Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Something Brewing in Utah

Sometimes, you just have to pull the trigger. Oftentimes, as fantasy basketball managers, we treat the waiver wire as a need-based entity. You have a need or hole on your roster, and you hit the waiver wire to fill it.

Whether it’s to account for an injury, a poor performer, or a specific need, it’s a weekly exercise. In fact, it’s common sense. For fantasy basketball managers, it’s a practice as second nature as breathing. However, sometimes we get complacent. I want to make sure that doesn’t happen.

There are some situations where you just have to make room on your team. Go get the talented player even if there isn’t an obvious need. This week, let’s take a look at some fantasy basketball waiver wire options that can help improve your team.

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire

Brice Sensabaugh, F, Utah Jazz

Last week, I came close to writing about the third year forward. Drafted late in the first round in 2023, Brice Sensabaugh is performing too well to be available on the waiver wire. Whether he starts or comes off the bench doesn’t matter as the forward continues to produce.

The upside is there, and let’s be honest, the Jazz are looking to the future. That means there will be even more opportunities for Sensabaugh coming.

In every season of his young career, Sensabaugh’s production has increased. He’s up to 11.7 points per game, but that number continues on an upward trend.

Sensabaugh recently missed two games due to illness, and upon his return, scored just two points in 20 minutes. Even if you include that game in his most recent five-game stretch, the forward is still at 24 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. I guess that’s what happens when there was a 43-point effort mixed in there as well.

If we dial things back to Sensabaugh’s 12 games in January, he’s averaging 18.3 points per game. That offensive firepower comes with about two three-pointers per game and a few rebounds. He then shoots 87% from the free-throw line, which adds to his fantasy value.

Brandin Podziemski, G, Golden State Warriors

We can’t have a waiver wire article without capitalizing on an injury, can we? In this case, it’s Jimmy Butler’s knee injury that’s keeping him out for the remainder of the season. From our perspective, that will only serve to expand the ever-growing role and production of Brandin Podziemski.

Now in the starting lineup, likely for the remainder of the season, we’re going to see the guard flourish. If we focus on his last six games as a good baseline, the results are positive.

Over that stretch, Podziemski is averaging 27 minutes per game. With 15.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, the guard is filling out the stat sheet. Beyond those stats, Podziemski can really be an asset with his 1.7 steals per game. This can be when we truly see him take the next step.

Max Christie, Dallas Mavericks

While his offensive explosion against the New York Knicks caught our eye, it wasn’t an isolated incident for Max Christie. In his fourth NBA season, this is the first time Christie is averaging double figures, but with 9.6 points per game last year, it’s not like he’s just been an observer.

For the second straight week, we’re going to focus on Dallas and its injury woes. Christie is one of the few last men standing, and that was even questionable on Sunday. The good news is that his ankle injury doesn’t appear to be anything serious, so the guard can continue to take advantage of the playing time.

In his last four games, Christie is in the midst of a heater. The 22-year old is averaging 23.5 points per game in 33 minutes. Perhaps even crazier, though, are the 20 three-pointers Christie has made in that stretch. That can truly make a difference.