The Playlist: Week 5 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups & Lineup Tips

Welcome to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who to add off the waiver wire and what to play (when it comes to setting your lineup or music in my rotation) for the upcoming week in fantasy basketball.

(High Score is a new way to play Fantasy Basketball on Yahoo with simple rosters and scores. It’s not too late to create or join a league.)

Each week, you’ll see a compilation of the pickups you need to make in various scoring formats and how the schedule might affect your starting decisions. So press play and explore the latest information on fantasy basketball.

🎧 Who’s in my rotation: High score

Derik Queen – FC, New Orleans Pelicans (25% on roster)

Back in the hole here since Queen got their first start on Sunday and are still down to 30% of their roster. The Pelicans play four games this week (three on heavier slates) and Queen has averaged 35.7 fantasy points in High Score over the last seven games. For the season, Queen is posting a solid 1.10 fantasy points per minute (FPPM). It’s a must-have roster across all formats, as the Pelicans remain one of the worst teams in the league, leaving plenty of reasons to give their 13th overall pick more minutes, and it’s nice.

Wendell Carter Jr. – FC, Orlando Magic (33% registered)

I’ll be streaming Carter against the Warriors and Clippers on Tuesday and Thursday, with both teams allowing over 54 fantasy points per game to opposing centers. Carter scored at least 40 fantasy points in High Score twice in Week 4 and averaged 35 minutes in the last two games without Paolo Banchero. With four games this week (three on lighter slates), Carter is a guy with broadcast appeal in Week 5.

Isaiah Collier – G, Utah Jazz (21% on roster)

Collier needed a couple of games to improve and now he’s like the guy I expected him to be in the preseason. He has scored at least 44 fantasy points in two of his last three games, racking up 27 assists in that three-game span. Since turnovers and field goal % have no bearing on high scoring, it’s worth streaming Collier on Tuesday or Sunday of this week, but it’s best to skip Friday’s matchup against the Thunder.

Neemias Queta – FC, Boston Celtics (34% registered)

We’re playing the matchups here, with the Celtics taking on the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday and Friday. According to Rotowire, the Nets are in the bottom 10 against opposing centers, allowing 56.4 fantasy points per game. Queta won’t light up the box score, but double-digit points can be achieved with 8 rebounds and a couple of actions against a team that struggles in the offensive zone.

Other high score options:

André Drummond – FC, Philadelphia 76ers (22%)
Mousa Diabaté – FC, Charlotte Hornets (23%)
Dillon Brooks – FC, Phoenix Suns (38%)
Reed Sheppard – G, Houston Rockets (39%)

🎧 Who’s in my rotation: 9 cats and points leagues

Tristan da Silva – SF/PF, Orlando Magic (12% on roster)

The Magic’s Week 5 schedule, plus Banchero’s injury, has opened up more touches and an expanded role for the second-year forward. The young big has performed well in the opportunity so far, averaging 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1 block in 36 minutes per game in his last two games. Their shooting splits are also beneficial for 9-cat leagues. He’s shooting 49% from the field, 41% from 3-point range and 79% from the line at low volume. It’s a great week to play against Da Silva.

Daniss Jenkins – PG, Detroit Pistons (14% on roster)

Jenkins has been a revelation for the Pistons. In his last three games, he averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.7 assists per game and 2.3 steals per game. Two of those games were without Cade Cunningham, which could be the case on Monday as the superstar (hip) is listed as questionable. Jenkins is a dog, and I would pass him on at least for the Pistons’ back-to-back games Monday through Tuesday against the Packers and Hawks.

Max Christie – SG/SF, Dallas Mavericks (19% registered)

Christie has quietly established a steady presence in Dallas. Assuming Naji Marshall is unavailable, Christie is the other option I would consider as the Mavs try to right the ship following the departure of Nico Harrison. Christie has been a top 100 player the last two weeks, averaging 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists with 3 three-pointers per game over the last 11 games. The Mavs need his spacing, defensive versatility, and quiet plays, so he should continue to play 30 minutes per game.

Bogdan Bogdanović – SG/SF, Los Angeles Clippers (16% of roster)

Injuries are piling up for the Clippers, leaving Bogie as the next man up, following the absences of Bradley Beal (off-season) and Kawhi Leonard (day-to-day). Bogdanović will struggle with efficiency; Still, he is a veteran who can fill a void in three-pointers, assists, steals and points. It will be a Thursday-Sunday streaming option, with the Clippers playing three games in four nights during that period.

Luke Kornet – C, San Antonio Spurs (8% on roster)

A speculative addition, Kornet should be on most fantasy managers’ watch lists if Victor Wembanyama (calf) misses more games. With Wemby out on Sunday, Kornet earned his first starting job of the year, posting a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds with 3 blocks. Spurs play on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, so there will be room for Kornet if Wemby misses out.

Other exemption options:

Collin Gillispie – PG, Phoenix Suns (14%)
Anthony Black – PG/SG, Orlando Magic (8%)
Jordan Walsh – SG/SF, Boston Celtics (2%)
Saddiq Bey – SF/PF, New Orleans Pelicans (20%)

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