Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Kalkbrenner Rising, Mobley Injury Fallout

Let's go over our third round of fantasy basketball waiver wire adds for the week.

Here are the stories we put together on Monday and Tuesday, plus a streaming article for Wednesday.

Check out fantasy basketball waiver wire adds all season on FantasySP!

Ryan Kalkbrenner: Stat-Stuffing Rookie On the Rise

Kalkbrenner is up 3.78% today and sits at 41.78% overall.

Kalkbrenner's scoring efforts over the past five games have alternated single- and double-digit performances. He tallied 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists and blocks and a steal over nearly 26 minutes in his last outing, which shows his upside.

Kalkbrenner has started 26 times this season, but just once over nine games so far this month. He's capable of scoring in double figures, and stuffing the stat sheet if he plays enough.

His fantasy outings aren't all that consistent, but with performances like he had in his last game, Kalkbrenner is on the rise. Fantasy owners are choosing to stream him in some deeper leagues, and I'd hold him in those leagues until his production drops back off.

Kalkbrenner could become a standard league asset in time, but we'd need to see more consistent showings out of him first. He's a player to keep an eye on though.

Dean Wade and Sam Merrill: Poised to Take On More

Wade has been added in 2% of leagues, while Merrill is up 1.78%. Wade is rostered in 6.44% of leagues, while Merrill is owned in 26.67%.

Evan Mobley is out for a week or more with an injury, which opens the door for other Cavaliers to step up. Wade and Merrill are the two players that fantasy owners are targeting today.

Wade could fill the starting spot that Mobley held. Wade has already been starting for Cleveland, but Mobley's absence could lead to more playing time for Wade.

He's been at 25-29 minutes over his past four contests already, so 30+ minutes is a possibility now. Wade has just one double-digit scoring output in that stretch, combining for just 26 points. He has added 24 rebounds, eight assists, six steals and four blocks in that timeframe.

With Mobley out, Wade is poised to contribute a little more, so it makes some sense to add him. He's rostered in just 6.44% of leagues for a reason though, so he's really just a deep, deep league option. Keep close tabs on him in case he catches fire with Mobley out of action - he'd probably top out as a deep-league asset at best, but you just never know.

Merrill is dealing with a hand injury and hasn't played since January 14, but he's probable for the team's Wednesday game. If he plays, I'd expect him to be added in even more leagues.

Over 24 games (15 starts) this season, Merrill is averaging 13.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.1 blocks over 25.8 minutes a night. He's a deep threat, posting a 45.5% clip from 3-point land to this point - he's shooting 47% overall.

Merrill has the chance to start with Mobley out of the picture. Even if Merrill doesn't start, he should be able to play enough to offer some fantasy upside for fantasy owners.

He will be worth adding back in deeper leagues, at least, while Mobley is out of the picture. Definitely consider adding him now, in case he excels with an expanded role in his return to the court.

Really, I'd be streaming and holding Merrill in deeper leagues until his production level says not to be. He could even work into standard league territory if he catches fire as a 3-point shooter.

Merrill has scored over 20 points in five games, so he's definitely capable of being a standard league asset if he can do that consistently for a bit.

This is all for when Mobley is injured though. When he's back, Merrill will likely just be a deep-league asset, while Wade should be dropped in most leagues.

Bilal Coulibaly: Coming Off Well-Rounded Effort

Coulibaly is rostered in 36.67% of leagues after a 6.67% increase today.

Coulibaly has had an injury-prone season, playing in just 26 games so far. He just returned from a five-game absence on Tuesday. Coulibaly tallied five points and rebounds, six assists and two steals and blocks over 27 minutes.

He's capable of scoring more, and should as he gets settled back in. Coulibaly did flash his upside with a stat-stuffing performance in that last effort though, so it makes sense to see him on the rise - although some of that was just from being back on the court finally.

Coulibaly is worth rostering while he's active, but his constant injury concerns will hold him back some too. 

Deep-league fantasy owners shouldn't be afraid to add Coulibaly today. Yes, he could only play for a while and then be injured again, but he can be a fantasy force for as long as he's out there. Give him some run and take advantage of things while you can.

The longer Coulibaly stays healthy and on the court, the better chance he has of working into standard leagues. Again, that's risky to be adding him in those leagues given his multitude of missed games this season, but if you have a roster spot to play with, the risk is really not too high.

Mitchell Robinson: Rebound Upside Powers Big Man 

Robinson has been added in 7.78% of leagues, bringing his overall mark to 44%.

Robinson has been on and off the waiver and drop lists pretty consistently all season. Basically, that means he's a streaming option. Diving into his numbers shows why.

He's only missed two of the team's 11 games this month. Robinson has started two of them, but averaged just 22.3 minutes per contest. That alone holds him back from being a better fantasy asset in standard leagues.

Robinson has scored in double figures just once this month. He's pretty consistently been around 6-8 points. Robinson is averaging 5.7 points per game this month.

He has been a rebounding force though, which drives his fantasy value. Robinson has averaged 10.4 rebounds this month. He has been in double digits for boards for eight of the past 11 games. 

With 1.3 blocks, 1 steal and 0.8 assists per game in that stretch, Robinson isn't doing much else besides rebounding and some occasional scoring. It all adds up to a better deep-league asset.

For those lacking big men in deeper leagues, I'd really suggest adding and holding Robinson. On his rebounding alone, he can be a double-digit fantasy performer. Anything he adds for points, assists, steals and blocks is just gravy really. 

I don't see his role ever changing too much, and as long as he's active, Robinson can be a decent fantasy asset in deeper leagues. Some might choose to stream him, but those needing big man help should consider holding him for a bit.

I could understand wanting to stream him in standard leagues as well, but I have to believe there's better options out there to try instead. Sure, if you too are lacking at the center spot, then streaming Robinson makes some sense. But again, I really believe there has to be some better centers out there to try.

Definitely scour the waiver wire in standard leagues if you are interested in adding Robinson as a streamer. I think you'll find some better options if you look hard enough.