Welcome to my first Working the Wire column for SportsEthos.com. What follows is a list of players that might be available in your league as you scour the waiver wire and manage your team. Let’s get right into it!

Double-Check Zone

These are players who are highly likely to be gone — or were maybe even drafted — in any competitive league. And yet, their roster percentage is still a little low so just be safe and make sure they’re not sitting out there in your league.

The Yahoo rostership will be displayed in parentheses next to a player’s name.

Jeremy Sochan (57%)

Sochan has been just a 13th-rounder in nine-cat leagues in 11 games played but has looked better since returning on Dec. 3 after missing about a month with a left thumb fracture that required surgery. He double-doubled in those first two games, had 14 points in the third and racked up two steals and two blocks in the fourth. Hopefully, his minutes ramp up as he gets over the injury. I’m just impressed he’s even playing this soon and came out of the gates with the double-doubles. Victor Wemanyama played in the Dec. 3 dub-dub for Sochan.

Tari Eason (48%)

Eason’s been a fourth-rounder this season and while he’s inconsistent and has missed a few games, he’s nothing but upside. With almost a 3-pointer per game, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.9 blocks, he’s putting up nice numbers on most nights. But he’s also susceptible to duds. His field goal percentage is fine at nearly 48% but he’s hitting just 77% of his free throws, which is hurting his value. He is only going to get better assuming he can stay healthy.

Gradey Dick (48%)

Dick has been an 11th-rounder in nine-cat with 17.9 points, 2.5 3-pointers and almost a steal per game, but a lack of rebounds, assists and 41% field goal shooting, his ranking is low. He might be ready to go on a run if Scottie Barnes misses any time with his foot/ankle injury.

Jared McCain (46%)

McCain has been a 15th-rounder in nine-cat but has also had some big games. The future is very bright for him and while I only truly trust him when Paul George or Tyrese Maxey is out, I do like the idea of hanging onto him all season. Philly might find themselves in a tank later on and McCain should be exempt from taking any kind of hit, and could emerge as a silly-season hero down the line. He shoots it well from both spots and has averaged close to 16 ppg.

Nick Richards (45%)

Richards has been a ninth-round guy this season and is healthy again despite playing in just nine games. 11.6 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks is all you really need to know about Richards, while Mark Williams continues to be more myth than man at this point. He struggles at the line (70%), so just beware of that.

Deni Avdija (42%)

Avdija has returned Top 150 value and looks a little different this season, as in ‘better.’ A move to the bench has actually helped a little and he’s averaged nearly 14 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.0 triples in December and if he ever starts blocking and stealing, his ranking could take a jump.

Ayo Dosunmu (41%)

Dosunmu’s been a 10th-round player this season with nearly 13 points, four boards, 4.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.3 3-pointers per game. He’s been better with Coby White sidelined, but White appears to finally be nearing a return for the Bulls.

Standard Leagues

These are players worth a long look in 12-team leagues. Maybe they’ll be a specialist to help in one area, or it’s possible they could have season-long appeal in fantasy. Most of the players in this group should at least be on watch lists, if not full-on rostered in standard formats.

De’Andre Hunter (40%)

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