This article is part of our NBA Waiver Wire series.
As we head into Week 5 of the NBA season, the hope is that COVID-19 doesn't unleash too much carnage on the schedule, as it did with a number of high-profile postponements in Week 4. At this point, postponements feel like an inevitability, and it's nearly impossible to predict which teams and players might be affected on a week-to-week basis.
The virus has made working the waiver wire more important than ever. The difficulty level has been ramped up, and it's vital to have capable backups in place in case a starter or two goes down for the week. With that in mind, here are some options to consider as you comb through the wire on Sunday.
Immanuel Quickley, G, Knicks
The rookie was on the radar after a few encouraging preseason games, but he quickly faded due to a hip injury that cost him four of the Knicks' first five games. Quickley has worked his way back into a larger role of late, as he's played 29, 22 and 28 minutes over the Knicks' last three games, respectively. He finished Friday's narrow loss to Cleveland with a career-best 23 points to go with five rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block. Like any rookie, Quickley has some inherent volatility, but at the very least he's worth a speculative add as the Knicks head into a four-game week. Quickley is available in 78 percent of Yahoo leagues, as of Sunday.
Terrence Ross, G, Magic
Every year, I feel like I add and drop Ross 15 times over the course of the season. Once again, I find myself stuck in that cycle, especially in leagues in which I need three-point help. While he's a role player who comes off the bench, Ross is as up-and-down as anyone. He started the season off with five straight games with at least 14 points. Since then, he's scored in double-figures in just two of his last five appearances. Ross broke out of a slump Saturday night, hitting three three-pointers and finishing with 23 points in 32 minutes. Don't expect much outside of points and threes, but Ross can provide some help on a four-game week. Ross is rostered in 61 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Royce O'Neale, F, Jazz
He's far from an exciting name, but O'Neale currently ranks inside the top-100 among qualified players in nine-category leagues. He's only scored in double-figures three times this season, but he's still posting career-highs in points, rebounds and three-pointers per game, as well as field goal and three-point percentage. Rebounds are where O'Neale can provide the most help, but he's also handed out 19 assists over his last four appearances, and he's averaging 32.0 minutes per game in that span.
Shake Milton, G, 76ers
Philadelphia is entering a three-game week, but Milton is a virtual must-add for me, even if you end up stashing him on the bench for Week 5. Over his last three games, Milton has tallied 24, 31 and 28 points, adding 18 total assists, four steals, a block and six three-pointers. Dating back to the end of December, Milton has reached double-figures in seven straight games, and he's clearly taken the reins as the Sixers' sixth man. With Seth Curry (COVID-19) likely to return at some point in Week 5, Milton's value will take a slight hit, but he's still very much worth a roster spot when the Sixers are at full strength. Milton is available in nearly half of Yahoo leagues.
Justin Holiday, F, Pacers
Available in nearly 70 percent of Yahoo leagues, Holiday is coming off of a fairly unspectacular week, but he's shown some flashes of major improvement this season. Holiday has four games with at least three made three-pointers, including Thursday's game against Portland. He's also registered a steal in eight of his last 10 games, while providing decent rebounding numbers for a wing. Holiday isn't the most well-rounded player, but he should be set for increased minutes as the Pacers move forth without Victor Oladipo, as well his would-be replacement in Caris LeVert, who is out indefinitely due to a mass in his kidney.
Eric Gordon, G, Rockets
Gordon has missed a couple of games with a lower-leg injury, but assuming he's back for Monday's game in Chicago, he should be positioned to help fantasy managers in points, three-pointers and free throw percentage. The Rockets essentially swapped out James Harden for Victor Oladipo, and while Oladipo will command a decent usage rate, it won't be as high as peak Harden's. The trade won't send Gordon's value skyrocketing, but he could see a small bump in offensive responsibility.
Double-Check: Players who may still be available in your league
Tyrese Haliburton, SAC (72% rostered)
Jordan Clarkson, UTA (68% rostered)
Enes Kanter, POR (62% rostered)
Bobby Portis, MIL (59% rostered)
Joe Harris, BRO (68% rostered)
Chris Boucher, TOR (80% rostered)
