Fantasy Basketball Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups: Breakouts & Sleepers

As momentum towards the NBA trade deadline continues to gain steam, injuries have quietly gone about their business, providing others with unexpected opportunities. We are also starting to see certain teams showing their cards when it comes to what the rotations could look like post-All-Star break. As always, the waiver wire is the place to be, providing managers with bargain players who could be about to ascend in the fantasy basketball rankings. And remember, never assume a player is rostered. It always pays to double-check, just in case they have been overlooked.

Identifying players who are benefiting from expanded roles–whether it's an offensive threat delivering points and threes or a defensive-minded player boosting your blocks and steals–is vital as you navigate the season.

Let's dive into nine key NBA sleepers whose current stats suggest they are poised for significant value and are currently rostered in fewer than 40% of Yahoo leagues.

Yahoo High Score Leagues

Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors (31% rostered)

It appears as though Toronto is now more comfortable with playing Murray-Boyles in a consistent role, having logged at least 31 minutes in five of his past six games. Jakob Poeltl continues to deal with a back injury that has cost him a sizeable chunk of the season, providing Murray-Boyles with a great opportunity. His production remains a little volatile, although we have seen some real positives, especially on the defensive end. In his past six games, the rookie has averaged just over 37 fantasy points per game, more than enough to warrant must-roster status across all leagues, including High Score leagues.

Naji Marshall, Dallas Mavericks (31% rostered)

Yet another injury to Anthony Davis has resulted in Marshall being able to hold his spot in the rotation. The fact that Davis is likely to miss at least six weeks, coupled with the fact that the current trajectory in Dallas remains up in the air, and we have a nice situation for someone like Marshall. He has now scored double digits in seven straight games, tallying at least 22 points in his past three appearances. During that seven-game span, he has averaged almost 35 fantasy points per game, including a 56-point performance in a win over the Nets. Now that we have some assurance regarding his role, he makes for a relatively safe addition to most fantasy squads.

Brice Sensabaugh, Utah Jazz (15% rostered)

Coming off two standout games, including the best performance of his career, Sensabaugh has a lot of momentum right now. While his 43-point explosion is obviously not sustainable, he had been trending up, even prior to that. Seen as a potential late-round flier in drafts, Sensabaugh's role was far from ideal to begin the season. In fact, there were nights when he wasn't even in the rotation. However, things have shifted in the past few weeks, having logged at least 30 minutes in eight of the past 12 games, flashing some offensive upside in the process. There are certainly no guarantees when it comes to Utah's nightly rotation, adding an element of risk to anyone playing for the Jazz. With that said, it makes a lot of sense for Sensabaugh to be out there on a nightly basis, making him a viable addition in High Score leagues.

Standard 9-Category Leagues

Moussa Diabate, Charlotte Hornets (22% rostered)

While the absence of Ryan Kalkbrenner allowed Diabate to step back into a starter-level role, he has continued his strong play, even with Kalkbrenner back in the fold. In fact, he has now played at least 30 minutes in four of the past five games, scoring efficiently, albeit on low volume, while also grabbing his usual allotment of boards. He certainly isn't a viable option for everyone, given his limited skill set. However, if you need typical big man numbers, Diabate seems like a worthwhile risk.

Jaylon Tyson, Cleveland Cavaliers (16% rostered)

Having been on and off fantasy rosters all season, the time may have come where we need to go and add Tyson once again. Injuries to both Darius Garland and Sam Merrill are likely to open up more playing time, something Tyson was able to make the most of earlier in the season. While his numbers haven't been terrible of late, his overall production has taken a hit. However, assuming he could now step into a 30-minute-per-night role, that production could certainly trend in the right direction. In 37 appearances this season, Tyson has averaged 12.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.9 three-pointers in 26.9 minutes per game, making him a borderline top 100 player in standard leagues.

Moussa Cisse, Dallas Mavericks (4% rostered)

Although we only have a very small sample size when it comes to Cisse, there have been signs over the past week that he could certainly be a name to watch. With Daniel Gafford continuing to deal with what seems like a chronic ankle injury, Cisse could find himself a major part of the rotation. In Thursday's win over the Jazz, despite coming off the bench behind Dwight Powell, Cisse turned in the best performance of his young career, recording 10 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks in 24 minutes. He obviously comes with an element of risk given the uncertainty in Dallas, but for those looking for an upside play, he could be worth taking a flier on.

Standard Points Leagues

Caleb Love, Portland Trail Blazers (17% rostered)

Love has managed to carve out a somewhat consistent role for himself, having scored double digits in 13 straight games. The bulk of his value comes from points and threes, which is certainly a benefit for those in points formats. However, he has been able to chip in across other categories, appearing to gain more confidence with every appearance. In four games over the past week, he has averaged 17.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.3 three-pointers, good enough for more than 30 fantasy points per game. 

Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards (16% rostered)

Despite the recent acquisition of Trae Young, the narrative out of Washington is that Young is not going to touch the floor until after the All-Star break. This news should alleviate some of the doubt when it comes to Johnson's role, having now started in 10 straight games. His peripheral production does leave a little to be desired, making him a slightly more attractive target in points formats. While there will almost certainly be some ups and downs, he has shown enough to at least be considered rosterable, especially when what we have seen thus far could realistically be considered his floor.

Brandon Williams, Dallas Mavericks (9% rostered)

It sure has been a roller coaster season for Williams, with his role seemingly a variable within a roster full of variables. After assuming the starting point guard tag during the month of November, he was then supplanted by Ryan Nembhard. Nembhard flashed some upside for a brief period before regressing to the point where he was no longer rosterable. Although Williams has remained in a bench role, he has clearly moved ahead of Nembhard, scoring at least 14 points in seven of his past eight games, including three 20-point performances. An ankle injury to Cooper Flagg could also work in Williams' favor, making him a sneaky pickup across all formats.