Last Updated on October 30, 2025 4:38 pm by Keston Paul | Published: October 30, 2025

Welcome to the first of our “Working the Wire” columns (rebranded slightly) for the season.

In this article, I will cover:

• Double-Check Zone: Players who should be on a 12-team roster but the percentages suggest you should confirm that is the case.
• 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.
• Deep Leagues: Lower-rostered players who should be available in 14-team or 16-team leagues and beyond.
• Watch-List: This is my personal inclusion for players who may not quite be surefire adds yet, but you should have them closely monitored in case they trend up.

I will also add the caveat that I started this article on Wednesday afternoon, so a lot of the stats are quoted from before Wednesday night’s games. Keep in mind that this early in the season, one performance can completely shift the outlook of a player. This isn’t the time to read into rankings as a be-all and end-all, but we should be pinpointing which stats are likely to hold and which stats can improve or decline.

Double-Check Zone

Most of these players will be rostered in competitive leagues, but it is worth checking your waiver wire to de doubly sure.

VJ Edgecombe (63%)
Key Note(s): Starting & playing 40.2 MPG

He is top-30 for 9-cat right now, averaging 22.3 points, 3.0 triples, 5.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks across four games. The minutes, usage (points, 3s, probably assists) should all drop a bit, but Edgecombe has a fantasy-friendly stat set since he produces across the baord. I am confident in him getting defensive stats and out-of-position rebounds. I do think he can maintain 12-team value, so if he is somehow still available, add him and maybe even try to sell high soon. It won’t be this good, but it should be good enough.

Aaron Gordon (57%)
Key Note(s): Shooting touch still present this season (.573 3PT% on 6.3 attempts per game and 1.000 FT% through four games).

Gordon will not maintain the percentages I quoted, but he shot a career-high .436 3PT% and .810 FT% last season, only losing out for fantasy because injuries reduced his workload. He has a sort of low-end across-the-board fantasy profile and I can see him hanging around the top-100 if the general shooting touch has genuinely improved over the past year.

Jrue Holiday (54%)
Key Note(s): 17.5 points, 2.3 triples, 5.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.3 steals across four games (top-50 9-cat) before Wednesday’s slate

I thought Holiday was “cooked” from an offensive perspective, but it seems he really was just playing a role for the Celtics and doing it quite well. He had mid-round upside in the past and while I still have my doubts that he maintains this level, I think he can at least be a top-80 guy and maybe top-100 if we are being more cautious and doubtful.

Kyshawn George (53%)
Key Note(s): 33.1 MPG for 20.3 points, 3.5 triples, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks (top-20 9-cat so far)

I like George a lot as a player and his across-the-board fantasy skill set is what you want. Even if the scoring and percentages dip, he should get you 12-team value with everything else he can do. Over a steal and block per game with a lot of rebounds, threes and impact in assists should all be present in his stat profile. Scoring upside would be the frosting on the cake.

Keyonte George (52%)
Key Note(s): 9.7 assists per game, 20.0 points, .947 FT%, .422 FG% (top-55 9-cat so far)

I liked George as a rookie and soured on him badly last season. He is showing a bit more poise as a playmaker again and the FG% seems to be getting better. Low 40s FG% can be more manageable than being in the 30s. He should simply just be on a roster as he is a big contributor to a good Jazz start.

Kevin Porter Jr. (48%)
Key Note(s): Injury stash if you have the luxury of it.

I think Porter will have something to say this season, so if you have the luxury of spare adds and multiple empty IR/IL spots, you can consider stashing Porter until he returns to action. You’re mainly looking for points, treys and assists here with a little upside in rebounds.

Honorable Mention(s): Jonathan Kuminga (can’t believe I’m saying that), Toumani Camara, Jaden McDaniels and PJ Washington should just be on a roster. 

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.

 Want full access to this week’s hot Waiver Wire Adds? You’ll need to have an Ethos 360, All-Sport or NBA FantasyPass membership. Click here to learn more and sign up! Premium Access Required  

Join the SportsEthos team! Fill out an application by clicking here!