Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Derik Queen is a must add with a new role

Another week of NBA action is in the books, and just like that, we’re heading into Week 5 of the 2025-26 campaign. Detroit continues to separate itself from the pack, Oklahoma City is at the top of a competitive Western Conference and things have gone from bad to worse in Dallas, Sacramento and Indiana.

New and lingering injuries, overlooked options, and strong performances have given us another solid group of players heading into Week 5, including seven first- or second-year players and a couple of guys featured in last week’s article.

Announcement

Let’s get to the heart of it.

Week 5 Fantasy Basketball Schedule Primer: Will LeBron James Be Available?

LeBron, Zion Williamson and Josh Giddey are among the players whose availability and team schedules will impact fantasy basketball in Week 5.

Priority additions

1. Derik Regina
2. Reed Sheppard
3. Kon Knueppel
4.Dillon Brooks
5. Tristan da Silva
6. Jaden McDaniels
7. Ajay Mitchell
8. Ace Bailey
9. André Drummond
10. Zach Edey
11. Bogdan Bogdanovic
12. Tim Hardaway Jr.

Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves (47% on roster)

McDaniels is surprisingly available in 53% of Yahoo! championships, but things will certainly change soon. The Wolves’ two-way glue guy is averaging career highs in points, assists, blocks, three-pointers, FG% and FT% this season. In his last 10 games, he has averaged 19.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.1 blocks and 1.8 3-pointers on ridiculous 60/60/90 shooting splits. His efficiency and scoring may be slowing, but he’s attempting a career-high 12.6 shots while logging nearly 32 minutes per game, and his defensive contributions have been outstanding.

Announcement

Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (44% on roster)

Knueppel was the star of last week’s Waiver Wire column, and he paid off the fantasy managers who added him. In four appearances in Week 4, the rookie averaged 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.8 3-pointers. The highlight of the week was his 32-point explosion in Friday’s OT loss to the Bucks. The future is bright and opportunities will be abundant.

Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder (41% on roster)

Mitchell is filling out the stat sheet for the Thunder, and that should continue whether he’s in the starting lineup or coming off the bench. He’s providing sixth-round value in the first month of the season and averaged 15/4/3 with 1.7 steals, 0.7 blocks and 1.3 3-pointers last week.

Announcement

Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets (39% roster)

Sheppard is having a phenomenal second season, making the most of the increased opportunities he received with Fred VanVleet out for the season. As great as he has been throughout the season, Sheppard has been even better as of late, averaging 15.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.3 steals and 3.3 3-pointers. With Tari Eason (hip) out for at least the next four weeks, expect Sheppard to remain heavily involved offensively and fill minutes off the bench.

Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies (37% on roster)

Edey made his season debut in Saturday’s loss to Cleveland, providing 13 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 25 minutes of action. His playing time could increase as he gets back to game speed, but for now his minutes are enough to provide a solid fantasy floor.

Announcement

Dillon Brooks, Phoenix Suns (37% roster)

It’s hard to ignore a guy who has scored at least 16 points in five consecutive games, making 2.4 3-pointers and 1.6 steals. Brooks is struggling heading into Week 5 after scoring 32+ points in consecutive games. He exploded for a 34/6/1 line with three steals and three 3-pointers on Sunday and will look to keep that momentum moving forward into his next three-game week.

Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz (32% on roster)

Bailey joined Utah’s starting five and made an immediate impact. In his first three games as a starter, he averaged 17 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.7 3-pointers in 28.7 minutes per game. He finished with at least 20 points in two straight games before a miserable performance on Sunday. The Jazz won a thrilling game in OT against the Bulls, but Bailey fouled out after just 10 minutes. Consider the bad evening and take advantage of this opportunity for redemption by adding it.

Announcement

Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans (25% on roster)

Queen’s were regaining strength ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Warriors. In his previous six games, he averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals. His stellar play and change as head coach led to him making his first start of the season, and Queen finished with 9/7/6 and two blocks in 25 minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Warriors. Queen’s move to the first unit is very beneficial to his fantasy vision going forward and should be added across all formats.

Andre Drummond, Philadelphia 76ers (21% on roster)

Joel Embiid continues to miss time with a knee injury, and with Adem Bona (ankle) set to miss at least three games, Drummond should be able to continue a productive run. In his last three games (all starts), Drummond has averaged 14.3 points, 12 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.7 blocks and an astonishing 1.3 3-pointers.

Announcement

Bogdan Bogdanovic, Los Angeles Clippers (15% on roster)

Double Bogie saw a big increase in playing time, logging 37 minutes on Friday and 35 on Sunday. He posted a monster 21/3/3/4 line with five 3-pointers on Friday before coming back to earth with an 11/4/3 line, including a 3-pointer and no defensive stats on Sunday. Despite Sunday’s toned down line, Bogdanovic should be in line for big minutes in the wake of Bradley Beal’s season-ending injury and Kawhi Leonard’s extended absence.

Tristan da Silva, Orlando Magic (11% on roster)

Da Silva is enjoying a productive 2025-26 season, recording career highs in points (11.5), rebounds (3.7) and 3-pointers (2.0). Paolo Banchero’s absence with a groin injury allowed da Silva to join the first unit, and he posted a 22/9/1 line with one block and five 3-pointers on Friday. He started his second straight game on Sunday and had 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, three steals, one block and two 3-pointers in 40 minutes. It’s unclear when Banchero will return and until he returns, da Silva will be worth placing in standard fantasy leagues.

Tim Hardaway Jr., Orlando Magic (8% on roster)

Christian Braun (ankle) will be out for at least four weeks and THJ is expected to replace him in the starting five until his return. Hardaway Jr. drew his first start of the season on Saturday, posting a 23/3/1 line with a block and five 3-pointers in 29 minutes. He is better in points championships than in category championships, but he should offer enough to be valid in the latter as well.

Announcement

Others to consider: Quentin Grimes (41%), Saddiq Bey (20%), TJ McConnell (15%), Collin Gillespie (14%), Noah Clowney (13%), Vit Krejci (11%), Daniss Jenkins (9%), Jarace Walker (6%)