yahoo - 1/26/2026 5:35:11 PM - GMT (+2 )
Welcome back to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who to add off the waiver wire and get in your lineup for the upcoming week in fantasy basketball.
Every league is different — sometimes a 75% rostered player hits waivers, whether by mistake or because they’ve hit an intolerable slump. If they fit your build, go get 'em. But for this column, we're focusing on players under 50% rostered who are widely available and ready to help in Week 14.
🎧 Who's in My Rotation: High ScoreSandro Mamukelashvili - FC, Toronto Raptors (28% rostered)Jakob Poeltl's days could be numbered in Toronto as he can't shake a lingering back injury. Until the Raptors make a move, though, Mamu is the guy you'll want to roster in High Score and shallow leagues. He's been playing 33 minutes over the past few games, producing a mix of counting stats — 18.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1 stock per game. If he's rostered in your league, there's an outside chance someone could drop him with the Raptors not playing until Wednesday. Regardless, he should be a priority add across leagues after scoring 43 fantasy points in High Score last week.
Jalen Smith - FC, Chicago Bulls (25% rostered)Running this back because fantasy managers picked him up in just 2% of leagues since last week. The Bulls play five games this week, leaving several chances to get Smith into a frontcourt or utility spot. Though he only scored 34 fantasy points in Week 14, he's one of the best deadline stashes in fantasy basketball and had a 50-point fantasy outing in Week 13. He should be rostered in all leagues.
Brandon Podziemski - G, Golden State Warriors (39% rostered)I still see Podz on waivers in a few of my High Score leagues, so why not include him? He's been added in 10% more leagues since last week, which makes sense with Jimmy Butler (torn ACL) and Jonathan Kuminga (knee) suffering injuries. Podz has scored at least 39 fantasy points in High Score in four of his last five games. The Warriors' front office seems indecisive at the moment, which leaves Podz with an excellent opportunity to shine with all the injuries piling up in the Bay. Add him everywhere.
Cam Spencer - G, Memphis Grizzlies (26% rostered)With four games on tap and Ja Morant missing at least the next three weeks with a sprained UCL, Spencer becomes a must-stream for Week 15. Now, Ty Jerome is nearing a return, but until that happens, Spencer will be the primary facilitator for the Grizz. He scored 51 fantasy points in his last game, delivering a 24-5-11 line against the Pelicans — a team he'll play again this week. Add him, because he has considerable staying power.
🎧 Who's in My Rotation:Deeper leaguesTre Johnson - SG, Washington Wizards (14% rostered)I was surprised to see Johnson on waivers in a 12-team league of mine early Monday morning, so maybe he's there for you as well. Anyway, the rookie performed well in Week 14, finishing 103rd in 9-cat leagues. In three games last week, he averaged 20 points with 4.7 assists and 4.0 3s per game. He's a bucket, so if you're needing help in the scoring department with some sneaky assists, pick him up for a four-game week. I also think he has long-term appeal as the Wizards continue to trend south. Bub Carrington is another pivot if you want more versatility — just be wary of the high turnover rate.
Dylan Cardwell -C, Sacramento Kings (11% rostered)The backup center for the Kings is making an impression with his hustle and effort. Despite not being much of a threat offensively, Cardwell is showing out on the glass and as a shot-blocker in limited minutes. Over his last five contests, the rookie big man is posting a respectable 6.0 points, 9.2 boards and 3.3 stocks in 24.3 minutes per game. I'd add him mid-week, when the Kings play three of their four games from Thursday to Sunday.
Aaron Wiggins - SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder (10% rostered)Wiggins is back on my list because two key rotational players, Ajay Mitchell and Cason Wallace, got hurt last week. Wiggins is dealing with a groin injury himself; however, he was the one who started the second half in Wallace's place after Wallace was injured on Sunday night against the Raptors. Wiggins has been a solid defensive asset for fantasy managers recently, averaging over 2 stocks per game over the past month. He'll also provide some scoring and 3s. I dont love OKC's three-game schedule, but Wiggins should play north of 30 minutes as the Thunder are dealing with one too many injuries.
Kevin Huerter - SG/SF, Chicago Bulls (7% rostered)The Red Velvet's minutes have been all over the place recently. However, he hit a massive game-winner against Boston on Saturday night in front of a hyped home crowd that celebrated Derrick Rose's jersey retirement. It felt like a moment that could carryover well into a five-game week. He was surprisingly 86th in 9-cat leagues across three games in Week 14, so if you're looking for some cross-categorial stats (points, 3s, assists and steals), give Huerter a look in competitive deep leagues.
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