Welcome to the 2023-24 Fantasy NBA Deep League Waiver Wire Adds for Week 3 article! After two weeks of chaos, injuries, and more lineup changes than a Pokémon trainer swapping out creatures in the heat of a Gym Battle, it’s time to dive deep into the waiver wire.
In Week 3, we’re scouring the league for those hidden gems so deep on the bench that they might as well be sitting in the stands with the popcorn vendors. So grab your binoculars, a magnifying glass, and a sense of humor as we uncover the most obscure, the most unexpected, and the most “Did he seriously just pick him up?” waiver wire adds to save your fantasy team.
The following players are available in < 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Deep League Waiver Wire Adds for Week 3
Killian Hayes, PG/SG – Detroit Pistons (17% rostered)
Much to the dismay of fantasy managers, Hayes has been starting over sophomore sensation Jaden Ivey. Deep league fantasy managers should take advantage of the 22-year-old’s weekly safe floor and upside. Over the first seven games of the season, the former seventh overall pick is averaging 7.9 points, 4.6 assists, 2,7 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 three-pointers. You can pencil in those averages for the rest of the season as long as he’s starting for Detroit.
Torrey Craig, SF/PF – Chicago Bulls (2% rostered)
In case you missed it, there’s a new starting small forward in Chicago. His name? Torrey Craig. The 32-year-old is off to a solid start, averaging 5.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.0 steals over his first two games in the starting lineup. The USC Upstate product should provide consistent boards, dimes, and swipes as long as he’s in the starting lineup.
Malik Beasley, SG – Milwaukee Bucks (9% rostered)
Beasley isn’t the sexiest name on your waiver wire, but he’s starting. Before goose egging versus the Knicks, the 26-year-old was off to a fantastic start to the season, averaging 12.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.0 three-pointers, 2.0 steals, and 1.5 assists. The Florida State product has a very safe floor starting alongside Damian Lillard, and should continue providing consistent points, treys, and steals with low-end boards and dimes.
Christian Braun, SG/SF – Denver Nuggets (7% rostered)
What can Braun do for you? Ball out off the bench. Over the past five games, the Kansas product is averaging 9.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.2 “stocks”. The 22-year-old has a safe floor coming off the bench for the world champions, and should provide solid points, boards, and dimes with random stocks sprinkled in.
Lonnie Walker IV, SG – Brooklyn Nets (20% rostered)
Despite Walker’s minutes fluctuating, he has scored double-digit points in all five of his games this season, averaging 14.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.0 three-pointers, and 1.4 stocks. Skywalker should continue providing points and treys with decent boards, dimes, and stocks.
Royce O’Neale, SG/SF – Brooklyn Nets (10% rostered)
Nobody LOVES rostering O’Neale, but you have to admit, the 30-year-old is consistent. In 6 games this season, the Baylor product is averaging 7.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.2 three-pointers, and 1.5 stocks in a WHOPPING 32.7 minutes per game. The seven-year veteran needs to be rostered in every single nine-category league for his contributions across the board.
Marcus Sasser, PG – Detroit Pistons (8% rostered)
Sasser is proving to the NBA world he belongs. Despite a fierce logjam at guard in Detroit, the 23-year-old has cemented himself as a go-to scorer off the bench. Over the first seven games of the season, the rookie is averaging 9.3 points, 2.6 assists, 2.3 rebounds, 1.9 three-pointers, and 1.0 steals. He took full advantage of Jaden Ivey (illness) and Alec Burks (forearm) being out of the lineup on Sunday and posted a career-high 22 points, four three-pointers, four assists, three rebounds, and one steal. Sheesh.
Jae Crowder, SF/PF – Milwaukee Bucks (4% rostered)
Crowder looks right at home coming off the bench, averaging 8.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.8 three-pointers, and 1.4 stocks. If those averages interest you (and they should), give the 33-year-old veteran a long look.
Gary Payton II, PG – Golden State Warriors (13% rostered)
Before Sunday’s game, Young Glove had a steal in all of his first six games of the season, averaging 1.8 steals along with 7.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 three-pointers. Payton is an excellent 3-and-D option in deep fantasy leagues.
Day’Ron Sharpe, C – Brooklyn Nets (2% rostered)
Sharpe has proved his worth as the backup center over his past four games, averaging 8.3 points on 72.2% field-goal shooting, 8.0 rebounds, and 0.6 stocks in just 13.7 minutes per game. With Nic Claxton (ankle) out 6-8 weeks, the UNC product should continue seeing extended minutes off the bench, giving him a healthy floor for boards, field-goal shooting, and points with stocks sprinkled in.
As we wrap up this Deep League Waiver Wire Adds article, remember that in the wild world of fantasy basketball, you’re not just managing a team; you’re practically running a circus.
So, get ready to juggle waiver wire decisions, make slam-dunk moves, and dodge fantasy curveballs. Lace up your virtual shoes and let the games begin.
As for this article? In the famous words of Chick Hearn, “You can put this one in the refrigerator. The door’s closed, the lights are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter’s getting hard and the Jell-O is jiggling.”
Good luck in Week 3!