Even if your fantasy basketball draft just wrapped up, chances are you’re already in the market for fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups. Maybe one of your players is sidelined for a few games, or even a month, to start the season. That’s why staying active early is key.
No matter how strong your draft was, keeping an eye on emerging talent can give you a big edge. Some of the best early-season adds can deliver instant production and even earn a spot in your starting lineup.
We’ll look at players you should consider picking up who are rostered in four different roster tiers:
- 50-60%
- 30-49%
- 15-29%
- 0-14%.
What’s more, I’ll include a breakdown of how many games each team plays in the upcoming week, helping you maximize your streamers’ minutes and squeeze every bit of value from your lineup. Without further ado, let’s dive into the fantasy basketball waiver wire — starting with next week’s schedule.
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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 1)
Three games:
ATL, BKN, BOS, CHA, CLE, DAL, DET, GSW, IND, LAC, LAL, MEM, MIA, MIL, MIN, NYK, OKC, ORL, PHX, POR, SAC, SAS, TOR, WAS
Two games:
CHI, DEN, HOU, NOR, PHI, UTH
Rostered in 50-60% of Leagues
Santi Aldama (PF, C – MEM)
Santi Aldama is already worth a draft pick in 12-team leagues, but he should be added in 10-team formats if he’s still available. He’s coming off a career year, averaging 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.8 threes in 25.5 minutes per game — production that earned him a three-year, $52.5 million extension from the Memphis Grizzlies.
With Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke (knee) sidelined to start the season, Aldama is expected to see a bump in minutes, potentially hovering around the 30-minute mark. While his early-season value comes from the expanded role, his all-around production makes him someone who could stick on your roster for quite some time.
Rostered in 30-49% of Leagues
VJ Edgecombe (SG – PHI)
VJ Edgecombe, the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has made an immediate impact. The explosive rookie appeared in three preseason games, averaging 16.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and two steals in 29.5 minutes per game. His athleticism and aggressiveness on both ends of the floor have already stood out, giving the Philadelphia 76ers a dynamic presence on the wing.
With Paul George (knee) doubtful for Wednesday’s season opener and Jared McCain (thumb) not expected back until November, Edgecombe should see significant minutes early on. Once George returns, his usage will likely dip, but he’s still projected to remain in the starting lineup until McCain is healthy.
Rostered in 15-29% of Leagues
Davion Mitchell (PG – MIA)
Davion Mitchell appeared in 30 games, including 15 starts, for the Miami Heat last season after being acquired from the Toronto Raptors and made a strong impression. In 31.6 minutes per game, he averaged 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals.
With Tyler Herro (toe) sidelined for at least the first few weeks of the season, Mitchell is expected to open the year as Miami’s starting point guard. He’s a great short-term add who can contribute across multiple categories, especially in assists and steals, while offering steady production until Herro returns.
Rostered in 0-14% of Leagues
Grayson Allen (PG, SG, SF – PHX)
While Grayson Allen was projected to be the Phoenix Suns’ sixth man, head coach Jordan Ott recently said that Allen will move into the starting lineup with Jalen Green (hamstring) sidelined to start the season.
Allen appeared in 64 games last year, averaging 10.6 points, three rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.3 threes while shooting 42.6% from beyond the arc in 24.1 minutes per game. He’s poised to see an uptick in minutes early on, which should lead to an increase in production. He’s a solid short-term add who can boost three-point and scoring categories while Green works his way back.
Caris LeVert (SG, SF – DET)
With Jaden Ivey (knee) expected to miss at least a month after undergoing a procedure, Caris LeVert could slide into the starting lineup. In his first season with the Detroit Pistons after signing a two-year, $29 million deal, LeVert should bring his usual blend of scoring, playmaking and defensive versatility.
LeVert is coming off a solid year split between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks, where he averaged 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 37.3% from three. With Ivey sidelined, LeVert is expected to see a significant boost in playing time early in the season, making him a strong short-term add.
Dario Saric (PF, C – SAC)
Dario Saric was expected to slide into the starting lineup with Keegan Murray (thumb) sidelined for at least a month, making him an intriguing option early in the season. That outlook became even more appealing after news broke that Domantas Sabonis (hamstring) will miss at least the first week, leaving the Sacramento Kings’ frontcourt thin.
Saric enters his first season with Sacramento after being acquired from the Denver Nuggets and has already shown what he brings. In three preseason games, he averaged 9.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 threes while shooting 53.8% from beyond the arc.
With an expanded role early on, Saric can provide all-around production and valuable three-point shooting from a position that typically lacks perimeter scoring, making him an especially strong add in category-based leagues.
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