Jan. 26-28 Fantasy Basketball Takeaways: Top Rookies and Waiver Wire Options | Andrew Nembhard, P.J. Washington, Nick Richards, Cam Whitmore, Obi Toppin and More

There were some huge fantasy basketball performances over the weekend, led by Luka Doncic’s 73-point game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night. 

While we expect stars like Doncic to shine, I’m focused on finding the best waiver wire options for your fantasy teams. There were plenty of waiver wire options that delivered big showings over the weekend, so many so that we won’t be able to cover them all. But here’s a compilation some of the best waiver wire and rookie showings from Jan. 26-28.

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Sunday’s Top Performers

Let’s start by talking about Atlanta Hawks’ Saddiq Bey, who is currently owned in 60% of fantasy leagues. He tallied 26 points, 13 rebounds and three assists across 41 minutes played in a win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. 

Bey was 0-of-6 on his 3-point attempts, but made 10-of-15 from the free-throw line to put together a big scoring performance. He’s scored in double figures in four straight games, averaging 18.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 0.3 steals across 34 minutes over that span. Those are solid enough numbers to add him at least until he cools off a bit.

Toronto’s Jordan Nwora went off for 24 points, nine rebounds, six assists and a steal across 31 minutes in the team’s loss. He’s owned in just 2% of leagues.

It was easily the most well-rounded game of the season for Nwora, who is already on his second team this season. Toronto played without RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and several others, which afforded Nwora some extra minutes. His strong play could get him some playing time when the team is at full health, but I’d want to see an extended period of significant minutes/play before considering adding Nwora.

Orlando Magic’s Moritz Wagner, owned in just 21% of leagues, recorded 16 points, 12 rebounds and one assist, steal and block across 23 minutes played in the team’s win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

Sunday was the first time Wagner went over 20 minutes since Jan. 12, but he’s now scored in double figures in three straight contests. He usually doesn’t do much else on the court, so while the 12 boards are great to see, it’s probably not sustainable. He’s worth an add in deeper leagues until he cools off offensively.

Indiana Pacers’ Andrew Nembhard, owned in 57% of leagues, had a pair of solid showings this weekend. He went for 16 points, nine assists, four rebounds and a steal across 37 minutes in the team’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. Nembhard contributed 22 points, eight assists and one rebound and steal across 30 minutes in a win over the Suns on Friday.

Indiana played without Tyrese Haliburton in both games, and was also missing Myles Turner for one of those games, so Nembhard’s production needs to be taken with a grain of salt. He’s playing well enough to possibly be a fantasy asset when the team’s at full health, but you’ll need to watch his game logs closely when Haliburton returns.

Memphis’ GG Jackson II totaled 18 points, four boards and one assist steal and block across 29 minutes against Indiana on Sunday. Jackson, a rookie, is owned in 12% of leagues.

He’s had some up and down performances over the past several games. He typically puts up solid fantasy numbers when he plays over 20 minutes, so if he can start consistently playing at least that many minutes, he’s worth an add. He’s primarily going to be an option in deeper leagues or dynasties.

Toronto’s Gradey Dick accumulated 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal across 25 minutes against the Hawks. He’s barely owned in any leagues.

Dick is starting to get a little more playing time, and now has scored in double figures in two of the past four contests. If he gets hot from the floor, he might not be a bad option in deeper leagues and dynasties.

Saturday’s Best Outings

Charlotte Hornets’ P.J. Washington, owned in 73% of leagues, went off for 43 points during a loss to the Utah Jazz on Saturday. Washington also had three assists and two steals and boards across 35 minutes.

It was the first time Washington has topped 40 points in a game this season, and just the second time he’s gone over 30 points. Washington has averaged 18 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.8 steals and blocks across 29.9 minutes over the past six games. Those aren’t crazy numbers, but after the 43-point showing, he’s worth an add if you have the space in case he gets on a hot streak.

Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul Reed took advantage of several players being out and posted 30 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and an assist across 42 minutes played against the Denver Nuggets. Reed is owned in just 13% of leagues.

Reed’s fantasy value skyrockets without Joel Embiid in the lineup, and that was the case on Saturday. He’s worth stashing in deep leagues, but should only be utilized as a streaming option in standard leagues when Embiid is out.

Charlotte’s Nick Richards shot 10-of-11 overall on his way to a 26-point, 13-rebound outing against the Jazz. He also had four blocks and an assist.

Richards, who is owned in 70% of leagues, continues to either produce double-doubles or barely miss them. He might be a huge fantasy asset for too long, but he’s worth playing for the time being.

Los Angeles Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt, owned in 44% of leagues, recorded 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals across 41 minutes in a double overtime win over the Golden State Warriors.

The extra game time allowed Vanderbilt to stuff the stat sheet. He’s scored in double figures in three straight games, and is averaging 14.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.3 steals, 2.3 assists and 0.7 blocks over that span. He should be owned in most deep leagues and is starting to look like a decent option in standard leagues too.

Houston Rockets’ rookie Cam Whitmore had back-to-back solid outings this weekend. He tallied 19 points, nine rebounds and one block and assist across 29 minutes in a loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. Whitmore tallied 24 points, 11 rebounds and two assists across 20 minutes against the Hornets on Friday.

Whitmore has been a strong fantasy asset the past couple games. He needs to be added in dynasty leagues and probably deeper leagues too. His role should only expand as his strong play keeps up.

Dallas Mavericks’ Dereck Lively II put together a couple of solid outings this weekend. The rookie had 13 points, nine rebounds and a steal across 31 minutes in a loss to the Sacramento Kings. Lively contributed nine points, 11 boards, four assists and blocks and a steal across 28 minutes in a win over the Hawks.

Lively, owned in 72% of leagues, continues to play big minutes and enjoy a solid rookie season. He’s not a huge scorer most nights, but he grabs a good amount of rebounds and chips in here and there with steals, assists and blocks to be a solid asset in all formats. 

Golden State rookie Brandin Podziemski finished with 10 points, seven boards, five assists and a steal across 28 minutes played in the team’s loss to the Lakers. He’s owned in 21% of leagues.

Podziemski does a pretty nice job of filling the stat sheet every night, but would need to score a bit more consistently to be a fantasy asset in all formats. For now, he’s a solid option in deeper leagues and dynasties.

Friday’s Standouts

Indiana’s Obi Toppin finished with 23 points, 11 boards, three assists and one steal and block across 33 minutes played against the Suns on Friday. Toppin is owned in 38% of leagues.

It was one of Toppin’s best outings of the season. His minutes have been all over the place of late, so unless he can consistently get a certain amount of minutes, his fantasy production will be hard to predict. He’s a solid option in deeper leagues for the time being.

Los Angeles Clippers’ Mason Plumlee went for 12 rebounds and rebounds and three assists across 25 minutes in the team’s win over the Raptors. He’s owned in 17% of leagues.

Several players missed the game for LA, including Ivica Zubac, which afforded Plumlee some extra time on the court. With Zubac out for a couple more weeks, Plumlee is going to be a solid fantasy asset for the time being. Add him at least in deeper leagues until Zubac returns.

The last guy I want to mention is Houston’s Amen Thompson, who is owned in 28% of leagues. He recorded 13 points, eight assists, six rebounds and two steals across 23 minutes against the Hornets on Friday.

He’s capable of strong fantasy nights like this, but needs to consistently score near that total in order to be owned in more leagues. He’s failed to reach double figures in points in four of the past six games.