Waiver wire adds are crucial in fantasy basketball and tons of value can be found in these players. Taking a chance on a player who has seen a good previous week can lead to adding a daily starter. With that being said, there is a plethora of value with just one week of NBA action. Two of these players are rookies. I know the consensus did not see both of them making such a fantasy impact after a handful of games. Here they are.
NBA Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire adds
Dereck Lively, C – Dallas Mavericks (51% rostered)
Dereck Lively exploded onto the NBA scene in his very first game. In 31 minutes of action, Lively accumulated 16 points, and 10 rebounds with one of each of the following, assist, steal, and block. A total of 34.5 fantasy in his NBA debut had me thinking one thing, ADD HIM. Lively is playing with two of the best playmakers in the NBA and arguably one of them is the best at creating for his teammates. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are heaven-sent for all their teammates. These two draw a heavy amount of attention, which leaves open lanes and shots.
Lively had just 17 minutes of action in game two and delivered 13.4 fantasy points. Bet on talent all the time. All in all, Dereck Lively is much more talented than Dwight Powell. Lively will earn his way into the starting center role and it will be here sooner than expected.
Dennis Schroder, PG – Toronto Raptors (74% rostered)
With Fred VanVleet departing to the Houston Rockets, the Toronto Raptors’ point guard role was in question. Now, it looks like they have solved it for this season as Dennis Schroder is playing better than ever. Schroder is currently averaging NINE assists per game (5th overall). He has had ten assists in two of the three Raptors’ games. Also, Schroder is seeing a heavy dose of minutes with 35 minutes in two games and 33 minutes on opening night.
The best part is that Schroder is also putting up decent scoring numbers as he is averaging 15.7 ppg as well. Dennis Schroder has been more than what the Raptors expected when signing him. Currently, he is rostered in 74% of Yahoo leagues and needs to be added to teams. A rostership of over 90% is in Schroder’s future. Gain the edge and add him to your rosters expeditiously.
Kelly Oubre Jr, SF – Philadelphia 76ers (60% rostered)
If you are in a categories league and need an edge in the scoring department, I have a perfect waiver wire add for you. If not, Kelly Oubre Jr is still a guy that needs to be rostered in all formats. In his 76er debut, Oubre exploded with 27 points, four rebounds, and shooting 83% from three (5-6). In game two, Oubre did not have the hot hand shooting, but still had a better fantasy output than game one. Kelly Oubre Jr is best at scoring, but when it isn’t falling, he can fill the stat sheet up.
Oubre Jr had 36 fantasy points in game two with five rebounds, two assists, and three steals, and then topped it off with 18 points. In a game three blowout win, Oubre still managed 23.6 fantasy points. Blowouts are no fun for fantasy basketball. With that being said, Oubre is a guy who can give you 30 fantasy points consistently and is a must-add for Week 2 of the NBA season.
Ausar Thompson, SG/SF – Detroit Pistons (71% rostered)
The Detroit Pistons are one of the fun and youngest teams in the NBA. Ausar Thompson is my favorite waiver wire add and a MUST-HAVE. Thompson has been superb in the fantasy department being just a rookie. He has not scored more than nine points in a game but still is averaging 31.69 fantasy ppg. Thompson is averaging 15.3 combined rebounds and assists per game. He has been the Pistons second-best rebounder as a shooting guard/small forward. Games of 12 rebounds and 13 rebounds to go along with five and six assists.
The Pistons have found their future wing player and have one of the best young rosters in the NBA. Ausar Thompson has not scratched the service of his skill, yet. When the points start pouring in and he is seeing over 35 PRA (points, rebounds, assists), be sure to already have him added after reading these waiver wire adds for Week 2 of the NBA season.