Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 9 Following Luka Doncic Injury Update

Given what Luka Doncic has been able to accomplish so far this season, it's going to be extremely difficult to find a player that can match his all-around production.

Before going down with what's being called a moderate ankle sprain, Doncic was posting a lofty 29.3 points per game, to go with 9.6 rebounds and 8.9 assists. His player efficiency mark of 32.15 is the second-highest mark in the Association.

So, again, no one on this list is going to completely fill that void. Even teams without Doncic need to stay active in putting their best lineup forward this week too, though, and these targets can help you get by. Here are our five favorite waiver wire prospects ahead of Week 9, all of whom are available in at least 50 percent of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball leagues.

1. Marquese Chriss, PF, Golden State Warriors

Marquese Chriss shoots a free throw against the New Orleans Pelicans / Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Over the past few games, Marquese Chriss has played himself into a bigger role with the Golden State Warriors. He's posted a double-double in back-to-back games, while playing an average of 23.5 minutes. In the month of December, Chriss is averaging 7.1 points to go with 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. With the current state of the Warriors, Chriss could continue to see increased opportunity.

2. Jerami Grant, PF, Denver Nuggets

Jerami Grant drives against his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder / Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Seldom can you find a talented player slated to receive starter minutes on the waiver wire, but Jerami Grant is the rare exception. Denver's starting power forward Paul Millsap is listed as day-to-day with a quad injury. That's led to an increased role for Grant, who has seen an average of 31.5 minutes over the last two games. With the uptick, Grant has posted 16.5 points with 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. As long as Millsap is out, Grant provides starter value.

3. Elfrid Payton, PG, New York Knicks

Elfrid Payton looks to pass against the Golden State Warriors / Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Here's another example of a player making the most of starter minutes. Payton followed up a 14-point performance against the Warriors, in which he also logged five assists, four rebounds and a steal over 30 minutes, with 16 points, four assists and four rebounds in 27 minutes against the Sacramento Kings. Considering the Knicks won both of those games, Payton might end up sticking around near the top of the rotation.

4. Alex Len, C, Atlanta Hawks

Alex Len defends Malcolm Brogdon in his team's 110-100 loss to Indiana / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Don't think we forgot about the centers. Alex Len has now posted double-digit points in four of his last five games with a double-double in two of them. He's averaging exactly 20 minutes per game, so he'll likely have to continue making the most of little opportunity. He's remained efficient, though, shooting 61.8 percent from the field over the last five games, and he's averaging 0.8 blocks on the defensive end. His role looks to be solidified, which could ultimately make him a high-floor center option moving forward.

5. Jordan Clarkson, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers

Jordan Clarkson continues to anchor the top of Cleveland's rotation / Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Although he only saw 18 minutes against the Bucks on Saturday, Jordan Clarkson is still averaging 23 minutes per game, with 14.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 45.9% shooting. Additionally, he's already posted five 20-point games, meaning he could provide your team with an unexpected scoring boost at a any time.

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