This article is part of our NBA Waiver Wire series.
Heading into Week 7 of the fantasy basketball season, Nick Whalen breaks down some of the top options who may be available on the waiver wire.
Four games: Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Indiana, LA Clippers, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Utah, Washington
Three games: Brooklyn, Denver, Golden State, LA Lakers, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Toronto
Thaddeus Young, Bulls (22% rostered)
On the year, Young ranks outside the top-135, but he's cranked up his production over the last two weeks. During that sample, he ranks 81st in nine-category Yahoo leagues by way of 10.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals. Young has always been a great per-minute steals contributor, but the assists are what have driven up his value. After going for 16 points, nine boards and nine assists against Boston on Monday, Young followed up with eight points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in 29 minutes Saturday night against Portland. Young carries some risk, but with a four-game week ahead, he's worth an add.
Cody Zeller, Hornets (26% rostered)
After missing nearly a month due to injury, Zeller is back in the starting lineup and averaging 9.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists over his last three games. He's played at least 30 minutes in two of those contests, including 34 in Saturday's win over the Bucks, which he finished with seven points, 15 boards, seven assists and a block. Don't expect a ton of defensive contributions from the big man, but if he's locked into a full complement of minutes, at the very least he projects as a strong source of rebounds.
Kevin Huerter, Hawks (53% rostered)
Huerter has struggled through the Hawks' last five games, but he's still averaging more than 33 minutes per contest during that span, so if you can spare a roster spot, it may be worth waiting out the slump. While his steals and overall scoring production haven't been there of late, Huerter is still shooting the three at a solid clip, hitting 37.5 percent of his attempts in the last five games. With the Hawks on a four-game week, Huerter is a decent streaming option.
Patty Mills, Spurs (34% rostered)
The Spurs are on a three-game week, so Mills' short-term upside is somewhat limited, but the veteran guard continues to fly under the radar. Owned in barely a third of Yahoo leagues, Mills is the 101st-ranked player on the season, averaging 14.3 points, 2.9 assists and a career-high 2.7 three-pointers per game. Mills is launching 11.0 field goal attempts -- also a career-high -- while shooting 41.2 percent from three and a stellar 93.1 percent at the line. Over his last five, Mills is averaging 14.6 points, 2.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.2 threes.
Gary Trent, Blazers (31% rostered)
For the season, Trent has been a relative disappointment, but he's turned it on of late in the absence of CJ McCollum. Starting next to Damian Lillard, Trent is posting 21.0 points, 2.3 steals and 5.0 made threes over his last three games, headlined by a 23-point, seven-made-three performance against the Rockets on Thursday. For the time being, Trent looks to be locked into a major jump in minutes (38.7 MPG over the last three games).
Wayne Ellington, Pistons (46% rostered)
Ellington is coming off of a major dud Saturday night (zero points in 18 minutes), but that doesn't erase the fact that he averaged 18.9 points and 5.3 made three-pointers (!) over the previous seven contests. Any non-points-and-threes production you get from Ellington is a bonus, but his volume shooting alone makes him well worth a roster spot on a four-game week for Detroit.
Reggie Jackson, Clippers (26% rostered)
Historically, I have not been Jackson's biggest supporter, but I have no choice but to recommend adding him as long as Patrick Beverley (knee) remains sidelined. It's very much unclear when Beverley might return, but on a four-game week Jackson is a good option in daily lineup leagues, as well as a solid streaming play. Over his last three games (all starts), Jackson posted 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.7 steals, while hitting 2.3 three-pointers per game.
Also consider
Cam Reddish, Hawks (45% rostered)
Carmelo Anthony, Blazers (38% rostered)
Naz Reid, Timberwolves (38% rostered)
Cole Anthony, Magic (41% rostered)
De'Anthony Melton, Grizzlies (6% rostered)
Daniel Theis, Celtics (51% rostered)
Jeff Teague, Celtics (22% rostered)
