Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Pickups for Week 7

By Gabe Allen, RotoWire

Special to Yahoo Sports

Among the many things we have to feel grateful for at this time of the year is the free-agent pool in fantasy sports. Where would we be without the waiver wire? It’s a long season (too long, if you’re asking me), and stuff (injuries, illnesses, etc.) happens.

Even those who ace the draft need to find reinforcements at some point or another — and should be looking to upgrade their rosters, even if only on the margins. Sticking with my usual theme of spreading the love around, here are another eight recommended adds, six of whom haven’t been suggested yet this season, while the other two (Patty Mills, Cody Martin) haven’t been mentioned since October.

Patty Mills, Brooklyn Nets (44% rostered)

Mills has scored 21 points or more in four of the last six matchups while averaging 5.5 threes and surpassing 30 minutes in every game during this recent stretch. Moreover, Joe Harris (ankle) has missed the last five contests (and counting). With Kyrie Irving (personal) out, Brooklyn doesn’t have a surplus of outside shooters surrounding superstars Kevin Durant and James Harden. In fact, Mills (3.2 3PM), Harris (2.9 3PM), Harden (2.8 3PM) and Durant (1.8 3PM) are the only Nets averaging more than one made three per game. As a result, Mills should still be heavily relied upon offensively even once Harris rejoins the rotation.

Alec Burks, New York Knicks (31% rostered)

Across the last seven games, Burks is averaging 13.9 points, 4.3 boards, 3.0 threes, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks, in 26.1 minutes. New York’s depth of talent makes it tough to trust most of its role players, but Burks has been brilliant off the bench over the last couple of weeks, while Derrick Rose (ankle) and Kemba Walker have been struggling of late.

JaVale McGee, Phoenix Suns (29% rostered)

Deandre Ayton returned to the starting lineup six games ago and looks great. However, McGee has been magnificent despite meager minute totals. Across the last five games, McGee is managing averages of 12.2 points, 7.2 boards, 0.8 dimes, 0.8 blocks, and 0.6 steals in only 15.4 minutes per game. Though he’s only useful in deeper formats while Ayton is healthy, McGee would be a must-add player if Ayton missed more time at some point this season. Those already rostering Ayton might want to consider scooping McGee as an insurance policy.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Oklahoma City Thunder (27% rostered)

Robinson-Earl has earned at least 22 minutes in eight straight games. Moreover, he is coming off consecutive double-doubles heading into Friday’s matchup versus the Wizards. His rostered percentage is on the rise (+15% last day) after he posted 13 points, 10 boards, four dimes, and three treys in 28 minutes against the Jazz on Wednesday. On a rebuilding club that’s likely to prioritize the development of its younger players more and more as the campaign continues, Robinson-Earl boasts considerable upside, and he’s worthy of consideration across all formats.

Cody Martin, Charlotte Hornets (14% rostered)

The recent return of P.J. Washington (elbow) could cut into Martin’s minutes going forward. Nevertheless, Martin is having himself a heck of a year thus far. With per-game averages of 7.9 points (46.7% FG, 47.4% 3PT, 71.4% FT), 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists compared to just 0.5 turnovers, 1.4 steals, 0.9 threes, and 0.6 blocks in 25.0 minutes through 20 appearances, Martin is putting up numbers eerily similar to Utah’s Royce O’Neale (41% rostered), who for years now has been a reliable and underrated contributor, especially in category formats.

Cedi Osman, Cleveland Cavaliers (12% rostered)

With Collin Sexton (knee) out for the season, the Cavaliers will require Osman’s offensive punch, even though Evan Mobley (elbow) is set to return to the lineup much sooner than expected. Though Osman recently missed two games due to back spasms, he has scored 23 points or more in two of his last three appearances. Having earned at least 28 minutes in five of his last seven appearances, Osman’s per-game averages should steadily improve — which could translate into a career year — if he maintains this recent level of involvement.

Marvin Bagley, Sacramento Kings (12% rostered)

Bagley turned in 10 points, eight boards, and two treys in 19 minutes during Wednesday’s win over the Trail Blazers. While Richaun Holmes (eye) was held out for that game, Bagley has at least appeared in both of Sacramento’s games since Alvin Gentry took over as head coach. If Holmes or Harrison Barnes (foot) miss some time going forward, Bagley would be a must-add player in most formats, even if it’s only as a streamer. Nevertheless, he could prove capable of stuffing the stat sheet despite a modest reserve role, at least in the scoring and rebounding departments, as Gentry’s teams have always gotten up and down the court in a hurry.

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Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies (11% rostered)

Clarke has scored in double figures in four of the last five games. More importantly, though, he has logged 26 minutes in consecutive contests. It may not seem like much, but Clarke has already been a healthy scratch three times this season, and he saw 20-plus minutes only twice through his first 13 appearances. With Jaren Jackson Jr. spending more time at center of late, the door is open for Clarke to seize a significant share of minutes at the power forward position.

Willy Hernangomez, New Orleans Pelicans (9% rostered)

Small sample size alert! Since commandeering the backup center gig from Jaxson Hayes, Hernangomez has combined for 32 points, 18 boards, four dimes, four steals, and two blocks in 44 minutes across the last two contests. Jonas Valanciunas (knee) is dealing with a minor injury, but even if he doesn’t miss any time, Hernangomez has proven capable of collecting copious counting stats when afforded a consistent role. At the very least, Hernangomez is worthy of consideration in deeper leagues.

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