The Playlist: Week 14 fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups and start/sit advice

Welcome to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who and what to play — when it comes to music or other things in my rotation — for the upcoming week in fantasy basketball.

Each week, you’ll see a compilation of the pickups you need to make and a quick look at the schedule and lineup notes (who’s in and out of rotations).

Press play and shuffle through the latest fantasy basketball info and some Philly anthems to celebrate their second Super Bowl appearance in three years (sorry, not sorry — GO BIRDS).

🏀 Week 13 Wrap Up

• Nikola Jokić’s five-game triple-double streak ended on Saturday night.

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped a career-high 54 points against Utah on Wednesday.

• Jimmy Butler missed a flight and got suspended for two games. He’s expected to return on Monday against the Magic.

• Victor Wembanyama has a block and a 3 in 33 consecutive games — the longest streak in NBA history.

• Daniel Gafford had the second-most fantasy points in Week 13.

• Quentin Grimes caught a body. Dunk of the year 🤔 👀

🥇Top players for Week 13

🎧 Who’s in My Rotation: Waiver Pickups

Must-adds under 50% rostered

• Payton Pritchard – PG/SG, Boston Celtics (49%)

• Christian Braun – SG/SF, Denver Nuggets (48%)

• Goga Bitadze – C, Orlando Magic (48%)

• Kel’el Ware – PF/C, Miami Heat (45%)

• Tari Eason – SF/PF, Houston Rockets (45%)

• Ausar Thompson – SF/PF, Detroit Pistons (46%)

• Jaden McDaniels – SF/PF, Minnesota Timberwolves (43%)

• Nick Richards – C, Phoenix Suns (43%)

Top Streams:

Vit Krejčí – SF/SF – Atlanta Hawks (15%)

The Hawks will be without Trae Young (hamstring) and Jalen Johnson (shoulder) on Monday and have a slew of players who are listed as questionable. Krejčí finished Week 13 58th in 9-cat formats and is quietly a top 70 option over the last month. He’s coming off a career-high 20 points with 7 assists, 6 3s and 5 stocks, so pick him up to start the week while he’s still seeing a sizeable jump in minutes and opportunities. The Hawks have a good schedule, playing two games on lighter slates and beginning the week with a Monday-Tuesday back-to-back.

Jalen Wilson – SF/PF, Brooklyn Nets (3%)

The Nets’ schedule isn’t great because they play on the larger slates this week, but there’s a path to fantasy viability. The Nets’ tank is in full swing and Wilson is emerging as a player who might have a future with the team. In his last two games without Cam Johnson and others in the frontcourt, he’s posting 13.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.5 3s and 1.5 steals in 34.8 minutes. He’s a player I’d monitor as the trade deadline approaches, with Johnson one of the most coveted 3&D wings available.

Gary Trent Jr. – SG/SF, Milwaukee Bucks (8%)

Pick up Trent Jr. to start the week because the Bucks have a favorable back-to-back versus the Blazers and Jazz on Monday and Tuesday. Trent Jr. is shooting 54% from the field and from 3 in January and is averaging 14 ppg with 5 3s over his last five contests. The Bucks play four games with two on lighter slates, so Trent Jr. is a streamable option in Week 14 because of the matchups and his hot shooting.

Toumani Camara – SF/PF – Portland Trail Blazers (28%)

Camara’s roster percentage is the same as last week, but the Blazers play on Tuesday and Thursday, which means one transaction can get multiple starts. Camara is coming off one of his best games of the season, scoring 24 points (8-11 FG, 3-4 FT) with 9 boards, 4 assists, and 5 3s in 35 minutes. He’s been a top 90 player for the last month, so he’ll continue to make my stream list despite games against the Bucks, Magic and Suns.

Guerschon Yabusele – PF/C, Philadelphia 76ers (22%)

I’m running Yabusele back because Joel Embiid isn’t ready to return yet. He’s been a consistent energy hub and much-needed bully for Philly. He faces a gauntlet of centers this week, starting with Anthony Davis on Tuesday, then Domantas Sabonis, Nikola Jokić, and Kristaps Porziņģis. While challenging, two of those games, which are on lighter slates, come on Tuesday and Sunday. He’s seen 33 minutes a night over his last 10 and can get counting stats in nearly every category with Embiid off the floor.

Max Christie – SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers (9%)

A pure schedule play, Christie faces the Hornets and Sixers on a Monday/Tuesday back-to-back, plus the Wizards on Thursday and Knicks on Saturday. He’s another player who plays at least two games on a lighter slate and while the production has been inconsistent, the minutes are secure. He’s averaging 31 minutes per night in January and posting a streamable 12/4/2 line with 2 3s and 1.3 stocks a game. The confidence is building as well.

Isaiah Collier – PG, Utah Jazz (17%)

The rookie PG is starting over Keyonte George. If that holds, Collier should be rostered in more leagues. The Jazz are approaching sell season, and Collier stands to benefit from any potential moves. Over his last 10 contests, Collier’s averaged close to 10 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 1 3-pointer per game. He’s ideal for points leagues but also fits a punt-FG build well in 9-cat formats.

🗓️ Weekly Game Schedule

Here’s how the week breaks down in terms of total NBA games played per day. Use this to identify when streaming options will be the most favorable:

Prime Streaming Days: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday

There are a couple of double-digit slates in Week 13, but there are still opportunities to tap the waiver wire for additional production, particularly on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Depending on your roster construction, Friday is also an option, with just seven games that night.

Try to save at least two transactions for Friday and Sunday. To begin the week, I’d try to focus on teams playing a Monday-Tuesday back-to-back or Tuesday and Thursday to maximize your transactions.

🎯 Teams to target:

• 18 teams play four games: 76ers, Bucks, Bulls, Cavaliers, Celtics, Clippers, Hawks, Hornets, Jazz, Lakers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pistons, Raptors, Rockets, Suns, Timberwolves and Wizards

• Teams playing all three days: None

• Teams playing 2-of-3 prime streaming days: 76ers, Bucks, Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Hawks, Jazz, Lakers, Rockets and Trail Blazers

• Teams playing three games in four nights (Mon-Thurs): Hawks, Jazz, Lakers and Rockets

• Teams playing three games in four nights (Thurs-Sun): None

• Stream guys like Robert Williams, Dillon Brooks, Larry Nance Jr., Dalton Knecht, Brice Sensabaugh, Mike Conley, Moussa Diabate, Ayo Dosunmu, Ty Jerome, Eric Gordon and Taurean Prince

❌ Teams to Avoid: The Pacers and Thunder only have two games this week, both on 9+ game slates. Outside of your elite options, cut your lower-tiered guys and hit the waiver pool because neither team plays before Wednesday with their second matchup on Saturday’s 9-game slate.

Back-to-Back Sets:

• Monday/Tuesday: Bucks, Hawks, Jazz, Lakers and Rockets

• Tuesday-/Wednesday: 76ers and Warriors

• Wednesday/Thursday: Cavaliers, Timberwolves and Wizards

• Friday/Saturday: Hornets, Nuggets, Spurs and Suns

🚑 Injury News

• Franz Wagner is back!

• Jalen Johnson (shoulder) does not have a timetable for his return.

• Dereck Lively (foot) will miss 2-3 months.

• Coby White (ankle) has missed four straight games.

Latest injury reporting for all NBA teams

NBA Injury Report – Monday, January 27