Thanks for reading our fantasy basketball waiver wire report for Week 3! 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 3.
Note: Free-Agent Acquisition Budget dollar bid prices for NBA Week 3 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 3: Top Pickups
Franz Wagner, SF, Orlando Magic (40% Rostered)
Wagner has stepped in as the top rookie in Orlando despite being drafted after Jalen Suggs. A do-it-all wing is always useful in fantasy and Wagner seems to be a contributor everywhere except FT%, while also not hurting in turnovers due to his low usage. He isn’t afraid to take the shots when they’re available and can defend as well.
Even when Chuma Okeke and eventually, Jonathan Isaac, return, it will be difficult for the Magic to knock Wagner’s playing time much if at all.
- Franz Wagner Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 15-20%
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Lonnie Walker IV, SG/SF, San Antonio Spurs (36% Rostered)
Lonnie Walker IV and Devin Vassell are major beneficiaries of Doug McDermott’s knee injury, which will keep him out for at least two more games. Walker has taken on a larger scoring role, which is obviously very important for fantasy. He is shooting much more efficiently from the field (46%) than he ever has, while mixing in a few assists and a steal here and there as well.
Walker should be added across the board as he does not hurt any category and has even more upside to boot.
- Lonnie Walker IV Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 15-20%
2021 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 3: Best Players To Stash
Jarred Vanderbilt, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves (6% Rostered)
Jarred Vanderbilt saw a major jump in minutes in the TWolves’ last game. He doubled his season-high in playing time and it wasn’t injury related, which speaks volumes to how the team may deploy him going forward.
It certainly helps that he produced at a high level, amassing 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists. However, Vanderbilt’s defense is even more helpful to Minnesota, especially since Karl-Anthony Towns is such an offense-first player.
Vanderbilt is a must-add player if his minutes continue to trend this way, but Head Coach Chris Finch has warned it may be more matchup-dependent.
- Jarred Vanderbilt Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 5-7%
Dwight Powell, PF/C, Dallas Mavericks (8% Rostered)
Dwight Powell is slowly but surely returning to form after his achilles tear two seasons ago. While he did play most of last year, Powell was a non-factor and fell out of favor in the rotation even with Kristaps Porzingis in and out of the lineup.
Powell’s stats are not eye-popping right now, but he does much more good than harm. He was a fantasy asset from 2018-2020 thanks to his high FG%, low turnovers, and mix of stocks. Porzingis is currently dealing with a lower back injury, which could linger, and Dallas’s depth is mediocre at best. Powell could turn into a sneaky waiver add this year if things continue breaking his way.
- Dwight Powell Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 3-5%
2021 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 3: One-Week Streamer Plays
Kevin Love, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers (44% Rostered)
Kevin Love is a tough evaluation right now. Yes, he is Kevin Love, but at 33-years of age, his gray is showing (literally and figuratively). Love is still rebounding at a spectacular rate, but his field goal percentage is abysmal and he isn’t really doing much else. He was never much of a stock contributor and now that his minutes are low, the scoring is as well.
However, we can give Love the benefit of the doubt that this may improve over the next few weeks as he gets his sea legs back. Love only played 25 games last season and those appearances were inconsistent at best as the Cavs gave him extended periods of rest as they attempted to move him. He’s worth the pickup in this four-game week, but can be dropped afterwards if he fails to show signs of life outside of rebounding.
- Kevin Love Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 5-8%
Cody Martin, PF/SF, Charlotte Hornets (13% Rostered)
Not to be confused with his brother, Caleb Martin, Cody is on a tear to start the season and should be added for his four-game stretch next week. P.J. Washington remains out with a sprained knee, which has opened up plenty of time at the forward spot.
Martin is probably reaching his ceiling at the moment given that he’s a role player, but that isn’t a terrible thing. He is providing steals, points, good percentages, and a solid mix of rebounds and assists. While he may not keep this pace up all year, at least he has four games next week to keep showing off his stuff.
- Cody Martin Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: 2-3%
