Advertisement

Fantasy basketball: Waiver wire options for Week 8 of the NBA

Pictured here, Thad Young gets ready to pass the ball during an NBA game for San Antonio.
Back-up Spurs centre Thad Young is likely to get plenty of game time for San Antonio in week 8 of the NBA. Pic: Getty

We head into Week 8 with injuries and COVID absences impacting fantasy leagues around the world, so let’s see if we can plunder the waiver wire to take advantage of those extra opportunities created.

Devin Vassell, Lonnie Walker, Thad Young

The Spurs are the only team playing five games this week, so players like Vassell (assuming he is healthy), Walker, and Young (who has taken the backup centre job) are solid options for this week in a default Yahoo fantasy league.

'ZERO INTEREST': Liz Cambage bombshell leaves Aussie career in tatters

BRUTAL: High school star arrested after sickening sucker punch

LEBRON BOMBSHELL: NBA superstar James caught in Covid-19 scare

Tyus Jones

We still have exactly zero idea of what injury Ja Morant sustained and when he will return, but I feel okay about planning for him not to be there this week.

That means we get another week of Tyus Jones as the team’s starting point guard. He should be added in all leagues, yet he is available in over half of leagues at this point.

Dwight Howard

The Lakers will not be playing both De’Andre Jordan and Dwight Howard together in the same game as a part of the regular rotation, and that means Howard, who is clearly the better player, is going to have his role increased.

He isn’t for everyone, and may only play 20 minutes a night, but the Lakers have an excellent schedule for fantasy this week and he can sneak into 12 team value.

Ish Smith

The Hornets are without LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier due to COVID protocols, so Smith has a shot at starting all three games this week.

He likely starts with Kelly Oubre Jr., so also make sure Oubre isn’t available, while Mason Plumlee and Jalen McDaniels are out too, so Cody Martin and PJ Washington Jr. are also must adds.

Seen here, Charlotte Hornets star Ish Smith dribbles the ball up in an NBA game.
Ish Smith is likely to be a major beneficiary of key absences for the Charlotte Hornets in week 8 of the NBA. Pic: Getty

Monte Morris

The Nuggets have Austin Rivers and Bones Hyland in the COVID protocols, so Morris, and Facu Campazzo, are going to have to pick up usage and minutes this week. Deeper leagues may want to watch Zeke Nnanji and Davon Reed also.

Alec Burks

Just have a quick look to check if Burks is on a roster in your league. The Knicks new starting point guard should not be on any waiver wires and is a must grab.

Immanuel Quickley

With Kemba Walker out of the Knicks rotation, and not being replaced by anyone, Quickley has picked up additional playing time. He can be inconsistent, but he is worth a look for a nice volume fantasy points bump.

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.