While fantasy managers are still dealing with a small sample size when evaluating the waiver wire, there is a lot more data to consider. Add in the serious injuries that have already occurred and now is the time to take some “swings”. During Week 2, Stephen Curry (Golden State), Paolo Banchero (Orlando), and Kyle Kuzma (Washington) are just three of the players who were lost to injury, and these are not just “everyday” injuries, are they.
We’re also still awaiting word on Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and Paul George, neither of whom have appeared in a game this season. The same goes for Clippers star Kawhi Leonard. Let’s take a look at some players you should be looking for on your league’s waiver wire, starting with the Hornets backup, who was a very suitable fill-in.
Priority Additions
1. Nick Richards
2. Bilal Coulibaly
3. Santi Aldama
4. Zacharias Risacher
5. Grady Dick
6. Payton Pritchard
7. Anthony Black
8. Three Man
9. Jordan Hawkins
10. Jonathan Mogbo
Nick Richards, Charlotte Hornets (45% listed, Yahoo)
We’ve gone this route before with Richards, yet he’s still listed in less than 50% of Yahoo links. Until Mark Williams is cleared to return from his foot injury, Richards is still very much in play in standard leagues. Through four games, the Hornets center is averaging 13.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.5 blocks in 30.5 minutes, shooting 65.6% from the field and 60.0% from the foul line. Williams has no timeline for a return, and he will likely be under some kind of minutes restriction when that time comes. If Richards is available, take him.
Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies (42%)
Aldama got off to a great start to the season, averaging 13.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 1.8 3-pointers in 27.8 minutes per game. Also, the percentages (51.6% FG, 100% FT) were very good for the Grizzlies’ fourth-year forward. Aldama started Thursday’s win over Milwaukee in the absence of Desmond Bane, playing 33 minutes. In addition to the Bane injury, Jaren Jackson Jr. still not fully going in terms of the minutes he plays. Aldama is a solid choice, especially for managers looking for an effective frontcourt player who rebounds well. Memphis plays four games in Week 3.
Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards (39%)
Coulibaly’s value increased even before the Wizards lost Kyle Kuzman to a groin injury. The second-year guard had his best game of the season on Wednesday in a win over the Hawks, putting up a career-high 27 points to go along with nine rebounds, one assist, three steals, one block, and three 3-pointers. . After scoring 17 points or more in three straight games, Coulibaly is averaging 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.0 3-pointers in 34.0 minutes. Can he keep up the scoring throughout the season? We will see. But given his current place within the Wizards rotation, Coulibaly is a safe bet for fantasy managers to make. The only negative is the Week 3 schedule, where Washington plays three games (Monday, Friday and Sunday).
Three Man, Charlotte Hornets (39%)
Mann showed signs of potentially being a factor last season after the Hornets acquired him from the Thunder at the February trade deadline. But that was when the team was without LaMelo Ball, so how real could that progress be? It’s genuine, based on how Mann started this season. Through four games, he is averaging 20.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 3.0 3-pointers in 28.5 minutes, shooting 44.6% from the field and 100% from the foul line. The backup role can be volatile in terms of fantasy value, but Mann’s importance to the Hornets makes him a worthwhile addition, especially with the Hornets playing four games in Week 3.
Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics (35%)
Pritchard has been a valuable backup in Boston for a while, but the production has improved this season. In five games, all off the bench, he is averaging 16.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 4.6 3-pointers in 27.6 minutes, shooting 45.6% from the field and 100% from the foul line. Considering the strength of Boston’s starting lineup, Pritchard’s production is no small feat. The Celtics play four games in Week 3, and managers looking for a boost to finish Week 2 should strongly consider adding him before their Friday/Saturday back-to-back in Charlotte.
Grady Dick, Toronto Raptors (33%)
Already a member of the Raptors’ starting lineup, the second-year wing’s fantasy value got an (unfortunate) boost when an orbital bone fracture sidelined Scottie Barnes. Barnes will miss at least three weeks, and with Immanuel Quickley (pelvis) also sidelined, there is an even greater need for Dick’s offensive production. He has scored 15 points or more in three straight and four of Toronto’s first five games, most recently scoring 30 in a loss to the Hornets. Next, pay attention to the thefts category. While Gradey can definitely put points on the board, the steals may be where he boosts his fantasy value even more. He had three against Charlotte.
Jordan Hawkins (26%) and Jose Alvarado (8%), New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans were one of the teams hit hard by injuries during Week 2, with CJ McCollum (thigh) and Herb Jones (shoulder) joining Dejounte Murray (hand) and Trey Murphy (hamstring) on the sidelines. As a result, Alvarado and Hawkins started Wednesday’s loss to the Warriors and will likely do the same on Friday against the Pacers. While the field goal percentages weren’t great for either, Hawkins (four rebounds, one assist, and four 3-pointers) scored 23 points, and Alvarado (five rebounds, four assists, one steal, two blocks, and four 3-pointers). ) scored 16. New Orleans only plays three games in Week 3, but Hawkins and Alvarado might have added value to start the week.
Zachary Risacher, Atlanta Hawks (25%)
The aftermath of Monday’s game between the Hawks and Wizards was brutal from an injury point, as both teams lost rotation players. De’Andre Hunter (knee) sitting out propelled Risacher into the starting lineup, and then the Hawks lost Dyson Daniels to a hip injury. Add in the continued absence of Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring) and Vit Krejci (thigh) going down, and the team is extremely light on wing options. That makes Risacher worth the risk, even if performance is a concern at this early stage of his career. The Hawks play four games in Week 3, including a Friday/Saturday back-to-back against the Pistons and Bulls.
Royce O’Neale (19%) and Ryan Dunn (2%), Phoenix Suns
O’Neale and Dunn have made valuable contributions to the Suns so far, with the latter making two starts in place of the injured Bradley Beal (elbow). During Thursday’s win over the Clippers, O’Neale scored a career-high 21 points (16 in the second half), while Dunn added 16 as a point starter. Both bring solid defensive value to the table, and they’ve also been solid offensively. Dunn’s value in Week 3 will depend on Beal’s availability, while O’Neale is the safer option to come off the waiver wire.
Kyle Filipowski (11%) and Cody Williams (3%), Utah Jazz
Utah lost Taylor Hendricks (fibula/ankle) to a brutal injury in Dallas on Monday, with the second-year forward ruled out for the rest of the season. Enter Williams, who made his first career start the following night against the Kings. The first-round pick out of Colorado has put up modest numbers in his first two starts, but playing time shouldn’t be too hard to come by. And it’s Filipowski who started Thursday’s loss against the Spurs in place of the injured Lauri Markkanen (back). While Williams has the longer runway due to the severity of Hendricks’ injury, Filipowski also has value. And with Utah off to an 0-5 start, this team looks primed to focus on playing the “kids” once the calendar flips to 2025. The Jazz play three games during Week 3, starting with the Bulls on Monday.
Moritz Wagner (9%) and Anthony Black (8%), Orlando Magic
As noted in the introduction, the Magic lost Paolo Banchero (oblique), and he won’t be reevaluated for another 4-to-6 weeks. So, who should fantasy managers target? Even with Jonathan Isaac’s upside, the minutes aren’t there yet due to his recent return from a hip injury, and we’re well aware of his overall health history. Hopefully, Isaac can emerge as a factor, but Wagner and Black are safer options right now. Wagner is Wendell Carter Jr.’s primary backup, but his minutes could increase soon. As for Black, he has the size and defensive ability to play alongside Jalen Suggs and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope; the key will be improving his offensive production. The Magic play four games during Week 3, starting with the Thunder on Monday.
Jonathan Mogbo, Toronto Raptors (8%)
The Raptors losing Scottie Barnes pushed Mogbo into the starting lineup, and the second-round pick out of San Francisco has the skill set needed to make an impact in division leagues. While Mogbo only played 25 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Hornets, he finished with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two blocked shots. Ochai Agbaji played 29 minutes from the bench, but Mogbo offers a higher advantage. Toronto will play four games on the road during Week 3, starting with the Nuggets on Monday.
Zaire Williams, Brooklyn Nets (8%)
Williams picked up the production after scoring nine points or less in each of his first three games. He scored 18 points in Tuesday’s overtime loss to the Nuggets and followed that performance with a 17/1/3/4/1 line against his former team (Memphis) the next night. Brooklyn has a lot of young wings on their roster, and sifting through that can be difficult for fantasy managers. But Williams is worth a look, even with the Nets only playing three games in Week 3. They finish the week with a Friday/Saturday back-to-back, and Ben Simmons isn’t at the point where he’ll play both ends. .
