10 Players to Watch for in Deep Fantasy Basketball Leagues

10 Players to Watch for in Deep Fantasy Basketball Leagues

If you play in a 14+ team fantasy basketball league then you know how hard it is to find talent on the waiver wire.

If you play in a 14+ team fantasy basketball league then you know how hard it is to find talent on the waiver wire.

If you play in a 14+ team fantasy basketball league then you know how hard it is to find talent on the waiver wire, this article helps identify X players to add to your watch-list, or potentially add as we head into week 1 of the NBA season, who are owned in 10% or less of Yahoo leagues.

We've broken down player data including full-season projections, projections per 36 minutes, last season's averages, and last season's averages when playing between 20-30 minutes as well as between 30-40 minutes.

Stanley Johnson (DET - SG/SF)

Owned in 6% of Yahoo leagues and has long-term appeal

Stanley has yet to meet any expectations since being drafted, but with the starting SF spot likely his, now's his chance to shine. His FG% will be bad, but he has the ability to give you nice numbers in the 3PM, REB, AST and STL categories at the SF spot.

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 78 25.0 0.40 0.74 8.7 1.1 4.0 2.0 0.9 0.4 1.6
Projections (PER/36) 78 36.0 0.40 0.74 12.5 1.6 5.8 2.9 1.3 0.6 2.3
2016/17 Season 77 17.8 0.35 0.68 4.4 0.6 2.5 1.4 0.7 0.3 0.9
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 22 24.3 0.30 0.70 5.9 1.0 3.0 2.1 1.1 0.4 1.0
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 5 33.6 0.49 1.00 8.4 1.0 4.2 3.4 1.0 0.4 2.0

Timofey Mozgov (BKN - C)

Owned in 10% of Yahoo leagues and has short-medium term appeal

The C spot in Brooklyn runs thin, and Mozgov offers much-needed stability in the starting lineup until rookie big-man Jarrett Allen proves he's ready to start. If Mozgov can play 25-27 minutes a game he'll be a nice end of bench big man in deeper leagues.

2017/18 Projections 70 21.0 0.52 0.74 7.9 0.0 5.4 0.7 0.4 0.8 1.4
Projections (PER/36) 70 36.0 0.52 0.74 13.5 0.0 9.3 1.2 0.7 1.4 2.4
2016/17 Season 54 20.4 0.52 0.81 7.4 0.0 4.9 0.8 0.3 0.6 1.3
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 24 23.0 0.60 0.80 9.3 0.0 5.1 0.9 0.5 0.7 1.4
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 5 33.0 0.64 0.82 13.4 0.0 6.6 1.2 0.6 1.0 0.6

Kelly Oubre Jr (WAS - SF)

Owned in 9% of Yahoo leagues and has short-medium term appeal

The injury to Morris opens up minutes at the PF spot for both Porter and Oubre Jr, what Kelly does with them will be of interest to most deep leaguers

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 77 24 0.43 0.71 8 0.8 4.4 0.7 0.8 0.3 0.9
Projections (PER/36) 77 36 0.43 0.71 12 1.2 6.6 1 1.2 0.5 1.4
2016/17 Season 82 20.3 0.42 0.76 6.4 0.7 3.3 0.6 0.7 0.2 0.6
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 41 24.9 0.5 0.8 8.5 0 4.2 0.7 1 0.3 0.7
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 4 34 0.27 0.67 7.3 0 5.3 0.5 0.8 0.3 0.8

Denzel Valentine (CHI - SG/SF)

Owned in 5% of Yahoo leagues and has long-term appeal

It's no secret that the Chicago situation is a complete mess, so you have to assume at some point common sense will prevail and they'll start giving Valentine big minutes

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 70 22.0 0.36 0.80 6.5 1.5 3.5 1.4 0.6 0.2 1.1
Projections (PER/36) 70 36.0 0.36 0.80 10.6 2.5 5.7 2.3 1.0 0.3 1.8
2016/17 Season 59 16.6 0.36 0.78 5.0 1.3 2.6 1.1 0.5 0.1 0.8
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 18 24.3 0.30 1.00 7.3 1.0 4.4 1.6 0.8 0.3 1.3
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 6 32.2 0.40 0.83 11.7 3.0 4.3 2.0 1.3 0.2 1.0

E'Twaun Moore (nor - PG/SG/SF)

Owned in 4% of Yahoo leagues and has mid-term appeal

Rondo's injury moves Jrue back to his natural PG position, and opens up minutes at the SG spot for Moore. The added roster flexibility is a bonus.

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 72 26.0 0.45 0.71 8.7 1.1 2.3 2.3 0.7 0.5 1.0
Projections (PER/36) 72 36.0 0.45 0.71 12.0 1.5 3.2 3.2 1.0 0.7 1.4
2016/17 Season 73 24.9 0.46 0.77 9.6 1.1 2.1 2.2 0.7 0.5 0.8
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 46 25.2 0.50 0.80 9.2 0.0 2.3 2.0 0.7 0.5 0.7
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 12 32.8 0.48 0.79 14.3 1.0 2.3 3.3 1.0 0.4 1.3

Yogi Ferrell (DAL - PG)

Owned in 6% of Yahoo leagues and has short-term appeal

The injury to Seth Curry opens up more minutes for a dual-PG lineup since there's no clear back-up at the SG spot. Yogi played well enough last season to get some of those SG minutes in the short-term.

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 70 22.0 0.40 0.82 8.9 1.2 2.1 3.2 0.8 0.2 1.2
Projections (PER/36) 70 36.0 0.40 0.82 14.6 2.0 3.4 5.2 1.3 0.3 2.0
2016/17 Season 46 26.0 0.41 0.83 10.0 1.5 2.4 3.8 1.0 0.2 1.5
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 18 25.9 0.40 0.70 9.6 1.0 2.5 4.0 1.1 0.3 1.6
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 17 33.8 0.46 0.92 14.2 2.0 2.9 4.8 1.0 0.1 1.8

Frank Ntilikina (PG)

Owned in 8% of Yahoo leagues and has long-term appeal

Rookies are always a risk, but similar to the situation in Chicago, you have to hope that common sense will eventually preval, and that Frank will be given the starting PG spot at some point in the season.

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 72 20.0 0.44 0.56 5.6 0.6 2.5 1.3 0.6 0.3 1.2
Projections (PER/36) 72 36.0 0.44 0.56 10.1 1.1 4.5 2.3 1.1 0.5 2.2
2016/17 Season NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL

Jerian Grant (CHI - PG/SG)

Owned in 10% of Yahoo leagues and has short-term appeal

The injury to Dunn means Grant will have all of the minutes he can handle at the PG spot until Kris returns. If he plays well enough (a bit if), he may even keep the starting spot.

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 70 20.0 0.40 0.83 7.7 0.7 2.2 2.5 0.8 0.2 1.1
Projections (PER/36) 70 36.0 0.40 0.83 13.9 1.3 4.0 4.5 1.4 0.4 2.0
2016/17 Season 67 16.0 0.41 0.90 5.7 0.7 1.7 1.9 0.7 0.1 0.7
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 18 24.6 0.40 1.00 9.0 1.0 2.9 3.1 1.2 0.1 0.9
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 4 31.5 0.58 0.85 15.3 2.0 4.8 3.8 2.0 0.3 1.0

Domantas Sabonis (IND - PF)

Owned in 2% of Yahoo leagues and has long-term appeal

This will take a while to play out, but if Indiana choose to tank, and Thad Young is traded then it makes sense that Indiana give minutes to Sabonis. He's more of a watch-list guy for now, though.

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 80 20.0 0.42 0.66 6.4 0.7 3.6 1.1 0.5 0.5 1.0
Projections (PER/36) 80 36.0 0.42 0.66 11.5 1.3 6.5 2.0 0.9 0.9 1.8
2016/17 Season 83 19.7 0.40 0.68 5.8 0.6 3.5 1.0 0.5 0.4 1.0
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 38 24.3 0.40 0.60 7.1 0.0 3.7 1.3 0.6 0.5 1.1
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 5 32.9 0.37 0.81 11.6 1.0 8.0 0.8 0.8 0.6 2.2

DeAndre' Bembry (ATL - SF)

Owned in 0% of Yahoo leagues and has long-term appeal

Bembry is another watch-list candidate, but in the minutes he played last season he showed signs of being a competent ball-handler, which is exacly what Atlanta need from their wing players.

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 68 23.0 0.49 0.40 6.5 0.1 3.8 1.9 0.5 0.4 1.0
Projections (PER/36) 68 36.0 0.49 0.40 10.2 0.2 5.9 3.0 0.8 0.6 1.6
2016/17 Season 38 9.8 0.48 0.38 2.7 0.0 1.6 0.8 0.2 0.1 0.4
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 4 22.6 0.50 0.00 5.5 0.0 4.3 2.3 0.8 0.3 1.3
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 1 31.7 0.50 0.00 7.0 1.0 7.0 3.0 1.0 1.0 2.0

If you play in a 14+ team fantasy basketball league then you know how hard it is to find talent on the waiver wire, this article helps identify X players to add to your watch-list, or potentially add as we head into week 1 of the NBA season, who are owned in 10% or less of Yahoo leagues.

We've broken down player data including full-season projections, projections per 36 minutes, last season's averages, and last season's averages when playing between 20-30 minutes as well as between 30-40 minutes.

Stanley Johnson (DET - SG/SF)

Owned in 6% of Yahoo leagues and has long-term appeal

Stanley has yet to meet any expectations since being drafted, but with the starting SF spot likely his, now's his chance to shine. His FG% will be bad, but he has the ability to give you nice numbers in the 3PM, REB, AST and STL categories at the SF spot.

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 78 25.0 0.40 0.74 8.7 1.1 4.0 2.0 0.9 0.4 1.6
Projections (PER/36) 78 36.0 0.40 0.74 12.5 1.6 5.8 2.9 1.3 0.6 2.3
2016/17 Season 77 17.8 0.35 0.68 4.4 0.6 2.5 1.4 0.7 0.3 0.9
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 22 24.3 0.30 0.70 5.9 1.0 3.0 2.1 1.1 0.4 1.0
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 5 33.6 0.49 1.00 8.4 1.0 4.2 3.4 1.0 0.4 2.0

Timofey Mozgov (BKN - C)

Owned in 10% of Yahoo leagues and has short-medium term appeal

The C spot in Brooklyn runs thin, and Mozgov offers much-needed stability in the starting lineup until rookie big-man Jarrett Allen proves he's ready to start. If Mozgov can play 25-27 minutes a game he'll be a nice end of bench big man in deeper leagues.

2017/18 Projections 70 21.0 0.52 0.74 7.9 0.0 5.4 0.7 0.4 0.8 1.4
Projections (PER/36) 70 36.0 0.52 0.74 13.5 0.0 9.3 1.2 0.7 1.4 2.4
2016/17 Season 54 20.4 0.52 0.81 7.4 0.0 4.9 0.8 0.3 0.6 1.3
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 24 23.0 0.60 0.80 9.3 0.0 5.1 0.9 0.5 0.7 1.4
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 5 33.0 0.64 0.82 13.4 0.0 6.6 1.2 0.6 1.0 0.6

Kelly Oubre Jr (WAS - SF)

Owned in 9% of Yahoo leagues and has short-medium term appeal

The injury to Morris opens up minutes at the PF spot for both Porter and Oubre Jr, what Kelly does with them will be of interest to most deep leaguers

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 77 24 0.43 0.71 8 0.8 4.4 0.7 0.8 0.3 0.9
Projections (PER/36) 77 36 0.43 0.71 12 1.2 6.6 1 1.2 0.5 1.4
2016/17 Season 82 20.3 0.42 0.76 6.4 0.7 3.3 0.6 0.7 0.2 0.6
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 41 24.9 0.5 0.8 8.5 0 4.2 0.7 1 0.3 0.7
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 4 34 0.27 0.67 7.3 0 5.3 0.5 0.8 0.3 0.8

Denzel Valentine (CHI - SG/SF)

Owned in 5% of Yahoo leagues and has long-term appeal

It's no secret that the Chicago situation is a complete mess, so you have to assume at some point common sense will prevail and they'll start giving Valentine big minutes

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 70 22.0 0.36 0.80 6.5 1.5 3.5 1.4 0.6 0.2 1.1
Projections (PER/36) 70 36.0 0.36 0.80 10.6 2.5 5.7 2.3 1.0 0.3 1.8
2016/17 Season 59 16.6 0.36 0.78 5.0 1.3 2.6 1.1 0.5 0.1 0.8
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 18 24.3 0.30 1.00 7.3 1.0 4.4 1.6 0.8 0.3 1.3
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 6 32.2 0.40 0.83 11.7 3.0 4.3 2.0 1.3 0.2 1.0

E'Twaun Moore (nor - PG/SG/SF)

Owned in 4% of Yahoo leagues and has mid-term appeal

Rondo's injury moves Jrue back to his natural PG position, and opens up minutes at the SG spot for Moore. The added roster flexibility is a bonus.

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 72 26.0 0.45 0.71 8.7 1.1 2.3 2.3 0.7 0.5 1.0
Projections (PER/36) 72 36.0 0.45 0.71 12.0 1.5 3.2 3.2 1.0 0.7 1.4
2016/17 Season 73 24.9 0.46 0.77 9.6 1.1 2.1 2.2 0.7 0.5 0.8
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 46 25.2 0.50 0.80 9.2 0.0 2.3 2.0 0.7 0.5 0.7
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 12 32.8 0.48 0.79 14.3 1.0 2.3 3.3 1.0 0.4 1.3

Yogi Ferrell (DAL - PG)

Owned in 6% of Yahoo leagues and has short-term appeal

The injury to Seth Curry opens up more minutes for a dual-PG lineup since there's no clear back-up at the SG spot. Yogi played well enough last season to get some of those SG minutes in the short-term.

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 70 22.0 0.40 0.82 8.9 1.2 2.1 3.2 0.8 0.2 1.2
Projections (PER/36) 70 36.0 0.40 0.82 14.6 2.0 3.4 5.2 1.3 0.3 2.0
2016/17 Season 46 26.0 0.41 0.83 10.0 1.5 2.4 3.8 1.0 0.2 1.5
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 18 25.9 0.40 0.70 9.6 1.0 2.5 4.0 1.1 0.3 1.6
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 17 33.8 0.46 0.92 14.2 2.0 2.9 4.8 1.0 0.1 1.8

Frank Ntilikina (PG)

Owned in 8% of Yahoo leagues and has long-term appeal

Rookies are always a risk, but similar to the situation in Chicago, you have to hope that common sense will eventually preval, and that Frank will be given the starting PG spot at some point in the season.

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 72 20.0 0.44 0.56 5.6 0.6 2.5 1.3 0.6 0.3 1.2
Projections (PER/36) 72 36.0 0.44 0.56 10.1 1.1 4.5 2.3 1.1 0.5 2.2
2016/17 Season NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL

Jerian Grant (CHI - PG/SG)

Owned in 10% of Yahoo leagues and has short-term appeal

The injury to Dunn means Grant will have all of the minutes he can handle at the PG spot until Kris returns. If he plays well enough (a bit if), he may even keep the starting spot.

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 70 20.0 0.40 0.83 7.7 0.7 2.2 2.5 0.8 0.2 1.1
Projections (PER/36) 70 36.0 0.40 0.83 13.9 1.3 4.0 4.5 1.4 0.4 2.0
2016/17 Season 67 16.0 0.41 0.90 5.7 0.7 1.7 1.9 0.7 0.1 0.7
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 18 24.6 0.40 1.00 9.0 1.0 2.9 3.1 1.2 0.1 0.9
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 4 31.5 0.58 0.85 15.3 2.0 4.8 3.8 2.0 0.3 1.0

Domantas Sabonis (IND - PF)

Owned in 2% of Yahoo leagues and has long-term appeal

This will take a while to play out, but if Indiana choose to tank, and Thad Young is traded then it makes sense that Indiana give minutes to Sabonis. He's more of a watch-list guy for now, though.

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 80 20.0 0.42 0.66 6.4 0.7 3.6 1.1 0.5 0.5 1.0
Projections (PER/36) 80 36.0 0.42 0.66 11.5 1.3 6.5 2.0 0.9 0.9 1.8
2016/17 Season 83 19.7 0.40 0.68 5.8 0.6 3.5 1.0 0.5 0.4 1.0
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 38 24.3 0.40 0.60 7.1 0.0 3.7 1.3 0.6 0.5 1.1
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 5 32.9 0.37 0.81 11.6 1.0 8.0 0.8 0.8 0.6 2.2

DeAndre' Bembry (ATL - SF)

Owned in 0% of Yahoo leagues and has long-term appeal

Bembry is another watch-list candidate, but in the minutes he played last season he showed signs of being a competent ball-handler, which is exacly what Atlanta need from their wing players.

Breakdown GP MIN FG% FT% PTS 3PM REB AST STL BLK TO
2017/18 Projections 68 23.0 0.49 0.40 6.5 0.1 3.8 1.9 0.5 0.4 1.0
Projections (PER/36) 68 36.0 0.49 0.40 10.2 0.2 5.9 3.0 0.8 0.6 1.6
2016/17 Season 38 9.8 0.48 0.38 2.7 0.0 1.6 0.8 0.2 0.1 0.4
16/17 GP BW 20-30M 4 22.6 0.50 0.00 5.5 0.0 4.3 2.3 0.8 0.3 1.3
16/17 GP BW 30-40M 1 31.7 0.50 0.00 7.0 1.0 7.0 3.0 1.0 1.0 2.0

Premium Yahoo, ESPN & Fantrax Tools

Unlock our premium Yahoo, ESPN and Fantrax league tools with an active Patreon subscription for $2/mo and get access to the following tools using data from Yahoo, ESPN and Fantrax leagues:

  • Premium Schedule Grid
  • Waiver Wire Rankings
  • Draft Tracker
  • Matchup Planner
  • Trade Machine
  • Waiver Machine
  • League Scouting Report
  • Team Scouting Report
  • Beast Mode

Learn about our premium tools