Waiver Wire Gold: Players Most Managers Are Sleeping On
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If you are gearing up for the fantasy basketball playoffs, this is the time to get aggressive. Championships are rarely won on draft night. They are won on the waiver wire. This past weekend was all about digging deep, scanning box scores, tracking rotations, and identifying the players who are quietly stepping into opportunity.
What BLEAV in Fantasy Basketball host Robbin Marx found is exciting. Injuries, rest days, and the approaching “silly season” are opening doors across the league. If you are ready to take advantage, here are the players you need to have on your radar right now.
Golden State Opportunity: Brandin Podziemski
Let’s start with the Golden State Warriors and Brandin Podziemski.
Many fantasy managers drafted Podziemski earlier this season with high hopes. It did not quite click at first, and in a lot of leagues he ended up on the waiver wire. But situations change quickly in fantasy basketball.
With Steph Curry sidelined, Podziemski has stepped into an expanded role. The minutes are secure, and the production is following. Over this recent stretch, he is scoring in the mid-teens while adding strong rebounds, assists, and even some steals. That across-the-board contribution is exactly what you want from a waiver pickup.
The key here is opportunity. As long as Curry remains out, Podziemski has a clear runway to minutes and usage. If you just need a solid all-around contributor, he is worth adding and holding until the Warriors’ rotation shifts again.
Portland’s Upside Play: Scoot Henderson
Next up, let’s talk about Scoot Henderson of the Portland Trail Blazers.
After returning from a hamstring injury, Henderson initially operated under a minutes restriction. That is no longer the case. The restriction has been lifted, and he is now free to ramp up.
Even in limited minutes, he has been scoring in the low teens and chipping in solid assist numbers. As his workload increases, the upside becomes very real. Portland is in development mode, and as we head toward the end of the season, young players often get extended opportunities.
This is where “silly season” comes in. If you are new to the term, it refers to the final stretch of the fantasy calendar when teams out of contention begin resting veterans and experimenting with younger players. That can lead to sudden usage spikes for high-upside talents like Henderson.
He is the kind of player who could explode down the stretch and swing a playoff matchup. If you have room to stash upside, he fits the bill perfectly.
Sacramento’s Injury Boost: Devin Carter
The Sacramento Kings are dealing with a wave of injuries, and that has opened the door for Devin Carter.
With Zach LaVine out for the season and Domantas Sabonis sidelined, there is a massive amount of opportunity to soak up. Carter’s role has been growing, and he is taking advantage. He is contributing rebounds, assists, and steals while providing scoring punch from the guard spot.
If you need points plus some dimes and defensive stats, Carter is a strong short-term add. Sacramento has bodies missing, and someone has to fill the stat sheet. Right now, Carter is doing just that.
Short-Term Scoring in Denver: Cameron Johnson
Let’s shift to the Denver Nuggets and Cameron Johnson.
With injuries impacting Denver’s rotation, Johnson has been given extra opportunity and he is making the most of it. He is scoring efficiently in the mid-teens, grabbing boards, dishing a few assists, and adding steals.
He profiles as a strong short-term addition. If you are looking to capitalize on a temporary opening while other players are out, Johnson can help stabilize your lineup during this stretch.
Indiana’s Youth Movement: Jarace Walker
We have talked about Jarace Walker of the Indiana Pacers before, and we are going to keep talking about him.
Indiana is giving more run to its young players, and Walker is benefiting from that shift. With veterans sitting, he has stepped into a more featured role. The result is strong stat lines with points, rebounds, and multi-category contributions.
Walker brings versatility, and that is gold in fantasy. If he is somehow still sitting on your waiver wire, it is time to correct that. He needs to be rostered while the Pacers continue to evaluate their youth.
Chicago’s Clear Path: Jalen Smith
Over in Chicago, Jalen Smith is another name to circle.
With Nikola Vucevic no longer in the picture and after working his way back from a calf injury, Smith has a clear path to minutes and fantasy value. Since returning, he has been productive right away. We are talking double-digit scoring, strong rebounding, plus defensive stats in the form of steals and blocks.
Opportunity plus production is the formula. Smith checks both boxes and should not be lingering on waiver wires as we head into the most important stretch of the season.
Deep League Value: Jay Huff
Another Indiana Pacers big worth discussing is Jay Huff.
We mentioned him last week, and he continues to return value. Huff contributes across multiple categories, and what makes him especially intriguing is his ability to stretch the floor with the three ball.
If you need a big who can provide outside shooting along with other contributions, Huff is an interesting option. In deeper formats, he can absolutely make a difference.
Silly Season Gem: Precious Achiuwa
One more Sacramento name to close things out: Precious Achiuwa.
With Sabonis out, frontcourt minutes are available, and Achiuwa is the type of player who thrives when given 30 or more minutes. When he crosses that threshold, he has consistently shown the ability to post double-doubles while also adding defensive stats.
His hustle and energy keep him on the floor, and coaches love that. During silly season, that kind of player often becomes a hidden gem. If he is available, he is worth a serious look, especially if you need rebounds and defensive production.
Bringing It All Together
This time of year is about staying proactive. Injuries, rest days, and team priorities are shifting rapidly. The managers who win championships are the ones who react first and take calculated risks.
Whether it is Brandin Podziemski stepping up with Steph Curry out, Scoot Henderson ramping up for a bigger role, Jarace Walker benefiting from Indiana’s youth movement, or the Sacramento Kings offering multiple waiver wire options due to injuries, the opportunities are there.
Now it is up to you to act.
Scan your league. Identify your needs. Do not be afraid to move on from underperformers if a high-upside player is sitting there waiting. The fantasy playoffs reward bold, informed decisions.
Make the right adds now, and you might just be the one holding that championship trophy when the season wraps up.
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