The Pistons had a seven-game win streak, the Hawks are on a eight-game win streak, and the 76ers beat both the Timberwolves and the Knicks in the race to six wins. Our preseason deep sleeper and Wire Troll alumni, Rudy Gobert, is turning into one of the best defensive players in the league right before our eyes. Oh and LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are missing games. It has been a weird start to 2015.

And now, this week’s Fantasy basketball waiver wire recommendations.

GUARDS

Shane Larkin, PG, New York Knicks (ESPN: 2.0 per cent; CBS: 6 per cent): The Knicks are blowing everything up. There are growing rumours going around that Jose Calderon is on the block. If Calderon gets traded, Larkin would likely get the nod at the starting job and provide a big help in steals and an interesting dynasty option moving forward. Larkin has shown an ability to drive to the bucket, take contact and still finish (see video below), so don’t overlook him.

D.J. Augustin, PG, Detroit Pistons (ESPN: 3.9 per cent; CBS: 25 per cent): The Pistons are playing well, and so is Augustin, with a 26-point game, a 19-point game and a double-double all within his last six games. It’s looking like he could start to be a plug and play matchup option.

FORWARDS

Cleanthony Early, SF, New York Knicks (ESPN: 0.6 per cent; CBS: 7 per cent): Early is a very interesting player for deep league owners. He is just starting to get minutes and could have some value moving forward as he is improving in every game.

Marvin Williams, SF/PF, Charlotte Hornets (ESPN: 2.8 per cent; CBS: 15 per cent): Williams is an inconsistent player but the former No. 2 overall pick from North Carolina is starting to get on a roll with at least eight rebounds in five of his last eight games. His scoring is also up. Williams makes for an interesting play if you need a little help in rebounding, scoring and three-pointers. He is also a double-double threat.

Trevor Booker, PF, Utah Jazz (ESPN: 1.3 per cent; CBS: 7 per cent): This is not good news for Enes Kanter or his owners, because not only has he been sidelined with an ankle injury, but Gobert has gone off. Meanwhile, Derrick Favors has looked like an all star and now Booker has turned into a good sixth man. With a lot of people calling for a Kanter trade (he’ll be a restricted free agent after the season), Booker could keep up his stats from his past five games (11 points and nine rebounds a game). Bookier is also is starting to take some threes, and has hit four of them over this stretch.

CENTRES

Chris Andersen, C/PF, Miami Heat (ESPN: 1.3 per cent; CBS: 3 per cent): You know what you’re going to get with old school veteran Andersen. If you need help in blocks, he’s a decent pick up and the Birdman is also a fairly good rebounder.

Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat (ESPN: 8 per cent; CBS: 27 per cent): Back in his draft year, we thought Whiteside would be a first round pick, but he didn’t wind up going until early in the second round and since then, he’s failed to gain any Fantasy traction. Until now, that is. Suddenly Whiteside is regularly seeing 20 minutes or more per game and his production is commanding more PT as he’s been flirting with double-doubles (hitting the mark last Sunday) while throwing a block party in South Beach, with 14 swats in the last four games. Toss in a high field goal percentage and you’ve got a player worth considering for Fantasy purposes. It’s hard to believe the Heat grabbed Whiteside from the Grizzlies’ D-League team given how well he’s protecting the bucket.

Now it’s your turn. Let us know in the comments below who your favourite Fantasy basketball waiver wire pick of the week is.

Yet he’s still atop our list here. Why? Well, last season was KD’s finest as he continued to play big minutes, sunk more buckets than ever and enjoyed career bests in assists and points per game. Durantula may have some rust when he returns, but he’ll be dominating in no time. more

As we all know, Wiggins and his potential went first, and Parker went second to the Bucks. On paper, this looks like a perfect fit as Parker slides in as a starter and focal point of the offense from the get go. His offensive game is extremely polished, and he’s capable from scoring from anywhere on the floor. Parker is also an adept passer and capable rebounder, though he’s unlikely to play in the post all the time given Milwaukee’s collection of bigs that need minutes. Don’t go overboard with your expectations — he’s still a rookie after all — but 15 points and 7-to-8 boards a game seems doable. more

We hope our American readers had a peaceful Thanksgiving, and we’re thinking that your last bite of turkey tetrazzini probably exhausted your poultry fix for a while. Shake off the tryptophan and brighten up – it’s time again to hit the wire. more

Mario Chalmers is one of the few thiefs who isn’t a must own. Welcome to another edition of The Hidden Truth. Today, we will take a look at steals. Here we have another fantasy category that is often overlooked, but is just as important as anything else. When you prepped for your draft, did you […] more