Oh, it’s good to be back! Despite missing some key pieces like Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, fantasy basketball is in full force after Week 1, with some surprising standouts like V.J. Edgecombe and Stephon Castle dominating the headlines. Unfortunately, with these great performances come underachievers as well – are we holding onto some of the players we were so confident in drafting, or are we already looking to where the grass might be greener? If you fall into the latter category, we are highlighting all the top fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups in category leagues this week for you to consider:
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
Dillon Brooks (SG, SF – PHO): 47% Rostered
Dillon Brooks…a points streamer?? Stay with me here. Not known for his offensive prowess, Dillon Brooks mostly went undrafted in fantasy leagues as managers were waiting to see what his role would look like with his new team, the Phoenix Suns. We certainly got a taste of that this week as Brooks notched 30+ minutes in each of their three games. Not to mention, the Suns are relying on him to shoot the basketball often. Despite historically inefficient shooting numbers, Brooks seems to be locked into this larger role with the Suns, so for now, there is no reason not to add him and see where it goes – especially if you are struggling in the points category. Although you may take a hit to your FG% category, the production in one should outweigh the other.
Tre Johnson (PG – PHO): 33% Rostered
A new Wizards player seems to pop up on fantasy radars each year, and Tre Johnson has already joined the list with his debut performance this past week. In 25+ minutes, Johnson has shown a knack for scoring and the ability to add value in all categories. The number 6 overall pick in the 2025 draft should have a full runway to take off on a middling Wizards team this year. His roster percentage is sure to climb this season, so don’t get left off the Tre Johnson wagon when it really starts to pick up steam.
Assists
Davion Mitchell (SG – MIA): 51% Rostered
It’s not a shock that Davion Mitchell is not rostered in more leagues, considering that Tyler Herro and Norman Powell are projected to dominate Miami’s frontcourt, but if this past week has shown anything, it’s that Davion Mitchell is ready to take the leap. While Mitchell has filled it up in all categories to start the season, his assist numbers jump off the box score. Although those numbers are likely to be reduced when Herro returns from injury, Mitchell figures to be a large part of Miami’s rotation moving forward and can add value to any fantasy roster in all categories.
Tre Jones (PG – CHI): 15% Rostered
With Coby White sidelined for at least a couple of weeks, Tre Jones will have the green light to dish out as many dimes as possible. The Chicago Bulls have no problem starting Jones alongside Josh Giddey and giving him plenty of minutes to fill out those assists and steals numbers. We’ve seen Jones contribute to this category in his time with the Spurs, so as long as the minutes are there, Jones is likely going to provide a major boost in the assists category, and we can reevaluate when Coby White returns from injury.
Rebounds
Steven Adams (C – HOU): 7% Rostered
It would be a surprise to most NBA fans if Steven Adams were to remain in the starting lineup for the Rockets and play north of 32 minutes each night, but that is exactly what happened last week, and the results were as expected. More minutes for Adams usually translates to more rebounds. While he’s typically not adding any value to you in other categories, at just 7% rostered, this is a player that can heavily boost your rebounds total – as long as the minutes are there.
Isaiah Stewart (C – DET): 22% Rostered
Isaiah Stewart has been fighting for a larger role since the beginning of his varied NBA career, and so far, it looks like that will only continue going into the 2025-26 season. Stewart’s gritty style of play at the center position lends to his rebounding ability, and he doesn’t need a ton of minutes to produce. Luckily for fantasy managers, he’s been averaging 25 minutes per contest to start the season in a key reserve role. Grab “Beef Stew” on waivers and let this kid cook.
Blocks
Ryan Kalkbrenner (C – CHA): 40% Rostered
Since Charles Lee became the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, it’s been pretty tough to keep up with the team’s center rotation. In fact, just last year, Mark Williams, Nick Richards, and Moussa Diabate often found themselves in a three-man rotation each night. Enter Ryan Kalkbrenner. The 2025 draft pick started over Diabate for the Hornets and produced in the rebounds and blocks category with an average of 25+ minutes. If Kalkbrenner remains the starting center, he’s a must-roster player. If he gets caught in a crazy center rotation, we can look for other options.
Ryan Dunn (F – PHO): 20% Rostered
There aren’t many players better suited for fantasy basketball than a guard or forward who helps you in the block category. That is exactly what Ryan Dunn brings to the table. His block numbers have been outstanding through the first week of the season. Although he averaged just 0.5 blocks last year, the 20+ minutes he gets combined with the age of Phoenix’s other bench forward, Royce O’Neale, make Dunn a great breakout candidate for this season. Consider rostering Dunn primarily as a block and rebounds guy with potential to help you in all categories.
Steals
Matisse Thybulle (SG, SF – POR): 2% Rostered
With at least 2 steals in each of his last two games, Matisse Thybulle is a clear candidate for a lift in this category. Not to mention, he is providing stats across all categories in limited minutes. Definitely consider Matisse in deeper leagues.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG, SF – MEM): 21% Rostered
In his long, championship-winning career, KCP can always be counted on for defensive stats. Through two games with his new team, the Memphis Grizzlies, Caldwell-Pope has notched only two steals, but he will always have an opportunity to contribute in that category. Look for the 12-year vet on your league’s waiver wire this week.
Three-Pointers Made
Sam Merrill (SG – CLE): 2% Rostered
Cleveland’s three-point specialist has been red hot through the first week of the fantasy season and has had 10 opportunities to shoot from beyond the arc in each game so far. If Sam Merrill remains in the starting lineup or can at least maintain 25+ minutes of game action, he is absolutely worth a look for a quick boost to your three-point category.
Duncan Robinson (SG – DET): 11% Rostered
Robinson was part of a sign-and-trade from Miami to Detroit this offseason, and his new team could not be more willing to utilize his three-point talents. Robinson has played big minutes and attempted at least 5 threes per game. Robinson is someone who most likely won’t provide for you in other categories consistently, but can always be used in spots where three pointers are a must to win your matchup.
Field-Goal Percentage
Neemias Queta (C – BOS): 36% Rostered
The starting center for the Boston Celtics has been living at the rim in this first week, taking few shots and scoring most of them. The Celtics have been putting out small-ball lineups for the majority of the rotation thus far, but they count on Queta in the post as he’s been looking like the best center on the roster by a long shot. As the kids say, let Queta cook.
Moussa Diabate (C – CHA): 17% Rostered
Diabate seemed like he would have an opportunity to start for the Charlotte Hornets this season with Mark Williams and Nick Richards off the roster. However, rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner has been awarded most of the center minutes so far. Nonetheless, Diabate shot the ball at a high clip in 21 minutes of action and finished just one rebound shy of a double-double. Keep Diabate on your radar, especially if he overtakes the starting role at some point.
Free-Throw Percentage
Gradey Dick (SG, SF- TOR): 36% Rostered
Converting on 7 of 8 free throws to start the season, Dick is an interesting stream in this category, but may be hampered by limited minutes, depending on which Toronto guard or guards are chosen to come off the bench on any given night. We’re betting on Gradey to win the battle against Ochai Agbaji and Jamal Shead, so Dick could be worth the add as a streamer, but this bench guard rotation will be worth keeping an eye on.
Cole Anthony (PG- MIL): 12% Rostered
While Kevin Porter Jr. remains sidelined with an injury, Cole Anthony is set to fill the point guard role for the second unit and earn some additional opportunities at the charity stripe. Anthony has shot well above 80% in each season of his career, so there’s no reason to think he can’t help you out in a pinch here for week 2 of the fantasy season.
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