Early-season injuries can derail even the best-laid fantasy plans. Jamal Murray, Paolo Banchero and Kyle Kuzma are just a few of the players who have gotten hurt, leaving gaping holes in fantasy rosters. But don’t panic! Week 3’s waiver wire is packed with potential replacements ready to step up.
We’ll look at players you should consider picking up who are rostered in four different roster tiers:
- 50-60%
- 30-49%
- 15-29%
- 0-14%.
What’s more, I’ll give you a breakdown of how many games each team has for the upcoming week so you can maximize the minutes of your streamers. Without further ado, let’s dissect the waiver wire, starting with the game schedule for next week.
Check out the latest fantasy basketball expert consensus rankings
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 3)
Four games:
ATL, BOS, CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, DEN, GSW, LAC, LAL, MEM, MIA, MIL, MIN, NYK, OKC, ORL, PHI, PHX, POR, SAS, TOR, UTH
Three games:
BKN, HOU, NOH, UTH, WAS
Rostered in 50-60% of Leagues
Chris Paul is proving that he’s still got plenty left in the tank. He seems to have found his groove with the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 32.5 minutes, 17 points, 11.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds in his last two games. Paul orchestrates the offense precisely, sets up his teammates for easy buckets and displays his scoring ability when needed.
Paul’s well-rounded production makes him an especially valuable asset in head-to-head, each category formats, where his contributions in points, assists, and rebounds can make a significant difference. And the best part? He’s scheduled for four games this week with no back-to-backs, ensuring maximum opportunity for fantasy production.
With Jamal Murray sidelined due to a concussion, Russell Westbrook is suddenly a hot commodity on the waiver wire. While Westbrook’s role has been somewhat limited since the start of the season, Murray’s absence opens the door for a significant increase in playing time. In Saturday’s game, Westbrook logged a season-high 31 minutes and made the most of it, dishing out a season-high seven assists to go along with five steals.
Expect Westbrook to continue seeing extended minutes while Murray recovers, making him a valuable short-term pickup for fantasy managers needing assists and steals. He’s still capable of providing vintage Westbrook performances, and with increased opportunity, he could be a difference-maker for your fantasy team.
Rostered in 30-49% of Leagues
Bilal Coulibaly is emerging as a must-roster player in fantasy leagues, and Kyle Kuzma’s recent groin injury has only amplified his potential. While Coulibaly’s minutes haven’t increased with Kuzma sidelined, his scoring has taken a significant leap. He’s gone from averaging 16 points per game in his first three outings to an impressive 24.5 points over the last two games without Kuzma.
Coulibaly’s impact extends beyond scoring, as he’s also averaging 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals on the season. He’s showcasing his versatility and ability to contribute across the board, making him a valuable fantasy asset regardless of Kuzma’s status. Coulibaly is having a breakout year with his athleticism, scoring prowess, and potential for defensive stats.
Grady Dick is back on the waiver wire radar, and for good reason! Dick is absolutely on fire, averaging a scorching 24.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals over the last seven days. He’s been a walking bucket, showcasing his scoring prowess with remarkable efficiency, including a sizzling 37.3% from beyond the arc this season.
With the Raptors dealing with multiple injuries, Dick has seized the opportunity and emerged as a go-to scorer. He’s playing confidently and demonstrating the all-around game that makes him a valuable fantasy asset.
Rostered in 15-29% of Leagues
Bennedict Mathurin (SG/SF – IND)
Bennedict Mathurin is seizing his chance to shine with the Indiana Pacers, and his recent performances are turning heads in the basketball world. With the Pacers battling injuries, Mathurin has stepped up in a major way, making a solid case for a permanent spot in the starting lineup. He exploded for 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists against the Celtics on national television, showcasing his explosive scoring ability and all-around potential. He followed that up with another strong performance against the Pelicans, proving his breakout is no fluke.
Mathurin’s aggressive drives to the basket, improved three-point shooting and ability to contribute on the boards make him an exciting player to watch and a valuable fantasy asset. He’s clearly taking a leap forward in his third year, and his long-term potential is sky-high.
Alexandre Sarr, the second overall pick in this year’s draft, is already making waves and proving why he was such a highly touted prospect. Over the past week, Sarr has been a force for the Washington Wizards, averaging 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.3 blocks and 2 assists per game. He’s consistently seeing over 20 minutes of action, and with the way he’s playing, that number will only increase.
While Sarr only has three games on the schedule this week, he’s a player you should absolutely be targeting in deeper leagues. His ability to score efficiently, clean up the glass and protect the rim makes him a valuable fantasy asset with tremendous upside. Don’t let his rookie status fool you; Sarr is ready to contribute now, and his fantasy value is on the rise.
Rostered in 0-14% of Leagues
Ochai Agbaji is seizing his opportunity with the Toronto Raptors and emerging as a valuable fantasy asset. With the Raptors dealing with a number of injuries, Agbaji has stepped up and delivered consistent production, averaging 12.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. He recently exploded for a season-high 22 points while shooting an efficient 75% from the field, showcasing his scoring ability and potential to contribute across the board.
With the Raptors likely to remain short-handed for the foreseeable future, Agbaji is poised to continue seeing significant minutes and opportunities to shine. He’s a solid three-point shooter with the ability to attack the basket and contribute on the defensive end.
Tari Eason is making a strong case for more playing time with the Houston Rockets. Over the last seven days, Eason has been a stat-sheet stuffer, averaging 16 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals per game. He truly exploded in his last outing against the Golden State Warriors, recording 27 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks.
A performance like that is hard to ignore, and it could be the catalyst for an increase in Eason’s minutes, which currently sit at 20 per game. He’s a versatile forward with the ability to score, rebound and contribute defensively, making him a valuable fantasy asset in category leagues.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
