Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups by Category (Week 3)

We’re almost through week 2 of the fantasy basketball season, and some of us are just learning who Jake LaRavia is…

If you found yourself having a similar reaction to the way the young Laker forward has been performing thus far, you’re not alone. Anthony Edwards and fantasy basketball managers alike may need a little help at times tracking all the fantasy studs from the past week…and that’s where we come in! Let’s look ahead to week 3 of the fantasy season and find some gems for you to add or stream to win your upcoming matchup:

• NBA Betting Advice
• Player Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
• First Basket Cheat Sheet
• Prop Bet Analyzer

View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet

Fantasy Basketball Category League Waiver Wire Pickups

Points

Ryan Rollins (PG, SG – MIL) | 46% Rostered

The roster percentage is creeping up for Ryan Rollins, and for good reason. While Kevin Porter Jr. has been sidelined, Rollins has been making the most of his starting opportunity, averaging 18.68 pts and 52.4% shooting from the field in 5 games. In just 26 minutes against the Knicks on Tuesday, Rollins scored 25 points on 8/11 shooting with 4 three pointers. Then he followed that up with 32 points on 62% shooting on Thursday. Rollins is shooting the daylights out of the ball and is looking like a must-roster player while Porter is sidelined – and possibly even further.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG – ATL) | 42% Rostered

As many NBA fans know, Trae Young suffered a knee sprain on Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets. For as long as the star guard is out of the rotation, the guy to grab is Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Walker had been playing 30+ minutes off the bench with Trae Young starting, so it’s very likely that his role will increase substantially. Walker should provide a boost across all categories, but especially points, as he’s had no less than 17 in the last five games.

Assists

Cole Anthony (PG – MIL) | 27% Rostered

The injury to Kevin Porter Jr. isn’t just benefiting Ryan Rollins – there’s another guard in town who is dishing out dimes in limited minutes. Anthony has averaged 5.75 assists off the bench in four games, which is a small sample size, but it’s a trend that fantasy managers need to keep an eye on. It’s even possible that Anthony gets the hot hand in one of these games and his minutes push up past the 25+ threshold we typically look for.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG – MEM) | 23% Rostered

Caldwell-Pope has shown great consistency so far this season and is emerging as the steady veteran presence that the Grizzlies have been seeking. Dishing out at least 4 assists in the last five games, Caldwell-Pope has been making the most in his limited minutes and should continue to do so. The upside may be limited here, but it could be a safe add to any roster if you need help in the assist category.

Rebounds

Jake LaRavia (PF – LAL) | 7% Rostered

I said we would talk about him, so here we go! Jake Laravia was the star across all of fantasy basketball in week 2 with his amazing start against the Timberwolves on Wednesday night. 27 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal, and a block on 10/11 shooting isn’t half bad when other NBA players aren’t sure who you are. Needless to say, Jake Laravia is worth rostering in fantasy leagues as his rebounding numbers have stood out the most in his last three games. It’s also worth mentioning that Laravia showed his versatility by starting at the shooting guard spot Wednesday night. I believe that everyone will be learning his name soon enough.

Josh Minott (PF – BOS) | 25% Rostered

Although Jake LaRavia is turning heads around the league, we also need to highlight Josh Minott, who just exploded onto the scene with 15 rebounds and 11 points in 33 minutes Wednesday night against the Cavaliers. Minott is the perfect archetype of a player who could push up into a consistent starting role over guys like Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman. Get an early jump on rostering Minott in your league if he is still available.

Blocks

Adem Bona (C – PHI) | 11% Rostered

A healthy Joel Embiid hampers the overall fantasy production of Adem Bona, but fantasy managers know that Embiid playing a full season is never a safe bet. Stream in Adem Bona when you get the chance, as he’s been a block machine in limited minutes so far this season. With nine blocks in his last two games, Bona has put his rim-protecting ability on full display and will look to swat many more shots in the fantasy season.

Peyton Watson (PF, C – DEN) | 4% Rostered

At 20+ minutes per night and five blocks over his last two games, Peyton Watson has begun to emerge as a fringe 12-team league player for fantasy managers who need blocks to check in on. Watson seems to have established himself as the Nuggets’ sixth man, and his defensive energy has not gone unnoticed. No other players on the Nuggets’ bench appear to be threatening his minutes at this time, so he is worth at least a stream as long as this remains true.

Steals

Jarred Vanderbilt (PF, C – LAL) | 2% Rostered

Jarred Vanderbilt typically dips in and out of fantasy relevance a few times per season, and he’s already popping up into frame a bit earlier than expected. Known for his stalwart defensive ability, you know exactly what you’re getting in Vanderbilt with steals and rebounds, but lately he’s also been adding in some assists to his 25+ minutes per night. The Lakers have a few key injuries at this time, and Vanderbilt can serve as an excellent short-term stream option while the team works its way back to full strength.

Alex Caruso (PG, SG – OKC) | 11% Rostered

Speaking of teams bitten by the injury bug, the Oklahoma City Thunder still have Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe on the injury report, so Alex Caruso will be depended on to pick up the slack. The question, of course, will be Caruso’s health, as he has only played in two games this season. If Caruso is healthy and getting minutes, you can always depend on him for steals, but he can fill up the scoresheet in most other categories as well.

Three-Pointers Made

Sam Hauser (SG, SF – BOS) | 22% Rostered

Despite coming off the bench for Boston in most games, three-point specialist Sam Hauser has been draining threes to start the season, hitting a whopping 20 through five games. Hauser also doesn’t need a ton of minutes to get going, with most of his damage coming in less than 26 minutes per game. Hauser’s recent 7 of 13 three-point shooting night against Cleveland is the perfect example as to why he’s such a fantasy threat – when you attempt that many threes, some are bound to go in.

Collin Murray-Boyles (C, PF – TOR) | 14% Rostered

Toronto’s rookie center was recently given the starting nod with Jakob Poeltl sidelined with a back injury, and he’s been contributing in a surprising area – from three-point range. If Murray-Boyles continues to play starting minutes, the twenty-year-old could give you a nice boost in threes and field goal percentage, but don’t count on him to contribute heavily in other categories.