As the fantasy basketball season heats up, Week 12 offers a prime opportunity to strengthen rosters through waiver wire pickups. Whether managing an unexpected injury, chasing quick stat boosts or looking for the next breakout star, an aggressive approach is key to staying competitive.
To make your search easier, we’ve organized this week’s top waiver targets into three rostership tiers:
30-49%
15-29%
0-14%
We’ve also broken down the upcoming schedule to help fine-tune your streaming strategy and maximize games played. Let’s dive into the Week 12 landscape.
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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 12)
Four games:
ATL, BOS, CHA, CHI, DEN, GSW, HOU, LAC, MEM, MIA, MIN, NOP, NYK, OKC, ORL, PHI, PHX, POR, SAS, TOR, UTH, WAS
Three games:
BKN, CLE, DAL, DET, IND, LAL, MIL, SAC
Rostered in 30-49% of Leagues
Davion Mitchell (PG – MIA)
Tyler Herro (toe) and Pelle Larsson (ankle) have missed the Miami Heat’s last couple of games. Jaime Jaquez Jr. suffered an ankle sprain on Saturday, which could force him to miss some time.
As a result, the Heat have leaned heavily on Davion Mitchell, who is averaging 33.5 minutes, 11 points, two rebounds, 8.5 assists and one steal per game. He is likely to continue seeing around 30 minutes per game, making him a great fantasy option for assists and overall production.
Rostered in 15-29% of Leagues
Tre Jones (PG – CHI)
With Coby White (calf) and Josh Giddey (hamstring) sidelined for the Chicago Bulls over the last three games, Tre Jones has seen an uptick in opportunities and has made the most of them. During this stretch, he is averaging 12 points, 1.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists while logging 27.9 minutes per game.
Jones should continue to see increased playing time while White and Giddey remain sidelined, giving him a chance to contribute across multiple categories. His expanded role makes him a solid pickup for fantasy managers, as he has proven capable of running the offense efficiently and producing consistent numbers.
Ayo Dosunmu has benefited from the Chicago Bulls’ thin backcourt, taking advantage of increased opportunities over the last three games. During that span, he is averaging 15 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists, showing his ability to contribute across multiple categories.
Dosunmu is currently third on the team in scoring and will continue to see plenty of action off the bench. His consistent production and expanded role make him a nice fantasy pickup.
Rostered in 0-14% of Leagues
Isaiah Stewart (PF, C – DET)
Isaiah Stewart was solid in December, averaging 10.1 points, five rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 22.9 minutes per game. His role expanded in Thursday’s loss to the Miami Heat, where he logged 30 minutes and tied a season-high with five blocks.
With Jalen Duren (ankle) and Tobias Harris (hip) expected to miss the entire week, Stewart should remain near the 30-minute mark in Week 12. That makes him an excellent pickup, particularly in category leagues, where his shot-blocking can provide an immediate boost.
Kevin Huerter (SG, SF – CHI)
Kevin Huerter has stepped up as the Chicago Bulls navigate a wave of injuries, providing a much-needed boost to the team. Over the last few games, he has averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and 3.3 assists, showcasing his ability to contribute across multiple areas. Huerter has been more aggressive offensively, taking at least 11 shots in two of the three games, which has translated into higher point production.
With the Bulls’ roster is still dealing with injuries, Huerter is likely to continue seeing ample opportunities. His ability to deliver both scoring and rebounding makes him valuable, particularly for managers looking to bolster those categories while other key contributors remain sidelined.
Jake LaRavia (PF – LAL)
With Austin Reaves (calf) and Rui Hachimura (calf) sidelined, Jake LaRavia has stepped up for the Los Angeles Lakers. He has started the team’s last two games, averaging 15 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, three steals and one block.
LaRavia has also logged at least 23 minutes in seven straight games, scoring in the double digits in five of those contests and recording one double-double. With Reaves and Hachimura out, he is likely to continue seeing significant minutes, making him a strong fantasy option for scoring, rebounds and defensive stats.
Sandro Mamukelashvili (PF – TOR)
Jakob Poeltl (back) has missed the Toronto Raptors’ last seven games, and Sandro Mamukelashvili has continued to step up in his absence. Whether starting or coming off the bench, he has been effective in any role, averaging 10 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals and one block in 24.2 minutes per game during that span.
With Poeltl still without a clear timetable for return, Mamukelashvili should continue to see 20+ minutes per game. He provides a solid option for fantasy managers in need of a big man in deeper leagues.
