Working the waiver wire is pivotal to succeeding in fantasy basketball. With so many games, injuries and endless shifts in rotations throughout the marathon campaign, we'll need to source stats from free agency to maximize imaginary rosters.
A willingness to entertain competition for the last few spots on your fantasy hoops roster can 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 in free agency.
The goal of this weekly series is to identify players available in roughly half of ESPN leagues at each position (although we will make some exceptions). Some nominations are specialists capable of helping in one or two categories, while others deliver more diverse and important statistical offerings. In the breakdowns below, I've ordered players at each position with the priority of acquisition in mind, rather than roster percentage in ESPN leagues.
Point guard
Seth Curry, Philadelphia 76ers (Rostered in 51.3% of ESPN leagues): A difficult experience with COVID-19 had Curry struggling with his shot and with endurance, but he's been vocal lately about feeling better both on and off the floor. The results seem to align with this premise, as Curry has averaged 15.7 PPG with 4.7 APG in three games since the All-Star break.
Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks (24.0%): Serving a key role as the Mavericks' sixth man and key scoring option on the second unit, Brunson has thrived during the last month. During his last dozen games, the Villanova product has averaged 16.0 PPG with respectable shooting, rebounding, and passing metrics.
Michael Carter-Williams, Orlando Magic (10.4%): Since becoming a regular starter a month ago, "MCW" has thrived statistically with 5.8 dimes per game and some solid scoring (11.4 PPG) results. The Magic are decimated by injuries in the backcourt, which should lead to continued production for the veteran guard.
Reggie Jackson, LA Clippers (3.3%): With Patrick Beverley sidelined due to a knee injury, Jackson got the start on Sunday and finished second on the team in points while leading the Clippers in 3-point production. Given that Beverley didn't travel with the team for this current road stint that still has two games remaining, Jackson is a worthy interim addition.
Shooting guard
Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies (45.8%): Since returning from injury a few weeks back, Brooks has at least 19 points in five of his eight outings and is even producing more steals and blocks than his season average.
Jaylen Nowell, Minnesota Timberwolves (4.2%): Averaging nearly 20 PPG the last week as the team's sixth man, Nowell is thriving as a heat check scorer for the Timberwolves under new coach Chris Finch. The runway is likely short for Nowell given the impending return of Malik Beasley, but he's valuable until then.
Gary Trent Jr., Portland Trail Blazers (35.4%): Enjoy the shooting and scoring while you can, as Trent is likely shifting to a smaller complementary role soon with CJ McCollum working his way back to the floor.
Alec Burks, New York Knicks (11.6%): A crowded New York backcourt is a bit lighter lately due to some injuries, which helps Burks' case as a worthy streaming option. During the last week, Burks has averaged 16 PPG with solid peripherals.
Small forward
Danilo Gallinari, Atlanta Hawks (45.5%): Maybe the coaching shift has helped, or maybe it's simply he's finally healthy, but "Gallo" has been quite productive lately. The Italian forward has averaged 18.3 PPG during the last week and merits more attention from fantasy managers.
Will Barton, Denver Nuggets (35.2%): A recent surge in production includes stronger scoring and rebounding rates for this versatile wing. While his name has surfaced in some trade rumors, he's worth rostering while such a vital part of a productive Denver rotation.
Kenyon Martin Jr., Houston Rockets (14.2%): Like with his teammate Kevin Porter Jr., Martin has been thrust into a larger role due to a series of injuries in Houston's rotation. With solid scoring, rebounding, and defensive rates already surfacing, Martin is a strong addition.
Matisse Thybulle, Philadelphia 76ers (3.5%): Only a force in roto leagues given his ability to build incredible steal totals, Thybulle has been particularly larcenous of late. It also helped that he is finally hitting from 3-point range.
Power forward
Rui Hachimura, Washington Wizards (44.1%): A career game against the Bucks over the weekend might just be an outlier, but the key point is that Hachimura doesn't face much competition as the team's main power forward the rest of the way.
Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers (49.1%): A productive scoring forward to roster while Anthony Davis is sidelined, Kuzma's strong rebounding rate adds some dimension to his statistical stock.
De'Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks (34.7%): It's worth stashing Hunter as he nears a return from injury. The Virginia product was enjoying a breakout offensive season while still maintaining solid defensive rates.
Aleksej Pokusevski, Oklahoma City Thunder (5.9%): Becoming the youngest player in league history with at least 20 points, 10 boards, and five made 3-pointers in a game this past Sunday, "Poku" is a rising prospect for a Thunder team willing to endure some growing pains.
Center
Robert Williams III, Boston Celtics (29.9%): Williams is beginning to overtake Daniel Theis as a pivotal part of the Celtics' rotation. Theis started on Sunday but played just six minutes despite being healthy. Williams, meanwhile, played 19 minutes and extensively in the second half against Houston on Sunday and became the first Celtics player to produce at least points and 13 rebounds while making all of his field goal attempts since Villanova legend Ed Pinckney back in 1991. Given his awesome block rate, it's a good time to add the "Time Lord."
Kelly Olynyk, Miami Heat (29.8%): Bam Adebayo's recent knee injury has vaulted Olynyk into a major role for Miami. Even when Adebayo is back in the middle of things for Miami, Olynyk's ability to stretch the floor and build diverse stat lines helps his case as a worthy depth addition.
Dwight Howard, Philadelphia 76ers (18.7%): Tony Bradley is likely to get the starts at center for Philly with Joel Embiid sidelined, but Howard is the key fantasy addition given his ability to clean the glass and protect the rim.
