Special to Yahoo Sports
We’re less than a week away from the NBA trade deadline, and it has been a rough week in terms of injuries. This combination amounts to a waiver wire that’s ripe and ready to be picked ahead of Week 16.
This week’s column focuses on four players who ought to be considered due to injuries, two players whose roles might be on the rise due to high-level play of late, and one rookie to consider stashing for the post-trade-deadline and post-All-Star-break stretch. Without further ado, let’s begin with the latter.
Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers (48% rostered)
With the trade deadline looming, Malcolm Brogdon has been featured heavily and performing admirably the past couple of weeks. Given the likelihood that Brogdon is acquired by a playoff contender, Henderson is worth picking up if he has been dropped in your league. There are just too many scenarios in which Henderson ends up being valuable down the stretch of the fantasy season to overlook him, particularly in points leagues. If Brogdon is dealt, Henderson would probably see a significant uptick in playing time. Still, even if Brogdon remains with Portland beyond the deadline, it’s likely he’d settle into a bit less-demanding role, given Portland’s position in the standings. Then there’s always the possibility of an injury to Brogdon, which unfortunately has been a common occurrence throughout his career.
Paul Reed, Philadelphia 76ers (44% rostered)
The injury status of Joel Embiid (knee) is obviously the major factor here, and while there have been conflicting reports, none of them screams short-term absence. As such, Reed has seen his rostered percentage rise rapidly (+31% last day) — and with good reason. Through 11 starts this season, Reed is averaging 12.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals in 25.9 minutes, numbers that make him valuable in all formats. Moreover, he has been on a tear of late, averaging 16.0 points, 9.7 boards, 2.7 dimes, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals in 31.3 minutes across his past three starts. Whether you’re rostering Embiid or not, Reed is a must-add player.
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