Your Championship Waiver Wire Targets Are Available NOW!
Watch Here - Your Championship Waiver Wire Targets Are Available NOW!
Let me guess. Your fantasy roster looks like a trauma unit right now. Key players are hurt. Rotations are shifting. And you are staring at your matchup thinking, how am I supposed to win like this?
Here is how: You play the waiver wire. Hard.
As we head toward the fantasy basketball finals, this is the time of year where championships are won by managers who stay aggressive. It is silly season. Opportunity is everywhere. And the players who were barely drafted in October can absolutely carry you home in March.
Let’s walk through the names you need to know right now.
Will Riley Is Quietly Breaking Out
First up, let’s talk about Will Riley. He has been absolutely cooking lately for the Washington Wizards, and somehow he is only rostered in 3.9 percent of ESPN leagues.
Over the last seven days, Riley is averaging 32.8 minutes per game. Let that sink in. On the season, he has averaged just 17.5 minutes per game. That kind of jump in opportunity is exactly what we look for at this point in the year.
Over that same seven day stretch, he is putting up 15.5 points, six rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Toss in about half a steal per night and you have a player who is delivering real value, especially in points leagues.
One standout performance came on February 26 against Atlanta. In 36 minutes, Riley finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and a steal. That is the kind of stat line that swings a matchup.
Injury situations will impact usage, of course. But even with players returning to the lineup, Riley has carved out a significant role. If he is sitting on your waiver wire, he should not be there much longer.
Maxime Raynaud Brings Double Double Stability
Next, we move to the Sacramento Kings and big man Maxime Raynaud.
Raynaud is rostered in 31.4 percent of ESPN leagues, which means there is still a decent chance he is available in yours. Over the last week, he is averaging 29.7 minutes, 14.3 points, and nine rebounds per game.
While his defensive numbers are modest at 0.3 steals and 0.3 blocks, the steady scoring and rebounding give him a near double double floor most nights. He also chips in 1.3 assists, which is always a nice bonus from the center position.
Down the stretch, consistency matters. Raynaud might not be flashy, but he can stabilize your lineup when you need dependable production.
Precious Achiuwa Is Heating Up at the Right Time
Let’s stay with Sacramento and talk about Precious Achiuwa.
Rostered in just 20.8 percent of ESPN leagues, Achiuwa is on an absolute heater. Over the last seven days, he is averaging 32 minutes, 19 points, and 11.3 rebounds per game. That alone makes him a priority add.
But there is more. He is also contributing 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and just under a block per game.
Achiuwa has often been labeled as waiver wire filler in past seasons. But this is the time of year where those so called boring names win championships. Fantasy history is full of players who were barely rostered in March and ended up being league winners.
Achiuwa is playing with confidence and opportunity. If you need rebounds, points, and defensive stats, he should be firmly on your radar.
Gui Santos Is Doing a Little Bit of Everything
Now let’s head to the Golden State Warriors and talk about Gui Santos.
Santos is rostered in just 22.8 percent of ESPN leagues, and he is bringing serious multi category juice. Over the last week, he is averaging 30 minutes, 15.8 points, six rebounds, 4.3 assists, one steal, and one block per game.
That is across the board production.
He has logged at least 26 minutes in each of his last five games and even played 39 minutes on February 24 against New Orleans. With Steph Curry sidelined, there has been more opportunity, and Santos is taking full advantage.
Here is a quick snapshot of a three game run that turned heads:
• February 22: 17 points, five rebounds, seven assists, one steal
• February 24: 15 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals, three blocks
• February 25: 17 points, three rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block, just one turnover
That kind of versatility is gold in fantasy playoffs. If the minutes stay strong, Santos could shift the balance of power in your matchup.
Javon Small Is Emerging in Memphis
From the Memphis Grizzlies, keep an eye on Javon Small.
Only rostered in eight percent of ESPN leagues, Small is averaging 24.5 minutes, 13.3 points, five rebounds, and 5.3 assists over the last seven days. He is also adding 0.8 steals per game.
On February 23 against Sacramento, he exploded for 21 points, six rebounds, and nine assists in just 25 minutes.
Nine assists.
If you need playmaking down the stretch, Small is the type of upside add that can swing an assist category or boost your points league total in a big way.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Is Piling Up Steals
Now let’s talk about Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Atlanta Hawks.
He is rostered in just 7.2 percent of ESPN leagues and averaging 32 minutes per game over the past week. During that span, he is posting 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
But here is the eye popping stat.
He is averaging four steals per game over the last seven days.
Four.
Now, will he keep that up? Probably not. But even if that number dips, he is clearly in a groove defensively. In category leagues, a sudden spike in steals can win you a matchup by itself.
If you are chasing defensive stats, Alexander-Walker deserves serious consideration.
Guerschon Yabusele Is Finding Opportunity
Guerschon Yabusele is a name worth watching in Chicago.
He is averaging 25.3 minutes, 10 points, 7.3 rebounds, two assists, and 1.3 steals over the last week for the Bulls. On March 1 against Milwaukee, he put up 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 23 minutes.
With injuries and roster changes creating opportunity, Yabusele is stepping into a meaningful role. He might not be a household fantasy name, but the minutes and production are trending in the right direction.
Dejounte Murray Is the Ultimate Hold or Drop Dilemma
Finally, let’s talk about the biggest question mark of them all: Dejounte Murray of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Rostered in 43.1 percent of ESPN leagues, Murray has been a roller coaster. Injuries have made it difficult to hold him, especially if you are short on IR spots. Some managers dropped him. Others held on and hoped.
He has recently returned, rested in a couple of games, and flashed upside with a big performance. The question is simple. Do you hold?
The answer is context.
If you are comfortably ahead in your matchup and can afford patience, holding Murray makes sense. His ceiling could absolutely swing a championship week.
But if you are fighting for survival and cannot stash an injured or inconsistent player, tough decisions may be necessary.
If he is available in your league, this could be the moment to grab him and see how it plays out.
Final Thoughts: Stay Aggressive and Trust the Process
Fantasy championships are rarely won by playing it safe. They are won by managers who pay attention, act quickly, and embrace the chaos of silly season.
Minutes matter. Opportunity matters. Trends matter.
Whether it is Will Riley’s breakout, Maxime Raynaud’s steady double doubles, Gui Santos’ all around surge, or taking a calculated gamble on Dejounte Murray, this is the time to lean in.
Play the waiver wire like it owes you money. Stay active. Trust your instincts. And most of all, enjoy the ride.
Your championship might be sitting on the wire right now.
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