Today's fantasy basketball waiver wire is defined by opportunity, as major NBA injuries to Ja Morant, Paolo Banchero, and Victor Wembanyama have opened the door for Vince Williams Jr., Anthony Black, and Harrison Barnes.
We're analyzing how these shifts in NBA depth charts and NBA starting lineups translate to immediate fantasy value. Williams Jr. offers elite multi-category upside, Black is a volume-based streamer for a packed schedule, and Barnes provides veteran stability.
Use our breakdown of their projected NBA player stats and roles to refine your team and make the right moves to climb the fantasy basketball rankings.
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Adds
Vince Williams Jr., Grizzlies 
Williams got the start at point guard against the Spurs due to Ja Morant's new absence and the continued unavailability of both Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. The result was exactly what fantasy managers hoped to see: 14 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, and just one turnover in 30 minutes.
What makes Williams particularly intriguing is his established track record as a stat-stuffer when given minutes. His career per-36-minute averages tell the story: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.9 combined steals and blocks. Those are exactly the kind of balanced contributions that win fantasy weeks in category leagues. The problem has always been injuries keeping him off the court, not his ability to produce when healthy.
The coaching staff's trust in Williams is evident. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo is comfortable putting the ball in Williams' hands and allowing him to orchestrate the offense. Even more telling: Williams has the second-best net rating on the team among players who've logged 100+ minutes.
The minutes threshold is key here. If Williams consistently sees 30 minutes per game, he profiles as a must-roster player in standard leagues. That first game suggests we're heading in that direction, though one performance obviously doesn't guarantee consistency. The Grizzlies' backcourt injury situation is severe enough that Williams should have a clear path to those minutes for at least the next few weeks.
Recommendation: Williams should be added immediately in 12-team leagues and deeper. He's a priority pickup who offers legitimate top-100 upside if the minutes hold and he stays healthy. The combination of clear opportunity, demonstrated ability, and coaching trust makes him one of the strongest waiver adds of the week.
Anthony Black, Magic 
Anthony Black is benefiting from Paolo Banchero's continued absence, and the timing couldn't be better for fantasy managers looking to maximize games played. Orlando has a compressed schedule with games tonight, Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday—making Black an attractive streaming target regardless of his long-term outlook.
The recent production has been impressive from a volume perspective. Black has logged 30+ minutes in each of the past two games and totaled 39 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block across those contests.
However, context is crucial here. Black shot 15-for-27 from the field during those two games, which translates to 55.6% shooting. Compare that to his season-long 42.3% field goal percentage, and the red flags immediately appear. This hot shooting stretch is almost certainly unsustainable, and when his efficiency regresses back toward his season average, the scoring totals will drop significantly.
The shooting concerns extend beyond just overall field goal percentage. Black continues to struggle mightily from three-point range, which limits his offensive versatility and makes him heavily dependent on finishing around the basket. When he's not getting to the rim effectively, his offensive game essentially disappears. This one-dimensional scoring approach creates volatility that makes him difficult to trust.
There's also a concerning trend in his playmaking. Compared to last season, Black isn't as involved as a passer in Orlando's offense. His assist numbers have declined, which removes one of the key elements that made him an intriguing fantasy prospect. Without strong assist production, Black needs to score efficiently to provide value. His shooting percentages suggest that's not a reliable expectation.
Despite these concerns, Black can genuinely stuff the stat sheet when everything clicks. He has the physical tools and defensive instincts to rack up steals, the rebounding ability to contribute on the glass, and enough offensive aggression to pile up counting stats. Most importantly, he currently has the workload necessary to produce fantasy-relevant numbers, even if that production is inconsistent.
Recommendation: Black is a solid streaming add for Orlando's upcoming NBA schedule if you need to maximize games played and can tolerate shooting percentage volatility. He's particularly valuable in points leagues where his counting stats matter more than his efficiency. In category leagues, be aware that his field goal percentage could hurt you depending on your team's build. Add him for this compressed schedule, extract value from the high minutes, and be ready to drop him the moment Banchero returns or Black's role diminishes.
Harrison Barnes, Spurs 
Harrison Barnes came up clutch during San Antonio's win over the Grizzlies and projects to see continued elevated usage with both Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle expected to miss multiple weeks. The opportunity is clear and should extend for a meaningful period.
The usage numbers tell an encouraging story. When both Wembanyama and Castle are off the court this season, Barnes sees a 6.5% usage increase. That's a significant bump that translates directly to more shot attempts, more touches, and more opportunities to produce fantasy value. Barnes won't suddenly become a primary option in San Antonio's offense, but he'll shift from a tertiary piece to a more prominent secondary scorer.
The efficiency numbers Barnes has posted are borderline absurd: 56% from the field, 49% from three-point range, and 92% from the free-throw line. However, these percentages will inevitably decline as Barnes takes on a larger offensive role and faces more defensive attention.
The trade-off should work in Barnes' favor from a fantasy perspective. Yes, his efficiency will decrease as defenses focus on him more with Wembanyama sidelined. But that decreased efficiency should be offset by increased volume. Barnes is a veteran who knows how to operate as a featured scorer—he's been there before in his career.
The three-point shooting is particularly valuable for fantasy teams. Barnes has been draining triples at an elite rate, and while the 49% mark won't hold, he should remain a strong three-point contributor even with some regression. Barnes offers a clear path to category help.
The schedule presents one significant drawback: San Antonio has a light schedule coming up, which makes Barnes less appealing as a pure streaming option in shallower leagues. If you're in a 10-team format looking to maximize games played this week, Barnes might not be your best bet. However, for season-long value in standard and deeper leagues, the multi-week absence of Wembanyama and Castle creates a legitimate opportunity window.
Recommendation: Barnes should be added in most standard 12-team leagues and is a must-add in 14-team leagues and deeper formats. He's less appealing as a pure streamer in 10-team leagues due to San Antonio's light schedule, but if you're looking for multi-week value rather than just this week's games, he's worth the roster spot. Barnes is particularly valuable for teams needing three-point shooting. Don't expect him to maintain his absurd shooting percentages, but do expect him to provide steady production for as long as Wembanyama and Castle remain sidelined.
