October 31 Fantasy Basketball Waivers: Bilal Coulibaly, Jay Huff, Payton Pritchard and More
NBA players who had good games on Wednesday and are widely available in fantasy leagues.
Twenty-two NBA teams were in action on Wednesday, October 30. Each provided valuable insight for fantasy basketball owners.
Let's hop straight into the top performances that caught my eye from waiver wire players.
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Waiver Wire Options
Last night, Raptors forward Ochai Agbaji proved to be a great late waiver addition, with his fourth double-digit game in a row. Agbaji is owned in 44% of leagues, but he saw a +17.66 own increase this week following some unfortunate situations.
With star forward Scottie Barnes expected to miss at least the next three weeks, the Raptors will count on Agbaji even more. His consistent play thus far has earned him the trust of coach Darko Rajakovic. Depending on his shooting, he should continue to hover around the 30-minute per-game barrier.
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has been one of the best internally developed players this season thus far. He notched his fourth game over 15 points this season and seems to have a larger role than last year. Pritchard is owned in 58% of leagues, but he saw a +18.36 own rate this week, so if you want him, you need to get him now.
The Celtics essentially have the same team as last year, so their rotation is pretty much set in stone. Pritchard's minutes may vary, but his production is only going to go up from now on. The Celtics emphasized having him in a larger role this year. Get Pritchard now while he’s possibly available.
Memphis center Jay Huff, previously a two-way player, has impressed this year. Originally he was brought into this season as just another body, but now head coach Taylor Jenkins is forced to find minutes for him. Huff is owned in 31% of leagues, but that number is still trending up. He could be a very valuable late waiver add.
He had a very strong start to the season but probably has settled into a smaller role. However, in that role, Huff is still producing very well. Jenkins will keep playing him, so if you have open roster spots, seriously consider picking him up.
Huff’s teammate Scotty Pippen Jr. is another guy who grinded out a very valuable role on the Grizzlies. Pippen has served as the backup point guard for the Grizzlies, and he’s done very well. On October 28, he notched his first double-double for them in 31 minutes. He’s owned at a 77% rate, and after some injury news, that will jump.
On Wednesday, Memphis guard Marcus Smart rolled his ankle. Pippen is one of the only other guards to play major minutes for the Grizzlies, so I would expect him to step into an even bigger role. If he’s somehow still available in your league, grab him immediately.
Charlotte Hornets big man Nick Richards has been on an absolute tear this year. On Wednesday, he notched his third double-double in four games. He’s been integral to the Hornets success on both ends. He only owned at a 56% rate, which is unreasonably low to me for his production.
With news of Mark Williams being unable to start the season, Richards was given an opportunity, and he’s taken full advantage of it. He has always been able to produce like this; his role just wouldn't allow him to. Richards would be an excellent waiver add at any point this season.
Golden State Warriors guard and Oklahoma native Lindy Waters III has been an excellent surprise to the start of the year. It seems like he has found success in a system that honestly fits him like a glove. Waters impressed Warriors coaches so much on the 29th that he got to start the next game. He cooled off a bit, but he’s a deep-league sleeper who could come up big for you in case someone gets injured.
Waters is owned at a meager 7% rate, so he’s always going to be readily available and could produce for your team. The next few games will be telling if he’s a part of the Warriors rotation, though.
Washington Wizards forward Bilal Coulibaly is a waiver wire must add. Coulibaly has been on a tear to start the year. He’s improved his shooting and on-ball creation skills, which have boosted his overall production. He honestly has a green light on offense, so there should be no reason why he starts struggling.
He is only owned in 54% of leagues so you should get him immediately if he's available. Coulibaly has reached double digits three times this season on good shooting splits. He’s going to stay above 30 minutes per game for this season as well, so he’s going to have plenty of opportunities. I think Coulibaly is a no-brainer for a waiver wire add.
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