Despite the regular season only being a few days old, there are moves to be made in fantasy basketball. Adding the right player now can pay significant dividends, given how long a fantasy manager can potentially have them on their roster. Let’s highlight some players to consider adding in a variety of scoring formats who are all still available in many Yahoo leagues.

9-Category League Targets

Jalen Smith, Chicago Bulls (43% rostered)

Smith averaged a career high 21 minutes last season. Even in a limited role, he provided 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 0.8 blocks and 1.5 3-pointers. He was excellent at helping the Bulls stretch the floor, shooting 37.3% from beyond the arc. Injuries prevented him from taking off following the trade of Nikola Vučević at the deadline, and he entered this season ticketed for a reserve role behind Nic Claxton.

Claxton was sidelined with a hamstring injury during the preseason and will miss at least the first two weeks of the regular season. That left Smith to start Wednesday against the Toronto Raptors and record 15 points, 8 rebounds and 1 block despite only logging 19 minutes. Until Claxton is healthy, Smith should be rostered in the majority of leagues.

Gui Santos, Golden State Warriors (26% rostered)

When given extended playing time, Santos proved to be a valuable fantasy option last season. Over 16 games in which he played at least 30 minutes, he averaged 17.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, four assists and 2.1 3-pointers. He was an efficient scorer, shooting 50.0% from the field and 35.1% from deep for the entire campaign. While potentially ticketed for a bench role heading into this season, the Warriors will need him to play more with Kristaps Porziņģis out indefinitely. There were reports earlier in the week that Porziņģis is contemplating his basketball future, so there’s a chance we don’t ever see him in a Warriors uniform again.

Santos started the Warriors’ season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, posting 12 points, 5 rebounds and 1 steal. He only played 25 minutes, but the Warriors lost by 22 points, so their starters didn’t see a ton of minutes in the second half. Santos should receive an opportunity to regularly play 30 minutes a night, making him someone to target on the waiver wire.

Grayson Allen, Charlotte Hornets (30% rostered)

Following the trade of LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Hornets were set to move forward with a starting backcourt of Coby White and Kon Knueppel. The duo can be dangerous, but they are both sidelined with injuries to begin the season. In the Hornets’ win over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, Dennis Schröder and Sion James replaced them as starters. Schröder played 35 minutes, while James only logged 27.

Allen came off the bench against the Nets and thrived, posting 21 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 3-pointers. He was 6-for-9 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line over 29 minutes. Even if he continues to come off the bench, Allen should play more than James, who is viewed more as a defensive option for Charlotte. Those hunting for points and 3-pointers should make Allen a priority add.

Points League Targets

Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans (59% rostered)

Despite the depth that the Pelicans have built up front, Missi is the starting center at the moment. After averaging 27 minutes during his rookie season, he only played 20 minutes during the 2025-26 season.

The Pelicans entered this season with Missi as their starting big man, and his first impression couldn’t have been better. He posted a double-double in New Orleans’ opener against the Indiana Pacers, finishing with 13 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks. Just as encouraging was that he played 30 minutes. His career 60.3% shooting from the free-throw line hurts him in category leagues, but we can ignore that in points leagues. Missi is rostered in over half of leagues, but he’s worth mentioning because he is still available in so many. If he can hold the starting job, he could be one of the best early waiver wire pickups of the season.

High Score League Targets

Jonathan Kuminga, Minnesota Timberwolves (48% rostered)

The Timberwolves signed Kuminga to a two-year contract during the offseason and immediately made him a starter. In their 131-106 dismantling of the Miami Heat on Wednesday, Kuminga played 29 minutes. Along the way, he produced 12 points, 3 assists, 4 steals, 1 block and 2 3-pointers.

Kuminga is a gifted offensive player who can score in bunches, and he should play a lot on a team that has LaMelo Ball pushing the pace. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the forward record at least one scoring outburst a week, making him an ideal target for a High Score league.

Keaton Wagler, LA Clippers (31% rostered)

The Clippers aren’t rushing Wagler, but need significant production from him early on. He came off the bench in their season opener against the Sacramento Kings with Kris Dunn starting alongside Darius Garland in the backcourt.

The Clippers beat the Kings by 25 points, so Wagler logged 29 minutes off the bench. He did more than hold his own, finishing with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 3 3-pointers. With Brandon Ingram out, the team could use someone to help take some of the scoring pressure off Garland. Their top secondary scoring option could very well be Wagler.