Welcome to Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Week 12! This is the second week of your super matchup and the beginning of the second half of the season. The All-star break is now over and a lot of players are coming back resulting in a waiver wire that is probably the most unpredictable it has ever been. The only thing we know for certain is that the Sixers may be a little short-handed for 1-2 games this week.

As always, do not feel obligated to pick up anyone if you do not have room on your roster. I will be providing weekly waiver wire pickup suggestions that are mainly for nine-category leagues. The picks are based on players being rostered in less than 30-percent of fantasy basketball teams. Here are some waiver wire pickups for a short week 12.

PG Michael Carter-Williams, ORL (@MIA, @SA, MIA)

There’s a good chance Cole Anthony will not be back this week. Michael Carter-Williams has been great in his place the past two games averaging 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.5 three-pointers made and 1.5 steals while shooting 60-percent from the field. MCW is still owned in less than 30-percent of leagues. The Magic play three games this week and MCW should continue to play well.

PG/SG Shake Milton, PHI (@CHI, @WAS, SA)

Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons will miss games this week because of COVID contact tracing. The obvious beneficiary is Tobias Harris, but he won’t be on the waiver wire. The next best pickup is Shake Milton. Shake has already been averaging 28-32 minutes off the bench, but now the Sixers will need his playmaking in order to be competitive this week. Even with a healthy Sixers team this past week, Milton averaged 19 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 52-percent from the field and a perfect 9 of 9 from the stripe. He has the potential to give great value especially with Simmons scheduled to be out two of the three games this week.

SG Kevin Porter Jr., HOU (@SAC, @UTAH, BOS)

The Rockets have lost 13 games in a row. Stories are coming out that the Rockets are up for a fire-sale by the trade deadline. There is so much uncertainty with the Rockets that it is hard to predict what to do with their players. A big high-risk/high-reward player would be Kevin Porter Jr, who was just called up from the G-League. The Rockets lack playmakers and I would not be surprised if Porter Jr ends up playing 30+ minutes by the fantasy playoffs. Obviously, this could be nothing, but if you can afford to take a flyer on his potential, you should do it.

PF/C Robert Williams, BOS (@BKN, @HOU)

The Boston Celtics are in need of production from the center spot and they may have found it in Robert Williams. In the past two games off the bench, Williams has averaged 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 3 blocks while shooting 80-percent from the field. The Celtics have been patient with him, but he has shown he deserves more playing time. The Celtics only play two games this week, but Williams is a great long-term speculative add.

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