The NBA schedule hits the one-month mark this week, and a fresh group of lightly rostered players is emerging as fantasy managers search for help on the waiver wire. ESPN’s Dr. André Snellings singled out veterans stepping into bigger roles, injury replacements thriving with extra minutes and rookies proving they belong. All roster-percentage figures are from ESPN leagues as of Nov. 17, 2025.
Point guards
Daniss Jenkins, Detroit Pistons (11.7%) — With Cade Cunningham sidelined, Jenkins averaged 18.5 points, 10.0 assists and 2.5 three-pointers over two starts after posting 24-8-4 with four steals in 34 minutes earlier in the week.
Vit Krejci, Atlanta Hawks (4.4%) — Krejci poured in 45 points and 10 triples across two games while Trae Young and Nickeil Alexander-Walker were out. Even in a bench role, he’s supplying mid-teens scoring and multiple threes most nights.
Davion Mitchell, Miami Heat (42.9%) — Mitchell has hit at least one three in six straight contests, a span featuring 11.3 points, 7.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game, plus two points-assists double-doubles.
Shooting guards
Kevin Huerter, Chicago Bulls (27.6%) — Normally a steady bench scorer, Huerter topped 20 points in both games Josh Giddey missed last week while adding rebounds, assists, threes and defensive stats.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, LA Clippers (6.1%) — Injuries to Bradley Beal and intermittent absences for Kawhi Leonard have opened 25–30 minutes for Bogdanovic, who is delivering mid-teens scoring, roughly three threes and 1–2 steals.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks (32.8%) — After a brief back injury, Alexander-Walker returned to produce upper-teens scoring along with a handful of assists and rebounds, 1–2 threes, plus a steal and a block per game while Young remains out.
Small forwards
Naji Marshall, Dallas Mavericks (16.7%) — Filling in for Anthony Davis, Marshall is averaging close to 20 points, six rebounds, two threes and more than one steal while logging about 30 minutes.
Duncan Robinson, Detroit Pistons (9.1%) — Robinson’s long-range shooting has yielded 17.0 points, 4.3 threes and 1.8 steals across his last four outings, making him a category-league asset even when the Pistons are healthy.
Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz (33.4%) — The rookie moved into Utah’s starting lineup last week and immediately flashed 20-point potential. The Jazz have begun featuring him as a primary scorer.
Power forwards
Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee Bucks (27.4%) — Kuzma’s volatility is well-known, highlighted by a 29-point, 10-rebound, five-assist, four-steal, two-block gem on Friday followed by a one-point effort the next night. The ceiling keeps him roster-worthy.
Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets (45.0%) — A regular starter, Smith contributes mid-teens scoring with 20-point upside, solid rebounding and 3-and-D production, plus dual PF/C eligibility.
Centers
Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks (49.0%) — With Davis out and Dereck Lively II limited, Gafford averaged 15.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.0 steal over three games last week.
Moussa Diabate, Charlotte Hornets (21.0%) — Despite a bench role, Diabate offers nightly double-double potential along with a steal and nearly two blocks, serving as an energetic spark for Charlotte.
Fantasy managers in need of immediate production or long-term upside may find answers among these under-the-radar options as the season’s first month comes to a close.
Source: ESPN
