For the past few weeks, I have put together a list of players on waivers that I thought were worthy of being on fantasy rosters. In determining these players, I used the ESPN fantasy site. The reason for this is simple-that is where the two leagues I am a part of reside. However, on the last article, it was pointed out that many readers use Yahoo as their platform. Further, it was stated that the majority of the players written about were simply not on the wire. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the rostered percentages on ESPN and Yahoo are vastly different. As the purpose of these articles is to help managers make the best choices, this week I present this basketball waivers Yahoo version. Let’s go shopping, shall we?

Point Guards

Eric Bledsoe, Portland Trailblazers, 28% Rostered

There aren’t many point guards available on the wire that have scored in double figures three times since January 26. However, Eric Bledsoe happens to be one of them. In addition, Bledsoe has two games with at least six assists and has a six-rebound game.

For the season, Bledsoe is averaging 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists a night. He doesn’t get the minutes you would like to see but delivers when on the court. If the position is a need, Bledsoe is a safe fantasy roster addition.

NOTE: Bledsoe was sent to Portland in a multi-player trade just as the weekend began. The move should get him on the court more than when he was with the Clippers. It is unknown when Damian Lillard will return to the active list. Further, Lillard may be ticketed out of town in the coming days, as well as CJ McCollum. Even if neither are traded, Bledsoe’s fantasy outlook is brighter today than it was Thursday. If point guard is a need, Bledsoe is now a must add.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Washington Wizards, 27% Rostered

When searching for point guards on the way up, it seemed as if a fire had been lit under Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. During an eleven-game stretch, Caldwell-Pope scored in double figures in eight of the games. Then came a four-point flame out against Philadelphia on Wednesday. The good news is that even though he didn’t score much, Caldwell-Pope was on the court for his customary 30 minutes.

For the season, Caldwell-Pope is averaging 11.4 points with 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists. It seems that the four points he scored can be classified as an outlier. For a point guard, you would definitely like to see his assist total higher. Sometimes the only counting stats Caldwell-Pope provides is points. Even so, if the position is a black hole on the roster, Caldwell-Pope can help solve the problem for the time being.

Other Point Guard Worth a Look:

Davion Mitchell of the Kings is approaching the 50 percent rostered mark and may not be available in many leagues. However, he deserves a look and if found on the buyer’s market, should be added quickly. Over the past week or so, Mitchell scored 15 or more points in five straight games, including two with at least 20. There’s not a PG on the wire that has the stats of Mitchell. If PG is a need, act immediately. Mitchell is the top priority on this basketball waivers Yahoo version.

Shooting Guards

Kevin Huerter, Atlanta Hawks, 37% Rostered

Over the past several games, it is clear that Kevin Huerter rides the highs and lows like no other player. There was a recent four game stretch where Huerter had double figures in points every night as well as an eight-rebound game. Then Huerter disappeared during three games in which he scored 18 points total. However, the flame was lit under him this week as Huerter scored 26 and 19 points against Toronto and Phoenix, respectfully. He was also well over his season average in minutes on the court as he played at least 37 in each game.

As if on cue, Huerter returned to ice cold status against Toronto Friday. He scored just seven points with two rebounds and three assists. For the year, Huerter averages 11.7/3.2/2.8. Clearly, it is a gamble to start Huerter, not knowing which end of a skid he might be on. However, he is playing every night and is on the court for about 30 minutes. There are a lot of players on the wire that can’t make either claim. Thus, adding Huerter is the call this week.

Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets, 23% Rostered

Of course, when searching for a shooting guard, it is essential that the player can, in fact, score. There are no such concerns when it comes to Eric Gordon, as he can put the ball in the basket. For the season, Gordon averages 14.2 points while playing right around 33 minutes per game. His shooting percentage had taken a hit in recent games, but he shot 60% from the field Friday.

Ultimately, this recommendation has an expiration date of February 10th. The Rockets only play two games on the week. Once they play at New Orleans Thursday, they don’t hit the court again until Monday the 14th against Utah. Start him in those two games and then send him to the wire. At least that way, an owner will get four starts out of the position this coming week.

Power Forwards

Darius Bazley, Oklahoma City Thunder, 29% Rostered

Currently, there are few players who have seen their time on the court increase as dramatically as Darius Bazley. From January 13th to the 24th, Bazley’s minutes per game went over 24 just once and never reached 30. However, since that time, Bazley has been active for over 32 minutes in three of his last four games. In that stretch, he scored 13 or more points three games in a row and grabbed at least 11 rebounds in two consecutive contests.

For the season, Bazley is averaging nine points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists. Since missing five games earlier in the season, Bazley has appeared in 15 consecutive games. Bazley should be a constant on the court for the Thunder, especially while Aaron Wiggins is out with an ankle injury. Oklahoma City has four games on the schedule this week and getting Bazley into the lineup for those games is a highly recommended move on this basketball waivers Yahoo version.

Cedi Osman, Cleveland Cavaliers, 11% Rostered

It has been said often that availability is the best ability. In that regard, Cedi Osman clearly demonstrates has he has that quality. After being inactive for 11 games earlier in the season, Osman has appeared in the Cavaliers last 14 contests. Additionally, he has been on the court for 30 or more minutes three of his last five games. He was only in the lineup for 15 minutes Friday, which bears investigating.

If that proves to be just a bump in the road, there are no concerns with Osman going forward. Add it all up and Osman has averaged 10.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists. The points average doesn’t reflect what Osman has done of late as he has gone over 13 points, including a 23-point outing, in three of his last five games. If power forward is a problem spot on the roster, there are few players that are readily available that can help solve the problem. However, Osman is one of them. Add him today.

Small Forwards

Gary Harris, Orlando Magic, 23% Rostered

When researching players that are on less than 25 percent of rosters, none have scored the way that Gary Harris has in his last five games. Over that stretch, Harris scored in double figures in all of them, including a 22-point performance Wednesday against the Pacers. Additionally, Harris had three rebounds, five assists and two steals in that game. That is what is known as filling up a stat sheet.

Even better, Harris has been on the court for Orlando for right around 30 minutes over his past eight games. On court consistency can’t be overstated in fantasy and Harris has that in spades. He certainly gives off the look of a player that is about to heat up significantly. There are several small forwards on the wire, but none have the potential that Harris does. For that reason, Harris receives a hearty recommendation on this basketball waivers Yahoo version.

Josh Richardson, Boston Celtics, 6% Rostered

Without question, a player that has come into his own of late is Josh Richardson. For the season, Richardson is averaging 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists. For a player that scored in double figures in four of five games since January 25 to be only six percent rostered is remarkable and unexplainable. Any manager with small forward problems needs to get to the wire this instant and claim Richardson before he is gone for good.

Entering Sunday’s play, Richardson has scored in double figures for the Celtics in five of his last six games. He has also shot at 60 percent or better from the field in three of those games. Further, Richardson scored 23 points, his second highest total of the season, against Charlotte on Wednesday. If Harris above is not available, immediately turn to Richardson to solve any issues at the small forward position.

Centers

Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors, 34% Rostered

Players have been coming and going into the Warriors’ starting lineup all season. One of those players that has been a constant, though is Kevon Looney. Of Golden State’s 53 games played, Looney has appeared in all of them and has broken the 30-minute mark in multiple games along the way. With Draymond Green expected out for another three to four weeks, Looney is a starting lock down the stretch and into the fantasy playoffs.

For the season, Looney is averaging 6.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists. However, over the past few games, Looney’s play has been well above those averages. He has scored in double digits in two straight games and had at least 12 rebounds in three of his last four. His roster percentage has increased seven points this week, indicating Looney won’t be widely available much longer. He is definitely the center addition of note on this basketball waivers Yahoo version.

Guillermo Hernangomez, New Orleans Pelicans, 18% Rostered

The Pelicans’ Guillermo Hernangomez just landed on the health and safety protocols list and does not receive an outright pickup recommendation here. However, managers need to keep an eye out for his return to the court. Since January 25, Hernangomez scored in double figures in four of five games.

Additionally, he also had double digit rebounds in three of those games. It looks like New Orleans may be trying to unload Hernangomez before the trade deadline. If that happens and he winds up in a great situation, he could have real value down the stretch and into the fantasy playoffs. Pay strict attention to him in the coming days and react quickly when his situation becomes clearer.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this basketball Waivers Yahoo version edition! As always, I welcome suggestions, questions and input from all of my readers. Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports & Picks for all the latest NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and all the sports news!