Last Updated on January 15, 2026 9:08 pm by Mike Passador | Published: January 15, 2026

Thursday is an important date on the NBA calendar, as a new group of players are now eligible to be traded. Jonathan Kuminga in particular wasted no time, demanding a trade away from Golden Sate. (“If you don’t trade me, I’m going to not-play even harder.“)

With trade season on the horizon, many fantasy GMs are likely starting to position their rosters to reap the benefits of some player movement. Managers higher up in the standings or desperate for a boost may be doing a little preemptive stashing with long-term bets who could provide significant value if the stars align. Others are likely wheeling and dealing to pick up marginal gains, with mild sell-highs and buy-lows in case expected moves come to pass. In this ongoing quest, you’re likely going to see some surprising names hit the waiver wire. We would be ready to pounce on any trade-related names who end up in favorable situations but in the meantime, you’ve got the usual list of guys worth scooping, including a few players who continue to be undervalued despite season-long productivity.

Here is the article layout:

• Double-Check Zone: Players who should be on a 12-team roster, but whose roster percentages suggest you need to make sure they’re not on your wire.
• Standard Leagues: Players worth an add in standard leagues with a potential path to value over a decent stretch of time (or the season).
• Streamers, Maybe More: Players on a hot streak or a path to short-term value with a smaller chance of long-term upside if certain things break their way.
• Watch-List: Players who may not quite be surefire adds yet, but those who should be monitored in case they trend up.
• Deep Leagues: Lower-rostered players who should be available in 14-team or 16-team leagues and beyond.
• Weekend Watch: A quick look at teams with strong weekend schedules if you’re planning on some very short-term pickups.

Double-Check Zone

Most of these players will be rostered in competitive leagues, but we get just enough questions about them to warrant another call-out. These are your priority adds and if anyone on this list is still available, thank your lucky stars.

Jrue Holiday (55%)
Key Note(s): Back from injury and still a little undervalued.

Holiday just returned from a brutal 27-game absence due to a right calf strain. He’s still coming off the bench and seeing limited minutes but that should only last for so long. If Holiday was dropped during his time away — which is somewhat understandable given that it was a third of the season — you need to go add him.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (51%)
Key Note(s): No more Trae Young looming over everything.

The Hawks finally traded Trae Young (Traeded?) and have taken the biggest possible threat to Alexander-Walker out of the equation. Sure, CJ McCollum could start, but why would the Hawks mess with a good thing? Plus, McCollum and his massive expiring contract could be used to facilitate other trades. If you were hesitant to fully buy into NAW because of Young’s presence, hesitate no more.

Anthony Black (46%)
Key Note(s): Still cooking, Jalen Suggs is still hurting.

Black continues to play a pivotal role for the Magic. We expect that he will slow down at some point when (or if) the Magic can get all five of their starters healthy at the same time, but even then we’re looking at minutes in the high 20s as part of a bench group that doesn’t offer very much in terms of scoring or playmaking. Black should be a top candidate for Most Improved Player this year and fantasy managers need to stop ignoring his contributions.

Peyton Watson (42%)
Key Note(s): Might have been lost in the shuffle.

It’s possible that Watson got dropped when it was announced that Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun were cleared to return from their multi-week injuries, but Watson continues to ball out and may have earned the starting gig outright for the rest of the season. Even if he doesn’t, Watson has clearly established himself as a contributor on a team with a thin bench, and we’re expecting good minutes the rest of the way.

Donte DiVincenzo (46%)
Key Note(s): Just outside the top-60.

When I wrote this article a month ago, DiVincenzo was 45% rostered and producing top-75 value. Now he’s inside the top-65 and at 46%. I don’t get it either, but if he’s available to you, it’s one of the easier decisions you could ever have to make.

The rest: These players also need to be rostered in all 12-team formats but are available in a shocking number of leagues. We’re not going to belabor the point or waste your time talking about guys who are probably not available, but just in case… Jaden McDaniels (45%), Kyshawn George (62%), Ryan Rollins (56%), Kon Knueppel (54%), Jabari Smih (47%), PJ Washington (42%), Aaron Gordon (54%), Dillon Brooks (42%), Neemias Queta (37%), Andrew Wiggins (56%), Jusuf Nurkic (55%)

Standard Leagues

These players are either approaching 12-team value or have already seized it but every fantasy league may not have caught on to that yet. They may not be guaranteed to hold ROS value but they are worth a look nonetheless as it may be a possibility, or there may at least be some medium-to-long-term appeal.

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