With the NBA season in full swing, the waiver wire is heating up, presenting prime opportunities to make strategic pickups that can elevate your roster with minimal cost. Welcome to your weekly dose of waiver wire possibilities as we explore and identify players who can help take your team to the next level in your quest for the championship crown of your league.
Each week, we will look at widely available players rostered in fewer than 65% of fantasy leagues on Yahoo. It’s a long season, so it’s beneficial to maintain an “it’s a marathon, not a sprint” mindset as you strategize and tailor your approach, whether weekly or season-long, to maximize your team’s value and potential.
Thank you for making us a part of your championship journey; we at FantasyPros are thrilled to bring you another season of insights to help you conquer your leagues. Let’s get into it!
Check out the latest fantasy basketball expert consensus rankings
Fantasy Basketball Category Analysis & Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 3)
We’re bringing back a full suite of tools and insights from last season, providing the player analysis, acquisition insights, and category builds that give you a strategic advantage week in and week out. Each article will delve into the key elements of player performance, category strength, and matchup specifics that help you stay ahead. As the season progresses, we’ll introduce additional features to further refine your approach, including:
Each week’s article will feature in-depth player analysis, acquisition insights, category builds, and matchup details. Additional features will arrive in the coming weeks to expand your toolkit and help you stay ahead with targeted strategies throughout the season.
Coming Week 4:
*Players on the Radar (To Include):
- Waiver Priority Rating
- Upcoming Opponents
- OPP Against Category
- OPP Avg. Rank
- Hold Length
Coming Week 5:
*Week Analysis Details (To Include):
- Week Summary
- Matchup Grades
*Some categories will be introduced in later weeks as we gather more data to provide you with reliable recommendations.
Fantasy Basketball Category & Waiver Wire Analysis
Now that we’re underway, the waiver wire is your ultimate tool for finding that edge. These early roster moves allow you to capture breakout players or specialists in each category before they’re scooped up by the rest of the league. This phase is crucial for setting up a successful season, as each well-timed waiver acquisition moves you one step closer to building a winning team. Let’s capitalize on these opportunities and work toward a lineup that’s built to contend.
Fantasy Format
Scoring Type:
Head-to-Head (Most Categories)
Player Stat Categories:
- Points Scored (PTS)
- Total Rebounds (REB)
- Assists (AST)
- Steals (ST)
- Block Shots (BLK)
- 3-Point Shots Made (3PTM)
- Field Goal Percentage (FG%)
- Free Throw Percentage (FT%)
Roster Positions:
- Point Guard (PG)
- Shooting Guard (SG)
- Guard (G)
- Small Forward (SF)
- Power Forward (PF)
- Center (C) x 2
- Utility (UTIL) x 2
- Bench (BN) x 2
- Injured List (IL) x 3
Data Sources
- NBA Player Stats: NBA.com – 2024-2025
- Yahoo! Sports – Player List
Basketball Category & Waiver Wire Analysis
In these initial weeks, we’ll focus on a “best-on-the-board” approach, highlighting players showing strong early potential in key categories. Starting in Week 5, our analysis will evolve, taking into account deeper metrics like player chemistry, upcoming opponents, and the competition’s specific strengths and weaknesses.
This phased approach will ensure we’re working with solid data to uncover players with lasting impact, giving you a strong competitive advantage as the season progresses. Together, we’ll keep your lineup strong, adaptable, and always ready to win.
FantasyPros: The One-Stop Shop
In addition to this article, FantasyPros provides a wide range of tools and resources designed to support your strategic needs throughout the season.
From daily lineup optimizers to weekly matchup analysis and monthly trend reports, these tools offer critical insights that help you stay a step ahead.
Integrating these resources into your daily, weekly and monthly planning can give you the competitive edge needed to achieve your fantasy goals.
Now, let’s dive into this week’s analysis and identify the key players who can take your lineup to the next level and set the stage for a winning season.
Points
Tre Mann (CHA – PG, SG): 44% Rostered | 19.2 PPG – Ranked: 47th
Acquisition Details
- League Level: Deep-Shallow
- Acquisition Type: Stream-Hold
- Priority: Medium-High
Category Build
- Primary: Points
- Secondary: Three-Pointers Made, Field-Goal Percentage
- Auxillary: Assists
Mann just might be the acquisition of the year. While it’s still early in the season, I’m ready to make that call. He had a breakout season last year when he finally got his chance to shine on a depleted Charlotte Hornets team, and it appears his success wasn’t a fluke, even with franchise player LaMelo Ball back in the lineup.
Currently, Mann is averaging an impressive 19.2 points per game (47th in the league), showcasing his scoring ability with a strong 46.7% field goal percentage on 15.3 attempts per night. His scoring prowess is backed by the second-highest usage rate on the team at 26.5% among players averaging at least 25 minutes per game, highlighting his integral role in the Hornets’ offense.
| CATEGORY PRODUCTION | ||
| CATEGORY | STAT | RANK |
| Field-Goals Attempted | 15.3 | 40th |
| Field-Goals Made | 7.2 | 46th |
| Field-Goal Percentage | 46.7% | 189th |
| Three-Pointers Attempted | 6.0 | T-57th |
| Three-Pointers Made | 2.7 | T-36th |
| Three-Pointer Percentage | 44.4% | T-87th |
Given his natural scoring talent and ability to step up in any circumstance, Mann is a multi-categorical scoring asset with core play potential each week. With Ball’s injury history, Mann’s role could increase even further, offering a steady scoring option with upside that’s too good to ignore. He’s a must-add in deep leagues and deserves serious consideration in shallow leagues as well.
Assists
Scotty Pippen Jr. (MEM – PG, SG): 39% Rostered | 7.3 APG – Ranked 9th
Acquisition Details
- League Level: Deep-Shallow
- Acquisition Type: Stream-Hold
- Priority: Medium-High
Category Build
- Primary: Assists
- Secondary: Steals
- Auxillary: Points
Pippen is proving to be a valued asset on this Grizzlies team, carrying over the momentum from last season and translating it into reliable production off the bench for a talented squad. Known primarily for his playmaking, Pippen is averaging a solid 7.3 (9th in the league) assists per game, efficiently setting up his teammates while also chipping in on the defensive end with a notable steal rate of 1.3 per game (T-59th in the league).
| CATEGORY PRODUCTION | |
| Assist Percentage | 38.9% |
| Assist Ratio | 39.2 |
| Assist Turnover Ratio | 3.00 |
Despite being a rotational player on a roster filled with standout talent like Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Marcus Smart, Pippen’s consistent assist production has been steady and impactful.
He has shown a unique ability to thrive in his role, making him an asset with the potential to offer significant value in the assist category. For fantasy managers, Pippen’s consistent role and balanced skill set make him a viable pickup early in the season, especially as rotations shift and injuries arise, providing a window of opportunity for him to see even more floor time.
Rebounds
Jeremy Sochan (SAS – SF, PF): Rostered: 60% | 8.5 RPG – Ranked: T-23rd
Acquisition Details
- League Level: Shallow-Deep
- Acquisition Type: Hold
- Priority: High
Category Build
- Primary: Rebounds
- Secondary: Points
- Auxillary: Field-Goal Percentage
Sochan has emerged as an exceptional talent this season and is the kind of multi-categorical asset you’ll want in your lineup as the year progresses. While all eyes are on Victor Wembanyama as the future of the Spurs, Sochan is quietly carving out his own place in this talented squad.
Last season, despite an inconsistent role that limited his opportunities, he still managed to post impressive numbers and build on his standout rookie year. This year, he has stepped up significantly across several major categories, averaging a career-high 17.3 points (68th in the league) and 8.5 rebounds (28th in the league) per game.
| CATEGORY PRODUCTION | |
| Rebound Percentage | 12.2% |
| Offensive Rebound Percentage | 7.9% |
| Defensive Rebound Percentage | 16.3% |
His versatility in both front and backcourt roles has allowed him to elevate his game further, boasting an impressive 50.6% field goal percentage (122nd in the league) alongside his rebounding prowess. With a more defined role in San Antonio’s rotation this season, he’s a valuable acquisition for managers seeking reliable rebounding production and multi-category upside. Grab him while he’s available; he’s on track to make an even bigger impact as the season unfolds.
Blocks
Alexandre Sarr (WSH – PF, C): Rostered: 35% | 2.8 BPG – Ranked: 4th
Acquisition Details
- League Level: Deep
- Acquisition Type: Stream-Hold Potential
- Priority: Low-Medium
Category Build
- Primary: Blocks
- Secondary: Rebounds
- Auxillary: Points
Alexandre Sarr had an impressive showing against a competitive Miami squad, showcasing his defensive prowess in a congested Wizards frontcourt that’s still working to find its rhythm. Despite the team’s ongoing adjustments, Sarr is finding his groove, and his blocking ability has already positioned him as a valuable fantasy asset.
He is currently averaging 2.8 blocks per game (4th in the league), a notable feat for a rookie still carving out his role. His recent offensive breakout hints at his potential to evolve into a multi-category contributor as the season progresses.
While Sarr’s immediate value lies in blocks, he offers promising upside for fantasy managers seeking both immediate and long-term defensive production. He’s an ideal pickup for managers looking for a boost in the blocks category, with the added potential of multi-category contributions as he earns the trust of his coaches and teammates.
Consider this acquisition a mid-to-long-term hold, one that could pay off handsomely as Sarr’s role continues to expand in Washington’s evolving roster.
Steals
Jose Alvarado (NOP – PG): Rostered: 30% | 1.5 SPG – Ranked: T-31st
Acquisition Details
- League Level: Deep
- Acquisition Type: Stream
- Priority: Low-Medium
Category Build
- Primary: Steals
- Secondary: Assists
- Auxillary: Points
With Dejounte Murray sidelined, Jose Alvarado has seized the opportunity to step up, delivering solid performances in the last two games. Known for his defensive tenacity, Alvarado’s 1.5 steals per game (T-31st in the league), make him an appealing choice for managers in need of a category specialist.
Beyond steals, he’s also showing signs of being able to contribute across the board with his impressive average of 14.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game across these last two games. This well-rounded stat line hints at his potential to become a valuable multi-category asset should he continue demonstrating consistency in his production as a facilitator and playmaker.
Though he faces some rotation competition with Jordan Hawkins, Alvarado’s ability to manage the Pelicans’ backcourt and relieve CJ McCollum of point guard duties could secure him a steady role. For managers looking to bolster both primary and niche categories, Alvarado presents as a viable option for consistent production as he continues to prove his worth on the court.
Three-Pointers Made
Buddy Hield (GSW – SG, SF): Rostered: 63%| 5.0 3PTM – Ranked: T-2nd
Acquisition Details
- League Level: Shallow-Deep
- Acquisition Type: Hold
- Priority: High
Category Build
- Primary: Three-Pointers Made
- Secondary: Points, Field-Goal Percentage
- Auxillary: Free-Throw Percentage, Steal, Rebounds
Buddy Hield’s production is flourishing in Golden State, partly fueled by Steph Curry’s absence due to injury, yet Hield’s offensive contributions carry standalone value. Averaging 22.2 points (T-31st in the league) per game, Hield is averaging 5.0 three-pointers-made (T-2nd in the league) on 9.7 attempts per game, showcasing his elite sharpshooting ability.
| CATEGORY PRODUCTION | ||
| CATEGORY | STAT | RANK |
| Three-Pointers Attempted | 9.7 | 9th |
| Three-Pointers Made | 5.0 | 2nd |
| Three-Pointer Percentage | 51.7% | T-34th |
While an occasional Andrew Wiggins sighting could affect his fantasy impact on certain nights, Hield’s skill set aligns with Steve Kerr’s system, blending the kind of experience and versatility the Warriors seek to harness as they rebuild their rhythm and team identity.
Sitting at 63% rostered, Hield is a must-acquire for managers seeking category dominance in threes; despite any potential fluctuations in his overall scoring, his prolific three-point shooting is primed for consistency. Notably, this Warriors culture could provide the ideal environment for Hield to deliver one of his best offensive seasons yet, capitalizing on his skills within a team mentality that he hasn’t experienced before.
Field-Goal Percentage
Christian Braun (DEN – SG, SF): Rostered: 41% | 52.8% FG – Ranked: 109th
Acquisition Details
- League Level: Deep-Shallow
- Acquisition Type: Hold
- Priority: Medium-High
Category Build
- Primary: Field-Goal Percentage
- Secondary: Points
- Auxillary: Steals, Blocks, Three-Pointers Made
I’m not going to lie; when I first heard that Christian Braun allegedly denied Russell Westbrook his jersey number, it dampened my appreciation for his promising potential. With me being a big character guy, especially when it comes to respecting the living legends that paved the way, that move initially cast a bit of a shadow on the young talent; however, with things seemingly cool between them two and Braun undeniably proving his worth on the court he is starting to show promising signs of being a solid player in the league.
This season, he’s stepping up significantly, showcasing his ability as a versatile contributor across multiple categories. He’s currently shooting a solid 52.8% from the floor (109th in the league) and hitting 1.3 three-pointers (T-131st in the league) per game at an efficient 42.1% from beyond the arc (T-106th in the league). His production in field goal percentage, points, steals, and even blocks make him a valuable asset for managers focused on efficiency and category diversity.
| CATEGORY PRODUCTION | ||
| CATEGORY | STAT | RANK |
| Field-Goals Attempted | 10.2 | 112th |
| Field-Goals Made | 5.3 | T-83rd |
| Field-Goal Percentage | 52.5% | 109th |
While his role may shift with the team’s overall health, Braun’s steady rise in production could be a key addition for anyone looking to bolster their squad’s overall output and versatility.
Free-Throw Percentage
Gradey Dick (TOR – SG, SF): Rostered: 50% | 92.3% FT – Ranked: T-66th
Acquisition Details
- League Level: Deep-Shallow
- Acquisition Type: Stream-Hold
- Priority: Medium
Category Build
- Primary: Free-Throw Percentage
- Secondary: Points, Three-Pointers Made, Field-Goal Percentage
- Auxillary: Steals
Gradey is making a name for himself as a reliable offensive specialist, stepping seamlessly into the role left by Gary Trent Jr. He’s currently shooting an impressive 92.3% from the free-throw line (T-66th in the league) on 3.7 attempts per game, highlighting his efficiency at the stripe, a key asset for managers looking to bolster their free-throw category. Alongside his efficiency, Dick is averaging 21.0 points per game (38th in the league), establishing himself as a multi-categorical offensive powerhouse. His 1.1 steals (T-87th in the league) per game further elevate his value, making him a versatile contributor to any fantasy lineup.
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