Welcome to 2021! The first two weeks of the NBA and fantasy basketball seasons are now in the books. Unfortunately, we have seen plenty of injuries already this season. This has opened the door for other fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups to give some value for the week. Some picks are helpful in the short term and some picks are helpful for the long term. Now is the time to understand your team needs and how to improve your roster. The following list is mostly for teams that have room on their bench to add players that have the opportunity to produce for the week.

I will be providing weekly waiver wire pickup suggestions that are mainly for nine-category leagues. The picks are based on players being rostered in less than 30-percent of fantasy basketball teams. Here are some waiver wire pickups for Week 3.

PG Elfrid Payton (@ATL, UTAH, OKC, DEN)

At this point in the season, there is absolutely no reason why Elfrid Payton is owned in less than 30-percent of teams. He is the Knick’s starting point guard who is getting plenty of run as one of their main playmakers. This past week he averaged 15.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists while shooting 48-percent from the floor. There is enough upside to at least roster him if you can handle his high turnover numbers. It also helps that the Knicks play four games this upcoming week.

PG Tyus Jones (LAL, CLE, BKN)

Nobody likes to see anyone miss time, but with Ja Morant now out, Tyus Jones becomes the starting point guard. Tyus Jones has averaged 8.75 points, 5.25 assists, 3.25 rebounds, 1.75 steals while averaging less than 1 turnover per game during the past week. The numbers might not pop out at you, but I think he will play even better with the opportunity provided for him. Even with the Grizzlies only playing three games this week, I would add him until Ja comes back from injury.

PG/SG George Hill (@MIA, @NO, @NYK, @BKN)

You can also make the case for Luguentz Dort, but I would rather have George Hill for the upcoming week. George Hill is now the de-facto starting shooting guard for the Thunder. In the past week, Hill has averaged 15.25 points, 4 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 2.25 three’s made, and 1 steal while shooting 56-percent from the field. The Thunder have four games this week and will need his veteran shooting if they want to steal some games on the road.

SG/SF Josh Jackson / SG/SF Svi Mykhailiuk (@MIL, @MIL, PHX, UTAH)

Josh Jackson has come a long way since being drafted. He is now a viable candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player. For the season, Jackson has averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal while shooting 49-percent from the field. Everything was on the upswing until Jackson suffered an ankle injury this past Sunday. We do not know the extent of the number of games he will miss. Depending on the severity of the injury, there is super deep sleeper Svi Mykhailiuk if you need help in the shooting categories.

Svi is ready to step in and produce as shown when Jackson went out with the injury. During the game when Jackson went out, Mykhailiuk scored 15 points shooting 5 of 8 from the field with three threes’s made in only 14 minutes of action. There is a possibility of increased minutes for Svi with Jackson out. I would prioritize adding Jackson if he is not reported to miss many games but would look at Svi if Jackson’s ankle is looking bad. Make sure to stay informed on the situation if you need someone to provide good shooting numbers for the week.

PG/SG Shake Melton (CHA, WAS, @BKN, DEN)

Shake Melton has asserted himself as the first man off the bench for the first place Sixers. Melton has ramped it up these past two games averaging 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2 3’s, 1 steal, 1 block while shooting 46-percent from the field. If Danny Green struggles in his starting role, I can see the Sixers pushing Melton for more minutes. The Sixers have four games this week and Melton can provide help in multiple categories off the bench if you have space to roster him.

SG/SF Will Barton (MIN, DAL, @PHI, @NYK)

Will Barton gets his wish to become the starting small forward for the week. Michael Porter Jr. is listed as out because of the NBA’s safety protocols regarding COVID-19. Barton did not have a great stat line in his first start of the season, but it does not hurt to speculatively add him if you need someone this week. Last season as a full-time starter, Barton averaged 15.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals. The Nuggets play four games with Porter questionable to return for the week. They need help right now and Barton just might be the guy to steer them back to their winning ways.

PF/C Tristan Thompson (@TOR, @MIA, WAS, MIA)

If you are in dire need of rebounds, Tristan Thompson is your guy. During the past week, Thompson averaged 10.3 points and 10 rebounds while shooting an efficient 57-percent around the rim. His rebounding ability is near the top of the league and would help any team in need of his skillset. The Celtics play four games this week and his rebounding numbers should add up.

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