Time to cut this highly drafted rookie

Special to Yahoo Sports

With the Christmas spirit officially out of our systems, it’s time to get pessimistic. There are plenty of players hanging out on fantasy managers’ benches who don’t deserve such nice treatment after the holidays. Below is a list of six players who have underwhelmed for too long and who should be sent back to the waiver wire.

Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons (61% rostered)

With the Pistons close to full strength, Thompson played just nine minutes in a 118-112 loss to the Nets, marking Detroit’s record-breaking 27th straight loss. The No. 5 overall pick has flashed at times during his rookie season, especially defensively, but his ongoing offensive struggles have him at the back of coach Monty Williams’ rotation. He’s scored in double figures just four times over the past 18 games (12 starts), averaging 7.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 stocks during that stretch. Williams has been shaking up the starting lineup and rotation nearly every game, but barring numerous injuries, it’s difficult to envision a scenario where Thompson is consistently making contributions worthy of a roster spot in 12-team leagues.

Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans (61% rostered)

Jones has scored in double figures just once over the past eight games, averaging 6.3 points on 31.0% shooting to go along with 2.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists during that stretch. What’s even more concerning is his lack of defensive production. Jones averaged at least 2.4 stocks in each of his first two NBA campaigns, and he’s still eclipsing that mark on the season (1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game across 27 appearances), but over the aforementioned eight-game stretch, Jones has averaged just 0.6 steals and 0.3 blocks. Jones should be able to bounce back defensively eventually, but he’s currently doing more…