As the NBA season draws closer to its conclusion, fantasy basketball continues to intensify, with injuries and strategic tanking creating chances for lesser-known players to shine. Fantasy managers hunting for the best waiver wire additions must look beyond widely rostered stars, focusing on players appearing in fewer than 25% of Yahoo! leagues to gain a competitive edge this Week 19.
Among emerging waiver wire prospects, Micah Potter of the Indiana Pacers stands out as a versatile and efficient option, demonstrating strong scoring and defensive skills off the bench. His recent performances have made him a valuable fantasy target despite limited overall recognition.
Key Fantasy Basketball Waiver Additions for Week 19
This week’s priority waiver wire candidates include a mix of rookies and seasoned players who have taken advantage of increased playing time and team injuries. The list features:
1. Micah Potter
2. Nique Clifford
3. Will Riley
4. Leonard Miller
5. Danny Wolf
6. Guerschon Yabusele
7. Julian Champagnie
8. Olivier-Maxence Prosper
9. Elijah Harkless
10. Taylor Hendricks
11. Al Horford
12. Javon Small
Player Spotlights and Recent Performances
Micah Potter, Indiana Pacers (13% rostered)
Potter has shared frontcourt duties with Jay Huff but has emerged as a potent scoring and defensive presence off the bench. Over his last three games, he has averaged 20 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, along with notable defensive stats including one steal and one block per game, plus an impressive 3.3 made three-pointers on average. His ability to shoot from outside and guard multiple positions makes him an attractive pick despite concerns about Pascal Siakam’s potential return to the lineup. The Pacers have no rush to reintroduce Siakam, allowing Potter’s momentum to continue.
Have yourself a half, Micah Potter 😤He has 17 points late in Q2. pic.twitter.com/ElPgGYyqNr
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers)
Nique Clifford, Sacramento Kings (18% rostered)
Clifford has ended a scoring drought and delivered double-digit points in four consecutive games. Averaging 16.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.3 steals, and 1.5 made three-pointers over 34.5 minutes recently, he benefits from the Kings’ ongoing rebuild and increasing responsibility as Sacramento moves toward the NBA lottery.
Julian Champagnie, San Antonio Spurs (18% rostered)
Champagnie remains a regular starter for the Spurs, contributing reliably on defense and putting up solid numbers. Over his last four games, he has posted 14 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.3 blocks, and 3.8 made threes per game, making him a consistent defensive asset.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Memphis Grizzlies (12% rostered)
Prosper has started five consecutive games, averaging 12.4 points, 4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.6 blocks, and one made triple in just 23.4 minutes. Though his playing time is limited due to Memphis’s crowded rotation, his efficiency earns him consideration for fantasy rosters.
Will Riley, Washington Wizards (10% rostered)
Riley is receiving significant minutes as the Wizards focus on developing their young talent. He has averaged 15.5 points, 6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 three-pointers over 32.5 minutes in his last four appearances, showcasing a promising skill set for fantasy players.
🗣️ yeah rook! pic.twitter.com/ATT5hmUG97
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards)
Javon Small, Memphis Grizzlies (10% rostered)
With Memphis’ backcourt beset by injuries, Small has capitalized on extra playing time, recording 13.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 2.2 three-pointers across 25.5 minutes in his last six games. His role is expected to remain prominent going forward.
Al Horford, Golden State Warriors (8% rostered)
At 39 years old, Horford continues to deliver steady production for the Warriors amidst a depleted frontcourt. He averaged 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1.7 blocks, and 3.3 three-pointers during his last three games, providing reliable veteran leadership and contributions across multiple categories.
Taylor Hendricks, Memphis Grizzlies (8% rostered)
Trading to Memphis has provided Hendricks with ample opportunity to showcase his skills. His recent averages include 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, and 2 made threes per game over four contests. Memphis’ thin frontcourt depth assures his continued presence in the rotation.
🏀 SUNDAY’S FINAL SCORES 🏀Taylor Hendricks knocks down a career-high 5 threes as the @memgrizz win on the road!Jaylen Wells: 18 PTS, 2 STL Olivier-Maxence Prosper: 17 PTS Scotty Pippen Jr.: 16 PTS, 5 AST Rayan Rupert: 16 PTS, 6 REB pic.twitter.com/s7KUu4NMD1
— NBA (@NBA)
Guerschon Yabusele, Chicago Bulls (7% rostered)
Due to Jalen Smith’s calf injury, Yabusele has filled a starting role for Chicago, averaging 10.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 three-pointers over 25 minutes across his last five games. His increased opportunity makes him an appealing waiver pickup.
Danny Wolf, Brooklyn Nets (4% rostered)
Wolf is steadily proving his worth as a rookie, with averages of 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1 steal, and 2.3 triples over his last three contests. He showcased his potential in a season-best performance against Cleveland, compiling 23 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and three three-pointers in 27 minutes.
Danny Wolf in the first half:🐺 12 PTS🐺 3 AST🐺 3 3PM pic.twitter.com/ENSDYrh5j1
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets)
Elijah Harkless, Utah Jazz (1% rostered)
Recalled from the G League, Harkless has logged four straight games, with meaningful minutes in the last two. He averaged 12.5 points, 3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 1 three-pointer over 24.5 minutes, proving himself a versatile contributor and a possible find on the waiver wire.
Leonard Miller, Chicago Bulls (0% rostered)
Miller has impressed recently, posting 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 0.5 steals, 2 blocks, and 1.5 triples across 25 minutes in his last two games. With injuries to key Bulls frontcourt players Jalen Smith and Patrick Williams, Miller’s role is expanding, positioning him as a stealthy waiver add.
Leonard Miller with the reverse jam to enter crunch time!@leonardmi11er | @CHSN_ pic.twitter.com/T3UeHS1d7X
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls)
Additional Emerging Waiver Wire Options
Other players worth monitoring with under 25% Yahoo! ownership include Moses Moody, Herbert Jones, Peyton Watson (each at 23%), as well as Jordan Miller, Jaylin Williams, Tristan da Silva, and Daeqwon Plowden with lower roster percentages. These names could provide valuable depth for fantasy managers willing to explore beyond the obvious choices.
What the Waiver Wire Means for Fantasy Basketball Managers
The 2025-26 season’s final weeks offer fantasy managers intense competition, with the waiver wire serving as a crucial battleground for securing hidden gems. Players like Micah Potter, Nique Clifford, and Danny Wolf have benefited from changing rotations and injury-driven opportunity, proving that low-rostered players can deliver significant value.
As teams adjust their lineups and rest key veterans, rotating in rookies and role players, fantasy managers must stay attentive to these shifts to maximize their rosters. Those who adapt quickly stand to gain an advantage, leveraging under-the-radar players to climb league standings before the playoffs.
Have yourself a half, Micah Potter 😤
He has 17 points late in Q2. pic.twitter.com/ElPgGYyqNr
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 25, 2026
🗣️ yeah rook! pic.twitter.com/ATT5hmUG97
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 22, 2026
🏀 SUNDAY'S FINAL SCORES 🏀
Taylor Hendricks knocks down a career-high 5 threes as the @memgrizz win on the road!
Jaylen Wells: 18 PTS, 2 STL
Olivier-Maxence Prosper: 17 PTS
Scotty Pippen Jr.: 16 PTS, 5 AST
Rayan Rupert: 16 PTS, 6 REB https://t.co/q4Hupv1VnN pic.twitter.com/s7KUu4NMD1— NBA (@NBA) March 2, 2026
Danny Wolf in the first half:
🐺 12 PTS
🐺 3 AST
🐺 3 3PM pic.twitter.com/ENSDYrh5j1— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 1, 2026
Leonard Miller with the reverse jam to enter crunch time!@leonardmi11er | @CHSN_ pic.twitter.com/T3UeHS1d7X
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 27, 2026
