Top Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups: Key Players to Boost Your Roster

With the All-Star break approaching, now is the time to reassess your roster using updated fantasy basketball rankings, NBA player projections and the latest NBA injury reports. Monitoring NBA starting lineups, depth charts and recent NBA player stats can uncover breakout candidates before they rise in NBA fantasy circles. This waiver wire breakdown highlights emerging contributors poised to deliver value in competitive NBA fantasy formats.

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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups

Isaiah Collier, Utah Jazz (43% rostered)

We have seen Collier shine in the later stages of the season before. Last season, he averaged 12.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.1 steals over 25 games following the All-Star break. The downside was that he shot a modest 43.3% from the field. Still, he logged 30 minutes a game with the Jazz tanking.

The Jazz have intensified their tanking efforts lately, which has resulted in Collier averaging 33 minutes over their last 10 games. During that span he provided 15.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 10.4 assists and 1.8 steals a night, while shooting 52.1% from the field. He even shot 76.9% from the free throw line during that span, up from his season mark of 68.6%. As we march towards the finish line, Collier should continue to play a lot. He might not be eligible for this column much longer.

Visit RotoWire's NBA Daily Starting Lineups and NBA News for up-to-the-minute information!

Naji Marshall, Dallas Mavericks (36% rostered)

Marshall is on pace to average career highs in points (15.0) and rebounds (5.0) per game. That's in addition to his 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals a game. While he's not draining a ton of three-pointers, he is shooting 53.1% from the field and averaging 30 minutes a night. Although he came off the bench in the Mavericks' last game Tuesday, he still scored 31 points and played 36 minutes.

Following the Anthony Davis trade, the Mavericks are lacking scoring options behind Cooper Flagg. P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford have struggled to stay healthy, while veteran Khris Middleton will likely fill a limited role after being acquired from Washington. Marshall has a path to continue to play around 30 minutes a game, making him a viable fantasy option in most formats.

Stay up to date on who is in and who is out with RotoWire's NBA Injury Report!

Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz (33% rostered)

Bailey's overall numbers for the season aren't great. He's averaging 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 three-pointers, none of which scream valuable fantasy option. He's also shooting a modest 44.9% from the field to go along with a 70.8% mark at the free throw line. However, the problem has been limited playing time. Not only has he started the last 16 games, but he averaged 32 minutes during that span.

With Bailey playing more, he has averaged 15.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.7 three-pointers since becoming a regular starter. He has also improved his efficiency, shooting 46.5% from the field and 77.8% from the charity stripe in that role. As the Jazz continue to rest the likes of Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jusuf Nurkic and Keyonte George on a regular basis, Bailey should play a lot.

Find out who to target the rest of the way with RotoWire's NBA Projections!

Jaylon Tyson, Cleveland Cavaliers (26% rostered)

The Cavaliers trading De'Andre Hunter to the Kings helped with their cap situation. They could afford to move him, given how well Tyson has played this season. He has started each of the last 14 games, logging 30 minutes a night along the way. In that role, he averaged 16.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.6 three-pointers.

In his rookie campaign, Tyson shot 43.0% from the field and 34.5% from three in limited minutes. With regular playing time in hand, he has shot 51.4% from the field and 47.5% from deep this season. Max Strus (foot) has yet to play this season, but even when he does get healthy, he likely won't take significant playing time away from Tyson. That makes Tyson a viable fantasy option in 12-team and deeper leagues.

Jalen Smith, Chicago Bulls (21% rostered)

The Bulls trading Nikole Vucevic to the Celtics was one of their many moves at the deadline. They acquired Guerschon Yabusele and Nick Richards in separate trades, adding some depth to the center position. However, both players have struggled to find playing time this season and aren't part of the Bulls' long-term plans. The biggest winner of the Vucevic trade stands to be Smith, who averages 10.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 0.8 blocks and 1.5 three-pointers in only 20 minutes per game.

The problem with Smith right now is he is battling a calf injury that has forced him to miss five of the last seven games. However, with the All-Star break giving him added time to recover, he might not miss a lot more time, if any. Adding him now could pay significant dividends in the long run.

Nique Clifford, Sacramento Kings (17% rostered)

The Kings added Hunter at the trade deadline despite being well out of the playoff hunt. He immediately got hurt, suffering an eye injury that has sidelined him for three straight games. With the team struggling, Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook have all missed time with ailments or for rest purposes lately. DeMar DeRozan has even played 29 or fewer minutes in five of their last seven games.

Since the Kings are playing shorthanded, Clifford has averaged 34 minutes over the last seven games. He parlayed that into averages of 13.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.9 three-pointers. After he was selected in the first round of the 2025 Draft, the Kings might want to get an extended look at him down the stretch. For those who play in deeper formats, Clifford is someone to at least consider adding.