In this edition of Working the Wire, we’ll take a look at the games scheduled for week six, including those teams that have a back-to-back set. Before looking ahead, let’s quickly take a look at last week’s waiver wire pickups and whether we struck gold or came up empty. We will then run down the list of players you could consider picking up for longer than a couple of games, although do remember that not every player is going to suit your needs. Finally, we take a look at a list of current streaming options, based on categorical need.

Games Schedule – Week 7

Back to Backs

Mon/Tues: POR
Tues/Weds: SAC
Weds/Thurs: MIL, OKC
Thurs/Fri: PHX
Fri/Sat: BKN, BOS, DAL, GSW, LAC, MIA
Sat/Sun: 
Sun/Mon (of Week 4): ATL, CHA, CLE, WAS

A Look Back…

Guards

Jalen Suggs (262nd ranked player) – The rank is terrible, but I’m taking a small win here

Monte Morris (173rd ranked player) – A pass, at best

Kevin Huerter (169th ranked player) – Also a pass with this one

Cody Martin (120th ranked player) – Let’s take a win here

Forwards

Evan Fournier (182nd ranked player) – A pass, given his scoring

Talen Horton-Tucker (225th ranked player) – This is a loss

Jarred Vanderbilt (53rd ranked player) – Clearly a win

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (98th ranked player) – Another obvious win

Centers

Chimezie Metu (349th ranked player) – The new coach has ruined him

Isaiah Hartenstein (161st ranked player) – Barely a pass. Ibaka getting minutes over him for some reason

Waiver Wire Options

Guards

De’Anthony Melton – Melton is a no-brainer given the injury to Ja Morant. The return of Dillon Brooks resulted in Melton hitting waiver wire left, right and center. If he was dropped in your league, run, don’t walk, to rectify that.

Pat Connaughton – With Khris Middleton coming back into the lineup, Grayson Allen has fallen off the 12-team radar. However, Connaughton has been able to maintain his role off the bench and is the 27th ranked player over the past week. His current production is obviously elevated but you could do worse if you need an efficient perimeter scoring who can grab out-of-position rebounds.

Alec Burks – Burks start for the Knicks on Saturday and looked great in doing so. He is a top-100 player over the past week and his minutes are on the rise. We have seen this before from Burks and so there is almost certainly a drop-off coming at some point. Until then, make sure he isn’t available in your league.

Danny Green – Green has played just two games since returning from injury but in those two games, he is a top-10 player. Obviously, this is not sustainable but the Sixers need him on the floor for his defense alone. Give him a long look if you need defensive production, along with a reliable 3-point shot.

Forwards

Marvin Bagley – With much uncertainty, let’s take a look at Bagley. Out of the rotation to begin the season, he has been able to carve out a semi-consistent role over the past few games. Granted, injuries have helped his cause but sometimes that’s what it takes for a player to step up. This could end badly but while he is playing, feel free to take a flier on him.

Grant Williams – Much like Bagley, Williams is going to need other players around him to miss time. Robert Williams appears as though he is at least a couple of games away from returning, and Dennis Schroder has also been ruled out for Sunday. Williams has very little upside but can be an across-the-board producer when given adequate playing time.

Dorian Finney-Smith – DFS is seeming on and off rosters every week, so this is just a stab in the dark. He has been a top-100 player over the past week, thanks to his improved efficiency. His numbers won’t blow you away but he can be a solid plug-and-play option if you simply need consistent production.

Royce O’Neale – We could really just cut and paste from the previous notes, with O’Neale profiling much like Finney-Smith.

Centers

P.J. Washington – Mason Plumlee is currently sidelined and until he returns, the starting job belongs to Washington. It’s been a rough start to the season but perhaps this opportunity gets him going. A top-100 player over the past week, Washington is certainly worth a look, given this could turn into a long-term thing.

JaVale McGee – Typically viewed as a streamer, McGee is actually playing well enough in very limited minutes to have sustained value. He will obviously only help you in rebounds, blocks and efficiency, but for some, that is more than enough. If he fills a need for you, don’t be afraid to add him.

Streaming Targets

Points

Jeff Green

Malik Monk

Patty Mills

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Malik Beasley

Carmelo Anthony

3-pointers 

Patty Mills

Armoni Brooks

Cedi Osman

Anfernee Simons

Malik Beasley

Malik Monk

Assists

T.J. McConnell

Immanuel Quickley

Facundo Campazzo

R.J. Hampton

Tyus Jones

Talen Horton-Tucker

Rebounds

Steven Adams

Kevin Love

Willy Hernangomez

Maxi Kleber

Juan Toscano-Anderson

Kevon Looney

Steals

Tyus Jones

Herb Jones

Facundo Campazzo

Terence Davis

Jae Crowder

Gary Harris

Blocks

Darius Bazley

Serge Ibaka

Isaiah Hartenstein

Maxi Kleber

Hassan Whiteside

Alex Len

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