Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Key Pickups to Boost Your Roster
Let’s face it: working the waiver wire is the secret sauce to dominating your fantasy basketball league. With the NBA season being a marathon of games, injuries, and ever-changing rotations, staying active on the waiver wire is a must. If you want to maximize your roster’s potential, you’ll need to dig into free agency for those hidden gems that can deliver big stats when it matters most.
Here’s the deal: the last few spots on your fantasy roster should always be up for grabs. Think of them as a revolving door, where you’re constantly evaluating whether your bench players are outperforming the talent available in free agency. This strategy can pay off big time, especially when you find players who are trending up in production.
In this weekly series, we’ll break down widely available players in ESPN leagues by position. Some of these guys are specialists who can help you dominate a specific category, while others offer well-rounded contributions. Below, you’ll find players listed in order of priority, not roster percentage, so you know exactly who to target first.
Point Guard
Malcolm Brogdon, SG, Washington Wizards (50.1% rostered): As a Pitt alum, I love seeing Carlton Carrington get some shine, but it’s clear the Wizards are leaning on Brogdon’s steady hand. While injuries have been a concern in the past, Brogdon is currently healthy and thriving as the lead creator for an offense filled with shot-happy players. If you need assists and scoring, he’s your guy.
Jalen Suggs, SG, Orlando Magic (68.6% rostered): Don’t let Suggs’ offensive numbers fool you—this guy is a defensive dynamo. He ranks 35th in steals and 27th in blocks per game among all qualified players. When Paolo Banchero returns, Suggs’ efficiency as an off-ball playmaker should only improve.
Stephon Castle, SG, San Antonio Spurs (45.1% rostered): Castle is a rookie with some ups and downs, but his strong performances make him worth the gamble. He’s especially valuable when the Spurs rest Chris Paul or are short on wing players.
Spencer Dinwiddie, SG, Dallas Mavericks (8.2% rostered): With Luka Doncic back, Dinwiddie has shifted to a complementary role. However, whenever Doncic or Kyrie Irving are sidelined, Dinwiddie steps up in a big way. Keep an eye on him for spot starts.
Shooting Guard
Malik Monk, SF, Sacramento Kings (40.8% rostered): Big news: Kings coach Mike Brown has moved Monk into the starting lineup. Monk’s defensive energy and ability to close games make him an underrated fantasy option when healthy.
Shaedon Sharpe, SF, Portland Trail Blazers (32.6% rostered): Sharpe is a scoring machine, and while he doesn’t offer much else, his volume in points and shooting makes him a valuable asset when he’s hot.
Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets (53.7% rostered): Braun is part of Denver’s youth movement and contributes with rebounds and defense. While his scoring isn’t consistent, his ability to rack up steals and blocks makes him a sneaky good pickup.
Marcus Smart, PG, Memphis Grizzlies (14.0% rostered): Smart may not be the Defensive Player of the Year anymore, but he’s still a savvy two-way guard. His recent surge in assists makes him a solid option for fantasy managers in need of a well-rounded contributor.
Small Forward
Deni Avdija, PF, Portland Trail Blazers (51.7% rostered): Avdija is the top pickup of the week. The Blazers are giving him consistent minutes and playmaking duties, and he’s delivering across multiple categories. He’s a do-it-all player who can help your team in a variety of ways.
Trey Murphy III, SG, New Orleans Pelicans (35.7% rostered): Murphy struggled against the Knicks’ defense recently, but he’s at his best when playing off the Pelicans’ stars. He’s a solid option now and could become a game-changer as his role evolves.
Julian Champagnie, San Antonio Spurs (10.1% rostered): The Spurs have a knack for developing 3-and-D players, and Champagnie is the latest example. He’s been productive recently and is worth a look in deeper leagues.
Power Forward
P.J. Washington, Dallas Mavericks (67.0% rostered): Washington shined when Doncic was out, and while those numbers aren’t sustainable, he’s still a valuable contributor on both ends of the floor.
Jabari Smith Jr., C, Houston Rockets (53.3% rostered): Smith is quietly improving as a rebounder and rim protector. With multiple blocks in his last four games, he’s showing signs of becoming a defensive force.
Center
Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City Thunder (67.4% rostered): If Chet Holmgren misses significant time, Hartenstein could lead the league in rebounding. He’s already averaging 22 rebounding chances per game, the third-highest rate in the NBA.
Goga Bitadze, Orlando Magic (11.7% rostered): Bitadze is a blocks machine and offers solid rebounding and interior scoring. He’s a great streaming option until the Magic’s frontcourt gets healthy.
Special Teams
Looking for specialists? Here are some players who excel in specific categories:
- 3-pointers: Malik Beasley and rookie Dalton Knecht are elite options from beyond the arc.
- Steals: Houston’s Tari Eason and Charlotte’s Cody Martin are racking up steals lately.
- Blocks: Houston’s Smith and Orlando’s Bitadze are top-tier rim protectors.
- Rebounds: Dallas’ Washington and Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate are rebounding specialists to consider.
- Assists: Elfrid Payton and Keyonte George are intriguing options for assist-heavy formats.
Originally Written by: Eric Moody
