This article is part of our NBA Waiver Wire series.
Heading into Week 8 of the fantasy basketball season, here are some options to consider plucking from the waiver wire.
Hamidou Diallo, Thunder (28% rostered)
With George Hill sidelined, Diallo has been among the Thunder guards who's benefited from increased minutes. Diallo returned to the bench for Saturday's win over Minnesota, but he still saw 30-plus minutes (31, to be exact) for the third straight contest. Over that stretch, Diallo is averaging 15.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.7 steals. The Kentucky product has scored in double-figures in nine straight games dating back to Jan. 22.
Theo Maledon, Thunder (16% rostered)
Maledon has been another beneficiary of Hill's absence, which has thrust him into the starting lineup alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The rookie returned from a one-game absence Saturday to play 31 minutes and finish with 10 points, six assists, three rebounds and a steal. Maledon's ceiling may not be sky-high, but he should be locked into a significant role as long as Hill remains sidelined. In a win over Houston last week, he recorded a career-high six steals in 36 minutes.
Jakob Poeltl, Spurs (35% rostered)
The news surrounding LaMarcus Aldridge's hip injury hasn't been positive, so it looks like Poeltl could be set for an extended run in the starting lineup. In two starts thus far, Poeltl has totaled 21 points, 19 rebounds, and five blocks in 63 minutes. Free throw shooting is a concern, but Poeltl typically doesn't draw fouls at a high rate, so that shouldn't be much of a drain on his overall value. With a four-game week coming up, Poeltl is a starting-caliber option in most leagues.
Justin Holiday, Pacers (48% rostered)
Holiday has been on and off the waiver wire for most of the season, but he's been trending in the right direction of late. After hitting seven threes and going for a season-high 22 points in Friday's game against New Orleans, Holiday is averaging 12.0 points and 2.8 made threes over his last 12 contests. Most importantly, he's averaging nearly 33 minutes per game in that span, and he's hit multiple three-pointers nine times. Over the last two weeks, Holiday is a top-50 player in nine-category leagues.
Daniel Theis, Celtics (53% rostered)
A knee issue limited Theis to just nine minutes in Friday's win over the Clippers, but he's not listed on the injury report Sunday, so that doesn't look to be a concern. Prior to Friday, Theis had averaged a well-rounded 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals over his last six games. His rebounding tends to come and go, but Theis has emerged as a reliable shot-blocker, with at least one swat in six of his last seven healthy games.
Other considerations:
Eric Gordon, Rockets
Thaddeus Young, Bulls
Juan Toscano-Anderson, Warriors
Nerlens Noel, Knicks
Royce O'Neale, Jazz
