We finally did it. The new NBA season is upon us and with it comes all the early-season panic. The early phase of the season can be an ideal time to not only flush but also find players on the waiver wire who could potentially have off-season value. While other managers overreact and then part ways with players, those savvy enough will look at recent transaction trends in the hopes of getting sustainable value. Let’s dive into six players who are currently listed in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Scoot Henderson
Portland Trail Blazers (49% listed)
Despite coming off the bench, Henderson managed to put together a useful fantasy line in a game that was never really close. He finished with 22 points in the season-opening loss to the Warriors, adding four assists for good measure. Although his efficiency from the floor was less than ideal, the fact that he attempted 18 shots is encouraging. His field-goal percentage will likely be an issue going forward, as will his turnovers. However, anyone interested in acquiring Henderson should be fully aware of his flaws given what we saw during his rookie season. If we consider this his floor, Henderson is a no-brainer in standard leagues, especially for anyone simply looking for a boost in points and assists.
Andrew Drummond
Philadelphia 76ers (44% listed)
With Joel Embiid already missing games, Drummond is one of the most attractive backups available. At best, it looks as if Embiid will play a maximum of around 60 games this season, none of which will come during the first week of action. When Embiid is healthy, Drummond’s value will take a major hit. However, his per-minute production could be enough to maintain value, even if he maxes out at 15 minutes a night. As for this week, Drummond should be locked in as the starter, making him an elite target for anyone looking for rebounding and defensive stats, as well as high efficiency on low volume.
Dyson Daniels
Atlanta Hawks (39% listed)
After some preseason speculation about whether Daniels would be in the starting lineup come Opening Night, managers got a glimpse of what might be to come. Daniels likely got the start alongside Trae Young, playing 35 minutes during which time he shined on both ends of the floor. While he doesn’t have the scoring credentials of someone like Bogdan Bogdanovic, Daniels appears to be a perfect fit in the starting unit, providing the team with an elite defensive presence. Managers have to temper their expectations a bit knowing that Daniels isn’t likely to rack up six combined steals and blocks a night. However, if his role can remain, he could very well find himself in the conversation to lead the league in steals this season. If for some reason he wasn’t drafted in your league, now is the time to go and rectify that situation.
Caris LeVert
Cleveland Cavaliers (25% listed)
After a serious ankle injury to Max Strus, LeVert could find himself in a favorable situation again. Despite the fact that he has some glaring fantasy flaws, LeVert typically finds a way to have value, albeit value limited to only a handful of categories. He played 21 minutes in the first game of the season, which may have been due to the fact that the game was a blowout. During his time on the floor, LeVert delivered 19 points and four assists, certainly enough to warrant attention in standard leagues. Strus has been sidelined for at least the first month of the season, meaning LeVert could be looking at closer to 30 minutes per game. Poor free throw shooting aside, he could very well be a sustainable asset, serving as a crafty plug-and-play option for anyone in need of points, assists and steals.
Grady Dick
Toronto Raptors (20% listed)
After a modest rookie season, Dick should play an increased role for the Raptors this season. Projected to be a starter, even once the team is healthy, he should be a solid source of points and threes. He played 29 minutes in the season opener, putting up 16 points to go with two blocks. While the blocks aren’t real, there’s a chance he could push for 1.0 steals per game, adding to his overall fantasy appeal. As the team pushes for wins, Dick could very well find himself as the third or fourth option on offense, something that isn’t typically conducive to tangible production. However, Toronto is unlikely to be a serious contender in the Eastern Conference, which means Dick’s role could change sooner rather than later. He could also find himself faced with a lot of good looks at the basket as the opposition focuses its attention on players like Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes. Dick doesn’t have the appeal of the first names on this list, but he’s totally worth a flyer just in case he surprises us.
Nick Richards
Charlotte Hornets (16% listed)
Not unlike last season, Richards could find himself on this list on more than one occasion if the oft-injured Mark Williams continues to miss games. Richards is by no means a high-end player but should be able to flirt with standard league value as long as he is in the starting lineup. While Williams doesn’t sound like he’ll miss any significant time, until we see him back on the floor and healthy, Richards should remain somewhat relevant. If a low-end double-double with 1.5 blocks per game is something you’re interested in, Richards could be your man.
