Working the waiver wire is pivotal to succeeding in fantasy basketball. With so many games, injuries and endless shifts in rotations throughout the season, a willingness to entertain competition for the last spot or two on your fantasy hoops roster can prove rewarding.
In this weekly series, we identify players available in more than 40 percent of ESPN leagues at each position. Some nominations are purely specialists capable of helping in one or two categories, while others deliver more diverse and important statistical offerings. Either way, I believe the players below can contribute positively to fantasy rosters.
Point guard
George Hill, Sacramento Kings (rostered in 37.1 percent of ESPN leagues): Hill had an awesome final season in Utah in regard to scoring efficiency, and he remains effective in regard to percentages with Sacramento. However, he hasn't enjoyed the volume of touches and shots with De'Aaron Fox rightfully earning exposure. That said, Hill has enjoyed a slight surge in minutes of late, which is translating to effective box scores from the journeyman; Hill has averaged 1.6 3PG and 1.4 SPG on 26.6 minutes over the past seven games, all starts.
Kris Dunn, Chicago Bulls (29.8): Finally ascending a thin depth chart at point guard for the Bulls, Dunn has averaged 28.4 minutes and 13.3 shots per game over the past eight. This uptick in usage and exposure has resulted in Dunn slashing for 12.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.3 APG and 1.8 SPG all while hitting 40 percent of his 3-point attempts over this successful sample.
Mario Chalmers, Memphis Grizzlies (12.7): He has assumed lead point guard duties with Mike Conley indefinitely sidelined. Afforded 30 minutes per game over the past six appearances, including five starts, Chalmers is providing plus rates in steals, rebounds and assists.
Shooting guard
Rodney Hood, Utah Jazz (38.9): Hood is up to a career-best 17.7 PPG thanks to a sizable surge in opportunity rates, such as 14.7 shots per game and a whopping 7.1 per game from beyond the arc. Look at that ownership rate approaching the 40 percent threshold; by mentioning Hood in nearly every edition of this column it's possible we've helped amplify awareness for this savvy shooting guard. Join the club and add Hood, as he's been a boon to fantasy teams so far.
Allen Crabbe, Brooklyn Nets (17.4): Not only do you get to make up your own pronunciation for Crabbe's name when you roster him, you also get a scoring guard enjoying rare freedom to shoot of late. The former Trail Blazer is netting 14.4 PPG thanks to lofting seven 3-pointers per game over the past seven games, all starts. The Nets are truly thin in the backcourt given a series of significant injuries, thus Crabbe should enjoy steady minutes in the weeks ahead.
Danny Green, San Antonio Spurs (16.3): This defensive dynamo just doesn't excite fantasy managers given the utter lack of a scoring ceiling. That said, balance in competitive fantasy basketball leagues isn't attained via scoring, but rather having an appreciation for the nuances of defensive production. Green, for example, has averaged 1.2 SPG and a block over his past five starts. Don't sweat the modest offensive rates, as Green is undeniably among the best resources for blocks and steals among the pool of widely available players.
Tim Frazier, Washington Wizards (2.5): Those in deeper leagues and especially those with John Wall might want to consider Frazier, as Wall is sidelined for a few weeks and this Penn State product could see a nice blend of minutes and assist opportunities.
Small forward
Al-Farouq Aminu, Portland Trail Blazers (14.0): Speaking of quietly effective forwards, Aminu threatens for a double-double when healthy and is a strong resource for steals from the wing. This endorsement is all about timing, as it appears Aminu is on the mend from his ankle ailment that has kept him out for much of the season. Focus on the diversity of Aminu's statistical profile and enjoy the rewards once he's back on the floor.
Norman Powell, Toronto Raptors (3.5): Powell is back from injury and regularly enjoying 30 minutes with great steal and shooting rates as a result.
Power forward
Markieff Morris, Washington Wizards (39.6): With nearly 25 percent fewer shots taken per game this season compared to last and 30 percent fewer points per game, it's not entirely surprising to see Morris so widely available. Then again, this is a proven stretch forward who enjoyed career highs in rebounding and scoring volume for the Wizards last season. Which is to say, I'm willing to buy that Morris is due for a sizable positive correction in scoring and rebounding efficiency going forward.
Joe Ingles, Utah Jazz (35.4): We're finding more distribution duties spread around the court in this Draymond Green era of point forwards. Ingles, for his part, is averaging 4.3 APG with an elite three 3-pointers per game over the past eight games, all starts. Utah is one of those rosters that often goes underappreciated in fantasy given its slow pace and lack of elite scoring options, but Ingles is the type of high-floor forward who can help your team in multiple categories.
JaMychal Green, Memphis Grizzlies (12.8): It's time to trust Green again, as he's finally healed up and ready to provide a nice blend of scoring and boards as the Grizzlies' complementary hustle forward next to Marc Gasol. Averaging 31.4 minutes over the past three games, all starts, it's time to add Green in all but shallow 10-team leagues.
Larry Nance Jr., Los Angeles Lakers (10.2): Reports suggest Nance is back as a full practice participant, signaling an impending return to action. Will he resume his rewarding starting role for Luke Walton? That's unclear, but given Nance's energetic game fueled nice transition production for the Lakers, it's safe to assume he regains a meaningful role.
Center
John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks (14.4): The Bucks dealt Greg Monroe to Phoenix a few weeks back, opening starting minutes for Henson, who has responded with 10.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG and 1.4 BPG. The block rate should only rise, as this proven rim protector can help fuel fantasy production at what is arguably the scarcest stat of all.