Fantasy Basketball: Get Gerald Henderson … No, Seriously!

By Steve Krebs | Feb 18, 2015

Jan 7, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Gerald Henderson (9) drives past New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) during the first half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

I know what you are thinking, why would I be looking to grab up Gerald Henderson when I am trying to win? The answer is simple, he is currently the most productive guard the Charlotte Hornets are rolling out there, and fantasy basketball owners need to take heed of this cost efficient, and serviceable, commodity.

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At this point in your season, the next Hassan Whiteside will most likely be snagged off the waiver wire next year, meaning the chance of adding a player that is a complete game-changer is more likely none than slim.

What you can find on your waiver-wire at this present time are individuals who can compliment your team’s strengths. Gerald Henderson, is exactly that.

Over the last 30 days, Henderson is averaging 15.6 points, 3.5 assists, 3.3 boards, with a little less than 1.0 three-pointers made and steals. If five categories from a waiver wire add, is not enough to entice a spot on your roster, the 90 percent from the free-throw line, on 4.9 attempts per contest should pretty much seal it for you.

Oh, yeah, and don’t assume for a second a guard who is averaging 0.4 blocks per game is not pure fantasy gold.

If your team cannot afford another poor field-goal percentage, I totally understand the reluctance, but let’s be honest, every team can use the six/seven category production making their way down the home stretch.

It does not pay to keep the likes of Terrence Ross, Jeremy Lin, or even hoping on Nick Young, when someone like Henderson is tearing it up (currently, Gerald is only owned in 25 percent of all ESPN leagues).

Considering Charlotte will be in contention for either the seventh or eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, they will need a capable, high-volume scorer. Fans of the game are well aware what Sir Lance Stephenson has brought to the table, absolutely nothing, and Kemba Walker is still on the mend from a torn meniscus in his knee.

In lieu of this situation, Henderson is going to continue to get all the minutes (averaging 31 over the last 30 days) his legs can handle in the foreseeable future, and that is going to culminate into some pretty useful numbers.

If you have someone on your bench who is underperforming to the point where you are either yelling at the screen, or outright changing the channel completely, this may be a good time to check your waiver wire, and see if Henderson is available to take their place.

It’s almost closing time for this fantasy basketball season, and owners need to focus on what players they can roll out there that have the largest chance of success. Names are great, but when it gets down to the end, we all want to win, and productivity is key in this quest.

Choosing to wait on players who are not producing when there are those dropping fantasy gems on a nightly basis just sitting on your waiver-wire, is the kind of situation you want the rest of the league to be in, not yourself.

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