Fantasy Basketball Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups | Should You Add Brandin Podziemski, Aaron Nesmith and Nick Richards?

It’s already the 10th week of the fantasy basketball season. After a fun holiday weekend of games, let’s dive into some waiver wire options.

Today, we’ll discuss Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski, Indiana Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith and Charlotte Hornets’ Nick Richards.

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Brandin Podziemski Fantasy Outlook

Podziemski is starting to get a good deal of playing time as the Warriors look to get their season moving in a positive direction. Podziemski has played in 24 games and started the past seven.

For the season, Podziemski is averaging 8.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 0.2 blocks, while committing 1.4 turnovers and 1.8 fouls. He’s also averaging 22.8 minutes, although he’s played over 30 minutes seven times since late November.

Podziemski is shooting 46.3% overall and 40.5% from 3-point land. He’s also 70.4% on his free throws.

He’s reached double figures in scoring 12 times this season, including a pair of 20+ point performances. He isn’t afraid to hit the glass and rebound, with 16 games with at least five boards, including a pair of games over 10 boards. Podziemski has reached at least five assists seven times, has a steal in 14 games and a block in four contests.

Verdict: Podziemski is starting to make a name for himself after being the 19th overall pick in the most recent draft. He fills up the stat sheet, shoots strong percentages and is now getting plenty of minutes. He absolutely should be added to fantasy teams if you have room for him. If his minutes ever get cut, then you can simply drop him again, but he looks like he belongs and will turn into a more than capable guard for years to come.

Aaron Nesmith Fantasy Outlook

The Pacers seem to put a player into this conversation every week. This week, it’s Nesmith, who has started once across his 26 games played.

Nesmith is averaging 24.8 minutes, 11.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 1 assist and 0.7 blocks, while committing 3.3 fouls and 0.8 turnovers. He’s shooting 53.2% overall, 46.4% from deep and 68.2% from the line.

I’m a little surprised Nesmith’s minutes are nearly identical to last season despite being a far more efficient scorer. Some of his other averages are a touch down, but are pretty much on par with a season ago. He’s played nearly 28 minutes in back-to-back games, so maybe the extra playing time is coming.

Nesmith has scored in double figures 14 times this season. He’s had five or more boards on seven occasions. He hasn’t gone over five assists in a contest, while having a steal in 14 games and a block in 13 others.

Verdict: Aside from his most recent game, Nesmith had scored in double figures in seven straight contests. His rebounds, steals and blocks are also up a bit in that span. He’s definitely a borderline fantasy option, but I’d keep an eye on him for a couple more games before making a call on Nesmith. If he can consistently fill up the stat sheet, then he can be added, but until he proves he can do just that, I’d leave him out there and try someone else instead.

Nick Richards Fantasy Outlook

Richards only averages 21.9 minutes per game, but is a pretty consistent scorer and rebounder, while also blocking a handful of shots. His season averages across 21 games (including eight starts) are 8.6 points, 7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 0.7 assists and 0.4 steals.

He’s shooting 69.1% from the floor overall. He’s 80.7% at the free throw line. 

Richards only played 20+ minutes three times across the team’s first 11 games. After missing six games, Richards has only failed to reach 20 minutes only three times and has topped 30 minutes four times. In the most recent stretch (10 games), Richards has scored in double figures four times, been over 10 boards four times and had a block in all but four contests.

Verdict: While he’s a strong rebounder, he doesn’t score consistently enough for my liking. The extra playing time of late is definitely something to monitor, and if he can average closer to a double-double, then he’s worth adding at that point. Until then, I’d fill my roster spot with someone who fills out the stat sheet in more areas.