Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Vince Williams flies with Ja Morant sidelined

In the blink of an eye, we’re heading into Week 6 of the NBA season. Major injuries continue to increase and fantasy managers should have a “next man up” mentality when looking at the waiver wire.

Players featured in previous columns continue to thrive, and this week’s iteration features some familiar names and some new additions.

Announcement

Here are the best waiver wire additions coming in the new week!

Fantasy Basketball Week 6 Schedule Primer: How Much Will Kawhi Leonard Play?

The Clippers star will reportedly return from injury on Sunday, which is great news for fantasy managers.

Priority additions

1. Vince Williams Jr.
2. Derik Regina
3. Kon Knueppel
4. Reed Sheppard
5. Collin Gillespie
6. Moussa Diabaté
7. Peyton Watson
8. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
9. Antonio Nero
10. Harrison Barnes
11.Bobby Portis
12. Jaylon Tyson

Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (47% on roster)

This will definitely be the last week I can include Knueppel in this article, as his roster percentage will cross the 50% mark. I’m shocked that it’s still available on more than half of all Yahoo! leagues, but there’s still time to catch him before it’s too late. The rookie’s numbers speak for themselves, as he has proven to be more than just a specialist in the point and three-point categories.

Announcement

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks (42% roster)

NAW averaged a career-best 19.7 points per game this season, and improved it even more offensively in the last week. He scored 26 points against the Suns on Sunday, before scoring 24 against the Pistons on Tuesday and scoring 38 points against the Spurs on Thursday. Alexander-Walker refreshed himself on Saturday, but with Trae Young put aside, NAW will see a lot of racing for the foreseeable future, making it a strong addition.

Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets (40% roster)

Sheppard is another holdover from last week’s article, and like Knueppel, I’ll continue to include him until he gets above 50% of the roster. Sheppard continues to shine off the bench and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon. Over the last seven, he averaged 17.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 3.6 3-pointers. His marvelous run culminated with a career-best 27 points in Friday’s narrow win over Denver.

Announcement

Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans (36% on roster)

Queen was the No. 1 pick in last week’s Waiver Wire article, and the fantasy managers who chose him were handsomely rewarded. Queen’s production in his first two starts was solid, but relatively modest, but he exploded in his next two starts, averaging 25 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks. Make no mistake, Queen is a MUST-ROSTER option with a sky-high ceiling that should be picked up now before he gets plucked off the waiver wire.

Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks (27% roster)

Big Bobby P consistently stepped up big time when Giannis Antetokounmpo he’s wasted time, and fantasy managers should get him while the Greek Freak is sidelined. Portis started Thursday’s loss to the 76ers, finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds, one steal and a 3-pointer in 28 minutes. He posted an 18/7/2 line with four 3-pointers on Saturday, logging just 25 minutes. He will be a strong source of points and rebounds until Antetokounmpo returns.

Announcement

Moussa Diabate, Charlotte Hornets (26% on roster)

Diabate was in the lead heading into Saturday’s matchup with the Clippers, contributing significantly to production off the bench behind the starting center Ryan Kalkbrenner. Kalkbrenner suffered an ankle injury after just 11 minutes on Saturday, and Diabate’s fantasy value is much higher, as he has the potential to join Charlotte’s starting lineup. He averaged 10.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 22.9 minutes per game, so he has the potential to average a double-double with two blocks if given starting minutes.

Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs (22% on roster)

Barnes can burn you, there’s no denying that. We saw it heat up quickly and then cool down just as quickly. Its recent run of success seems more sustainable, however Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper AND Steph’s Castle set aside. Barnes has been a starter all season, but his production has seen a noticeable increase since Wemby went to the sidelines. In his last three games, Barnes has averaged 19.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.0 3-pointers. Luca Kornet was a popular hit when Wemby’s injury was announced, but Kornet hasn’t been great in his three games. Deeper leagues are worth checking out, but don’t get too excited if you play in a standard league.

Vince Williams Jr., Memphis Grizzlies (20% on roster)

Ja Morant he logged just six total minutes in Memphis’ last four games before Saturday’s matchup with Dallas, and the VW Bus was on the road all week. Williams Jr. averaged 9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.5 3-pointers in that span, dishing out 15 assists in Thursday’s win over Sacramento. Williams Jr. remained productive Saturday, producing a double-double with a 10/10/5/2 line. He didn’t stand out as a scorer, but he provided solid fantasy value with elite rebounds, assists and steals. Williams Jr. doesn’t need to score at a high level to be relevant in standard leagues, but he’s made strides in that department as well.

Announcement

Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns (20% roster)

Phoenix has dealt with several injuries in the backcourt this season and Gillespie has stepped up to answer the call. In his last three games (all off the bench), Gillespie has contributed 18 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 3.0 3-pointers. Despite coming off the bench, he was given confidence in late-game situations, highlighted by his leaping lead with 6.4 seconds to play in Friday’s one-point win over the Timberwolves.

Peyton Watson, Denver Nuggets (18% on roster)

Cristiano Braun he’s out for several weeks and Aaron Gordon re-aggravated his hamstring injury in Friday’s loss to Houston. That means Watson should see plenty of running moving forward. He’s seeing big minutes and has been the most consistent of the replacement options for Braun and Gordon, offering something more in the box score than Cameron Johnson OR Tim Hardaway Jr. THJ is worth a look if you need points and 3-pointers, but Watson’s stats are more complete and better suited to division championships.

Announcement

Anthony Black, Orlando Magic (16% on roster)

Black is enjoying the most productive campaign of his short NBA career as he averages 11.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.6 blocks and a 3-pointer in 27 minutes. He has stepped up on both ends of the floor as of late, offering microwave offense and stalking defense, both of which are useful for fantasy managers, particularly in class leagues.

Jaylon Tyson, Cleveland Cavaliers (10% on roster)

Tyson has started seven of his 12 appearances this season, and the second-year man from Cal has put up strong numbers for Cleveland. He returned from a five-game absence on Friday and delivered a 14/8/3 line with two 3-pointers, no turnovers and a 6-of-7 mark. Tyson should continue to see significant minutes and is worth including in standard leagues, whether he starts or comes off the bench.

Announcement

Others to consider: Jaden McDaniels (46%), Santi Aldama (44%), Dillon Brooks (42%), Neemias Queta (36%), Daniss Jenkins (28%), Moussa Diabate (25%), Jeremiah Fears (25%), Noah Clowney (20%), Tristan da Silva (18%), Luke Kornet (12%), Jay Huff (7%), Tim Hardaway Jr. (6%)