Thanks for reading our fantasy basketball waiver wire report for Week 2! Every week, we’ll help you decide which fantasy basketball waiver pickups you should be making that could benefit your fantasy basketball teams now, later in the season, or just for the upcoming Week 2.
Note: Free-Agent Acquisition Budget dollar bid prices for NBA Week 2 are based on a season-long budget of $100. Adjust your percentage and scale accordingly for your league’s unique FAAB allotment and your remaining FAAB dollars.
(Roster % is based on Yahoo! Fantasy leagues information.)
2021 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 2: Top Pickups
Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers (53% Rostered)
With Ben Simmons (personal) out indefinitely, Tyrese Maxey is the de facto starting PG of the 76ers and quite valuable in fantasy moving forward.
The second-year guard flashed at times last season when given the opportunity and now has a chance to seize the role season-long, assuming Simmons is out of Philly soon.
Maxey can contribute across multiple categories and not hurt you anywhere except maybe field goal percentage if he is taking a heavy load of shots per game.
- Tyrese Maxey Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 25-30%
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Will Barton, SG/SF, Denver Nuggets (53% Rostered)
With Jamal Murray out, the primary benefactor is not backup PG Monte Morris, but Will Barton is when it comes to the leftover usage.
Barton is a skilled scoring guard who can handle the ball in the half-court and play a complementary role to Nikola Jokić (the true PG of the Nuggets). Barton shot extremely well in the Nuggets’ first game this season and dropped 20 points in 34 minutes.
Expect all-around production from Barton as long as his health issues remain dormant.
- Will Barton Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 25-30%
2021 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 2: Best Players To Stash
Devin Vassell, SG, San Antonio Spurs (17% Rostered)
Devin Vassell “broke out" in some manner during the Spurs’ first game of the season. While a good chunk of production did come in the second half of a blowout, the 2020 first-round pick’s upside flashed.
Vassell can do it all except provide assists and can absolutely become a fantasy asset in the mold of fellow Villanova wing Mikal Bridges. The SG/SF rotation in San Antonio is fairly deep, but if an injury or trade occurs, Vassell will become a must-roster player.
- Devin Vassell Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Brandon Clarke, SF/PF, Memphis Grizzlies (11% Rostered)
Brandon Clarke is a victim of incredible depth. The Grizzlies have been one of the NBA’s best organizations at hoarding talent since the departure of long-time GM Chris Wallace, and that in turn has hurt what could have been a breakout season for the talented big.
Clarke is an incredible defender and finisher around the rim but, unfortunately, with elite talent Jaren Jackson Jr. fully healthy along with the presence of Kyle Anderson and recent acquisition Steven Adams, there is not much playtime to go around.
Clarke was a top-80 fantasy player his rookie year and fell last year due to injury issues. He can absolutely shine if the PT favors him down the road.
- Brandon Clarke Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 3-5%
2021 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 2: One-Week Streamer Plays
Nicolas Claxton, C, Brooklyn Nets (29% Rostered)
Nicolas Claxton is an incredible rim-runner and shot-blocker who is, unfortunately, going to deal with matchup-specific playing time.
This next 4-game week he plays several big-heavy teams who will allow him to see the court heavily and provide solid fantasy numbers (assuming you can take the free throw hit).
- Nicolas Claxton Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 2-3%
Franz Wagner, SF, Orlando Magic (8% Rostered)
Franz Wagner is a skilled wing, who the Magic invested top-10 draft capital into but is benefiting from the absence of Chuma Okeke and Jonathan Isaac. He looked good in his first NBA game and has a nice 4-game schedule next week so fire him up.
- Franz Wagner Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 1%
