Fantasy Basketball: Week 16 NBA Pickups, Deep League Edition

Fantasy Playoffs are around the corner. If you are a fantasy owner in a deep league, check out these waiver wire gems to help you during crunch time.

The following players are owned in less than 15% of Yahoo leagues, but could provide a spark to your fantasy team in Week 16.

The article can also be found at WinMyFantasyLeague.com

Jonny Flynn

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX - DECEMBER 15: Jonny Flynn #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves moves the ball upcourt during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 15, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees t

Jonny Flynn (13% owned) - The fantasy community has waited a long time for Flynn to take over as the Timberwolves starting point guard. With Luke Ridnour attending to a personal matter, Flynn had his first start of the year last Wednesday, finishing with 11 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and a three-pointer.

Ridnour will likely miss both the Friday and Saturday games, giving Flynn ample opportunity to establish himself as the new field general of the young Wolves team.

After being injured for the first month and half, Flynn has received sporadic playing time, ranging from 11 to 25 minutes per game. Starting alongside the talented Minnesota forwards, Kevin Love and Michael Beasley would immediately boost Flynn's assist average and make him a huge waiver wire pickup.

The article can also be found at WinMyFantasyLeague.com

Ryan Gomes

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Ryan Gomes #15 of the Los Angeles Clippers grabs a rebound against the Miami Heat at Staples Center on January 12, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading a

Ryan Gomes (7% owned) - The Clippers have proven to be a fantasy mecca for exciting, stat-stuffing players with the likes of Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Baron Davis, and Eric Gordon. Ryan Gomes is the fifth starter on the much improved team, but until recently has been fantasy-irrelevant. He is one of those hard-working role players, whose reality value far outweighs his fantasy usefulness.

The former Providence Friars star has improved every month this season. In January he averaged 9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 threes, and a steal per game. He does not excel in one specific category, but he contributes across the board.

With Eric Gordon out, he has stepped it up and is actually the 35th highest ranked fantasy player over the past week. Once Gordon returns, Gomes will still continue to start and produce. If you need help in the steals and threes, pick up Ryan Gomes.

The article can also be found at WinMyFantasyLeague.com

Sam Young

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 20: Sam Young #4 of the Memphis Grizzlies hurdles LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat as he chases a loose ball at FedExForum on November 20, 2010 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies won 97-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

Sam Young (3% owned) - With O.J. Mayo suspended, Sam Young's minutes have drastically increased. This has resulted in four straight games of double-digit scoring. That being said, his strengths focus primarily on the scoring and steal categories (although he did have six assists last game).

O.J. Mayo won't be returning until February 15, meaning that the Tony Allen and Sam Young will continue to share minutes at shooting guard and from time to time, play at the same time while Rudy Gay rests. Xavier Henry is all but missing from the current Memphis rotation.

Even when Mayo was active, Sam Young had been starting since January 12, with Mayo providing the spark off the bench. Over the past week, Young has produced on the offensive end, which has help lead to a four-game winning streak for the Grizzlies. Head coach Lionel Hollins will likely keep Young in the starting lineup as long as Memphis keeps winning.

The article can also be found at WinMyFantasyLeague.com