Last Updated on January 20, 2026 9:10 pm by Mike Passador | Published: January 20, 2026

This is going to be our last “normal” edition of this article before the trade deadline on February 5. The rumor mill is heating up and that has had an impact on fantasy leagues already, as forward-looking managers are making moves to try and stake their claim with players who could have a positive post-deadline outlook. This week’s edition sees quite a few players who are worth a look for their current form and history of fantasy relevance, suggesting that some of these less-flashy options are getting cut loose as fantasy GMs chase upside down the line. It’s an understandable path but this is a good time to trim the fat on your rosters and pick up some easy marginal gains.

Of course, the big story right now is Jimmy Butler’s torn right ACL and the ripple effect it will have on the Golden State rotation. Their wing group was already a mess and now there’s even more variability to work with. We’ve got notes on a few Warriors who are worth scooping in deeper leagues down below.

Quick Hits

These are the players under 30% rostered that really should be, even in standard leagues. You’re going to start seeing them talked about in your regular waiver columns as well so if they’re available in deeper formats, feel free pick them up right now. Alternatively, this is a spot for some of the more unexciting options out there; the players whose floors and ceilings are pretty close together who are always liable to go out and just do their thing. You should be able to tell who slots into which group.

Season-long potential: Jay Huff (22%), Collin Murray-Boyles (29%), Herb Jones (16%), Julian Champagnie (24%), Davion Mitchell (23%) Ryan Kalkbrenner (17%), Maxime Raynaud (12%), Noah Clowney (29%), Aaron Nesmith (24%), Egor Demin (13%), Brice Sensabaugh (27%), Royce O’Neale (20%), Jeremiah Fears (19%), Bilal Coulibaly (15%), Jaylon Tyson (27%), Tre Johnson (13%), Dylan Harper (15%), Daniel Gafford (13%), TJ McConnell (10%), Cam Spencer (21%)

Streamable in the short term, maybe more: Cason Wallace (18%), Ayo Dosunmu (27%), Keldon Johnson (19%), Jake LaRavia (15%), Day’Ron Sharpe (13%), Sandro Mamukelashvili (16%)

Boring but reliable: Tre Jones (27%), Sam Merrill (9%), AJ Green (5%), Isaiah Stewart (18%), Harrison Barnes (7%), Duncan Robinson (10%), Mitchell Robinson (11%), Rui Hachimura (11%), Kris Dunn (10%), Alex Caruso (7%), Luke Kornet (12%)

14, 16, 18 Teams

We’re going to be referencing Yahoo roster percentages for the most part. In one of my 12-team leagues, the highest-rostered player who is still a free agent is De’Andre Hunter (18%). As such, we’re going to set the guardrails for this between 5% and 20% rostered — for the most part.

That doesn’t mean that someone who falls outside that arbitrary band can be overlooked — they just may not be available enough to help out the bulk of deep-league GMs. Basically, if you’re probably going to hear about them in 12-team conversations, we’ve included them above. Remember, just because someone isn’t in a certain section of the article doesn’t mean you can’t bend the rules. If there’s a player that’s 4% rostered that’s a perfect fit for your build, go ahead an add him, even in a 14-team league. Things get increasingly flexible as leagues get deeper.

De’Anthony Melton (10%)

We’ve been eyeing up Melton as an add in competitive 12-team leagues already but the Jimmy Butler injury is going to be rocket fuel for his roster percentage. The regular absences and continued workload restrictions are going to be thorns in your side but Melton has too much upside to leave on the wire. There’s no reason he should be available in 14-team leagues.

Profile: Strong add with season-long potential

Jalen Smith (25%)

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Mike Passador

Mike graduated from Boston University’s Dual Degree Program with a BA in Economics and a BS in Business with Concentrations in Marketing and Operations Management. He is a faithful supporter of Toronto sports and the Detroit Lions and is always ready to be let down. Tweet to him @Mike_Pandador, but if you badmouth Jose Calderon you might get blocked.

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