the category. You have got to find a guy with volume plus accuracy and that’s highly difficult to find in all of basketball, let alone in the waiver wire.

Lucky for us we have Moe Wagner. The German born center plays his shooting guard in a center’s body role for the Wizards, attempting 7.6 shots a game on a 63% clip! That’s fifth in the league for everyone who shots at least seven tries a game.

Other options: Brandon Clarke (64.6% on 8.3 attempts)

FT%

You probably just have to punt or cross your fingers if you find yourself among the worst in your league at FT% because the ones that can help you is on a roster somewhere. Well, maybe except the aforementioned Eric Paschall, who shoots over 84% from the line on over four attempts a night.

Featured Image: Paul Kitagaki, Sacramento Bee

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