Deep League Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire for Week 11

With Christmas behind us, fantasy basketball managers can turn their attention to the next scheduling wrinkle: New Year’s Week. The good news? The five-game New Year’s Day slate doesn’t feature a single tip-off before 6 p.m. ET — ideal for anyone easing into the holiday. The only real quirk comes on New Year’s Eve, when the Warriors visit the Hornets in a lone 1 p.m. ET matinee as part of an otherwise full nine-game slate.

Outside of that early start, Week 11 is fairly straightforward. Let’s break down the key waiver targets and emerging storylines.

NBA Deep League Waiver Wire Adds

Brook Lopez — C, Clippers

Ivica Zubac’s ankle injury has forced the Clippers to reshuffle their frontcourt, opening the door for Lopez to step into a larger role. While the minutes ceiling likely sits in the low-to-mid 20s, that’s more than enough for Lopez to matter in fantasy — especially for managers chasing blocks and threes.

Even in limited run this season, Lopez has averaged one block and 1.3 triples per game, and his per-minute production remains elite. Over his recent starts, he’s consistently swatting multiple shots while spacing the floor. His value doesn’t rely on usage or scoring volume; it’s built on defensive timing and floor spacing. As long as Zubac remains sidelined, Lopez profiles as a strong category specialist who can quietly swing weekly matchups.

Tim Hardaway Jr. — G/F Nuggets

Hardaway continues to thrive as a perimeter weapon in Denver’s offense, benefiting from the defensive gravity of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. He’s knocked down multiple threes in six straight games and has drained 16 triples over his last three contests.

This is shaping up as the most efficient shooting season of Hardaway’s career from deep (41.9%), and the role is clear: spacing, scoring, and volume shooting. Don’t expect much in secondary categories, but if you need points and threes, Hardaway is a clean add.

Tyler Kolek — Knicks

Kolek is forcing his way into the fantasy conversation. With Miles McBride sidelined and New York finally tapping into its depth, the rookie guard has logged meaningful minutes and delivered real production. Over his last five games, Kolek has averaged 12.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists, flashing legitimate playmaking upside.

The role won’t be perfectly stable but Kolek’s ability to rack up assists makes him intriguing. He’s played at least 22 minutes in four of his last five games, and additional injuries could keep the door open. If you’re hunting assists with upside, Kolek belongs on your radar.

Sam Merrill — G/F Cavaliers

Sam Merrill is back in our lives again. Since returning from a hand injury, the three-point marksman has moved straight into the starting lineup and wasted no time reminding fantasy managers why he matters. He’s averaging nearly four made threes per game while shooting north of 44% from deep.

Cleveland needs spacing around Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, and Merrill’s trigger is as green as it gets. The minutes could fluctuate as the roster gets healthier, but the shooting profile makes him a high-upside streamer for managers chasing threes. Few waiver options can match this level of volume and efficiency.

Hugo González — F, Celtics

González has quietly carved out a significant role in Boston’s rotation, producing across multiple categories. Over his last three games, he’s averaged nearly 10 rebounds with defensive stats to match, logging over 30 minutes per night.

The Celtics’ frontcourt rotation can be unpredictable, so there’s risk here. But González brings energy, rebounding, and defense — and that combination plays in fantasy. He’s worth a speculative add while the minutes hold.

Tre Johnson — G, Wizards

With Washington dealing with multiple rotation absences, Johnson has found a steady lane into minutes and production. Over his last six games, he’s averaged 12.8 points while shooting efficiently and not hurting managers at the line.

He’s still technically a reserve, but the floor is higher than it looks thanks to opportunity. Johnson is a viable scorer with room for growth if the role expands.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — G/F, Grizzlies

KCP isn’t winning matchups with volume scoring, but his consistency is quietly valuable. With Memphis shorthanded in the frontcourt, his minutes have stabilized, and he’s responded with efficient scoring, steals, and flawless free-throw shooting.

If you need category stability — especially FT% and steals — Caldwell-Pope is a low-risk add who won’t crater your week.

Luguentz Dort — G/F, Thunder

Dort remains locked into his starting role, and while the offense can be streaky, his defensive production keeps him fantasy relevant. He’s averaging over a block per game recently, which is a nice bonus from the wing.

He’s not flashy, and the shooting efficiency will fluctuate, but Dort’s minutes, defensive stats, and overall role justify his roster spot in competitive leagues.