Working the waiver wire is crucial to success in fantasy basketball. With so many games, injuries and endless rotation changes during the marathon campaign, we need to get statistics from free agency to maximize imaginary rosters.

The willingness to compete for the final spots on your fantasy hoops roster can prove rewarding. When assembling this flexible collective of statistical contributors, it’s helpful to view the players at the end of the bench as direct competition to the talent in free agency.

The goal of this weekly series is to identify players at all positions that are widely available in free agency across ESPN leagues. Some are specialists who can help in one or two categories, while others provide more varied and important statistical offerings. In the breakdowns below, I have listed the players at each position in order of priority rather than order of roster percentage in the ESPN men’s basketball leagues.

Point guard

Jalen Suggs, PG/SG, Orlando Magic (listed in 34.4% of ESPN leagues): Speaking of brave, sticky guys: Suggs has long been one of the best defensive backcourt players in the league and has recently – and impressively – added legitimate shot volume and ball touch to his profile. For comparison, Suggs shot 27.1% from 3-point range in his first 101 NBA games, but is now at 44.4% on six attempts per game. The sample size is small, but the change in approach, confidence and decision-making with the ball in his hands seems real and should result in valuable numbers from a player who is easily among the league’s leaders in steals.

Tre Mann, Charlotte Hornets (20.2%): We saw some fun moments from Mann last season when he moved from Oklahoma City to Charlotte, but there were real doubts about his ability to emerge in an improved rotation this fall. Mann responded with a strong start, although this was hampered by injuries to Brandon Miller and Josh Green. As long as the team continues to rely on Mann as a scorer and secondary playmaker, the offensive results could prove worthwhile.

Rifle Guard

Norman Powell, SG/SF, LA Clippers (37.3%): Powell is a true all-rounder and is never afraid to shoot from distance. Such a mentality works well when supporting James Harden in shotgun in the Clippers’ offense and having all hands on deck to handle all scoring duties. Don’t count on him flirting with 40 points often, but his opus in Denver over the weekend certainly signals intriguing fantasy value for the veteran floor-spacer.

Dyson Daniels, SG/PG, Atlanta Hawks (59.3%): Mentioned somewhat belatedly in last summer’s Dejounte Murray blockbuster, Daniels has emerged as a capable starter for Atlanta into one of the early season statistical stars. Given the Hawks’ goal of protecting Trae Young defensively with an underused backcourt partner, it’s somewhat ironic that they may have found this player in a Murray deal. With a high steal rate dating back to his time with the Pelicans and his newfound role as a two-way gluer, Daniels is fittingly one of the most popular picks of the week.

Caleb Martin, SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers (6.3%): An unintended theme in this week’s backcourt nominations is the guards’ work on the glass. After all, Martin delivered a rousing double-double in the 76ers’ away win against the Pacers on Sunday. With Paul George and Joel Embiid out, Martin’s appearances and minutes should remain stable in the coming games.

Small striker

Rui Hachimura, SF/PF, Los Angeles Lakers (47.0%): This emerging striker has given the team a great start to the season. It’s clear that the new coaching staff is trusting Hachimura to get big minutes and take responsibility for top defense, helping him score cleanly and produce helpful rebounds.

Julian Champagnie, San Antonio Spurs (10.3%): From being on the fringes of the league in recent years to playing a major role for Spurs this season, Champagnie seems ready for his moment. The two-way winger collected three combined steals and blocks in a recent game and, like several names before him, is an unusually good rebounder for his position.

Power forward

Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks (67.1%): Portis, one of the game’s best bench bigs, was a force on the Bucks’ boards. A key part of a top-heavy veteran rotation, Portis is the rare reserve with a truly bankable range of playing time and production.

Santi Aldama, PF/C, Memphis Grizzlies (29.2%): A reliable role has emerged for Aldama in the Grizzlies’ rotation. Aldama is just 23 years old and brings a valuable mix of skills to the table: shooting, rebounding, playmaking and even improved rim protection. Given the team’s need to manage Jaren Jackson Jr., Aldama should be busy in most matchups.

center

Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers (59.8%): While Powell benefits from tracking and moving to the wing for open 3-pointers, Zubac has seen an increase in quality touches on lobs and pocket passes from the bearded passing guru. As the only traditional center in the rotation, Zubac will rarely leave the court for the Clippers. Don’t forget how flat the center position can be beyond the top level.

Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic (17.2%): It’s quite an accomplishment to only have 19 points but also 35 rebounds this season. That said, Carter won’t save your team on the scoresheet, but he is a reliable source of rebounds. To be fair, along with this mix of playing time and accents in the paint, more scoring pop should emerge.

Andre Drummond, Philadelphia 76ers (25.0%): Whenever Joel Embiid is sidelined, Drummond should emerge among the nightly leaders in rebounding metrics. Considering how often Embiid will be wearing street clothes, bringing in Drummond will bring frequent opportunities.

Special teams

This section focuses on specialists and players who can shine in a single category and provide particular value to those in category and roto formats. Nominations are based on the category the players are helpful in and will rotate throughout the season.

3 points: The Pelicans’ Jordan Hawkins (13.9%) has great confidence and the freedom to showcase it in New Orleans’ offense. The aforementioned Aldama is one of the power forwards with the most added value through 3-point production in Player Rater.

Steals: Atlanta’s Daniels has been the one adding value through swipes so far, while Drummond and Carter have active hands for the centers.

Blocks: Charlotte’s Nick Richards (9.5%) has compiled six blocks in three games and should continue to see opportunities as a rim protector for a depleted Hornets frontcourt.

Rebounds: This trio of Drummond, Carter and Richards all rank in the top 10 in rebound value at the position in Player Rater.

Supports: Scotty Pippen Jr. (15.1%) has emerged as a gifted passer for a Grizzlies team in need of additional creativity beyond the starting lineup.