With fantasy basketball waiver wire activity spiking again, this is the perfect time to reassess value based on the latest fantasy basketball news, shifting NBA lineups, and updated NBA injury reports. Early-season volatility always creates opportunities, and evolving NBA depth charts matter. Today, three players have surged up the waiver wire. But before following the crowd, it's worth breaking down what their roles actually look like moving forward.
Top Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Adds Today
Herbert Jones, Pelicans 
Herb Jones saw his roster rate tumble after a multi-week absence, but managers wasted no time scooping him back up after his return. Now up to roughly 30% rostered, Jones made an immediate splash in his first game back, posting an impressive 17 points, six rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block in just 26 minutes against the Spurs.
It's understandable why managers rushed to add him. However, it's important to zoom out before assuming Jones is suddenly a must-start or trending toward an expanded role.
Much of his big performance was powered by unsustainably efficient shooting: 6-of-10 from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 at the line. The game was also a track meet, finishing 135–132, inflating counting stats across the board.
Jones remains the same fantasy profile he has always been: a defense-first wing who excels in steals, not scoring or usage. Across his past 13 games, he's averaging 1.8 steals, and that's the primary reason to pick him up. If you don't need defensive stats, he's more of a fringe option.
It's also worth clarifying a common assumption: Zion Williamson's absence does not boost Jones' usage. In fact, his usage rate actually dips by about one percent without Zion on the court, and his scoring efficiency also takes a hit.
Bottom line: Jones is a strong add for managers punting points or chasing steals, but this is not the start of a sudden offensive breakout. Temper expectations accordingly.
Jordan Walsh, Celtics 
Jordan Walsh has quietly become one of the most valuable short-term defensive streamers in fantasy. Over his past five games, he's posting an impressive 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, while also scoring 14 points per game on a blistering 76.5% shooting.
Walsh is not a stable long-term asset — his role could fluctuate, and his field-goal percentage is guaranteed to regress — but the defensive production is real, and it fills a premium need for many managers. For now, he's playing enough minutes to matter, and his stock should hold as long as he stays active defensively.
If your team needs steals, blocks, or both, Walsh is absolutely worth holding. Just be prepared for his scoring to come back down to earth once the shooting heater ends.
Aaron Holiday, Rockets 
Aaron Holiday is the most situational of the three players trending up today. His recent increase in minutes is tied to a combination of hot shooting, blowout-heavy game scripts, and opportunities created by lineup absences — including Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun.
The production is undeniably useful in the short term. Over his past seven games, Holiday is averaging 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, and 3.0 made threes on 44% from deep. In a limited-schedule week or during injury crunches, those numbers fit perfectly into standard streaming strategy.
But there is no long-term stability here. Holiday's role is volatile, his minutes are far from guaranteed, and his recent production has been heavily fueled by shooting variance.
He's a good stream. He is not a hold — even in deeper formats.
