Fantasy Basketball: Top Waiver-Wire Adds for Sunday, April 6th
By Josh Lloyd
USA TODAY-Sports
As the season winds down, injuries begin creeping up on players all across the NBA, and that means that there are ample opportunities to grab their replacements in fantasy leagues. The Orlando Magic’s Kyle O’Quinn is the latest to take advantage of a bigger role afforded to him.
In today’s edition of “All Wired Up”, I’ll delve into the fantasy strengths of potential waiver wire gold like O’Quinn and the Boston Celtics’ Jerryd Bayless.
» Kyle O’Quinn, PF/C, Orlando Magic (4.4 percent owned on ESPN.com)
14 points (6-7 FG, 2-3 FT), 0 three-pointers, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4 blocks vs Timberwolves.
In the two games that Nikola Vucevic has sat out due to his sore Achilles, Kyle O’Quinn has been beasting to the highest degree. And with the Magic having nothing to play for except draft positioning, the brass may wisely keep Vucevic from suiting up again this season.
O’Quinn had already been a fantasy relevant player, even with Vucevic in the lineup. He’s been the starting power forward since the beginning of March, with Tobias Harris now anchoring the bench unit along with rookie Victor Oladipo.
But now, as the focal point of the frontcourt, O’Quinn really has a chance to soar. In the past two games, O’Quinn has averaged 12 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 4.5 blocks.
The impressive thing about these numbers is that they have been accumulated in only 30 minutes a game. The big stats that he has produced don’t feel like a fluke, either. He could easily achieve this sort of production in any games where Vucevic sits down the stretch.
The Magic’s season hasn’t been successful in the win-loss column, but they have definitely unearthed a number of valuable pieces for the future and have an exciting young core for future years and also a number a fantasy contributors for next season.
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» Jerryd Bayless, PG/SG, Boston Celtics (2.8 percent owned)
25 points (10-19 FG, 0-0 FT), 5 three-pointers, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks vs Pistons.
With Avery Bradley in danger of being shut down for the season, Jerryd Bayless is a player you have to seriously consider in all fantasy formats.
Since being re-inserted in the starting lineup four games ago, Bayless has been going off. He has averaged 17.0 points, 3.5 three-pointers, 2.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals and hasn’t missed a free throw. He is also shooting 42.3 percent from the field, but if you can afford the hit in field goal percentage, Bayless is a player who can really add a lot to your fantasy squad.
In the next week, the Celtics also have another back-to-back, so that means another game without Rajon Rondo. In the games Rondo doesn’t play, Bayless takes on extra responsibility, so he could easily top the 20 point mark again.
At this stage of the season, it’s more important than ever to pay attention to your categorical strengths and weaknesses and Bayless can help beef up your strengths, he going to have the opportunity to shine. Make the move and don’t look back!