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 constant lineup changes, 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 who can deliver the stats you need.
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 what’s available in free agency. This strategy can pay off big time, especially when you find players who are trending upward in minutes, production, or opportunity.
In this weekly series, we’ll break down the top waiver wire targets at each position. These players are widely available in ESPN leagues and can help you in specific categories or provide well-rounded contributions. Below, you’ll find recommendations listed in order of priority, not roster percentage, so you know exactly who to target first.
Point Guard
Scotty Pippen Jr., Memphis Grizzlies (Rostered in 45.1% of ESPN leagues): Pippen is making waves in Memphis, stepping into the Tyus Jones role and thriving. After dropping an impressive 30 points and 10 assists in a win against the Bulls, he’s now averaging nearly six assists per game. While his scoring outburst may not be sustainable, his role as a key playmaker in the Grizzlies’ offense is undeniable.
Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs (27.9%): Castle is quietly becoming a reliable contributor for the Spurs, averaging 16 points and six assists over the past week. His minutes are trending up, and he’s clearly earned the trust of the coaching staff. Plus, learning under the tutelage of Chris Paul doesn’t hurt his development.
Ty Jerome, Cleveland Cavaliers (15.1%): Jerome has emerged as a surprising contributor for the Cavs, thanks to his hot shooting. While this could be a temporary streak, his fit in Kenny Atkinson’s system makes him worth a look for now.
Shooting Guard
Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers (37.6%): Sharpe is thriving in Portland’s offense, which gives him the green light to create his own shot. While his value is mostly tied to scoring, shooting, and steals, he’s capable of delivering big games in those areas.
Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers (63.4%): McCain has been a bright spot in an otherwise rough start for the 76ers. His ability to create his own shot and work off screens suggests his production could be sustainable, making him a hot commodity on the waiver wire.
Gary Trent Jr., Milwaukee Bucks (3.1%): Trent is logging steady minutes for the Bucks, thanks to their thin backcourt. Known for his scoring and occasional steals, he’s a solid option for those in need of a 3-and-D player.
Small Forward
Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans (24.8%): Murphy is back and looking sharp for the Pelicans. He recently logged nearly 40 minutes in a win over the Warriors, signaling that he’s fully healthy and ready to contribute as a two-way wing.
Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers (60.7%): Mathurin is a scoring machine who also contributes on the glass and even offers some rim protection. With injuries in the Pacers’ rotation, his role is secure for now.
Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers (31.5%): Oubre is thriving as a glue guy in Philly, providing a mix of scoring and defense. While the team is struggling, Oubre’s role remains stable.
Power Forward
P.J. Washington, Dallas Mavericks (57.6%): Washington is delivering a rare combination of steals, blocks, and rebounds this season. His production in Dallas feels more reliable than in years past, making him a valuable pickup.
Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies (51.5%): Aldama has added playmaking to his game, averaging nearly four assists per game recently. His versatility makes him a sneaky-good option for fantasy managers.
Center
Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City Thunder (55.7%): With Chet Holmgren sidelined, Hartenstein has stepped up in a big way. His recent 13-point, 14-rebound, four-block performance against Portland shows his potential to be a game-changer in fantasy.
Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons (9.5%): Stewart is making the most of his minutes, especially with his shot-blocking ability. While his floor can be low, he’s capable of putting up big numbers in the right matchups.
Special Teams
Looking for specialists? Here are some players who can help in specific categories:
- 3-pointers: Gary Trent Jr., Jared McCain, and Harrison Barnes are all providing surplus value from deep.
- Steals: Kelly Oubre Jr. and Houston’s Tari Eason are great options for defensive stats.
- Blocks: Jonathan Isaac and Peyton Watson are swatting shots at an impressive rate.
- Rebounds: Moussa Diabate is a rebounding machine, while Trayce Jackson-Davis offers upside in limited minutes.
Stay active on the waiver wire, and don’t be afraid to make bold moves. These players could be the difference-makers your team needs to climb the standings!
Originally Written by: Eric Karabell
