Your Championship Waiver Wire Targets Are Here
Watch Here - Your Championship Waiver Wire Targets Are Here
If you’re anything like me, All-Star weekend was fun to watch but you barely had time to breathe before you were back to the real MVP hustle: fantasy basketball championship mode. While some of your league mates were lounging and scrolling social media, you were grinding through the waiver wire, trying to find the next breakout player who could give you the edge you need to win it all.
In this recap, we’ll walk through the most impactful waiver wire targets you should be scooping up right now. We’ll break down what’s driving their increased value, what they’ve been doing lately, and why they could be league-winning pickups at this stage of the season. All of this and more was courtesy of BLEAV in Fantasy Basketball host Robbin Marx.
Early Risers: Players Who Are Heating Up
Dylan Cardwell: Sacramento’s Energy Big
Let’s start with Dylan Cardwell, the Sacramento Kings’ rising center who has put together an unexpectedly productive stretch lately. With his minutes climbing compared to earlier in the season, Cardwell has shown you real value, especially in rebounds, steals, blocks, and hustling stats that matter in fantasy leagues.
Over the last seven days, he’s been playing big minutes, clocking around 29.5 per game compared to about 21 per game on the season, and filling up the box score. That includes 6 points per game, 10.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1 block per game. On the season, he’s averaging 1.6 blocks, which suggests that some of this defensive production can be sustainable. These contributions do not always grab headlines in real games, but they are fantasy gold, especially in category leagues.
Cardwell is only rostered in 7.1 percent of ESPN leagues, which means he is widely available. Sacramento is not expected to make major win-now moves, and that opens the door for lineup experimentation. Cardwell appears to be carving out a consistent role as the team evaluates different combinations.
Fantasy tip: If he’s available in your league, pick him up now. His rebounding and defensive stats can quietly win you a weekly matchup.
Nolan Traoré: The Nets’ Surprise Playmaker
Next up is Nolan Traoré from the Brooklyn Nets, who has been going off recently. Over the last seven days, he’s averaging 32 minutes per game along with 16.5 points and an eye-popping 10.5 assists per game. He’s also adding 2.5 rebounds and about 1 steal per contest.
Take a closer look at his recent games and you’ll see why this matters. He’s posted point totals of 20, 13, 15, and 21, while dishing out assist numbers like 8, 13, 4, and 7. In three of his last four games, he recorded at least one steal. That kind of consistent playmaking production can completely shift a matchup in head-to-head formats.
He’s only rostered in 6.5 percent of ESPN leagues, which makes him one of the most accessible high-upside guards on the wire right now.
Fantasy tip: If you need assists with solid scoring and a little defensive juice, Traoré is the type of late-season pickup who can swing a playoff matchup in your favor.
GG Jackson: Opportunity Knocks in Memphis
The Memphis Grizzlies made a major move by sending Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, and that trade has opened up a clear path for GG Jackson. Opportunity is everything in fantasy basketball, and Jackson is stepping into increased minutes because of it.
Over the last seven days, he’s averaging 25.5 minutes per game, up from 18.7 on the season. With that boost in playing time, he’s producing 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, along with about half a steal and half a block.
While he may not be stuffing every category, the steady minutes and balanced stat line are exactly what you want as teams experiment with rotations late in the season. He’s only rostered in 9.9 percent of ESPN leagues, so there is still time to act.
Fantasy tip: If he’s sitting on your waiver wire, grab him before someone else does. Increased minutes combined with a defined role make him a strong late-season add.
Emerging Talent to Hold Through the Stretch Run
Jarace Walker: A Potential League Winner
We’ve talked about him before, and it’s worth repeating. Jarace Walker from the Indiana Pacers is the kind of player who can become a league winner down the stretch.
Over the last seven days, he’s averaging 30 minutes per game and putting up 18 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. That level of production, especially with consistent playing time, becomes extremely valuable as the fantasy playoffs approach and teams begin to shift priorities.
As the season moves deeper into what many call silly season, teams that are not fully contending may give younger players extended run. Walker fits that mold perfectly. He is only rostered in 8.8 percent of ESPN leagues, which is surprising given the opportunity in front of him.
Fantasy tip: If you can add and hold Walker, do it. Players seeing 30 minutes per night with multi-category production are exactly what you want heading into the playoffs.
Jakob Poeltl: Do Not Overthink This
Last but definitely not least is Jakob Poeltl. If he is somehow still available in your league, especially in smaller formats like an eight-team league, you need to grab him immediately.
He’s rostered in about 50 percent of ESPN leagues, which means he is not universally taken. That alone is reason enough to double-check your waiver wire. While others are relaxing after All-Star weekend, you are looking for edges, and Poeltl is an edge if he’s available.
He provides reliable production in rebounds, field goal percentage, and defensive stats. In tight playoff matchups, that kind of steady center output can make the difference between advancing and going home.
Fantasy tip: Do not let someone else scoop him up because you hesitated. If he’s there, add him.
Final Thoughts: Stay Active, Stay Ahead
This is the time of year when fantasy championships are won by the managers who stay engaged. Teams are adjusting rotations, testing young players, and sometimes prioritizing development over wins. That creates chaos in real basketball, but opportunity in fantasy basketball.
Focus on players who are earning consistent minutes. Target multi-category contributors. Be willing to move quickly when a role changes or a trade opens up opportunity.
Most importantly, keep grinding. While others are snoozing, you are putting in the work. That effort can pay off in a big way when playoff matchups tighten up.
Now that you’ve got your waiver wire targets lined up, go make your moves and then check out the latest rankings episode to sharpen your strategy even further. Let’s go win that championship.
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Great info! Thx