Welcome to Week 11! This week brings a mix of injuries, rotation shifts, and schedule quirks that open the door for several strong waiver wire pickups. We’re now entering one of the most intense parts of the fantasy season, after the NBA Cup chaos and before the All-Star break, where heavy schedules and opportunity matter more than name value. If you use this stretch correctly, you can steal matchups, gain schedule edges, and uncover real gems on the waiver wire.
For this article, I’m breaking down my Week 11 fantasy basketball waiver picks, focusing on players who benefit from current rotations, recent injuries, and teams that are clearly leaning into development. Let’s get into it.
I used the league schedule grid and the latest injury updates as references, so all of these picks are based on real opportunity and game volume.
Bilal Coulibaly, Wizards
Coulibaly is my favorite high-upside pickup this week. Since returning from injury, he’s looked sharp and confident, putting up strong all-around numbers. Over the past week, he’s been around 16 points per game, hitting over three triples, grabbing seven boards, adding two steals, and over a block per night, all while keeping turnovers low. That kind of stat profile from a wing is hard to find on waivers. As the season moves forward and Washington continues prioritizing development, Coulibaly should see more offensive responsibility. If you’re looking beyond just this week, he’s one of the best upside bets available.
Bub Carrington, Wizards
Another Wizard worth looking at. Carrington hasn’t been perfect lately. His free throw shooting has hurt and the turnovers can pile up, but the opportunity is very real. Over the past two weeks, he’s averaging close to 14 points, almost three threes, five rebounds, and four assists. The Wizards aren’t exactly pushing for wins, which means young guards like Carrington will keep getting chances to play through mistakes. In category leagues, he’s a solid add for points, threes, and assists, especially with a four-game week.
Nikola Jović, Heat
Jović is quietly becoming interesting again. After missing time, he’s looked healthy, playing both ends of a back-to-back without any limitations, which is always a good sign. With Miami dealing with ongoing absences and maintenance games for guys like Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, Jović’s role has stabilized. He’s one of those players who would be much more rostered on a thinner team, but Miami’s depth keeps his minutes capped. Still, he’s a very fantasy-friendly player when he gets run, and with four games on the schedule, he’s a strong add this week.
Pelle Larsson, Heat
Larsson continues to earn trust from Spoelstra, and it’s showing in the minutes and usage. He recently dropped a career-high 21 points, and over the past week, even in just two games, he’s averaged nearly 19 points, five rebounds, six assists, and a couple of threes. The numbers might cool slightly, but the role looks secure. What stands out most is how clean his game has been lately, with very low turnovers. In a four-game week, that combination of scoring and efficiency makes him absolutely worth a waiver add.
Diabate, Hornets
With Charlotte dealing with injuries to their other centers, Diabate has stepped into a much bigger role and the minutes have followed. Over the past week, he’s averaged nearly 15 rebounds, around nine points, and two steals per game while shooting an excellent 69% from the field. The only thing missing has been blocks, which you’d usually expect more from a player like him. He’s playing four games over the next six days, making him a perfect short-term stream. If you need a center right now, it’s hard to find a better option on the wire.
Tim Hardaway Jr., Nuggets
Hardaway has quietly been one of the steadiest waiver options lately. Denver’s rotation has been hit hard by injuries, and that’s opened consistent minutes for him. Over the past two weeks, he’s averaging around 17 points, nearly four threes per game, and close to three rebounds, all while shooting efficiently and being perfect from the free throw line. Eligible at both SG and SF, and playing four games this week, he’s one of the best pure three-point specialists you’ll find on the wire right now.
The season is flying by, and the injury situation league-wide isn’t getting any easier. That’s why weeks like this matter. If you stay proactive with waivers and take advantage of schedule quirks, you can separate yourself from your league without making a single trade.
Check out some of my other fantasy basketball strategy pieces below if you want to go deeper, and good luck in your Week 11 matchups. I’ll be back next week.
Recommended Reads:
When Should Fantasy Basketball Playoffs Start? The Setting That Saves Your League
5 Fantasy Basketball Strategies That Win Head-to-Head Matchups
5 Smart Strategies to Prepare for Fantasy Basketball Playoffs
5 Ways to Dominate the Waiver Wire in Fantasy Basketball
