It’s only the first few weeks of the season, but injuries and shifting rotations have already created new opportunities across the league for fantasy basketball managers. Several under-the-radar players are stepping into bigger roles and producing at a rate worth monitoring. Now is the perfect time to strike on the waiver wire and strengthen your roster before your competition does.
Using rostered percentages from Yahoo Sports, we have highlighted eight players who are still available in over 50% of leagues.
Ryan Rollins, G, Milwaukee Bucks
Rostered: 48%
Ryan Rollins has emerged as one of the best early-season waiver wire finds, thriving in an expanded role for the Milwaukee Bucks.
With Kevin Porter Jr. sidelined, Rollins has started and averaged 18.3 points, 6.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 2.2 made threes per game on elite shooting splits. He put together back-to-back scoring explosions and looks every bit like a player capable of sustaining second-round fantasy value for as long as he remains in the starting lineup.
RYAN ROLLINS DUNKS OVER PASCAL SIAKAM…REMEMBER THE NAME🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/s5v0x4QCgm
— SnarkPlug (@snarkplug) November 4, 2025
Beyond the box score, Rollins has earned the trust of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks’ coaching staff, which bodes well even when Porter returns. His balanced profile, featuring strong efficiency, steals, and playmaking, makes him a multi-category contributor who shouldn’t be overlooked. If Rollins is still floating on your waiver wire, this may be your final chance to grab a breakout guard with lasting fantasy upside.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Atlanta Hawks
Rostered: 37%
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has quickly become one of the best fantasy adds with Trae Young sidelined for the next month. The versatile Atlanta Hawks guard has stepped into a larger role and produced steady offense, averaging 16.9 points, 3.4 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and over two defensive statistics per game, according to Basketball Reference.
Whether starting or coming off the bench, he’s emerged as a reliable scoring option for Atlanta who can chip in threes, steals, and free throws at strong percentages.
Fantasy managers should take advantage of the extra playing time while Young is out. Alexander-Walker is logging around 30 minutes per game and showing comfortable control of the offense, regularly scoring in double figures and contributing across multiple categories.
His field-goal percentage may lag at times, but his opportunity, consistency, and ability to fill stat lines make him a must-add for those needing short-term guard depth with long-term upside.
Jake LaRavia, F, Los Angeles Lakers
Rostered: 30%
Jake LaRavia has made the most of his expanded role with several Lakers sidelined, emerging as a strong short-term fantasy pickup with long-term upside. Over his last six games, the fourth-year forward has averaged 15.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.7 threes while shooting over 54.5% from the field.
He’s proven effective whether starting or coming off the bench, displaying improved efficiency and versatility, even logging minutes at shooting guard.
While LaRavia’s production could dip once LeBron James returns, his recent play suggests he’ll maintain a meaningful spot in the rotation. His combination of rebounding, efficient scoring, and multi-positional value gives him fantasy appeal in both deep and standard leagues. Managers looking for a steady contributor who won’t hurt percentages should add LaRavia before his breakout becomes common knowledge.
Josh Minott, F, Boston Celtics
Rostered: 20%
Josh Minott has stepped into Boston’s rotation and quickly made a fantasy impact with his energy and versatility. The 22-year-old forward brings steady defensive stats, rebounding, and hustle plays that translate well across formats.
While his scoring can fluctuate, he’s locked into starter-level minutes for now and offers reliable contributions in steals, boards, and field-goal percentage. Managers seeking multi-category production with upside should consider him before his role becomes more established.
Minott’s long-term value depends on roster stability and potential lineup changes, but he fits the mold of a player who can sustain relevance even in fewer offensive touches. His improved efficiency and active defense make him a valuable hold, especially in deeper formats. If he continues to outwork rotation competitors like Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman, he could move from a short-term streamer to a season-long fantasy asset.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., G/F, Miami Heat
Rostered: 39%
Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been one of the early breakout performers this season, delivering efficient all-around production for Miami. Over his last six games, he’s averaged 17.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists while shooting over 54% from the field. Even in a bench role, Jaquez has logged consistent minutes, never playing fewer than 26 per game. He is firmly entrenched as a key part of the Heat’s rotation.
Jaquez’s steady output in multiple categories makes him a strong addition for fantasy managers needing scoring and rebounding help. His ceiling may not reach superstar levels due to his limited 3-point and defensive stats, but his floor is unusually high for a waiver pickup. With his confidence soaring and playing time secure, he’s proving last season’s inconsistency is behind him.
Efficient scorers who contribute across the board don’t stay available for long, making Jaquez a high-priority add in both standard and deeper fantasy formats.
Quentin Grimes, G, Philadelphia 76ers
Rostered: 40%
Quentin Grimes has quietly become one of the most reliable scorers on the waiver wire early in the season, thriving in an expanded role for the Philadelphia 76ers. Even coming off the bench, he’s averaging 18.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists across his first six games while logging over 31 minutes per night.
With Kelly Oubre Jr. now sidelined by an ankle injury, Grimes’ path to steady usage looks even clearer. His ability to contribute in multiple categories, especially threes and assists, gives him strong short- and medium-term fantasy appeal.
While Grimes’ scoring surge could level off, the volume and trust he’s earned from the Sixers’ coaching staff suggest his breakout is sustainable. He’s posting consistent double-digit scoring nights, and his shooting from deep makes him a valuable boost for perimeter production. Fantasy managers looking for a well-rounded guard with scoring upside and stable minutes should grab Grimes before his roster percentage climbs any higher.
Bilal Coulibaly, G/F, Washington Wizards
Rostered: 36%
Bilal Coulibaly has made an immediate impact since returning from thumb surgery, reclaiming his starting role and averaging 13.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, along with substantial defensive numbers. His ability to contribute across multiple categories makes him an appealing fantasy add, especially given his growing workload of over 26 minutes per game.
Le match des frenchies des @WashWizards au MSG !
🇫🇷 Alexandre Sarr : 19 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST, 2 BLK
🇫🇷 Bilal Coulibaly : 15 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 2 STLLes Wizards s’inclinent 102-119 pic.twitter.com/JZH6NRhaZm
— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) November 4, 2025
With his minutes likely to rise as he regains full conditioning, Coulibaly brings the type of all-around upside that can stabilize a roster in both roto and head-to-head formats. While some inconsistency is likely as he continues adjusting post-injury, Coulibaly’s defensive production gives him a reliable fantasy floor. He’s entering his third season as a full-time starter and has already shown improved scoring confidence inside the arc.
For managers searching for a versatile forward capable of filling stat lines on both ends, Coulibaly is a worthwhile pickup with strong breakout potential as Washington leans on its young core.
Collin Gillespie, G, Phoenix Suns
Rostered: 24%
Collin Gillespie has taken full advantage of expanded minutes with the Phoenix Suns, thriving with Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks sidelined.
Over his last four games, the third-year guard has averaged 14.0 points, 7.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and nearly two steals per game while hitting multiple threes in six straight outings. His ability to manage the offense and contribute across several categories makes him one of the best short-term guard adds in fantasy right now.
Even when the Suns return to full strength, Gillespie’s steady shooting and playmaking should keep him in the rotation for a healthy workload every night. His growing confidence and efficiency from long range give him lasting appeal in deeper leagues, while his current run of assists and defensive stats make him a worthwhile streamer in standard formats.
Fantasy managers needing immediate guard depth or a boost in threes and dimes should act quickly before the window closes.