We say this every year, and we’re probably never right, but it sure seems like there have been a lot of injuries so far. From day-to-day players to those banned for an extended period of time, managers are already being forced to dip their toe into the pool that is the waiver wire. Whether it’s for a one-game bump or (potentially) a long-term relationship, knowing who to target before the word hits the street can be crucial to building some early season momentum. Let’s dive into six players who are currently listed in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Tari Eason
Houston Rockets
(28% listed)
Eason remains one of the most polarizing figures in fantasy basketball, thanks in large part to his per-minute production. Despite the upside, Eason has still carved out a consistent role, something that isn’t helped by the fact that the Rockets have one of, if not the deepest rosters in the league. However, things have trended in the right direction over the past week, both in terms of playing minutes and production. During that time he is averaging 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers in 27.3 minutes per game. It’s hard to see him breaking into the starting lineup anytime soon, though he really only needs 25 minutes a night to be able to deliver standard league value. Having been dropped early in the season due to insufficient minutes, it would be worth chasing to see if he is available just in case he can keep this momentum going.
Shaedon Sharpe
Portland Trail Blazers
(27% listed)
Sharpe is a bit of a mystery when it comes to what his exact role will be on a Portland team striving for lottery picks. He made his return against the Spurs on Thursday, recording 13 points in 20 minutes, nearly 10 months to the day since he touched an NBA court. Although his career has been hit by injuries, we managed to get a decent look at him during the first six weeks of the 2023-24 season. During that time he scored in double figures in all but seven games, at one point scoring at least 24 points in five consecutive outings. He has the ability to bang inside on the defensive end and can be a decent rebounder from the guard position. Despite the uncertainty, Sharpe is worth the risk if he was either dropped or simply not drafted in your league.
Carlton Carrington
Washington Wizards
(21% listed)
Carrington started in five of his six NBA appearances, slowly adjusting to the speed and size of the professional game. The Wizards seem to prioritize him, which makes perfect sense, providing him with an element of certainty when it comes to his role. He has scored at least 13 points in three of his past four games, giving him a nice base to work from. Perhaps more impressive was the fact that he has at least six assists in three straight games, something that may not have been as recognized coming out of college. While there will certainly be some bumps in the road, Carrington should be a decent source of both points and assists moving forward, making him somewhat of a plug-and-play option that could exceed expectations from time to time.
Peyton Watson
Denver Nuggets
(21% listed)
Just in case managers in your league have been asleep at the wheel, go ahead and make sure that Watson is somehow not available in your league. Aaron Gordon is likely to miss several weeks with a calf injury, clearing the way for Watson to step into a permanent starting spot. Over the past two games, Watson has averaged 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 2.5 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers in 32.5 minutes per game. The Nuggets certainly need their defensive prowess if they hope to stay at the top of the Western Conference with the likes of the Thunder and the Mavericks. Of all the additions listed, Watson is at the top of the list. However, keep in mind that unlike some players on this list, Watson’s value does have storage. This is a great opportunity for Watson to prove he belongs, an opportunity that if he capitalizes on could lead to more minutes even after Gordon returns.
Goga Bitadze
Orlando Magic
(20% listed)
Having just returned from a foot problem himself, Bitadze immediately moved into the starting lineup after another injury to Wendell Carter. In two starts, Bitadze put up 10.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.0 blocks in 28.5 minutes per game. The Magic also have Moritz Wagner as a viable starting option, albeit one who is more offensive minded. We’ve seen Bitadze set standard league value in the past, so there’s a sample for managers to work from. Carter has no timetable for his return, meaning he could be back next week or in a month. Therefore, Bitadze obviously comes with an element of risk, not to mention the fact that the Magic could go with Wagner at times. If you’re looking for a traditional big man who can occasionally play as a makeshift facilitator, look no further than Bitadze.
Brandon Boston
New Orleans Pelicans
(9% listed)
Boston is a great example of a player taking advantage of a situation that no one saw coming. Already without Trey Murphy coming into the season, the Pelicans later lost Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum, while Zion Williamson also dealt with an ongoing hamstring issue. Coming into the season, Boston wasn’t even close to being on the fantasy radar, being largely undrafted, even in the deepest of leagues. However, managed to stay healthy, he moved into not only a significant role, but a role in the starting lineup. Over the past week, Boston averaged 15.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.8 three-pointers in 32.0 minutes per game. This is absolutely a situation where his value could disappear quickly. However, until that happens, he’s someone to consider grabbing, even in 12-team leagues.
