With the NBA All-Star game in the books, the season begins in earnest. Without question, that is especially true in fantasy, as there are only two more weeks of the regular season remaining. The stretch run will likely decide the fates of many a fantasy manager, whether simply fighting to even make the postseason or trying to strengthen the roster for a potential championship. There hasn’t been a waiver article this season from Belly Up, and that gets corrected right now. As I am not one to waste a lot of time, let’s get right into this stretch run fantasy basketball top waivers edition, shall we? As with my other fantasy articles, all roster percentages are taken from ESPN.

Kevon Looney, PF/C Golden State Warriors, 21% Owned

In their first game coming out of the All-Star break, the Warriors moved Kevon Looney from a starter’s role to coming off the bench. Certainly, in most cases, that would be a problem. However, it sure doesn’t look that way with Looney. Playing just 20 minutes against the Lakers, Looney scored 10 points and grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds. Apparently, rebounding is Looney’s middle name as this was his fourth straight game with 13 or more rebounds. Additionally, it was his third straight game with double digits in points.

For the season, Looney is averaging 6.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Most everyone expects Golden State to start getting everything in order for the postseason and Looney will have a major impact in that area.  In looking over the center position on the waiver wire, it is clear it is pretty slim pickings out there.

As Looney is available and playing for the defending NBA Champions, he clearly tops the list of pickups. As he also qualifies as a power forward, that only increases his value. If either position is a need, pickup up Looney today.

Kyle Anderson, SF/PF, Minnesota Timberwolves, 18.1% Owned

When looking for players rounding into form coming down the stretch, search no further than Kyle Anderson. After missing two games due to a back issue, Anderson returned to the Timberwolves’ lineup and posted double figures in points in three straight games. His minutes per game also increased in each contest, from 17 to 24 to 31. Additionally, Anderson filled up the stat sheet against Washington with five rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

For the season, Anderson is averaging 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals. Most importantly, his fantasy production increased in all three games as well, going from 26 to 37 to 46 fantasy points. The All-Star break came at the right time for Anderson. Expect that he will be a major contributor to Minnesota down the stretch. He is power and small forward qualified, and that adds to his value.

Not many, if any, players that are under 20 percent owned look to have Anderson’s impact coming down the stretch. Adding him makes all the sense in the world on this fantasy basketball top waivers edition.

Killian Hayes, PG, Detroit Pistons, 16.7% Owned

After disappearing earlier this month when he failed to score more than nine points in three straight games, Killian Hayes has resurfaced. Since then, Hayes has appeared in two games, playing at least 30 minutes in each while scoring in double digits. Further, he dished out nine assists against Boston, the third game since mid-January in which he has had that many in a game. In four of his last six games, Hayes has played at least 30 minutes. He isn’t a candidate for capped playing time as the season winds down.

For the year, Killian is establishing career bests in points (9.6), assists (5.8) and steals (1.3). In three of his last six games, Hayes has produced big numbers for his fantasy managers with 48, 27 and 33 fantasy points. In his first game after the break, Hayes put up 12 points and five assists against Orlando.

At this point, there isn’t a lot to search through in the waiver bin as far as points guards are concerned. Adding a player that managers know will be there night in and night out is the clear play down the stretch and into the fantasy postseason.

Malaki Branham, SG, San Antonio Spurs, 8.1% Owned

Without question, the San Antonio Spurs are an absolute train wreck of a team and a far cry from what they once were not so long ago. Even as that is the case, one of their players is deserving of attention. That player’s name is Malaki Branham. Even as the Spurs have lost every game in sight, Branham has shined like a diamond of late. In his last two games, he has played at least 33 minutes and scored 23 points in both. Branham has scored in double figures in five straight and eight of his last nine games.

However, scoring is not the only aspect of Branham’s game that fantasy managers will enjoy, as he had six rebounds against Charlotte and five assists against Dallas. For the season, his first in the NBA, Branham is averaging 9.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists. As the Spurs season has crashed and burned beyond recognition, there is no reason for Head Coach Gregg Popovich to play veterans and will lean a lot on young players like Branham.

At only 19 years old, he can shoulder the load. At only around eight percent owned, Branham will make the perfect addition to any fantasy roster as the season ends and the fantasy playoffs begin. Without question, adding him is a highly recommended action on this fantasy basketball top waivers edition.

Jabari Smith Jr, PF/C, Houston Rockets, 37.3% Owned

Finally, another rookie on a terrible team providing solid fantasy production is Jabari Smith Jr. However, he isn’t nearly as available on the waiver wire as the players listed above. If, after inspection, Smith is found in the waiver bin, he goes to the top of the list of fantasy additions. In eight of his last ten games, Smith has played at least 31 minutes, with 29 and 27 minutes played in the other two. In the last week, Smith is averaging 13.0 points and 9.0 rebounds while averaging 34 minutes on the court per game.

For the season, he is averaging 12.0 points and 7.1 rebounds. Best of all, in three of his last five games, Smith has put up 30, 39 and 41 fantasy points. Against Philadelphia February 13, Smith crash landed with only nine fantasy points. However, that is the only game in his last 13 that he didn’t put up at least double figures in fantasy points.

Easily the best news, though, is that Smith won’t be rested in the final games of the regular season, providing managers with a reliable fantasy floor. The key, as stated above, is that he be available. If that is indeed the case, adding Smith becomes a priority.

Other players deserving attention:

First, check to see if SG/SF Josh Richardson (8.3% owned) of New Orleans remains in the starting lineup going forward. If he does, at only 8.3 percent owned, Richardson moves directly to the top of the waiver wire mountain.

Second, it is anyone’s guess what is going to happen with the Utah Jazz roster these final weeks other than Markkanen, Kessler and Clarkson will average around 35 or more minutes per game. Check to see the status of SG/PG/SF Talen Horton-Tucker (9.9% owned).

If he continues to play over 32 minutes, as he has in his last two games, get him on the roster as swiftly as possible. His versatility adds to his value and if the minutes are there, he qualifies as a must add player.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy basketball top waivers edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from 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!