Finding Value on the Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire After the All-Star Break

With the NBA back in action after the All-Star break, there should be good fantasy basketball waiver wire options pretty much every day for the remainder of the season. I have one more waiver wire story for you today, then will be back with you for the start of next week.

I won't cover anyone who appeared in Thursday's waiver wire story. Also be sure to check out Friday's streaming article.

Waiver wire options can be found all season on FantasySP!

Maxime Raynaud and Precious Achiuwa - Trending Up in Bigger Roles

Raynaud and Achiuwa are players we didn't talk about in Thursday's waiver story, but they were part of the story on Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine missing the remainder of the season with injuries. Today, let's include them both, as they are big-time adds.

Raynaud is up 8.53% today, and Achiuwa has been added in 4.72% of leagues. Raynaud is owned in 75.2% of leagues, while Achiuwa is rostered in 15.04%.

With Sabonis out, Raynaud and Achuiwa are more likely for bigger roles at the power forward/center spots. In the team's first game after the All-Star break, Raynaud played 39 minutes, while Achiuwa was on the court for 34 - both players started.

Raynaud had 17 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and one steal. He took 13 shots, making eight of them. Achiuwa finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, two blocks and one assist. He attempted 12 shots, making seven.

That game showed the upside both players could have for the rest of the season. If these two stick as double-double threats, then the Kings' big men will be options in standard leagues.

They are very good deep-league options already, and should be picked up in most of those leagues already. If you have a big man void in a standard league, then Raynaud or Achiuwa are both decent pickup options, even if they aren't long-term adds.

I prefer Raynaud over Achiuwa, but both are pretty close as fantasy assets.

In 49 games this season, Raynaud is averaging 10 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.5 steals and blocks. Achiuwa is at 7.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.6 steals over 49 contests. Again, they are close as fantasy assets, but I'd guess the Kings give Raynaud a chance to shine a bit more, as he is just 22 years old, while Achiuwa is 26.

Dejounte Murray - About Ready to Return

Murray is up 5.62% and sits at 76.78% overall.

Murray still has not played this season because of an Achilles injury he suffered last year. He is expected to return in the next week or so, so it makes sense to see Murray on the rise.

Over his career, Murray has averaged 15.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.3 blocks per game. He's a 45.3% shooter overall, while being 34% from 3-point land.

It remains to be seen how Murray looks after a long layoff, but at 29 years old, there's surely gas still left in the tank for him. It just comes down to how much he plays for a tanking Pelicans' squad. 

Yves Missi, Micah Peavy and Trey Murphy III are other New Orleans players dealing with injuries right now. Murphy being out opens a big void, so Murray could have a pretty big role right away.

I think it's more likely that he's eased into action, instead of immediately being asked to play 30+ minutes. That makes Murray more of a player to keep tabs on then add in all leagues right away.

He's worth scooping up in all deeper leagues and some standard leagues, especially if you have a roster spot to play with. Watch his status and gamelogs and be ready to add him quickly if he excels right after returning.

Jarace Walker and Jay Huff - Streamers or Keepers?

Walker and Huff are two other teammates on the rise today. Walker is up 4.07% and is now rostered in 59.63% of leagues, while Huff has been added in 3.55% of leagues and sits at 56.99% overall.

Indiana is dealing with a multitude of injuries, which is opening the door for others to contribute. Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, T.J. McConnell, Kam Jones, Obi Toppin, Ivica Zubac, Johnny Furphy and Tyrese Haliburton are the Pacers on the injury report going into Friday's game.

Indiana played on Thursday, with Walker and Huff earning starts. Over 30 minutes, Walker produced 19 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Huff had 15 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and one assist over 21 minutes.

Both players should be in line for big roles/production again on Friday, and until the Pacers are healthier, they could both stick as fantasy assets. I definitely would be interested in streaming them on Friday, but they are worth holding onto in a good amount of leagues too.

Walker and Huff should really be rostered in all deeper leagues at this point. Keep doing that until the team gets healthier and their roles shrink.

Consider adding/streaming them in standard leagues, and keeping them for a bit in those leagues as well. You'll need to watch them closer in those leagues, but for the time being, both are worthy standard league options. Take advantage of things while you can.