Waiver Wire: Jarrett Jack Taking Advantage of Starting Role

The NBA is wrapping up the 2014 portion of their season, but what is in store for 2015? Teams are taking shape as some prepare for a playoff run, while others are already looking at next year. Who can you grab to help your fantasy basketball team? Let’s take a look.

*All ownership percentages are courtesy of ESPN.com

Jarrett Jack (Bkn PG, 25.3% of leagues): Jack took advantage of his new starting role in the two games that Deron Williams missed with a calf injury. Even in Williams’ return on Saturday, Jack started and played 39 minutes. In his last five games, Jack has averaged 18.8 points per game and is one of only four members of the Nets to play in all fourteen December games. As mentioned previously, Brooklyn is struggling mightily and could be looking to move heavy contracts (Williams, Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson), which would open up the door for Jack and Mason Plumlee to continue producing. Williams has even come out and said that he is comfortable with not starting as long as the current starters continue producing. The Nets have won three of their last four games. If those trends continue, Williams may just end up on the bench more often.

Cory Joseph (SA PG, 11.2% of leagues): There is no doubt that when Tony Parker plays, that he will be one of the biggest producers on a balanced Spurs team. However, he’s playing less and less. He has missed ten of the last thirteen contests leaving Joseph in a starting role. Parker is currently out with a hamstring injury with no timetable for return. Even with Parker in, Joseph has steadily produced a balanced line of points, assists, and rebounds. Fellow point guard Patty Mills made his first appearance of the season on Sunday playing 20 minutes, but I wouldn’t worry about a timeshare just yet. Joseph has averaged a healthy 32.9 minutes per game in December (fourth on the team). The Spurs have certainly struggled lately (7-9 in December), but injury troubles for Kawhi Leonard have no doubt affected San Antonio’s offense. He is still considered day-to-day with a bruised hand. Leonard’s return will only open up the floor for Joseph, and give him more chances for assists.

More from Fantasy

Steven Adams (OKC C, 15.5% of leagues): With Kendrick Perkins taking a back seat, Adams has started all 32 games for the Thunder this season. It’s obviously been a pretty disappointing year in Oklahoma City as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have both missed significant periods of time. Adams is by no means an offensive player, but he is still valuable for his presence on the glass. The Thunder are 22nd in the league in field goal percentage, but average 82.8 shots per game (16th). Now insert Adams who averages 2.8 offensive rebounds per game (7.5 overall). This is all while only averaging 25.0 minutes per game. In games that he has played over 30 minutes, he has averaged 9.9 rebounds.

Cole Aldrich (NY C, 2.8% of leagues): The Knicks are obviously in a free-fall at 5-28, but a struggling team means more opportunities for bench players to show their worth. In the month of December, every member of the Knicks averaged 12.0 minutes or more per game. Aldrich has led all centers on the team in minutes, points, and rebounds in December. It’s a pretty clear timeshare between him, Jason Smith, and Samuel Dalembert, but Aldrich has been hot as of late. He has scored in double figures in five of his last six games including posting 19 rebounds on Sunday. Aldrich should only be considered in deeper leagues because of a balanced attack from the Knicks, but take advantage of the time he has with a depleted squad in New York.

Jared Dudley (Mil SF, 6.5% of leagues): Since the season-ending injury to Jabari Parker, the small forward position has been wide open in Milwaukee. I would expect Giannis Antetokounmpo to play more shooting guard, leaving Dudley and Khris Middleton to small forward duties. Since Parker was injured on December 15, Middleton has averaged 24.8 minutes and 10.8 points per game while Dudley has averaged 29.2 minutes and 13.5 points per game. Not huge differences, but definitely noticeable. Just for comparison, Dudley has averaged 25.4 minutes per game in December while only averaging 18.0 in November. With the Bucks hovering around .500 and losing arguably their best player, it’s going to be all hands on deck to keep them alive in the weak Eastern Conference.

More from FanSided

Home/Fantasy