For the next few weeks these waiver reports are going to dive a bit deeper because as the trade rumor mill continues to swirl and the deadline coming up, different players names will be brought up and if the trade is imminent, focus on the other teams who are involved and plan ahead.  For example, if you hear of a Mike Conley trade being close to completion, the immediate play is to acquire Shelvin Mack or Jevon Carter because an immediate hole needs to be filled. It’s unlikely that Conley gets moved because of his salary, but that’s an example of planning ahead. Look at the teams involved in multiple trade rumors and look at which position will most likely need filler for at least a few weeks. That’s where you find depth. That’s how YOU win the NBA trade deadline!

Robin Lopez C CHI-2% Ownership: Lopez is a perfect example of a player who will have immediate short-term value for the next few weeks.  The Bulls have wanted to trade Lopez for a while and are asking for draft picks in return. Bobby Portis will see a lot of time at center, but, there’s still room for Lopez to get consistent minutes in the Bulls rotation until they make a move. He’s averaged 20 minutes per game over his last few weeks. Lopez is an inside-specific center who will fight for rebounds, and utilize his one-handed post moves. He doesn’t have a jumper and he’ll always position himself in the high post. Lopez has a good one-handed flip when he’s able to fake out his post-defender but he’s not a priority in the offense. Lopez will help with boards and blocks. Lopez has averaged 6.5 over his last 2 games. He’s a safe add if you are in need of a big man, but be prepared to drop immediately if he’s dealt.

Kevin Huerter SG ATL-32% Ownership: The return of Taurean Prince doesn’t scare me off of Huerter. He’s earned his spot in the Hawks rotation and he’s been playing into the 30’s and 40’s in his last 10 games. Huerter hustles on both sides of the ball and he’s a hound on the perimeter when squared up versus a defender. Huerter has grabbed steals in three of his last four games. He’s a long-range shooting threat and he’ll take advantage of the lane when it’s not clogged. Huerter has become more of a priority scorer in the Hawks offense and with Kent Bazemore still out, his minutes are still very safe. He’s scored in double figures in 10 of his last 11 games. Huerter has also helped push the ball inside and his assist numbers show his ability to feed the cutter. He’s dished at least three assists in each of his last six games.

JaMychal Green PF, C MEM-40% Ownership: Jaren Jackson Jr. being a rookie benefits Green because it keeps him in the rotation and his minutes up. Expect mid-20’s minutes from him for the most part. Green will spend a lot of the game hovering around the arc, but he’ll attack the rim when you least expect it. Green has scored in double figures in five of his last seven games and he’s grabbed 6.7 rebounds per game this season. He’s recorded two double-doubles in his last five games. Green will also regularly help with steals. Green has also compiled two multi-block games in his last three. He does a lot of dirty work on defense. His role on defense is completely opposite than his role on offense because the Grizzlies like to use him as a bailout shooter and last ditch effort driver if they can’t get inside and the shot clock is winding down.  

Royce O’Neale SF UT-4% Ownership: Prior to the Jazz guards going down with injuries, O’Neale wasn’t getting a rotation commitment from Utah. Ricky Rubio , Dante Exum and Raul Neto are still out and with Donovan Mitchell having to make up for the lack of depth mainly on his own, O’Neale has been able to provide relief.  O’Neale should at a few more games with all three guards out. He’s gotten no fewer than 27 minutes in a game over his last five. O’Neale has scored in double figures in three of his last five games and he’s grabbed double-digit boards in two of his last four games. He’s been helpful with grabbing steals and blocking shots consistently. He’s also dished four or more assists in two of his last four games. O’Neale is a very safe add at this point and he should be considered for a regular 20-minute per game spot when the Jazz are healthy again.  He’ll even knockdown three-pointers. He’s a multi-category threat.

Marco Belinelli SG, SF SAS-22% Ownership: Belinelli has been on fire lately. He can always be trusted for his outside shooting. Seeing him get at least 10 shots per game over his last 5 is very encouraging. Belinelli has filled in for Rudy Gay and DeMar DeRozan when they’ve been out. He’s scored in double figures in his last five games and has grabbed steals in his last two. One encouraging thing about Belinelli’s game is that he’s not afraid to take contact. He’ll look to take contact as much as he can. He will try to force his way inside at times and he’s not afraid to challenge bigger defenders. Expect help mainly with three-point shooting, but he does regularly get to the free-throw line. If he starts falling below 20 minutes per game or you see his shot totals drop to single digits, release him.

Shelvin Mack PG MEM-3% Ownership: The Grizzlies have a few openings to fill. With Dillon Brooks out for the rest of the season, Kyle Anderson hurt and Chandler Parsons at odds with management, Justin Holiday and Mack will have to fill the void. Mack can help at both guard spots. He can play the role of being a spot-up shooter, or he can run point. He’ll continue backing up Mike Conley . Mack has scored in double figures in his last six games.  He’s even grabbed three boards in four of those games. Guards who rebound will get more love in their team’s rotation. Mack has been able to hit double figures in scoring without playing 20 minutes in some of his recent games showing that he’s used as a spot-up shooter a good amount. Mack has produced at least five dimes in five of his last six games. He’s also grabbed steals in three of his last four games. His minutes are safe enough and he gets a good amount of time with the ball in his hands.

Mario Hezonja SG, SF NY-26% Ownership: The Knicks are looking at the lottery at this point and the inconsistent Hezonja will get more minutes moving forward. He hustles on the court and that will keep him in the mix for minutes during a poor shooting night. He’s been able to score in double figures in four of his last six games. He’s very boom or bust when it comes to his scoring. He’s been utilizing his drive more than his jump shooting. He’s been consistent in grabbing rebounds and steals lately. He’s recorded four multi-steal games in his last five and he’s grabbed at least five boards in his last five games. Hezonja does have a long-range jumper, but he doesn’t use it as much. His game is more keeping plays alive and getting to the basket. He’s been consistent enough in three categories that he’s worth a look, especially as the Knicks look to unload players prior to the trade deadline. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Hezonja dealt, but for now, expect him to continue getting at least 20 minutes of playing time as he has in his last five games.

Alec Burks G CLE-30% Ownership: Burks is another boom or bust option when it comes to his scoring, but he helps enough on the defensive end to secure his spot in the rotation. Burks will see minutes at both guard spots. He’s been a little cold shooting from the field in his last few games, but he is still scoring 10.3 points per games this season. Burks most secure area other than his minutes in the rotation in which he’s been seeing time in the 20’s and 30’s, is his rebounding. He’ll regularly grab at least three boards. He’s grabbing 3.8 boards per game. Burks will also help with steals as he’s swiped a ball in six of his last eight games. He’ll also use his well-timed jumping ability to help with block on the perimeter. Burks has blocked shots in three of his last five games. He’ll provide help with long-range scoring as well.

E’Twaun Moore SG, SF NO-25% Ownership: Anthony Davis being out for the next couple of weeks indirectly benefits Moore. Other players such as Julius Randle and Nikola Mirotic will have to shift up to fill the void and Moore should see more (pun intended) playing time at SF until Davis returns to the lineup. Moore has scored 17 points in both of his last two games. Expect him to see minutes in the 20’s and 30’s regularly even when Davis returns to the lineup. Moore has grabbed steals in two of his last four games and he’ll help with long-range shooting. He can bring up the ball if needed. He recently came back from a Quad injury. Prior to the injury, he was on fire shooting from the field. Now that he’ll have more shots from Davis being out, he’ll get more of a chance to show what he can do on the ball.

WILD CARD PICK UP: DeAndre’ Bembry SF ATL-13% Ownership: Bembry is fighting for his spot in the rotation with Taurean Prince back in the mix. Bembry has been a good hustler on the court and he’s been helpful with scoring, boards and steals. He’s scored in double figures in eight of his last nine games and he can shoot three’s and he’ll sacrifice his body. He’s certainly earned his rotation spot and has a chance to keep at least 20-minute games. He may not see as many games in the 30’s with Prince as his main competition for minutes. Bembry has grabbed steals in five of his last six games. He’s also grabbed five or more boards in his last four games. Bembry clearly provides help on both sides of the ball. Once Kent Bazemore returns, things will get a bit more confusing in the Hawks rotation, but, they are trying to trade him prior to the deadline and if that happens in the next few weeks, Bembry’s rotation spot will be secure. He’s earned his minutes.