Hi everyone, happy sixth fantasy week! Hope you’re all doing well in your leagues. This is my weekly set of recommended pickups, aiming mainly at deep leagues, not the easy six-team formats where someone like Derik Queen is still sitting on waivers. We’re talking about real difference-makers and the types of role players that actually swing competitive leagues. As always, I’m separating this into short-term weekly pickups and long-term stashes who can help you win later in the season.
Short-Term Weekly Pickups
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs
With Wemby sidelined, Barnes becomes a very steady veteran option who can help immediately. He’s averaging around 20 points and three three-pointers over his last few games, and although he’s not the multi-category producer he once was, he still offers reliable scoring and shooting. For managers needing points and threes, he’s one of the strongest short-term options this week.
Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns
In Phoenix’s injury-heavy backcourt situation, Gillespie has stepped into meaningful minutes. He’s been productive as a playmaker, adding assists, about two steals per game recently, and multiple threes. The shooting efficiency can vary, but guards who produce across the board like this rarely stay on waivers in competitive leagues. Very strong short-term assist-and-steal stream with real upside.
Peyton Watson, Denver Nuggets
In Denver, the absences of Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun have opened the door for Watson to showcase a well-rounded game. He’s scoring, rebounding, and contributing in the defensive “stocks,” and even when Gordon returns, his recent role should keep him relevant. For this upcoming week, he’s one of the better multi-category forward adds.
Moussa Diabate, Charlotte Hornets
With Ryan Kalkbrenner injured, Diabate has stepped into a much larger role. His current averages,around 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks,already make him a strong deep-league option, but those numbers could climb easily if he continues playing heavier minutes. He has the profile to hit a double-double with two blocks, which is the type of production that’s rarely available on waivers.
Long-Term Fantasy Pickups
Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards
Even though his season began slowly and he dealt with injuries, Coulibaly remains one of Washington’s cornerstone pieces. His recent games show double-digit scoring, rebounds, assists, and especially defensive impact. Managers who need steals, threes, and general across-the-board production should view him as a priority long-term stash. His role should only grow as the season progresses.
Anthony Black, Orlando Magic
Entering just his third season, Black has been playing with noticeable confidence and IQ. He’s eligible at multiple guard spots and steps into the starting lineup whenever injuries hit. He can approach 20 points with rebounds, assists, and around 1.5 steals when given the opportunity. With Jalen Suggs frequently missing time, Black should see consistent chances to shine. Long-term, he’s one of the more underrated breakout candidates available in deep leagues.
Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
The first overall pick from last year’s draft has had a disappointing start statistically,lower scoring, fewer threes, and inconsistent usage,but the talent is obvious, and the Hawks will eventually give him the developmental runway he needs. With a roster percentage under 20% on Yahoo, he’s a great low-risk, high-upside long-term add. He can provide threes and steals now and may become much more valuable later in the season as his role expands.
Good luck this week! If you found this useful, drop a like and a comment.
Which waiver pickup has helped your team the most so far this season?
