NBA's Top Pickups Week 10

Games Played Week 10

4 Games: BRK, CHA, CHI, CLE, HOU, IND, MIA, MIL, ORL, PHX, SAC, UTA, WAS

3 Games: ATL, BOS, DAL, DEN, DET, LAC, LAL, MEM, MIN, NOP, NYK, PHI, SAS, TOR

2 Games: GSW, OKC, POR

Point Guards

George Hill Pacers 75% owned – I mentioned him just in case he’s still floating around on your waiver wire.

Marcus Smart Celtics 44% - The numbers haven’t been great yet, but he’s still getting his feet wet in the NBA. He’s starting for the Celtics and is averaging just 4.8 points, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 3-pointers in his last four games, but those numbers should start to quickly rise. Get in on the ground floor with him now.

Tony Wroten Sixers 39% – He had 22 points, four boards, four assists, two steals and a 3-pointer on 7-of-13 shooting on Friday and has scored in double digits in three straight games. He’s been bothered by a knee injury that’s cost him some games, but if he can stay on the floor he can probably help your team. Just beware of his low shooting percentages from the field and line, along with some turnover issues.

Cory Joseph Spurs 10% – Tony Parker could miss a couple weeks with his latest hamstring problem and Joseph has been solid in his place, averaging 12.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals over his last five games. If you’re in a pinch at point guard, Joseph should be able to at least offer some short-term help.

Elfrid Payton Magic 40% - He’s playing a bit better lately, averaging 7.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.2 steals over his last five. He doesn’t hit 3-poineters and isn’t a good shooter from either the line or the field, but if you can live with his problems, he’ll rack up some assists and steals for you.

Aaron Brooks Bulls 13% - Brooks is quietly averaging 15.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.6 3-pointers over his last five games, and looks like a solid play any time Derrick Rose or Kirk Hinrich are out. Hinrich has missed time with a hamstring injury and Rose’s next miss is probably just around the corner.

Shooting Guards

Avery Bradley Celtics 56% - Bradley’s hot again, scoring 17 and 20 points in his last two games, knocking down seven triples in them. With Rajon Rondo in Dallas, Bradley is getting more opportunities at point guard, and is still starting at SG for the Celtics. He’s off to a slow start on Saturday, but it’s early.

Jared Dudley Bucks 7% – Dudley not only made history on Friday by hitting all 10 of his shots and four 3-pointers for 24 points, but has hit double digits in scoring in four straight games. He’s at 14.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.0 3-pointers over his last five, and might be the best player that’s owned in so few leagues. And Jason Kidd appears to love him. O.J. Mayo has been pulled out of the starting lineup and is splitting time off the bench with Dudley for now, but Dudley could be ready to see more minutes after Friday’s bonanza.

Dion Waiters Cavaliers 37% – Waiters runs hot and cold, but is averaging 13.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.2 steals and a 3-pointer over his last five games, which includes a pair of duds (4 and 8 points) and three solids (17, 19 and 21 points).

Tim Hardaway Jr. Knicks 26% – His shot is broken and he can’t play defense, but is getting 35 minutes a night and averaging 14.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.8 3-pointers over his last five. The return of Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith is eventually going to hurt him, but for now, he’s a decent deep-league option given the heavy minutes.

Iman Shumpert Knicks 13% – He’s still not due back from his shoulder injury for a couple weeks, but could be a nice stash. I still contend that Carmelo Anthony is going to shut it down at some point this season due to his sore knee, and when he does, Shumpert could come through for patient owners.

J.R. Smith Knicks % 51% - Smith has been out with plantar fasciitis, but is nearing a return. He’ll hit a lot of 3-pointers and have some big scoring games, and if Melo closes up shop, look out.

Small Forwards

Shabazz Muhammad Wolves 47% – Muhammad is still hot and averaging 20.0 points, 4.8 boards, 1.8 dimes, 1.2 steals and 1.0 3-pointers over his last five, shooting 49 percent in 34 minutes per game. Why he’s not owned in more leagues, I don’t understand. And while we’re talking about Wolves SFs, Andrew Wiggins is also hot, averaging 24.5 points over his last two games, and should be owned in all leagues. Kevin Martin’s eventual return could hurt both of them, but then again, they’re playing well enough that Martin might be left on the outside looking in when he’s healthy.

Wes Johnson Lakers 38% - Johnson is playing well lately, hitting double digits in scoring in three straight games and averaging 11.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.6 3-pointers over his last five. He’s gotten 34 and 39 minutes in his last two games, so it’s time to grab him.

James Johnson Raptors 22% - Johnson had seven points, six boards, a steal and a 3-pointer in just 21 minutes on Saturday afternoon, but came in playing well in his previous three games. He’s averaging 10.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.2 blocks over his last five, along with 27 minutes. He’s not going to wow you with his scoring, but he does a little in enough categories to make him worth a close look in most leagues.

Sergey Karasev Nets 1% - Karasev is starting for the Nets and averaging 10.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 3-pointers in 32 minutes per game over his last five. He should be available in all leagues and could continue to start the rest of the way for Brooklyn.

Power Forwards

Jared Sullinger Celtics 76% – After really struggling in a couple games, Sullinger bounced back on Friday for 19 points and eight rebounds in 32 minutes. Maybe the Celtics are ready to go back to him, so just make sure he wasn’t dropped by a frustrated owner in your league.

Ed Davis Lakers 22% - Davis always seems to disappoint but is finally turning it on, averaging 13.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over his last five games, scoring in double figures in all of them. He’s playing 28 minutes a game and splitting time with Carlos Boozer, but the blocks and boards make him worth grabbing in most leagues right now.

Tristan Thompson Cavaliers 48% – Thompson is having scoring issues right now, but has grabbed nine or more boards in four of his last five games. He’s averaging 6.4 points and 8.8 rebounds over his last five, but a move into the starting lineup appears likely/permanent and Anderson Varejao’s done for the year. The Cavs don’t run many plays for him, but if you need rebounding help, Thompson can do that.

Jonas Jerebko Pistons 2% – Josh Smith made his debut for the Rockets on Friday and launched 21 shots, which was four more than James Harden if you’re scoring at home. It will be interesting to see how long Kevin McHale puts up with that, but the point is that Smith is no longer hogging the ball in Detroit. Jerebko is averaging 9.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and a 3-pointer over his last five games, but those numbers should be going up with Smoove out of the picture.

Nikola Mirotic Bulls 21% – Despite playing 18 or fewer minutes in three straight games, Mirotic is averaging 10.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 3-pointers over that stretch. And on nights when Joakim Noah or Taj Gibson isn’t playing he gets 30 minutes a night. He’s not a must-start player given the low minutes, but if you need 3-pointers, this rookie is really good at shooting them.

Kyle O’Quinn Magic 8% - O’Quinn went off for 18 points, 13 boards, two steals and a block on Tuesday, but then disappeared on Friday. He played just 16 minutes and failed to score or board in that one. He was in foul trouble, but the point is he’s starting at PF for the Magic and should bounce back on Saturday against the Hornets. As long as he’s starting over Channing Frye, I think he’s worth owning.

Centers

Tyler Zeller Celtics 34% – Zeller is flat-out ballin’, averaging 16.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over his last five games. Kelly Olynyk is doing his best to slow Zeller down, but it’s not enough. The fact he’s owned in so few leagues is criminal.

Steven Adams Thunder 19% - Adams is averaging 9.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.8 blocks over his last five games. It took awhile, but he’s finally arrived, and should be picked up immediately if you need a center.

Alex Len Suns 11% – Like Adams, it’s been a slow roll for Len, but he’s finally coming on after stealing the starting gig from Miles Plumlee. He’s averaging 9.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks over his last five games, and looks like he’s only going to get better from here on out.

Rudy Gobert Jazz 19% - Gobert has played 30 minutes in each of the last two games and is starting to cut into what Enes Kanter does. He had 11 points, 12 boards and two blocks last Saturday and then had two points, 16 boards and two blocks on Monday. Let’s see what he does on Saturday night before getting too excited, but if he sees major minutes in that game, it’s officially time to move on him. Either way, he’s averaging just 6.2 points, but 9.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks over his last five. If Kanter or Derrick Favors ever go down, look out.

Chris Andersen Heat 4% - Andersen had 12 points, eight boards, two steals and a block on Thursday, and has been starting with Chris Bosh out with an injury. Bosh is nearing a return and is another guy who can’t score, but if he continues to get 25 minutes a night, he could be a decent source of steals, blocks and rebounds.

Joel Freeland Blazers 0% – Freeland had six points, 17 rebounds and a block in 25 minutes against the Sixers on Friday, and has emerged as the starting center in place of injured Robin Lopez. He didn’t grab more than six rebounds in his previous four games and simply cannot score, but if he builds on Friday’s success, he could emerge as a deep-league option.