Welcome, one and all, to December! Certainly, the holiday and the NBA seasons are picking up steam. In the next few days, teams will have played their 20th game of the year. Without question, that is enough time to make some judgments on whether some players need to be sent to, or rescued from, the waiver wire. About 10 days ago, I wrote an article listing some players who have been disappointments thus far. Of course, if a player is dropped, another must take his place. With that in mind, I submit this fantasy basketball prime pickups edition. These players are standing by to help your fantasy team.

Obviously, I can’t list every player that is worthy of a pickup, but those included here are at the head of the class. As always, debate and discussion are strongly encouraged. Do you have questions on players that are, or who are not, in the article? Let’s talk about it! For reference sake, the roster percentages are taken from ESPN. Further, the players listed are intended for points leagues. With all of that out of the way, we can get down to business.

Top Point Guard Pickups

De’Anthony Melton, PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers, 36.9% Rostered

Without doubt, lots of Philadelphia players have benefited from the trade of James Harden. One of those that I didn’t include on my article regarding the trade was De’Anthony Melton. However, he has clearly taken advantage of the two minutes of increase playing time over last season. Most notably, his PPG (10.1-12.8) and APG (2.6-4.0) have gone up.

However, his last ten games have shown what Melton is truly capable of. In that time, he has averaged 17.1 PPG. Included in that are a 30 point outburst against Indiana and 21 against Boston last Friday. Best of all, he has been consistent as the sun rise of late. Melton has scored over 27 fantasy points in every game except three since November 6th. As he can help at shooting guard as well as the point, Melton is at the top of the list this week.

Jeremy Sochan, PG/PF, San Antonio Spurs, 15.8% Rostered

If one is searching for a player that has explosive capabilities, look no further than Jeremy Sochan. Clearly, the biggest news out of San Antonio will always surround Wemby. However, don’t let the bright lights distract you from what Sochan did Thursday against Atlanta. Returning from a slight knee injury, Sochan put on a show of the ages.

In 36 minutes, he poured in 33 points with eight rebounds and six assists. In the end, Sochan wound up with a whopping 60 fantasy points for the night. As good as that is, though, Sochan hasn’t been a one-time wonder. Over his last eleven full games, he has been on the court for at least 30 minutes eight times. In the another two, he played 28 and 29 minutes.

For the season, he is averaging 11.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists. At just under 16 percent rostered, he is widely available. Additionally, the fact that he also is qualified as a power forward increases his value. How many point guards can also stand up to power forwards? Surely, there aren’t many, but Sochan can. If Melton isn’t available, Sochan rises to the top of the point guard pack.

Top Shooting Guard Pickups

Coby White, SG/PG, Chicago Bulls, 33.1% Rostered

When it comes to available shooting guards, Coby White is at the top of the list. In fact, since White is also qualified as a point guard, he could also be placed in the upped category. As it is, White will fit in nicely here. In his last ten games, White has been on the floor a minimum of 30 minutes nine times. Over his past two, he has played 40 and 45 minutes.

In that time, White has put those minutes to maximum use, scoring 20 or more points in five of his last seven games, In the last seven days, White has averaged a huge 24.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists. In his last two games, he has put up 40 and 61 fantasy points. White’s PPG average is his highest since 2020-2021. Obviously, there is a lot to like about White’s game at the moment.

However, time is of the essence if one wishes to add White to the roster. In the past few days, his roster percentage has shot up almost 16 percent. Act today to add White if shooting guard is a need.

Bruce Brown, SG/SF, Indiana Pacers, 23.2% Rostered

Next on the shooting guard list after White, we find Bruce Brown. Over his past six games, Brown has played a minimum of 30 minutes. He has scored double digits in points in his last eight games, highlighted by a 30 point explosion at Miami Saturday. Brown has had two 40 point fantasy games in his last two and been exceedingly consistent in that area.

Over his last ten contests, Brown has had at least 22 fantasy points in every one. For the season, Brown is averaging 12.7 PPG, 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Further, he can throw a few steals into the stat sheet with at least two in seven of his last 13 games. The PPG total is easily the highest of his career. His roster percentage has been rising steadily the past few days.

Without question, he won’t be available much longer. If shooting guard is a need and Gordon isn’t available, don’t wait. Make the claim on Brown immediately, if not sooner is the recommendation on this fantasy basketball prime pickups edition.

Top Small Forward/Power Forward Pickups

Saddiq Bey, Atlanta Hawks, 19.6% Rostered

Without question, the player at the top of the forward waiver pickups list that almost surely is available is Saddiq Bey. In hist past eight games, Bey has been on the court for at least 31 minutes six times, including his last three. Over his past ten games, Bey has scored in double figures in eight. Further, he is pulling down rebounds, with at least seven in five of his last eight.

For the season, Bey is averaging 12.4 PPG and 5.8 rebounds. His minutes per game is his highest since 2020-2021. Those in fantasy leagues will be happy to learn that he has posted 36, 32 and 34 fantasy points in his last three games. Need more convincing? Bey can play both the small and power forward positions. He will look good on fantasy rosters. If there is a need at either forward spot, putting that claim in on Bey is a highly recommended move on this fantasy basketball prime pickups edition.

Bojan Bogdanovic, PF/SF, Detroit Pistons 29.7% Rostered

To be sure, those searching high and low for Bojan Bogdanovic this season couldn’t locate him. At least not before Saturday, anyway. However, he did make his season debut that night against Cleveland. The result? Certainly, significant enough to warrant an investigation into whether he should be added to fantasy rosters.

In the game against the Cavaliers, Bogdanovic scored 22 points in 27 minutes. Of course, since it was his first game of the year, his minutes were a little restricted. That issue will ease over his next few games until he is on the court for over 30 minutes. Clearly, that is an easy conclusion to come to, seeing as that has been his average over his past six NBA seasons.

For his career, Bogdanovic averages 15.6 PPG. However, that average has been over 20 points a night his last two seasons. With the Pistons having lost 17 straight games to this point, they are desperate for any kind of useful contribution. Bogdanovic will provide that, no doubt, and give his fantasy managers a huge boost to their rosters. However, act fast, as his roster percentage will undoubtedly markedly increase in the coming days.

Top Center Pickup

Mitchell Robinson, Center, New York Knicks, 38.3% Rostered

Admittingly, the center position in fantasy basketball is thin. The player at the top of the fantasy basketball prime pickups edition, Mitchell Robinson, is almost 40 percent rostered. Meaning, he probably isn’t available in a lot of leagues. If he is, though, Robinson is clearly worth a look.

Of course, actually being on the court is highly coveted, whether in real or fantasy. In that area, Robinson shines, having played at least 30 minutes in four straight, and ten of his last 13 games. Quite honestly, scoring is not what makes Robinson valuable. He averages just 6.2 PPG. However, he is a rebounding machine, pulling down 10.7 rebounds per contest.

Additionally, he can steal the basketball from opponents (1.5) and block shoots (1.4). He has been especially valuable in points leagues, with 32 and 40 points in recent games. To be blunt, there isn’t much else to like on waivers for the center position. If there is a need, and Robinson is available, snatch him up before one of your opponents gets to him first.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy basketball prime pickups edition! As always, I welcome suggestions, comments and input from all my readers. Let’s discuss!

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 for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!