TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 3 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: NBA Deep Sleepers

By David Bernardeau [CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

In his Week 3 NBA Waiver Wire column, David Sass focuses on some deep-league sleepers for your fantasy basketball purposes.

The NBA season is in full swing, and that means the fantasy basketball waiver wire is heating up in week 3. The following group of players are not of the typical standard-league variety, but rather options for those participating in deeper formats.

Unless you have the roster space to stash one of these fringe contributors as a sleeper, there is little reason to own any of them outside of leagues with 12 or more teams.

Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues

Featured Promo: New Novig users get a $25 purchase match (50% discount up to $25) on your first Novig deposit, and 6 free months of RotoBaller's "Big-4" Premium Pass (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) which includes exclusive tools for Betting, Props, DFS and more! CLAIM IT NOW

 

Deep League Waiver Wire Options

Evan Fournier (ORL, SG) – 35% Owned

What does someone have to do to be picked up in fantasy basketball?

Fournier is the main outside scoring threat on an offensively deficient Magic team. The third-year sharpshooter from France has scored double-digit points in every single game so far this season. That is consistency and he is being rewarded with big minutes as a result.

Fournier is averaging just shy of 34 minutes through nine games, and not only does he score, the 22-year-old averages over two treys per contest. In addition, he has posted marks of 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists thus far.

It is past time for Fournier to be owned in not only deep formats, but virtually all fantasy leagues. He is in a starting role for the Magic and it does not appear that is going to change any time soon, even when Victor Oladipo (face) returns to the rotation.

 

Evan Turner (BOS, SG/SF) – 25% Owned

Turner started for the Celtics this past Saturday due to injuries to Marcus Smart (ankle) and Rajon Rondo (hand). Even though Rondo was back in action Wednesday night, Turner should to continue to get decent minutes (just under 21 on Wednesday).

Turner saw north of 32 minutes in his start, putting up 19 points, six assists and five boards, and even if he does not get 30 minutes a game going forward, the former lottery selection can be productive.

In Coach Brad Stevens' offense, Turner can do what he does best, score. If he is able to find any level of consistency in both playing time and production, then Turner has the potential to average double-double points while adding solid rebound and assist totals.

 

Steven Adams (OKC, C)- 19% Owned

Adams is a young player with exceptional size and talent. Entering the league last year after only one year at Pitt, he was too raw for some teams and fell all the way to the end of the first round of the draft.

Due to injuries, Adams has been thrown into the starting lineup for the Thunder and has played well to this point. Averaging almost 28 minutes through nine games, he has put up 8.2 points and 7.3 rebounds.

Those numbers should only improve as Adams gains more experience and minutes. He has potential for a double-double on a daily basis, so grab him now before everyone else realizes his ability.

 

Keeper League Pickup of the Week

Ben McLemore (SAC, SG) – 24% Owned

After an extremely disappointing rookie season, McLemore worked hard over the offseason and is now the starting shooting guard for the Kings. He seems to be less intimidated by the NBA this year and is thus being more assertive, especially on the offensive end.

McLemore can score from just about anywhere on the court as he is both a three-point threat and skilled finisher at the rim. If he continues to improve and display the same ability shown in his college days at Kansas, then McLemore will be a valuable fantasy contributor for quite some time.

 

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Daniel Jones

Closing in on Two-Year Extension with Colts?
Maxx Crosby

"Ready to Play Football for the Raiders," Unlikely to Be Traded?
Shayne Gostisbehere

to Remain Out for "Couple of Games"
Robert Thomas

Blues Hopeful Robert Thomas Can Play Through Upper-Body Injury
Ross Colton

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Tuesday Night
Connor Ingram

"Feeling Well" After Tuesday's Early Exit
Dylan Larkin

Doubtful for Rest of Road Trip
Andrew Copp

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Tuesday
Justin Brazeau

Out Week-to-Week
Ace Bailey

Cleared to Play Wednesday
Keyonte George

Still Dealing With Illness, Questionable Wednesday
Mitchell Robinson

Available for Wednesday's Tilt
Josh Hart

Questionable for Wednesday Night
Jarrett Allen

Remains Out Wednesday
Cameron Johnson

Considered Probable Wednesday
Jamal Murray

Probable for Matchup With Rockets
Rickie Fowler

on Quite the Run Heading to TPC Sawgrass
Sepp Straka

Needs to Forget What Happened Sunday at Bay Hill
Jordan Spieth

an Enigma Heading to The Players Championship
Justin Rose

Trying to Pick Up the Pieces in Florida
Maverick McNealy

Bounces Back at Arnold Palmer Invitational
Brooks Koepka

Continues His Florida Swing With Some Momentum
Nicolai Hojgaard

in Strong Form Ahead of The Players
Robert MacIntyre

a Volatile Option at The Players
Matt Fitzpatrick

Looks to Return to Top Form at The Players
Logan Hall

Joins Texans on Two-Year Deal
Sam Burns

a High-Risk, High-Reward Option at The Players
Maxx Crosby

Raiders Will Listen to More Offers for Maxx Crosby
Keegan Bradley

Hard to Trust at The Players
Sam Howell

Signs a One-Year Deal With Cowboys
Patrick Queen

Steelers Could Trade Patrick Queen, Seeking a Mid-Round Pick
Osa Odighizuwa

Cowboys Could Trade Osa Odighizuwa
Lavonte David

to Play for Buccaneers or Retire
Elgton Jenkins

Signs a Two-Year Deal With Browns
Leo Chenal

Commanders Sign Leo Chenal to a Three-Year Deal
Jordan Elliott

Signs Two-Year Deal With Titans
Xander Schauffele

Rounding into Form Heading to Players Championship
Rory McIlroy

Set to Return at Players Championship to Defend Title
Jake Knapp

Set to Return at Players Championship
Viktor Hovland

Continues Strong Start to 2026 Season
Jakub Dobes

Makes 17 Saves in Victory
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking for Bounce-Back at Players Championship
Tommy Fleetwood

Will Need to Find Putter to Compete at Players Championship
Akshay Bhatia

Continues Improving Heading to Players Championship
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere's Hat Trick Leads New York to Victory
Carter Verhaeghe

Wins it for Florida on Tuesday
Cameron Heyward

Signs New Two-Year Deal with Steelers
Maxi Kleber

Ruled Out vs. Timberwolves
Grant Calcaterra

Eagles to Bring Back Grant Calcaterra
Bam Adebayo

Scores 83 Points in Historic Night
Riq Woolen

Signs With the Eagles
Kaden Elliss

Saints Sign Kaden Elliss to a Three-Year Deal
Cameron Payne

Explodes for 32 Points in Win Over Memphis
Patrick Ricard

Giants Sign Fullback Patrick Ricard
Johnny Mundt

Eagles Agree to a One-Year Deal With Johnny Mundt
LeBron James

Remains Out Tuesday vs. Minnesota
Draymond Green

Will Play Tuesday vs. Bulls
De'Anthony Melton

Scratched From Tuesday's Lineup
Merrill Kelly

Set to Make Spring Training Debut on Friday
Francisco Lindor

"100 Percent Optimistic" he Can be Ready for Opening Day
Maxx Crosby

Ravens Back Out of Trade for Maxx Crosby
Jakob Poeltl

is Unavailable on Tuesday
Skyy Moore

Packers Sign Skyy Moore to One-Year Deal
Grayson Allen

to Play on Tuesday
Jason Sanders

Signs One-Year Deal to Join Giants
Day'Ron Sharpe

is Sitting Out on Tuesday
Teddy Bridgewater

Returning to Detroit as Backup QB
Bobby Portis

is Ruled Out on Tuesday
Justin Thomas

Continues Competitive Return at The Players Championship
Michael Porter Jr.

is Returning on Tuesday
Payton Pritchard

Won't Play on Tuesday
Scottie Scheffler

Looking to Win Third Players Championship in Four Years
Tyler Herro

is Ruled Out for Tuesday's Game
Tyrese Maxey

to be Evaluated in Three Weeks
Collin Morikawa

a Smash Play at This Week's Players Championship
Colton Parayko

Rejoins Blues Lineup
Shayne Gostisbehere

Unavailable Against Penguins
Marcus Johansson

Returns From Two-Game Absence
Darren Raddysh

Sits Out Tuesday's Game
Sam Reinhart

Out Tuesday
John Gibson

Available Tuesday
Dylan Larkin

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Corbin Carroll

Set to Play in Cactus League Game on Wednesday
Kyle Stowers

to Make Grapefruit League Debut on Saturday
Hunter Greene

to be Sidelined Through July
James Reimer

Posts Shutout With Seventh Franchise
Tim Stützle

Tim Stutzle Stretches Point Streak to 13 Games
Justin Sourdif

Amasses Three Points In Monday's Win
Connor Bedard

Sets Up Two Goals in Overtime Win
Jesús Luzardo

Jesus Luzardo, Phillies Agree on Five-Year Extension
Corbin Carroll

Could Make Spring Debut This Week
Max Holloway

Drops Decision At UFC 326
Charles Oliveira

Becomes The New BMF Champion
Caio Borralho

Bounces Back
Reinier de Ridder

Reinier De Ridder Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Rob Font

Gets Dominated
Raul Rosas Jr.

Extends His Win Streak
Michael Johnson

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Drew Dober

Knocks Out Michael Johnson
Rafael Devers

Back in Cactus League Lineup on Monday
Ryan Blaney

Earns his Second Consecutive Phoenix Cup Series Win
Christopher Bell

Falls Short of Victory Despite Dominating at Phoenix
Kyle Larson

Earns Hard-Fought Finish of Third at Phoenix
Denny Hamlin

Quietly Gains Another Top-Five Finish at Phoenix
Joey Logano

Crashes out at Phoenix Despite Strong Run
Tarik Skubal

Could Make Another Start in World Baseball Classic
Jackson Chourio

Should Return to WBC Lineup on Monday
Byron Buxton

"Fine" After Being Hit by Pitch
Ryan Blaney

is Always A Top Favorite to Compete for the Win At Phoenix
Denny Hamlin

Is Denny Hamlin Worth Rostering for Phoenix?
Christopher Bell

is Likely to have Another Solid Phoenix Run
Chase Briscoe

has Plenty of Upside for DFS Lineups at Phoenix
Joey Logano

Could Dominate at Phoenix This Weekend
Chase Elliott

has Plenty of Upside for Sunday's Race at Phoenix
Chris Buescher

Is Chris Buescher Worth Rostering For Phoenix DFS Lineups?
Ross Chastain

Has Found Speed Again at Phoenix
Josh Berry

a Solid Sleeper at Phoenix
Brad Keselowski

Skips Qualifying After Practice Crash at Phoenix
Tyler Reddick

Spins in Practice at Phoenix
William Byron

Should Be a Contender at Phoenix
Kyle Larson

Is Always a Threat at Phoenix
NASCAR

Could Bubba Wallace Be Playable for Phoenix DFS Lineups?
Anthony Alfredo

Is A Favorable DFS Option In A Substitution Role At Phoenix
Brandon Woodruff

Making Cactus League Debut on Saturday
Byron Buxton

Leaves WBC Game After Being Hit by a Pitch on his Elbow
Jackson Chourio

"Fine" After Suffering Hand Contusion
Max Holloway

A Favorite At UFC 326
Charles Oliveira

Set For BMF Title Fight
Reinier de Ridder

Reinier De Ridder Looks To Bounce Back
Caio Borralho

Set For UFC 326 Co-Main Event
Rob Font

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Raul Rosas Jr.

Looks For His Fifth Consecutive Win
Drew Dober

Returns At UFC 326
Michael Johnson

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Rafael Devers

Could Return to Game Action Next Week
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Hopes to be Ready for Opening Day
Jackson Chourio

Won't Play in WBC on Friday
Carlos Correa

Scratched With Neck Injury
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena has Finger Fracture, to be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF