With Week 16 on the horizon, the landscape is shifting fast, offering managers fresh chances to bolster their squads with fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups.
As injuries pile up and unexpected breakout players emerge, staying aggressive on the wire remains one of the most effective ways to outpace your rivals. To help you navigate the options, this week’s targets are categorized by rostership depth:
30-49%
15-29%
0-14%
We’ve also mapped out the Week 16 schedule to ensure you’re maximizing your games played. Let’s dive into the top priority adds for the coming week.
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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 16)
Four games:
BOS, HOU, IND, LAC, MEM, MIN, NYK, PHI, WSH
Three games:
ATL, BKN, CHA, CHI, DAL, DEN, DET, GSW, LAL, MIA, MIL, NOP, OKC, ORL, PHX, POR, SAC, SAS, TOR, UTH
Two games:
CLE
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered in 30-49% of Leagues
Brandin Podziemski (PG, SG – GSW)
Over the Golden State Warriors’ last five games, Brandin Podziemski has taken on a sizable role, ranking second on the team in minutes at 27.9 per contest. During that stretch, he is averaging 11 points, 6.4 rebounds, seven assists and 1.8 steals, providing consistent, well-rounded production across multiple categories.
That versatility makes Podziemski especially appealing in category formats, where contributions beyond scoring carry added value. His fantasy outlook could improve even further with Steph Curry (knee) listed as day-to-day after exiting Friday’s game against the Detroit Pistons early, potentially opening the door for increased usage and playmaking responsibilities in the short term.
Tari Eason (SF, PF – HOU)
Tari Eason has been outstanding over his last four games, averaging 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and an eye-catching 2.8 steals. He has long been valued in fantasy for his defensive impact, particularly his ability to pile up steals, but this recent stretch has also highlighted meaningful growth as a scorer and rebounder.
The expanded production has come with a larger role, as Eason is averaging 27.7 minutes per game during that span. With his activity level high on both ends of the floor and his minutes trending in the right direction, he offers strong multi-category value and is especially appealing in category leagues. As long as the opportunities remain, Eason should continue to deliver impactful fantasy production.
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered in 15-29% of Leagues
Isaiah Collier (PG – UTA)
While Keyonte George (ankle) has established himself as the Utah Jazz’s starting point guard this season, Isaiah Collier has quietly delivered strong fantasy production in a bench role. That has been especially true over his last four games, during which Collier is averaging 12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.3 steals while playing 28.3 minutes per contest.
That role could expand even further after George sprained his ankle in Friday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. Although George is considered day-to-day, the Jazz may lean more heavily on Collier in the short term as they manage George’s health. With his playmaking abilities, Collier shapes up as a strong waiver wire option for managers seeking upside.
Collin Murray-Boyles (PF – TOR)
Collin Murray-Boyles profiles as a strong long-term pickup now that he is back to full health. He has been one of the more impressive rookies this season and has carved out a consistent role in the Toronto Raptors’ rotation. After missing four games with a thumb injury, Murray-Boyles has returned for two contests and has looked comfortable and productive right away.
In Friday’s game against the Orlando Magic, he logged 33 minutes and finished with 12 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. That stat line reflects the type of across-the-board production he offers, along with his high defensive activity. With his minutes trending upward and his role secure, Murray-Boyles brings multi-category value and stands out as a worthwhile add with staying power.
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered in 0-14% of Leagues
Aaron Nesmith (SF – IND)
The Indiana Pacers have been playing much better basketball over their last four games, posting a 3-1 record, and Aaron Nesmith has been a major contributor to that surge. During that stretch, Nesmith ranks third on the team in scoring, averaging 18 points to go along with three rebounds and 3.5 assists while logging 33.2 minutes per game.
Efficiency has been a key part of his impact. Nesmith has been outstanding on the offensive end, shooting 59.1% from the field and knocking down an average of three three-pointers per game on five attempts. With his minutes secure and his shot falling, Nesmith has emerged as a strong fantasy option, particularly for managers seeking efficient scoring.
Mouhamed Gueye (PF, C – ATL)
The Atlanta Hawks frontcourt is currently thin, with Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) listed as week-to-week and Onyeka Okongwu (face) day-to-day after undergoing a dental procedure on Thursday. While Okongwu could return in the near future, the short-term absences have created a meaningful opportunity for Mouhamed Gueye to take on a much larger role.
Gueye has already begun to benefit from the increased workload. He logged 32 minutes in Saturday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, finishing with 15 points, four rebounds, three steals and one block. His ability to contribute defensively gives him added appeal. As long as the Hawks remain shorthanded up front, Gueye profiles as a strong short-term pickup in deeper leagues.
