Can we make it stop? We are just one week into the NBA season, and depending on your vantage point, you could make the argument that things are already a mess. Jaylen Williams now needs to be replaced after a gruesome injury, but that’s not the only problem early in the year. There have been other injuries, some ugly performances, and role changes that have to be sorted out. It’s too early to truly know what areas on your roster should be targeted, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to try. While we try not to overreact, let’s take a look at some fantasy basketball waiver wire options.
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire
Tristan da Silva, F, Orlando Magic
With Paolo Banchero out for likely the next two months, someone needs to step up and fill the void. There’s the possibility that da Silva moves into the starting lineup, but at the least, he’ll be Orlando’s sixth man with a substantial role. On Sunday, that meant 19 points, two rebounds, and two assists in 27 minutes of action.
Last season, the forward averaged 9.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in about 25 minutes per game. He’s also a capable three-pointer who’s good for about a block and a steal per game as well. I’m not expecting tremendous things, but there’s a real potential for offense here over the next two months.
Obi Toppin, F/C, Indiana Pacers
Ivica Zubac left Sunday’s game early with an ankle injury and was ruled out of Monday’s game. While he still deals with swelling, his timetable to return is still unclear. Even before Zubac’s injury, Toppin was going to be on our radar. But now, with Zubac potentially going to miss time, Toppin’s role should increase.
Even though Toppin will see more playing time, he’s still not expected to join the starting lineup. On Monday, Toppin still came off the bench and finished with 14 points and six rebounds in 23 minutes. That appears to be in line with his three games prior to Zubac’s injury. Toppin is earning more playing time, and there appears to be an opportunity for it, but even if it doesn’t come, the upside and production are there.
Kris Dunn, G, Los Angeles Clippers
Throughout his lengthy career, Dunn has three seasons in which he’s scored in double figures. With Bradley Beal, Brandon Ingram, and Max Strus all sidelined with injury, we’re seeing a lot of the guard to begin the season.
On Sunday, he scored a season-high 15 points in 33 minutes, but more notable were his six assists and five steals. For the season, Dunn is averaging 9.7 points, six assists, and 4.3 rebounds over 31 minutes. That comes with 3.3 steals, 1.3 blocked shots, and 1.3 three-pointers per game. Again, it’s just three games, but Dunn will continue playing more than 30 minutes per night with a high usage. And that counts for a lot here.
Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Milwaukee Bucks
Averaging just over 17 minutes per game off the bench as a rookie for Miami last season, Jakucionis didn’t make much of a consistent impact. Traded to the Bucks as part of the Giannis Antetokounmpo deal, the young guard was a footnote in a lot of the reports detailing the trade. However, I’m not sure that’s completely fair. As part of the negotiations, acquiring Jakucionis was very important to the Bucks.
Through the first three games of the season, that has been clear. He’s averaging about 25 minutes per game as a key contributor off the bench. That’s currently translating to 11.3 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game with 1.3 steals. At age 20, the 2025 first-round pick should be interesting to watch this season.
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