The NBA has been forced to postpone a handful of games ahead of Week 10. Quite a few significant fantasy options landed in health and safety protocols at the end of Week 9, so grabbing players who’re benefitting from expanded roles could be big for managers. The Orlando Magic have been hit especially hard by injuries and Covid-19, but there are plenty of other teams you should take a look at ahead of Tuesday’s slate.
Here are five Week 10 waiver-wire targets worth pursuing.
Luke Kennard, G, LAC (54% rostered)
Kennard wrapped up Week 9 by making seven three-pointers en route to a 27-point performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He entered Monday averaging 17.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.1 made threes per contest in December. Paul George’s elbow injury should help Kennard maintain fantasy relevance even if he does drop out of the starting lineup.
Dewayne Dedmon, C, MIA (39% rostered)
The Miami Heat’s frontcourt depth has gotten worse. Bam Adebayo (thumb) is out indefinitely, and P.J. Tucker is dealing with a knee injury. Dedmon’s reached double-doubles in points six times in 10 December appearances, and three of those outings resulted in double-doubles. Omer Yurtseven and KZ Okpala are sure to get more opportunities moving forward, but neither will be featured as much as Dedmon.
Cameron Johnson, F, PHO (39% rostered)
Johnson flourished on offense while Devin Booker dealt with a hamstring injury and extended his double-digit point streak to nine games on Sunday. The stretch four is averaging 14.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in December. He’s also made multiple three-pointers in 18 of his previous 20 games.
Chuma Okeke, F, ORL (35% rostered)
A Covid-19 outbreak has sidelined a host of Orlando Magic bigs, and Okeke can benefit from his team’s situation. The second-year forward has logged at least 32 minutes in three straight outings while averaging 13.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.0 steals. Wendell Carter. Jr. is dealing with a lower leg injury, and Mo Bamba is in health and safety protocols. Okeke’s upside could drop off once Orlando’s frontcourt is healthy, but the time to maximize his value is now.
Honorable mention
Cameron Payne, G, PHO (14% rostered)
Payne has tallied at least 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists in five consecutive games. The Phoenix Suns‘ backup point guard is bound to take a step back with Booker back in the picture, but he matched the two-time All-Star in minutes in his return from injury over the weekend. Payne’s December averages of 12.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists are among the marks he’s reached for any month in his career. Streaming him while Booker works back to 100 percent could yield favorable results.
