The fantasy landscape constantly evolves. Week 12 presents a prime opportunity to gain a strategic advantage through waiver wire moves. Whether you’re looking for a short-term spark or a long-term solution, this week’s waiver wire can transform your team.
Let’s dive in and uncover the players who can elevate your roster and propel you toward a win.
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 12)
Five games:
PHX
Four games:
BKN, CHA, CHI, DAL, DEN, DET, IND, MIA, MIL, MIN, NOP, NYK, ORL, PHI, POR, TOR
Three games:
ATL, BOS, CLE, GSW, HOU, LAC, LAL, MEM, OKC, SAC, SAS
Rostered in 50-60% of Leagues
Mark Williams’ recent performances have him on the fantasy radar. In his last two games, Williams has seen a significant increase in playing time, averaging 29.8 minutes per game. He’s making the most of these opportunities, showcasing his skills on both ends of the court and delivering impressive production.
Williams is averaging 19 points, 10.5 rebounds and two blocks per game in his last two outings, demonstrating his ability to score, rebound and protect the rim. With his combination of size and athleticism, Williams is a player you want to keep an eye on.
Deni Avdija is making a strong case for an even larger role in the Portland Trail Blazers’ rotation. Over his last five games, Avdija has thrived with extended minutes, averaging 34.8 per game and delivering impressive production. He’s averaging 20.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists during this stretch, showcasing his versatility and ability to contribute across the board.
While Avdija’s increased playing time has coincided with Jerami Grant missing three of the Trail Blazers’ last five games. Avdija is worth considering even when Grant returns, as he averaged 26.6 minutes per game in December. He’s a skilled scorer with a smooth shooting stroke and the ability to attack the basket.
Rostered in 30-49% of Leagues
Grayson Allen is back in action for the Phoenix Suns. His return couldn’t be more timely for fantasy managers seeking a boost in scoring and three-pointers. After recovering from a concussion, Allen made a return to the court on January 4th, logging 31 minutes and delivering a solid performance with 13 points (including three three-pointers), six assists and four rebounds. With Royce O’Neale expected to miss some time due to injury, Allen is poised for an even larger role in the Suns’ rotation.
Allen is a sharpshooting guard known for his ability to stretch the floor and knock down shots from beyond the arc. He’s also a capable playmaker and a willing defender, making him a valuable contributor in multiple categories. Furthermore, the Suns are the only team with five games on the schedule this week, giving Allen’s fantasy managers a significant advantage in terms of maximizing games played.
Trayce Jackson-Davis (PF, C – GSW)
Trayce Jackson-Davis is quietly emerging as a consistent contributor for the Golden State Warriors. His recent performance warrants attention from fantasy managers in deeper leagues. Over his last nine games, Jackson-Davis has seen a steady increase in playing time, logging at least 20 minutes in each contest. This consistent run has allowed him to showcase his versatile skillset and contribute across the board.
Jackson-Davis is a skilled big man with a knack for finishing around the rim and cleaning up the glass. He’s averaging 11.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 blocks per game during this recent stretch. With his well-rounded game and consistent playing time, Jackson-Davis is a player who can provide valuable depth to your roster.
Rostered in 15-29% of Leagues
Alex Sarr, the second overall pick in this year’s draft, is living up to the hype. He’s been a consistent force for the Washington Wizards, scoring in double digits for 11 straight games. During this impressive stretch, Sarr is averaging 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, three assists and 1.3 blocks, showcasing his versatile skillset and ability to contribute across the board.
While we highlighted Sarr as a waiver wire pickup a few weeks ago, his continued strong performance warrants another mention. He’s a player you want on your roster, and his value could skyrocket even further as the trade deadline approaches. Keep a close eye on Jonas Valanciunas’ situation in Washington. If the Wizards decide to trade their veteran center, Sarr’s minutes and opportunities would likely increase, making him an even more valuable fantasy asset.
Yves Missi is quietly making a name for himself with the New Orleans Pelicans. His strong December performance has him on the fantasy radar. He emerged as a force on the defensive end, averaging 1.5 blocks per game, which ranked 10th-best in the NBA. Missi also contributed in other areas, averaging 11 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, showcasing his ability to impact the game on both ends of the court.
Missi is a skilled big man with a developing offensive game and a knack for protecting the rim. He’s a strong rebounder and an efficient scorer around the basket. With the Pelicans seemingly heading towards a rebuild, Missi is poised to see significant playing time and opportunities to develop. He’s a high-upside player with the potential to become a valuable fantasy asset, especially in leagues that prioritize blocks and rebounds.
Rostered in 0-14% of Leagues
With Jimmy Butler’s future with the Miami Heat coming to an end, Nikola Jovic is emerging as an intriguing player to monitor in fantasy basketball. This young forward possesses a versatile skillset and has shown flashes of his potential when given the opportunity. In his last three games, Jovic has averaged 27.4 minutes, showcasing his ability to contribute in multiple areas.
During this stretch, Jovic has averaged 11 points, 4.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game. He’s a skilled ball-handler and passer for his size, capable of initiating the offense and creating opportunities for his teammates. Jovic is also a capable scorer from the perimeter and around the basket. While he’s still raw and his role may fluctuate, Jovic has intriguing upside, especially in deeper leagues where he could provide valuable depth and potential for growth.
The Orlando Magic backcourt is currently riddled with injuries, creating an opportunity for Cole Anthony to step up and showcase his skills. With Jalen Suggs, Gary Harris and Anthony Black all sidelined without clear timetables for return, Anthony becomes an intriguing waiver wire target, especially in deeper leagues. In his most recent performance with these guards out, Anthony had 34 minutes of action, tallying nine points, 11 assists and four rebounds.
Anthony is a talented combo guard with a knack for scoring and distributing. He’s a capable shooter, a creative passer and a willing rebounder for his position. While his scoring can be inconsistent at times, Anthony’s ability to contribute in multiple categories makes him a valuable fantasy asset, particularly when he’s given extended minutes. As long as the Magic backcourt remains depleted, Anthony is a player worth considering for your roster.
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