Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Best Pickups for New Year’s Week

Injuries and schedule quirks can quickly reshape the fantasy basketball landscape, and New Year's Week is no exception. With Nikola Jokic headlining a growing NBA injury report, savvy managers must turn to the waiver wire to protect their place in the fantasy basketball rankings. This breakdown highlights the best pickups based on recent NBA news, expanded roles, and shifting rotations tied to updated NBA lineups and depth charts. Using current fantasy basketball stats and short-term opportunity, these adds can provide immediate value in standard leagues. If you're scanning the latest fantasy basketball news for an edge, these waiver targets deserve close attention.

Best Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups

Jonas Valanciunas, Denver Nuggets (28% rostered)

For the first time in his career, Jokic is going to play fewer than 69 games in a season. It's a crushing blow to those who drafted him, as there is no making up for his production. Through 32 games, Jokic was in the MVP discussion again with averages of 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 11.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.1 three-pointers.

The only silver lining here for the Nuggets is that they finally have a capable backup center on their roster. While Valančiūnas has not played much this season, he averaged 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds across just 19 minutes a game last season. The last time he logged at least 25 minutes a game came during the 2022-23 season. In that campaign, he averaged 14.1 points and 10.2 rebounds. He can at least threaten to provide a double-double on a nightly basis, so Valančiūnas should be considered as the top waiver wire add right now.

Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls (22% rostered)

The Bulls are the team that has been hit hard by injuries lately. Josh Giddey (hamstring) won't even be re-evaluated for two weeks. Coby White will be out at least one week after injuring his right calf again, and Zach Collins (toe) will miss at least 10 days. Giddey has been the driving force behind the Bulls, and White averages 19.2 points per game. Even Collins was playing an important role off the bench, scoring at least 10 points in each of his last six games.

We have seen Jones fill in for White before. When Jones started the first 11 games of the season, he averaged 13.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.1 steals. He also helped fantasy managers with his efficiency, shooting 49.5% from the field and 84.6% from the free-throw line. Don't hesitate to add Jones now.

Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls (21% rostered)

With the Bulls missing so many key players, Jones isn't the only option on their roster to consider adding. Dosunmu has averaged four fewer minutes per game than last season, but he is still averaging a career-high 13.8 points and 1.7 three-pointers. After shooting 32.8% from behind the arc last season, he has shot 42.6% this season. However, he hasn't stepped up in other departments, with averages of 2.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 0.6 steals.

Since Giddey and White will be out for at least one week, Dosunmu should at least approach 30 minutes a night moving forward. After Wednesday's game against the Pelicans, the Bulls have six more games through next weekend. Dosunmu can provide added value during that span.

Sandro Mamukelashvili, Toronto Raptors (21% rostered)

Jakob Poeltl continues to battle a back injury that has bothered him at times this season. Currently, he is expected to be out for at least one week as he completes a program of "intensive rehab and strengthening." It makes sense for the Raptors to sit him right now because, when he has been on the floor, he hasn't been as impactful as usual. Through 21 games, he has averaged only 9.7 points and 7.7 rebounds.

Mamukelashvili has been the main beneficiary of Poeltl's injury. He has averaged 27 minutes over the last seven games, compared to his season average of 21 minutes. With added playing time in hand, he averaged 14.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 2.4 three-pointers during that span. The return of RJ Barrett isn't the best of news for Mamukelashvili, but as long as Poeltl remains out, Mamukelashvili should be rostered in 12-team leagues.

Kevin Huerter, Chicago Bulls (8% rostered)

We're headed back to Chicago for more value off the waiver wire. Huerter is a great target for those who need help from behind the arc. He is averaging 1.7 triples in just 24 minutes per game. That's actually the lowest mark of his career. Prior to that, he had six straight seasons in which he averaged at least 1.9 three-pointers. There's a chance that Huerter could log close to 30 minutes a game for a while, so he's at least worth rostering in 14-team and deeper leagues.

Jalen Smith, Chicago Bulls (6% rostered)

When Collins returned from an injury that sidelined him to begin the season, the Bulls leaned more into two-big lineups. Smith is one of the big men who has played more, seeing at least 22 minutes in three straight games. Over those three games, he averaged 10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 2.3 three-pointers.

Smith has played at least 20 minutes in a game six times this season. Over those matchups, he averaged 11.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 2.2 three-pointers. While he doesn't have nearly the same upside that Valančiūnas does, he's another big man to consider adding, especially in deeper formats.