You don’t always NEED to pick up players. You need to show patience because if you don’t, you can miss a player trending in the right direction if you drop him too quickly. If you don’t want/need to pick up these players, at least put them on your waiver wire watch lists. I promised I wouldn’t go chalk on you with this article. Be one step ahead of everyone else. That’s what this list is for. Be a Coach!

Andrew Harrison, G MEM - 36% Ownership: With Mike Conley out for the next two months (possibly longer), Harrison inherits a boatload of playing time and has played over 30 minutes in both of his last two games. Harrison will also get a longer leash because James Ennis, Vince Carter and Chandler Parsons are also hurt. He will see more shot opportunities and will have a lot of time with the ball. Harrison rotates successfully at both Guard positions and has posted multiple seven-plus assist games. Excellent pick up.

Wayne Ellington, SG MIA - 9% Ownership: You have to go to the wasteland to find buried treasure, and Miami is definitely a place to find that spark plug. With Josh Richardson ailing, Ellington has returned from injury and has already played over 30 minutes in 2 of his first 3 games. He has scored 16 points a game. Goran Dragic is not a reliable shooter and Tyler Johnson draws a lot of double-teams so expect Ellington to get a good amount of shot opportunities. He has also posted a four-steal game, which makes him an even more appealing pick up. He has virtually no competition at his position.

Evan Turner, SG/SF POR - 38% Ownership: I am NOT an Evan Turner guy as an NBA player, but bias aside, there were expectations coming into the season after he was given a LARGE contract by the Blazers. While he hasn’t fully met these expectations, he has seen a major uptick in scoring as he has scored in double figures in five of his last six games. Turner has grabbed four or more rebounds and dished four or more assists in two of his last three games and he has been rewarded with playing time. Turner was brought in for off the bench spark scoring and second-unit perimeter defense and if he plays scrappy, he will continue to get more playing time.

Ed Davis, PF/C POR - 8% Ownership: Boring player who you can’t box out. Davis is known more for his paint positioning on offense than actual offense itself, but that puts him in prime location to grab rebounds. When fantasy owners pay for Davis, they pay for rebounds and blocks. Points are an added bonus and with Al-Farouq Aminu hurt, Davis see’s more playing time. He has had multiple double-digit rebounding games and has grabbed six or more rebounds in two of his last three games. Davis’ main role is to be an enforcer and body-up some of the bigger skilled players in the league. If he keeps them in check and off the glass, he gets rewarded. He has definitely stood out over the last two weeks.

Jameer Nelson, PG DEN -18% Ownership: He still has the talent! He still has the control! He scored 21 points in 2 of his last 3 games! As much as I appreciate Emmanuel Mudiay’s speed, the Nuggets offense looks more organized and controlled under the veteran watch of Nelson. Nelson has grabbed a total of 11 rebounds in his last 3 games and had a 13-assist game in one of those games. Nelson has seen over 40 minutes recently and that screams reliability. He keep’s the turnover’s down and knows how to force the ball inside. Nelson is also not afraid to drive the lane and take contact. He is definitely worth adding if you need an extra Guard.

Tony Snell, SG/SF MIL - 4% Ownership: Snell is receiving a steady diet of mid 20’s-30’s action on the court and he has grabbed 5 or more rebounds in 2 of his last 3 games. Snell has double-figure scoring capability and the trend has been every other game for him. Snell is a long-range shooting threat and because the Bucks lack that back court/mid court scoring depth outside of the Greek Freak, Snell is definitely someone who can pick up more shots and playing time as the season continues. They traded for him for a reason at the beginning of the season and with his playing time being steady, Snell is a final man off your bench pick up if needed.

David Lee, PF/C SAS – 5% Ownership: Lee is one of the few players who I bend the rules for when it comes to the 20-minute per game minimum for pick ups because he accumulates stats very quickly. Lee is excellent at following shots and positioning himself for rebounds and has played in at least 20 minutes in 2 of his last 3 games. Lee will have multi-block games and recently posted a double-double. Lee is excellent at running the floor and when the slow offensive attacking Spurs look to turn it up to 11, they rely on their quicker players such as Lee and Patty Mills to run. Lee has grabbed 27 rebounds in his last four games and dished at least 3 assists in 2 of them.

Nik Stauskas, SG PHI -15% Ownership: Stauskas is definitely in a shooting rhythm as he has scored in double figures in all but one game since November 11th. The playing time potential is there as he recently posted a 42-minute outing. Besides serving as possibly the Sixers best outside scoring threat, Stauskas has minor assist potential has dished at least three assists in three of his last four games. He has also grabbed five rebounds in two of his last four games. With Jerryd Bayless back on the shelf, it gives Stauskas the perfect opportunity to show his dynamism at both guard spots and has definitely shown signs of outplaying Sergio Rodriguez at the point. Expect his playing time to increase as the season continues.

Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF ATL - 8% Ownership: This guy is a fantasy “Magician” because he is excellent at pulling the disappearing act on you. There will be games in which he shows flash, flare, locked in shooting, and just when you are ready to sign him to your squad thinking he will be your off the bench scorer, you don’t see him. His playing time drops. Hardaway see’s more production in garbage-time, but with the inconsistent play of Kyle Korver and Kent Bazemore, Hardaway runs the floor quicker than both, and can match up against a good amount of second units in the league. Hardaway also offers up minor steals and assist help and is not afraid of taking contact (unlike Korver). He has scored in double figures in his last two games. Hardaway is definitely a player to keep an eye on over the next couple of weeks.

WILD CARD PICK UP: Justin Anderson, SF DAL - 2% Ownership: THE MAVS SUCK! Dirk Nowitzki has been hurt, Harrison Barnes is not a top option in the league, and they lack quickness for the most part. As they are desperate for a spark from their depth, Anderson enters the picture as he has scored in double figures in four of his last five games. Anderson will drive and is a long-range shooting threat. Anderson also showed rebounding potential has he recently posted an eight-rebound game. He has seen a lot of games playing in the teens this season, but has surpassed 20 minutes in 2 of his last 3 games. The Mavs are the worst team in the league and as they need more consistency in their offense, Anderson has shown it and we can expect his playing time to increase as the season continues.

*Ownersip percentages courtesy of Yahoo Sports