NBA Waiver Wire: Top Players to Add Before the All-Star Break

Following an epic NBA trade deadline which featured a bit of everything, including division rivals exchanging disgruntled stars, it feels like the league has been flipped upside down. The ripple effects will be felt in fantasy leagues, as well. Thus, it should be no surprise that this week's fantasy basketball waiver wire column focuses mostly on identifying which widely available players are the best bets to benefit from a statistical perspective.

Without further ado, here are numerous players to consider adding in the aftermath of the trade deadline.

Darius Bazley, Oklahoma City Thunder (46% rostered)

Sometimes it's inactivity at the trade deadline that fuels a player's improved fantasy outlook. Mike Muscala (ankle) remains sidelined through the All-Star break and Derrick Favors has played sparingly all season. Neither should be expected to see significant playing time the rest of the way.

Moreover, Bazley has been stellar lately, averaging 16.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.4 threes and 0.8 blocks across his last five games. Fellow frontcourt teammates Aleksej Pokusevski (14% rostered) and Kenrich Williams (4% rostered) have also shown some flashes recently, and all three seem to be set up for strong finishes to the campaign.

Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs (51% rostered)

San Antonio's (curious) decision to trade Derrick White figures to free up more minutes for Vassell, who is coming off of a string of three straight encouraging performances. As such, assuming Vassell earns at least 30 minutes per night going forward, he won't be this widely available for long. Add him now while you still can.

Dorian Finney-Smith, Dallas Mavericks (39% rostered)

On the same day that Kristaps Porzingis (knee) was dealt to Washington, Finney-Smith signed a lucrative, four-year contract extension. The trade likely means Finney-Smith will primarily play the power forward position going forward, which bodes well for his chances of raising his relatively uninspiring rebounding average (4.8 RPG). Though he doesn't excel in any one area, Finney-Smith is maintaining career-high averages in scoring (10.0 PPG), assists (1.9 APG), steals (1.2 SPG), blocks (0.5 BPG), and minutes (32.7 MPG).

Hamidou Diallo, Detroit Pistons (29% rostered)

Maybe a change of scenery is all that Marvin Bagley (27% rostered) needed, and perhaps he's on the verge of breaking out in Detroit. However, given the choice between the two players, I'd sooner scoop up Diallo, who has been on an absolute tear over the last four games while Cade Cunningham (hip) has been sidelined. Furthermore, through 48 appearances this season, Diallo is averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 boards, and 1.2 assists in 22.7 minutes while contributing career highs in the steals (1.2 SPG) and field-goal percentage (50.0% FG) departments.

JaVale McGee, Phoenix Suns (26% rostered)

Phoenix did trade sophomore big man Jalen Smith, but McGee had already been making waves over the last few weeks. Across his last 10 appearances, McGee is averaging 9.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in just 16.2 minutes. Those already rostering Deandre Ayton—or those simply in need of center depth—might want to consider snagging McGee as a handcuff.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Washington Wizards (25% rostered)

Caldwell-Pope isn't having a great season by any stretch of the imagination. Nevertheless, now that Bradley Beal (wrist) is out for the season and Spencer Dinwiddie is headed to Dallas, Caldwell-Pope could emerge as a solid option, particularly in points leagues. Fantasy managers searching for dimes should consider adding Ish Smith (6% rostered) or Raul Neto (3% rostered).

Justise Winslow, Portland Trail Blazers (28% rostered)

Winslow went from having to scratch and claw for minutes on a deep Clippers team to immediately being a prominent part of Portland's rotation. He's played 33, 33 and 37 minutes, respectively, in his first three games with the Blazers. In Saturday's win over the Knicks, he posted 14 points, five rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block. Even with Josh Hart debuting, Winslow's workload held strong, which is a fantastic sign for those who have already scooped up the former lottery pick.

Thaddeus Young, Toronto Raptors (26% rostered)

It's not out of the realm of possibility that Young ends up earning a sizable share of minutes as a small-ball center for the Raptors. Nevertheless, no matter what position he's occupying, Young has proven capable of stuffing the stat sheet even in a relatively modest role. His defensive versatility and toughness matches the modus operandi of this Toronto team, which is overflowing with lengthy, active athletes. Especially in deeper leagues, Young is worth adding.

Goga Bitadze, Indiana Pacers (19% rostered)

Having traded Domantas Sabonis to Sacramento, Indiana will undoubtedly look to Bitadze to hold down the fort as the starting center for the next couple weeks until Myles Turner (foot) returns. The Pacers are a team to keep track of over the next couple weeks. Isaiah Jackson (ankle) remains the most intriguing long-term add, in my opinion, but several other players with low rostered percentages (Lance Stephenson, Terry Taylor, Duane Washington Jr.) could prove useful down the stretch, particularly if Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles) continues to miss time.

Cameron Thomas, Brooklyn Nets (28% rostered)

Thomas has been tearing it up over the last five games, averaging 23.2 points, 3.6 boards, 3.0 dimes, 2.2 treys, and 1.2 steals in 31.8 minutes during that stretch. Recently traded star James Harden had missed three of those last four games, while Kyrie Irving (unvaccinated) missed one of those contests. The arrival of Seth Curry and Ben Simmons will likely mean less time for Thomas going forward. Still, based on his level of play of late, Thomas is worthy of fantasy consideration—especially in deep leagues, and particularly during weeks when the Nets have several home games.

Grayson Allen, Milwaukee Bucks (20% rostered)

Allen's rostered percentage has trended downward of late, which makes sense considering he has scored in single digits in two of his last three appearances. However, Milwaukee moved Donte DiVincenzo at the trade deadline, plus Pat Connaughton broke his hand against the Suns and is out indefinitely. As a result, Allen should be relied upon quite heavily for the remainder of the season. I'd even recommend adding Jordan Nwora (2% rostered), who also figures to have a much more demanding role going forward.

Maxi Kleber, Dallas Mavericks (15% rostered)

Like Grayson Allen, Kleber was just recommended in last week's fantasy basketball waiver wire column. It's safe to say that trading Kristaps Porzingis (knee) to Washington means Kleber will continue to play a significant role for the Mavericks for the remainder of the season. For those in deeper leagues that miss out on Kleber, fellow Dallas big man Dwight Powell (8% rostered) isn't a bad backup plan.

Goran Dragic, San Antonio Spurs (5% rostered)

Though it's unclear how soon Dragic will be bought out, it's (almost certainly) only a matter of time. His level of impact will depend in part on where he ends up signing and how much that team needs Dragic offensively. Still, even if Dragic only ends up playing 20-to-25 minutes per game off the bench, he'll provide decent value in most leagues.

Bones Hyland, Denver Nuggets (5% rostered)

It was a quiet trade deadline for Denver, which bodes well for Hyland. Having recently leapfrogged Facundo Campazzo for the backup point guard gig, Hyland figures to be even more involved in the short-term given that Monte Morris remains in concussion protocol as of Sunday. If Morris is cleared 

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