Another week in the NBA is upon us, meaning it’s time for another round of fantasy basketball waiver wire targets. If you are navigating injuries or looking to capitalize on players who have increased roles, there is plenty of value available on the market.
Here are six players rostered in under 50% of leagues, according to Yahoo Sports, plus a couple you should consider dropping.
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Julian Champagnie, SG/SF, San Antonio Spurs
Rostered: 20%
Julian Champagnie has moved off the streaming radar and into must-roster territory, posting a double-double in three straight games with expanded opportunity in San Antonio. Before Sunday, he was averaging 16.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, multiple threes, and more than a block over his previous four games, according to Basketball Reference. For a wing who had not shown this work on the glass before, the rebounding surge is especially encouraging.
With Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle sidelined, Champagnie has seen a sizable bump in usage and responsibility, and he has responded by contributing across multiple categories. Even though his role will shrink when Wembanyama returns, this production is enough to make him a strong short-term add in most formats.
T.J. McConnell, G, Indiana Pacers
Rostered: 19%
T.J. McConnell has shed his early-season minutes cap and is starting to look like a must-add in all formats. Over his last five outings, he’s posting 12.8 points, 5.8 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game with a solid usage rate. As his role grows, those numbers could climb.
McConnell’s appeal is that he quietly fills up the box score even without big minutes, giving you assists, steals, and efficient scoring without hurting percentages. As his workload increases on an Indiana Pacers team needing steady guard play, he looks less like a short-term streamer and more like a strong long-term add.
Jared McCain, G, Philadelphia 76ers
Rostered: 17%
Jared McCain has quietly become a strong waiver add as he works back into the Philadelphia 76ers’ rotation and takes advantage of a thinned-out group. With VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre, and Paul George all banged up recently, McCain has played over 24 minutes in recent games, scoring at least 15 points in three of his last four and adding rebounds, assists, and steals.
Now that he’s cleared to play over 20 minutes consistently, McCain is showing the microwave scoring and three-point volume that made him appealing as a rookie. Hitting multiple threes in consecutive games and emerging as one of Philadelphia’s main bench scorers, he is set for a larger short-term role and has enough multi-category value to be worth adding in standard formats while the 76ers are shorthanded.
Jaylen Wells, SG/SF, Memphis Grizzlies
Rostered: 18%
Jaylen Wells has caught fire with Ja Morant sidelined, stepping into a bigger role and delivering steady production in both minutes and stats. He’s played 28-plus minutes in five straight games, averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and multiple 3-pointers over that span. As his usage rises, it’s getting harder for Memphis to take him off the floor, making him a strong add while this run continues.
Jaylen Wells in the last 10 games
13.7 points
3.4 rebounds
1.9 assist
1.0 steals
49.5% FG
44% 3PM
65.2% TS pic.twitter.com/xEtQddiS1k
— Playoff MEM (@PlayoffMem) December 1, 2025
The second-year wing has given fantasy managers a boost in points and field-goal percentage. As long as Morant remains out and his situation is unsettled, Wells is a plug-and-play option in most formats and a priority fantasy basketball waiver wire grab for anyone needing scoring from the wing.
Saddiq Bey, F, New Orleans Pelicans
Rostered: 32%
Saddiq Bey has stepped up for the Pelicans with both Herbert Jones and Karlo Matkovic sidelined, logging at least 33 minutes in his last four starts. Over the last five games, he is averaging 19.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.6 made 3-pointers per game. His well-rounded contributions make him a clear asset in all fantasy formats.
Bey’s fantasy appeal rises with the ongoing injury risks in New Orleans’ rotation, especially with Zion Williamson often in and out of the lineup. He’s shown consistent production and should remain a strong streaming option and waiver add as long as he gets heavy minutes for the injury-depleted Pelicans.
Jay Huff, C, Indiana Pacers
Rostered: 22%
Jay Huff has surprisingly become a strong streaming big for fantasy managers, carving out a steady role as Indiana’s primary center. He’s scored in double figures in four straight games. Over his last five, Huff is averaging 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.4 blocks, and two 3-pointers.
Huff’s increased minutes and production give him a reliable floor if you need center help. Even if he doesn’t hold the starting job all season, the Pacers trust him enough to keep him in a regular rotation role. His rim protection and finishing around the basket have been an upgrade over Indiana’s other centers, which should keep his minutes stable.
Fantasy Basketball Cut Candidates
Max Christie, SG/SF, Dallas Mavericks
Max Christie isn’t a must-drop player, as he holds a steady spot in the Mavericks’ rotation, averaging over 29 minutes. With 12.3 points and more than two 3-pointers per game, his fantasy value is mostly tied to his shooting. Beyond 3-point efficiency, Christie lacks standout production in other categories.
Isaiah Stewart, PF/C, Detroit Pistons
Isaiah Stewart has a solid role off the bench for the Detroit Pistons, but Jalen Duren’s breakout campaign has capped Stewart’s minutes and fantasy impact. Stewart is a good source of blocks, and he has a decent field goal percentage. However, his rebounding numbers aren’t strong enough to overcome his lack of production across the board.