Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups: Rising Role Players Due to Injuries

As injuries continue to reshape rotations across the league, the fantasy basketball waiver wire has become one of the most important tools for staying competitive. Today's edition highlights widely available pickups who are seeing expanded roles, boosted minutes and rising production based on the latest NBA injury reports, depth charts and lineup changes. From emerging starters to reliable bench contributors, these targets are backed by recent fantasy basketball stats, NBA player trends and evolving team situations. Whether you're tracking fantasy basketball news, searching for potential sleepers, or making short-term roster decisions, this guide breaks down the top adds who show real upside moving forward.

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups

Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota Timberwolves (46% rostered)

After averaging a modest 26 minutes per game last season, DiVincenzo has logged 32 minutes a night as a starter for the Timberwolves this season. In his starting role, he has provided 13.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.1 three-pointers per game. He is shooting 38.1% from behind the arc, putting him on pace to shoot at least 38% from deep for the fourth straight season.

The Timberwolves are in the hunt for one of the best records in the Western Conference. If there is an area of their roster that they could look to improve by the trade deadline, it's at point guard. If they were to make a significant move, then DiVincenzo could become a top scoring option for them off the bench. However, until something like that happens, DiVincenzo has been productive enough to be worth rostering in the majority of leagues.

Peyton Watson, Denver Nuggets (42% rostered)

The Nuggets brought in a few veterans during the offseason to improve their depth. That depth has been tested in the early going with many key starters missing time because of injuries. They are currently playing without Nikola Jokic (knee), while Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun have also missed significant time.

If there is a positive that has come out of these injuries, it's that Watson has performed well in an expanded role. Over his last 11 games, he has averaged 21.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers. Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas (calf) should be out for at least a couple more weeks, which means Watson has a clear path to plenty of playing time. With his production in multiple categories, he needs to be rostered in more leagues.

Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors (31% rostered)

The Raptors are loaded with long, athletic players. They added yet another one in Murray-Boyles when they took him with the ninth pick in the 2025 Draft. While he played a limited role off the bench to begin the season, he has taken on added responsibilities with Jakob Poeltl (back) missing time. Murray-Boyles has started each of the last seven games, averaging 10.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks. He also shot 57.1% from the field and 90.0% from the charity stripe during that span.

Injuries have limited Poeltl to just 21 games this season. RJ Barrett (ankle) has played in only 23 games. Those absences have helped Murray-Boyles play more. When they are both healthy, Murray-Boyles is unlikely to start. However, with how well he has performed, he has a path to around 25 minutes a game off the bench. That's enough to make him worth adding in fantasy.

Naji Marshall, Dallas Mavericks (30% rostered)

The Mavericks received more bad injury news Tuesday with Anthony Davis (finger) out for at least the next six weeks. There were some reports that he could miss the remainder of the regular season, but since surgery isn't required at this point, it appears that the worst-case scenario has been avoided. Things got even worse for Dallas on Wednesday when Cooper Flagg was forced out of their game against the Nuggets with an ankle injury.

Davis has missed a lot of time already this season, which has been beneficial Marshall. Over his last 22 games, Marshall has averaged 15.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 three-pointers. He even shot 58.3% from the field during that span. With plenty of minutes and shot attempts likely in the cards for him moving forward, Marshall isn't someone to ignore on the waiver wire.

Cam Spencer, Memphis Grizzlies (25% rostered)

It has been a disappointing season for Ja Morant, who is currently sidelined by a calf ailment. He has appeared in just 18 games and he hasn't performed well when he has been on the floor. Now, there are reports that the Grizzlies are open to trading him. Given his struggles with injuries and off the court issues the last couple of seasons, it wouldn't be a surprise if the franchise does move on from their star point guard.

With Morant missing so much time, Spencer has logged an average of 29 minutes over his last 15 games. During that span, he put up 13.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 2.5 three-pointers per game. For the season, the second-year guard has shot 47.9% from the field and 46.6% from behind the arc. In addition to Morant being injured and possibly traded, Ty Jerome (calf) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) are dealing with long-term injuries. There is a clear path for Spencer to continue to provide valuable stat lines.

Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards (16% rostered)

Trae Young (quadriceps) has yet to make his debut with the Wizards. It was reported Wednesday that he will be out at least through the All-Star break. Armed with one of the worst records in the league, the Wizards aren't exactly motivated to rush Young back onto the floor. If their first-round pick in the 2026 Draft falls outside the top eight, they will send it to the Knicks. In an effort to make sure that they don't lose that selection, it might not be that beneficial for them for Young to play a ton down the stretch.

Johnson stands to benefit from Young being out. He has already started 10 straight games, averaging 14.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.3 three-pointers along the way. He is having an efficient rookie campaign, overall, shooting 45.7% from the field, 91.7% from the charity stripe and 39.4% from three. While he's more of a streaming option in 12-team leagues when the schedule works in his favor, he should be rostered in 14-team and deeper leagues.