Last Updated on December 18, 2025 7:55 pm by Mike Passador | Published: December 18, 2025

The Knicks have claimed the NBA Cup and the schedule is a bit weird as the league resets from its mini-break. Thursday’s slate is massive when that is traditionally reserved for a pair of big-time matchups on national TV, and that teams have been off for a bit means we have a busy weekend ahead with plenty of pickup potential for a boost to close out this matchup week.

Beyond that, there’s a growing collection of players who are undeniable adds in all leagues yet remain on waivers anyway. Then a nice contingent of guys who should be added in 12-team leagues, either as they bounce back from early lulls or step into opportunities created by injuries. There aren’t a ton of hot ticket guys on waivers (outside the first group, and those are likely long gone in competitive leagues) but there’s still value to mine.

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.

Jaden McDaniels (47%)
Key Note(s): A top-55 value so far; “slumping” to top-85 returns in the last two weeks.

There’s no reason for McDaniels to be available in over half of Yahoo leagues. Completely inexcusable.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (48%)
Key Note(s): Might have been dropped, but shouldn’t have been.

Alexander-Walker, who started the season at 0%, should not be more widely rostered than McDaniels, but that’s another story for another day. Trae Young is due to return from his right MCL sprain any second and despite NAW’s play in the last several weeks, it looks like he will be the guy moving to the bench eventually, if not right away. That might’ve sent him back to the wire in some leagues as a proactive drop to pick up a different free agent, but we’re willing to give Alexander-Walker a chance to see how things look alongside Young. Maintaining 30-plus minutes a night isn’t out of the question.

Grayson Allen (33%)
Key Note(s): Back from injury and shaking off the rust.

Allen hasn’t been great over the last two weeks but even with that he has posted top-70 value on the full season, and it continues to look like he’ll play a major role in Phoenix. The test will come whenever Jalen Green (hamstring) returns but rolling with the punches isn’t a bad idea here. We wouldn’t have cut Allen loose after this recent rough patch, so give him a pickup in 12-team leagues.

Ryan Kalkbrenner (25%)
Key Note(s): Insane.

Kalkbrenner has been Charlotte’s starting center from opening night and there’s no way he should be rostered in only a quarter of Yahoo leagues. It’s not much — boards, blocks and a great FG% — but it’s honest work.

Donte DiVincenzo (45%)
Key Note(s): Full-time starter with a proven track record and we’re getting tired of advising a pickup.

DiVincenzo continues to get a short leash from fantasy GMs but he’s a top-75 guy who is locked into a starting role. He should’ve been drafted in every league and it’s insane that he’s so widely available, even accounting for no-move leagues and different scoring formats.

Jay Huff (32%)
Key Note(s): What are you waiting for?

Huff has posted top-10 value in the last two weeks. Top-10! Come on. The blocks are elite and he’s also chipping in rebounds and 3-pointers.

Neemias Queta (37%)
Key Note(s): Secure starting role, bankable stat set.

Queta is cruising along as a top-100 guy. He loses most of his punch if he’s not blocking shots but luckily, that hasn’t been a problem. It’s a stat set you can set your watch to and Queta has given himself a ton of distance in the center pack.

PJ Washington (46%)
Key Note(s): Why is he rostered this low?

Washington was a legitimate middle-round guy last year and the only concern was that he wouldn’t start in a forward-heavy rotation. Well, he’s starting and while he’s only a top-140 guy on the full season, a lot of that is due to his poor free throws. If you’re punting those, he’s a top-100 guy, and has been a top-100 option overall in the last two weeks even with a .615 mark at the charity stripe.

Collin Gillespie (30%)
Key Note(s): Again, how?

We’re well over a month into recommending Gillespie as a pickup. It’s somewhat understandable that other people would drop him given the makeup of Phoenix’s roster but he has earned a significant role and will be a 12-team option on the back of his assists and 3-pointers alone. Add in the other stats he’s going to get along the way and you have a shrewd add.

Honorable Mention(s): All of these names are under 60% rostered for some reason, but they should just be on a roster… Kon Knueppel, Dillon Brooks, Peyton Watson, Toumani Camara

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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