Two big-name NBA players could be returning to lineups in the coming days, making this an excellent week for fantasy basketball waiver-wire pickups.
While the fantasy community lost DeMarcus Cousins, Mike Conley and Andre Roberson for the rest of the year in recent days, the NBA didn’t provide solely bad news on the injury front. Los Angeles Clippers forward Danilo Gallinari could soon return from the glute injury that has plagued him throughout much of the 2017-18 season, while Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker appears to be in the final stages of his rehab from the torn left ACL he suffered last February.
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With only five weeks remaining in the fantasy regular season in ESPN.com leagues, your league’s playoff picture should be coming into focus. If you’re cruising toward a postseason berth and/or a first-round bye, you have the luxury of taking a gamble on a injured player and hoping they recapture their previous form upon their return. Both Gallinari and Parker don’t figure to be immediate difference-makers, but once the fantasy playoffs roll around, they could be closer to their previous output.
The following five players — all of whom are owned in no more than 50 percent of ESPN.com leagues — merit a look on the waiver wire this week if you’re looking to freshen up your roster’s bench for the stretch run.
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