Fansided

Fantasy Basketball: Pick Up Trevor Ariza If You Need Steals

By Mike Marteny

Feb 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) drives the ball during the game against the Miami Heat at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) drives the ball during the game against the Miami Heat at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
You cant get a guy like Paul on waivers, but there are others that can help. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
You cant get a guy like Paul on waivers, but there are others that can help. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Who can help you on the waiver wire if you need steals?

Here we are, almost at another NBA All Star break. We here at Fantasy CPR mostly cater to you daily players, but we also realize that many of you still play season-long leagues. And yes, some of you even play – gasp! – category leagues. Yes! I know you are out there!

More from Fantasy Basketball

Whether you play in a head-to-head weekly category league or a traditional roto league, there is at least one category that you are always losing, or one that you can gain a few points in between now and the end of the season.

You weekly people need to shore up those sore spots to make sure you don’t get bounced in the playoffs. Who are the one-category wonders that are lurking on waiver wires? I can help you find them.

Picking up a big man that logs a steal per game can be the difference between you going home in March and you making your league finals! We will take a look at who can help at all positions.

Whether you play in a big or a small league, here are the players that can help in steals

Next: Who Can At Point Guard?

Jan 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (1) smiles back at his bench as time winds down against the Phoenix Suns at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 113-103. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (1) smiles back at his bench as time winds down against the Phoenix Suns at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 113-103. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Point Guards:

Shallow Leagues (20-50% available):

Ish Smith, 76ers: Guess who shows up on this list yet again? It is none other than Smith, who is averaging 1.4 steals per game over the last month. His averages in nearly every counting stat are the best that you can get. Just watch out for his shooting.

D’Angelo Russell, Lakers: The rookie has had some growing pains in the NBA, but the Lakers are committed to him. He has played an average of 28 minutes per game over the last month, and has averaged 1.2 steals per game in that span. His percentages wont hurt you either.

Medium Leagues (51-84% available):

Marcus Smart, Celtics: Sure, the Boston backcourt is crowded, but they are committed to Smart. He is still playing 28.3 minutes per game over the last month, and is averaging 1.8 steals per game over that span. He is ranked ninth in the league over that span!

Mario Chalmers, Grizzlies: Chalmers has averaged over a steal per game over the last month, and will help you  everywhere but rebounds and blocks. He is still getting around 25 minutes per game, which is more than enough for him to give you value.

Deep Leagues (85% available or more):

Toney Douglas, Pelicans: Douglas only plays about 17 minutes a game, but he is averaging 1.5 steals per game! If he gains more time with Tyreke Evans out, Douglas is a very sneaky source of steals.

Pablo Prigioni, Clippers: Prigioni will never see a lot of playing time. Not with Chris Paul in front of him. But he has made the most of his 13 minutes of court time. He has averaged 1.4 steals per game in that short of time!

Next: Who Can Rebound At SG?

Feb 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) reacts after his three point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) reacts after his three point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Shooting Guards:

Shallow Leagues (20-50% available):

Trevor Ariza, Rockets: Ariza’s 2.3 steals per game is the best that you are going to find at the SG position, and he is still available in 20% of ESPN.com leagues! Ariza is also a proven scorer and good shooter. He is an excellent option in all leagues.

Avery Bradley, Celtics: Bradley is averaging 1.5 steals per game over the last month while still notching 36 minutes per game. There is really no reason not to own Bradley right now. His playing time is not going down. He is not a consistent scorer, but he is very capable of notching 20 points on any given night. His percentages wont hurt you either.

Medium Leagues (51-84% available):

P.J. Tucker, Suns: The season ending injury to T.J. Warren has Tucker’s stock rising anyway. Tucker has averaged 1.5 steals per game over the last month, all while boasting good numbers in every other category. With his minutes trending upward, he should be able to help you out even more.

Gary Harris, Nuggets: Harris is still seeing plenty of run for Denver. Enough so that he is averaging 34 minutes per game and averaging 1.5 steals per contest. He has also proven to be a good scorer and really good shooter. He can help you team in nearly any sized league.

Deep Leagues (85% available or more):

Wesley Johnson, Clippers: Johnson has enjoyed more playing time with Blake Griffin out, and since he has no timetable for a return yet, Johnson should still continue to see the 24.5 minutes per game. He has averaged 1.6 steals per game over that span, while giving you good percentages.

Tony Allen, Grizzlies: If you are used to points leagues, Allen really isn’t on your radar, but for those of you that play category leagues, Allen is a nice commodity. He is averaging 1.5 steals per game over the last month, and it also shooting 57% from beyond the arc with good percentages everywhere else. He is also near the top of the SG’s in rebounds.

Next: Who Can Help At SF?

Jan 26, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter (22) shoots against the Toronto Raptors in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter (22) shoots against the Toronto Raptors in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Small Forwards:

Shallow Leagues (20-50% available):

Otto Porter, Wizards: Porter has become a vital cog to the Wizards since his December return. Porter has averaged 1.6 steals per game over the last month, and has proven to be a capable scorer than wont hurt your percentages.

Markieff Morris, Suns: Morris has busted out since Jeff Hornacek was removed as the head coach. Since then, Morris is averaging 21 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Pick him up in all leagues right now!

Medium Leagues (51-84% available):

Robert Covington, 76ers: Covington seems to have established himself back in Philadelphia’s rotation. He is averaging 1.5 steals per game over the last month, and is shooting decent enough percentages to keep from hurting your squad. You just have to be careful if your league counts turnovers.

P.J. Tucker, Suns: Tucker will get plenty of run with T.J. Warren out. He isn’t much of a scorer, but he is averaging 1.5 steals per game over the last month, and has posted healthy rebound totals as well.

Deep Leagues (85% available or more):

Corey Brewer, Rockets: Brewer is still seeing upwards of 24 minutes per game, but he is averaging 1.4 steals per game over that span. Just be careful of his three point shooting percentage.

Alonzo Gee, Pelicans: Gee is still seeing enough playing time to average 1.3 steals per game over the last month. He doesn’t take a lot of shots, but when he does, he makes enough of them to help your team.

Next: Who Can Help At PF and Center?

Jan 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Power Forwards/Centers:

Note: Only players that average at least a steal per game will be included.

Shallow Leagues (20-50% available):

Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: Jokic is only averaging 22.7 minutes per game over the last month, but he has made the most of his minutes. He has averaged 1.6 steals per game, and has healthy averages in rebounds and assists as well. Not to mention his really good shooting percentages. He should be owned in far more leagues than he is.

Gorgui Dieng, Timberwolves: The Timberwolves have unleashed the youngster as of late. Dieng is riding a streak of four straight double-doubles, and is only going to get better. When you add the 1.1 steals to the mix, he can help you just about anywhere. Pick him up while you still can.

Jared Sullinger, Celtics: The Celtics still have a lot of bodies up front, so it is a little hard to rely on Sullinger. That said, he has still managed to get 21.6 minutes of court time over the last month. His 1.1 steals average is tough to get from a big man. He is also a good rebounder.

Medium Leagues (51-84% available):

Al-Farouq Aminu, Trailblazers: Aminu is getting a good run in the Portland lineup. He is averaging 1.3 steals per game over the last month and posts solid rebounding an shooting numbers as well.

Jeff Green, Grizzlies: Green is averaging a steal per game to go with his nice scoring stats and shooting percentages. Enjoy the fact that you can play him at power forward.

Deep Leagues (85% available or more):

Nene Hilario, Wizards: Nene is averaging 1.2 steals per game in his 21 minutes of court time. The Wizards’ frontcourt is crowded, but Nene can still help you somewhere.

Jerami Grant, 76ers:  Grant is averaging a steal per game to go with good percentages, good rebounding, and a good scoring average. You can do much worse.

Next: Who Can Help You In Assists?

Stay tuned for other roto stats breakdowns over the NBA All Star Break!

Home/Fantasy Basketball