We’re heading into the third week of the fantasy basketball season and there is opportunity everywhere considering how many major injuries have occurred throughout the association. Through two weeks, we’ve seen Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero, Ja Morant, Kawhi Leonard, Keegan Murray, and Jaren Jackson go down with injuries, just to name a few. Let’s dive into this week's fantasy basketball waiver wire top picks.
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 3
Jrue Holiday, Portland Trail Blazers
(51% rostered on Y!)
I’m giving Jrue Holiday the 50% pass because he’s been added in 21% of Yahoo! Fantasy leagues over the past day after we learned Ja Morant is going to miss a month. Holiday didn’t start in the first game post-Morant, but he has had a great role this entire season. He’s averaged 12.4 points, 3.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals this year and the minutes should only tick up from here.
Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks
(43% rostered on Y!)
The role has continued to grow and grow and until Dereck Lively returns, that won’t change any time soon. Daniel Gafford was up to 29 minutes last game and has now played at least 26 in three straight. Gafford is and has always been an elite fantasy player because of his activity. He’s an elite rebounder and defensive stats guy and we’ve already seen him hit an 18-point ceiling. Sign me up for a plus fantasy scorer that isn’t going anywhere soon, even if Dereck Lively returns, he’ll be quite limited for a while.
Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns
(40% rostered on Y!)
There have been reports coming out of the Suns camp that there are some frustrations that they don’t have a point-guard and Collin Gillespie is the closest thing to one. He is coming off a double-double and was one assist shy of posting his second double-double in four games. He’s an elite bench producer and his role shouldn’t go anywhere any time soon.
Tari Eason, Houston Rockets
(37% rostered on Y!)
There are a ton of different ways Tari Eason could find his way on the court as the Rockets are a team that plays a short rotation and they’ve dealt with injuries in the early stages of the season. Eason’s averaging nearly 24 FP on the year driven by his rebounding and stocks. He should continue playing high-20s minutes on a nightly basis.
Keaton Wagler, Los Angeles Clippers
(35% rostered on Y!)
When Keaton Wagler starts making more shots he’s going to explode offensively. He’s been elite at getting to the free throw line taking six or more FTs in four straight games, he just hasn’t found his shot yet. He’s been a plus producer in other categories like rebounding (he’s a 6’7” guard), assists, and is averaging one steal per game too. Wagler’s shot is going to fall as he shot nearly 45% from the floor last year at Illinois and 40% from three.
Aday Mara, Oklahoma City Thunder
(34% rostered on Y!)
I mean, it’s impossible to look at the Thunder and not want pieces of everything from their bench and that includes Aday Mara. Chet Holmgren being the latest injured Thunder will open time up for Mara and we’ve now seen 20+ minutes in three straight games, twice Mara has nearly scored 30 fantasy points. He is a massive human being and the rebounds and blocks are going to stick. He runs the floor extremely well and is going to score a LOT around the rim.
Pelle Larsson, Miami Heat
(32% rostered on Y!)
After opening the year with nearly zero stats and not a big role, things have changed drastically for Pelle Larsson and it’s happened quickly. He’s scored 12+ points, dished out three or more assists, and has played at least 24 minutes in four straight and it would’ve probably been 30-plus minutes in those four if not for a blowout win last game out. Larsson, despite coming off the bench, is the preferred option to be extended over Klay Thompson on a nightly basis.
De’Andre Hunter, Sacramento Kings
(30% rostered on Y!)
I underestimated how good of a scorer De’Andre Hunter is after he played poorly over the first three games. He’s been a bucket getter wherever he’s been and he’s put up 19+ points in three straight and is playing big minutes. That’s the name of the game for the Kings so far as their starters are playing mid-to-high 30s minutes on a nightly basis. He’s an elite ratios guy shooting 48% from the field and 46% from three.
Jaxson Hayes, Utah Jazz
(22% rostered on Y!)
The Jazz are still without both Jusuf Nurkic and Jaren Jackson and will be in quite a good role for a while. We’ve already seen what he can do when extended as he’s put up 26+ Yahoo! Fantasy points in all three games in which he’s played at least 26 minutes in. Utah is dealing with injuries every which way and Hayes is one of the biggest beneficiaries and he’s widely available in fantasy leagues.
Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers
(14% rostered on Y!)
With Ja Morant down, the Trail Blazers elected to start Scoot Henderson over Jrue Holiday and it’s possible they continue to see what Henderson can do as a starter. He played 31 minutes in his first start and had a 23% USG, which should really play in a 30 minute role. Henderson’s been a plus fantasy player in the past any time he’s been given a major opportunity, which he has now that Morant’s out for a month.