With Week 20 approaching, another window opens to improve rosters with fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups.
Injuries continue to create opportunities across the league, leading to short-term value and expanded roles for emerging contributors. Staying active on the waiver wire can provide a key advantage when pushing for positioning in the standings.
This week’s recommended pickups are split into three rostership tiers to make decisions easier:
30–49%
15–29%
0–14%
The Week 20 schedule is also included to help with streaming strategy and getting the most games into active lineups. Below is a breakdown of the top waiver wire options to consider for the coming week.
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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 20)
Four games:
BOS, CHA, DAL, DET, HOU, LAC, LAL, MIA, MIL, NOP, NYK, ORL, PHX, SAS, UTH, WAS
Three games:
BKN, CHI, DEN, GSW, IND, MEM, MIN, OKC, PHI, POR, SAC, TOR
Two games:
ATL, CLE
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered in 30-49% of Leagues
Jerami Grant (SF, PF – POR)
If scoring is a need, Jerami Grant is in the middle of a strong offensive stretch, recording four straight 20-point games. Over that span, he’s averaging a team-high 23 points along with 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 33.2 minutes, taking on a clear featured role in the offense.
With Deni Avdija (back) and Shaedon Sharpe (calf) sidelined, Grant should continue to see heavy usage for the Portland Trail Blazers. His consistent shot volume and scoring role make him a strong option for managers looking to add points down the stretch.
Ace Bailey (SF, PF – UTH)
Ace Bailey put together his most productive stretch of the season in February, averaging 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, two assists and 1.1 steals in 32.6 minutes per game. The increased workload has allowed him to showcase his all-around skill set, and his consistent playing time has translated into steady fantasy production. With his role continuing to grow, an even stronger March could be on the horizon.
The Utah Jazz remain banged up, and Lauri Markkanen (hip) is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks, creating even more opportunity in the rotation. With little left to play for this season, Utah appears focused on player development, which should keep the 19-year-old Bailey locked into heavy minutes and make him an appealing rest-of-season option.
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered in 15-29% of Leagues
Gui Santos (SF, PF – GSW)
Gui Santos recently signed a three-year, $15 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, a move that reflects the strong impression he made with his play in February. With the team shorthanded, Santos stepped into a larger role and delivered consistent production, averaging 15.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, four assists and 1.5 steals in 30 minutes per game.
Santos’ recent performance has helped him carve out a steady spot in the rotation, and he has shown the ability to contribute across multiple categories when given extended minutes. With his role now more secure, Santos should continue to see regular playing time the rest of the way, making him a reliable rest-of-season pickup with well-rounded upside.
Precious Achiuwa (PF, C – SAC)
Precious Achiuwa has logged at least 30 minutes in three straight games and has taken full advantage of the expanded role. During that stretch, he has averaged 19 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 32 minutes, providing strong production on both ends of the floor. His increased playing time has translated directly into improved fantasy value, particularly in points and rebounds.
With Keegan Murray (ankle) and Dylan Cardwell (ankle) expected to remain sidelined until at least mid-March, Achiuwa should continue to see steady minutes in the frontcourt. If he maintains this level of play, he has a clear path to consistent playing time, making him a solid pickup for managers seeking reliable production in the short term.
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered in 0-14% of Leagues
Brandon Williams (PG – DAL)
The Dallas Mavericks continue to deal with injuries, as P.J. Washington Jr. and Cooper Flagg have both been sidelined with left ankle sprains, with Washington missing the last two games and Flagg out for seven straight. Those absences have created added opportunities in the rotation, allowing several players to step into larger roles and more consistent minutes.
Brandon Williams has been one of the primary beneficiaries, averaging 26.2 minutes over his last four games while producing 16.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per contest. His ability to generate offense and take on playmaking responsibilities makes him a reliable short-term option, and he should continue to provide steady production as long as Dallas remains shorthanded.
Nique Clifford (SG – SAC)
With the Sacramento Kings out of the playoff picture, the focus has shifted toward developing younger players, leading to increased opportunities across the rotation. That approach has resulted in extended minutes for several prospects as the team evaluates its roster heading into next season.
Nique Clifford has been one of the primary beneficiaries, leading the team with 31.6 minutes per game over the last four contests. During that span, he has averaged 12 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.5 steals per game, providing intriguing production across multiple categories. His defensive activity, in particular, has stood out. If the minutes remain consistent, Clifford could continue to offer strong fantasy value for the remainder of the season.
