Fantasy Basketball: November Waiver Wire Pickups

To begin any fantasy sports season, there are always those early season pickups that lead fantasy managers to an eventual championship. Fantasy basketball is no different, and the 08-09 fantasy basketball season should reveal plenty of hidden waiver wire gems in November. Here are a handful of players at each position that you may want to consider picking up and taking a flyer on if they are still available in your league. You never know, you just might hit it big with one of them.

Point Guard

Nate Robinson - New York Knicks - 53% owned in 12 team yahoo public leagues (PG/SG eligible)
The new high scoring offense installed in New York has definitely benefited the instant-offense guard Nate Robinson. At just a tad above 50% owned in 12 team yahoo public leagues, Robinson is nearly a must-add in fantasy leagues. He is a multi-category player who delivers three-pointers, steals, assists, points, and a very good free throw percentage to boot.

Mario Chalmers - Miami Heat - 51% (PG)
Not as celebrated of a rookie PG like OJ Mayo, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, and DJ Augustine, but Chalmers has done everything right so far. He offers fantasy owners excellent steals numbers as well as a decent number of assists and points. The only problem thus far with Chalmers' game is his shooting percentages.

Kyle Lowry - Memphis Grizzlies - 7% (PG/SG)
With Mike Conley struggling more than expected, Lowry is clearly a better PG option in Memphis right now, and if the coaches install him as the starter his fantasy value will rise significantly. Lowry offers an excellent free throw percentage, and a good amount of assists per game.

Shooting Guard

Roger Mason - San Antonio Spurs - 21% (PG/SG)
Even before Tony Parker went down with injury, Mason was establishing himself as the #3 scoring option after Tim Duncan and Parker in San Antonio. But now that Parker will be out for the next couple of weeks, Mason should begin shooting a lot more than he already was. He offers the potential for an excellent amount of three-pointers, and great shooting percentages.

Kelenna Azubuike - Golden State Warriors - 27% (SG/SF)
Azubuike has recently gained a starting spot for Golden State and he has been putting up stats ever since. He doesn't get a great amount of steals or three-pointers, but he does know how to score the ball with pretty good shooting percentages.

Rudy Fernandez - Portland Trail Blazers - 66% (PG/SG)
Rudy has been every bit as good as advertised, and it shouldn't be long before he gains himself a starting spot. If he gets 30 plus minutes per game, he could easily rack up 2 three-pointers per game.

Small Forward

Thaddeus Young - Philadelphia 76ers - 74% (SF/PF)
Lost in the shuffle between Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert, and Andre Miller; Thaddeus is a great option for fantasy owners because he will shoot at a very high percentage and post good three-point totals for a power forward eligible player.

Wilson Chandler - New York Knicks - 53% (SG/SF)
Chandler has recently been referred to as a lesser version of Shawn Marion by his head coach, and his early season numbers justify this type of praise. Chandler has yet to do anything exceptionally well, but he can easily rack up a steal and block per game, while also posting decent rebounds, points, and even assists per game. If he continues to get big time minutes you can bet his averages will all go up.

Matt Barnes - Phoenix Suns - 55% (SF)
Barnes has definitely produced so far in Phoenix, and with Amare Stoudamire and Shaquille O'Neal plugging up the middle and Steve Nash dishing the ball, Barnes has lined himself up for very good three-point totals this year.

Power Forward

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute - Milwaukee Bucks - 5% (SF/PF)
If you want a five-category roto player, then Luc probably isn't your best bet. But if you are in need of rebounds, steals, blocks, and an exceptional field goal percentage, then Mbah a Moute is definitely someone to consider. So far this season the Bucks has shown a willingness to play this young rookie, even in crunch time. Expecting an average of 8-10 rebounds from this guy isn't unrealistic. He reminds me of a version of David Lee.

Brandon Wright - Golden State Warriors - 3% (SF/PF)
With Al Harrington out, Wright has been getting the starting nod in Golden State. And low and behold, he has done everything fantasy owners could have hoped for from this lottery pick. Expect Wright to tally a high amount of blocks, while also posting good points and rebounds per game and a very good field goal percentage.

Jason Thompson - Sacramento Kings - 46% (PF/C)
Ok so Brad Miller and Spencer Hawes both take away some of Thompson's value, but there is no denying this guy can play in the NBA. If you have an open roster spot and don't mind waiting on Thompson, you know it will only be a matter of time before Brad Miller winds up hurt or traded. If given enough playing time, Thompson is another David Lee version in terms of rebounds and points per game averages.

Center

Boris Diaw - Phoenix Suns - 46% (PF/C)
So having two bigs in Amare and Shaq doesn't help Diaw's playing time, but Shaq still needs his rest which leaves enough minutes for Diaw to still be productive. With his great averages across the board, especially assists, you can't help but enjoy a power forward and center eligible player that can tally some extra assists for your team.

Marc Gasol - Memphis Grizzlies - 71% (C)
Gasol has been playing very well to begin the season, and as he gets more accustomed to the NBA game you can bet he will start to pile up the stats for Memphis soon.

Spencer Hawes - Sacramento Kings - 70% (C)
Just like Jason Thompson above, Hawes' real value will depend on the status of Brad Miller. But keep in mind that if Miller is ever out for an extended period of time, Hawes is a must-own in all fantasy leagues and scoring formats.