Mid-week fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups at small forward

We’re in Week 4 of the 2020-21 NBA season is hardly underway but there are already a few players who stand out as quality waiver wire targets at the small forward position. We’ve identified three players rostered in less than 50 percent of ESPN league. Here’s who you should keep an eye on if you need help in the backcourt.

Nicolas Batum, Los Angeles Clippers

Ownership percentage: 53.4 percent

Batum is close enough to 50 percent for me to give him a pass. he’s surprisingly played like th Clippers’ third-best player so far this season and while his numbers don’t pop when you first look at them he’s a top 15 small forward through 11 games. He makes up for what he lacks in scoring with steals and still a lot more under the radar than he should be.

Will Barton, Denver Nuggets

Ownership percentage: 28.6 percent

Michael Porter Jr. is still recovering from an injury and Barton has continued to fill his starting spot. While Barton isn’t nearly as good as he was last year so far he’s sure to do a little bit of everything and has carried more of a scoring load while Jamal Murray has struggled shooting the ball.

Kyle Anderson, Memphis Grizzlies

Ownership percentage: 46.8 percent

Anderson is performing at a higher level than most expected this year because of injuries and leads the Grizzlies in minutes per game with 30.5. While his scoring has dropped over the last two games he’s top three in points, rebounds, and assists per game on Memphis’s active roster. He’ll continue to serve a point forward role while Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson are out of commission.