Waiver Wire Watch: Gillespie, Queen and Nurkic Head List of Fantasy Adds
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The NBA season crossed the one-month mark on Friday, and a faster league pace is turning lightly rostered players into valuable fantasy options. With the average tempo up to 100.4 possessions per game from 98.8 last year, scoring has climbed to 117.0 points per club. That uptick, combined with injuries around the league, has opened the door for several waiver-wire targets.
Point Guard
Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns (27.4% ESPN roster rate)
Recent injuries to Jalen Green and Grayson Allen have pushed Gillespie into roughly 30 minutes a night off the bench. He is delivering upper-teens scoring along with solid rebounds, assists, steals and three-pointers.
Jordan Goodwin, Phoenix Suns (17.3%)
Goodwin is filling a similar role, producing all-around numbers with low-to-mid-teens scoring. Allen is expected back soon, but Green’s longer absence should keep both guards in streaming consideration.
Anthony Black, Orlando Magic (11.9%)
The third-year guard is posting career-best form off the bench, offering mid-teens points on efficient shooting, strong defensive stats and occasional spot starts when Jalen Suggs sits.
Shooting Guard
Vince Williams Jr., Memphis Grizzlies (9.0%)
With Ja Morant sidelined, Williams has moved into the starting lineup and already logged a triple-double. Across his first four starts he has produced double figures in points, rebounds or assists in every outing.
Small Forward
Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards (11.8%)
Coulibaly’s 3-and-D profile includes periodic contributions in every category, making him a flexible option in deeper leagues.
Peyton Watson, Denver Nuggets (10.6%)
Starting for the injured Christian Braun, Watson is averaging 14.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.8 threes, 1.0 steal and 1.0 block over his last five appearances.
Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs (15.7%)
With Victor Wembanyama and rookie Stephon Castle out, Johnson’s bench role has expanded. The 26-year-old is capable of 20-point or 10-rebound nights whenever the Spurs lean on him.
Power Forward
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs (16.1%)
Barnes remains the starting four in San Antonio and has taken on additional scoring responsibility during the team’s injury spell, often flirting with 20 points.
Center
Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans (43.8%)
Inserted into the starting lineup five games ago, the rookie has erupted over his last three: 23.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, five steals and three blocks. His current form places him firmly in the Rookie of the Year conversation.
Jusuf Nurkic, Utah Jazz (21.0%)
Since becoming Utah’s starting center, Nurkic is producing consistent double-doubles and acting as a secondary playmaker with five-assist upside, while adding steals on defense.
Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies (40.5%)
Back from offseason surgery, the second-year big already has multiple double-digit scoring efforts, two 11-rebound games and steady blocks and steals.
The combination of increased possessions and short-handed rotations continues to create fresh waiver opportunities. Fantasy managers in need of immediate help across positions should consider these names before they are widely claimed.
Source: ESPN
