We’re heading into the fifth week of the fantasy basketball season and there is opportunity everywhere considering how many major injuries have occurred throughout the association. Multiple players around the league have capitalized on expanded roles such as De'Anthony Melton, Cameron Johnson, and Pelle Larsson. Let’s look into who the top fantasy basketball waiver wire picks are this week.

 

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 5

Brook Lopez, Los Angeles Clippers 

(40% rostered on Y!)

He continues to be a great fantasy roster as Brook Lopez has reverted back to his Brooklyn days. He’s poured in 20-plus points in three of his last four games and has seven-plus rebounds in those three contests as well. If you look at all the games he’s played in this season in which he’s played at least 26 minutes he’s poured in at least 30-fantasy points. In competitive games, Lopez should continue to play mid-to-high 20s minutes and at times he will touch 30. He’s a multi-category contributor.

De'Anthony Melton, Golden State Warriors

(35% rostered on Y!)

With Stephen Curry slated to miss a bunch of time, De'Anthony Melton figures to get the biggest piece of the pie while he’s sidelined. Melton started in the first game without Curry but there was a blowout and we didn’t get to see what the full run would look like. Melton, without Curry and Brandon Williams this year, has a 21% USG and is averaging well over 1.1 FP/min, so if he settles into a high-20s minute role, Melton should be an elite fantasy producer for the next month.

Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets 

(32% rostered on Y!)

It was a rocky first season in Denver for Cameron Johnson but it’s been pretty good to start the 2026 campaign, particularly in November. Johnson is averaging 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and is shooting 41% from three. Playing with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in their current form really helps Johnson get plenty of open looks and that’s not going to change anytime soon. 

Pelle Larsson, Miami Heat 

(27% rostered on Y!)

Recently, before Larsson’s illness, he had moved into the starting lineup and has been close to around 30 minutes per game. He doesn’t do anything great but he does everything great and is a multi-category contributor. He’s currently shooting out of his mind and although the ratios are likely going to come back to earth, it’s hard to ignore the 47%/47%/91% shooting splits. The only place he doesn’t contribute is block shots because he’s nearly doubled his steals per game this year (1.3).

Kelly Oubre, Indiana Pacers 

(20% rostered on Y!)

It was only a matter of time before the Pacers moved away from the Braden Smith starting lineup and moved Kelly Oubre back into the starting lineup. Oubre has started the last two games averaging 32 minutes, 15 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per contest. There’s no reason to think this starting lineup isn’t the one Indiana continues to run out while Tyrese Haliburton is sidelined.

Danny Wolf, Brooklyn Nets 

(17% rostered on Y!)

It looks like, for at least the time being, Danny Wolf is going to be a starter and things could honestly get better for Wolf if the Nets are successful in trading either Julius Randle or Michael Porter, which is being talked about a LOT these days. Wolf is a seven-footer trapped in a guard’s body. He’s played 28-plus minutes in four straight games and during that span he has two double-doubles and is averaging 11.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per contest.

Kevin Huerter, Detroit Pistons 

(15% rostered on Y!)

We’ve seen while Jalen Duren and Isaiah Joe are out, the Pistons depth is definitely in question and they are running out Kevin Huerter a LOT as he’s topped 30 minutes in three of his last four games and in the fourth it was still 24 minutes, which is solid. He’s really only an option in deeper formatted leagues but the role is legit as the team is currently constructed.

Brice Sensabaugh, Utah Jazz 

(4% rostered on Y!)

Much like Kevin Huerter, Brice Sensabaugh is a better deeper format league pickup. The Jazz are down so many key pieces and we’ve seen Sensabaugh extended for at least 23 minutes in each of the last two games played a season-high 27 minutes last time out. Dating back to last season, Sensabaugh is a 22% USG player and is best in leagues looking for point scorers. With how many injuries Utah has had, the playing time should be something that sticks around.