Working on the waiver wire is critical to being successful in fantasy basketball. With so many games, injuries and endless changes in rotation throughout a marathon campaign, we’ll need to get statistics out of free agency to maximize fantasy rosters.
A willingness to entertain competition for the last few spots on your fantasy hoops roster could prove rewarding. When curating this fluid collective of statistical contributors, it helps to consider your end-of-bench players in direct competition with the talent floating around in free agency.
The goal of this weekly series is to identify the players at each position widely available in free agency in the ESPN league. Some are enrollment specialists who are able to help in one or two categories, while others provide more diverse and important statistical propositions. In the breakdown below, I’ve ordered the players at each position by taking into account acquisition priority rather than roster percentage in ESPN leagues.
point guard
Emmanuel Quickly, new York Knicks (ESPN Roasted in 20.3% of leagues): A breakout performance in prime-time against the Celtics should quickly make him a popular pick this week. It’s not just the one-game that proves impressive, though, as the Kentucky product has scored at least 13 points in 11 straight and has become a fixture in New York’s rotation.
dennis schroder, Los Angeles Lakers (31.0%): Lebron James‘ Absence combined with departure Russell Westbrook Meaning Schroder assumes a major distribution role for the Lakers in the coming weeks.
Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs (11.5%): The rare player qualified at both power forward and point guard in an ESPN league, this talented rookie has provided dynamic production in recent weeks.
Dennis Smith Jr., charlotte hornets (20.3%): season ending injury lamelo ball Smith is relegated to a key role for Charlotte. While he isn’t always due to a heavy shot regimen or loads of minutes, there is real value in a player with strong steal and assist rates on a team with such a shallow backcourt.
tyce jones, memphis grizzlies (9.9%): Together ja morant Sidelined for a few games, Jones is set to start at point guard this week for the Grizzlies. Scoring numbers are often low for Jones, but double-digit assist games are in play when he starts for Memphis.
shooting guard
jalen williams, oklahoma city thunder (46.6%): Even the team missed its top pick Chet HolmgrenThe rookie dazzled with an intriguing mix of scoring, defense and playmaking that is rarely found in a professional freshman.
Donte DiVincenzo, Golden State Warriors (15.0%): It’s a good sign that DiVincenzo logged nearly 40 minutes while starting in a three-guard lineup with the Warriors over the weekend. Stephen CurryHis return hasn’t pushed him over the edge of the rotation, suggesting that this two-way combo guard retains some real statistical impact.
matisse thiboul, Portland Trail Blazers (8.5%): One of the league’s more productive perimeter defenders has moved from a limited specialty role for the 76ers to a full-fledged starting gig in Portland. Scoring and shooting results can prove to be a bit volatile, but few players can match his wild combination of steals and SWATs.
small forward
Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves (25.8%): There are only a few players currently flirting with averaging nearly a block and a steal per game, including McDaniels. This high-end perimeter stopper has also been handling more aggressive workloads since the deadline.
Kyle AndersonMinnesota Timberwolves (19.4%): There are also some players who, despite not proving to be elite in any one category, are quite valuable in terms of fantasy, but prove to be capable in many. Anderson can do everything, which helps cover up nights when his scoring production is low while playing playmaking and defensive rates shine.
tari ishan, Houston Rockets (10.0%): The lottery-bound Rockets have empowered their young talent with minutes and touch, as Eason is in the midst of a career-best stretch of two-way production.
power forward
delon wright, washington wizards (16.7%): This uniquely versatile wing has merit at three positions in the ESPN league, including a shallow power forward pool that aids his value for those seeking frontcourt depth. After all, Wright leads all players with a stealing percentage of at least 300 minutes and has shown fun passing skills in recent games.
Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets (36.4%): A new level of shooting and scoring volume has reversed Johnson’s fantasy impact since joining Brooklyn, as the North Carolina product has become a steady wingman for an ascendant. mikal bridge,
Marvin Bagley III, detroit pistons (16.9%): The Pistons are looking to bolster their collection of former top lottery picks, with Bagley flourishing in the post and Glass.
Xavier TillmanMemphis Grizzlies (4.9%): season ending injury brandon clark Shifts Tillman into a key role for an already depleted Memphis frontcourt. Over the past week, Tillman has averaged nearly a double-double.
Center
walker kessler, Utah Jazz (49.5%): Another week and another endorsement of this rare rookie rim protector. Kesler has collected an astonishing 18 blocks over his last four games entering Sunday’s matchup with the Thunder. For some context of just how special this rookie’s interior defense has proven, just look at the Defensive Player of the Year favorites. Jaron Jackson Jr., Is ahead of Kessler in block percentage this season.
mark williamsCharlotte Hornets (20.0%): is immediately ahead of evan mobley and right back Jarrett Allen Ranked 17th among centers on Player Rater over the past two weeks, Williams is another rising rookie who deserves more attention from fantasy managers.
zack collinsSan Antonio Spurs (16.2%): With increased minutes and increased responsibility on both sides of the floor since the deadline, Collins has impressively completed at least four dimes in five of his last eight contests and combined a terrific three last week. Averaged blocks and steals.
naz reedMinnesota Timberwolves (4.4%): A spectacular stretch recently that has seen this unique stretch provide a strong mix of big scoring, shooting, rebounding and steals. Till then Karl-Anthony Towns Full back in rotation, the read should retain statistical value.