Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Sensabaugh, Tyson Shine in Expanded Roles
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ESPN fantasy analyst Dr. André Snellings released his latest waiver-wire recommendations on January 18, 2026, spotlighting lightly rostered players who are gaining traction because of injuries, lineup changes or recent surges in production.
Point Guards
Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls (33.8 % rostered) — Jones continues to start while Josh Giddey ramps up conditioning. He is averaging low- to mid-teens in points, more than seven assists and at least one steal per game, making him a short-term staple in most formats.
Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder (45.8 %) — The rookie remains steady as the Thunder’s sixth man, contributing roughly 15 points, three to four rebounds and assists, a three-pointer and just over one steal nightly, offering dependable streaming value.
Shooting Guards
Grayson Allen, Phoenix Suns (43.4 %) — Back from a late-2025 injury, Allen has boosted his scoring in 2026. With Devin Booker managing an ankle issue, Allen’s hot three-point shooting has become even more critical to Phoenix’s perimeter-oriented offense.
Jaylon Tyson, Cleveland Cavaliers (17.6 %) — Tyson erupted for a career-best 39 points after Darius Garland aggravated a toe injury. The second-year guard, who oscillates between starting and bench roles, has shown clear upside whenever his minutes climb.
Small Forwards
Naji Marshall, Dallas Mavericks (30.1 %) — With Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg sidelined, Marshall has delivered consecutive 20-plus-point outings and replicated last season’s 20-5-5 production when thrust into a primary scoring role.
Brice Sensabaugh, Utah Jazz (13.0 %) — Largely a sixth man all season, Sensabaugh has flashed elite scoring lately, averaging 31.7 points across his past three games and topping 17 points with more than two threes per outing since Christmas.
Power Forwards
Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers (41.7 %) — After missing 14 games with Achilles tendinitis, Grant is easing back with limited minutes, but historically supplies 20 points and over two threes whenever healthy.
Noah Clowney, Brooklyn Nets (9.6 %) — Over the past two weeks, Clowney has averaged about 15 points, eight combined rebounds and assists, more than two three-pointers, plus one steal and one block per game, making him a category-league asset.
Centers
Jay Huff, Indiana Pacers (14.2 %) — Now entrenched at center, Huff mirrors former starter Myles Turner with occasional 20-point nights, outside shooting and two to three combined steals and blocks.
Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks (5.6 %) — Serving as Karl-Anthony Towns’ backup, Robinson logs roughly 25 minutes, delivering double-digit rebounds, solid shot-blocking and efficient put-back scoring since Christmas.
Managers in need of immediate production or depth have multiple avenues to explore, with several of these players positioned for sustained opportunity while teammates recover or rotations stabilize.
Source: ESPN
