Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups & Advice (Week 21)

Explore the top Week 21 fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups to boost your roster, from breakout stars to consistent contributors.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Fantasy basketball playoffs begin on Monday for many leagues, making this a critical week to attack the waiver wire. Securing the right pickups now can provide an immediate boost and help push teams through the first round. Several injuries across the league continue to open short-term opportunities, creating paths for role players to step into larger workloads and produce meaningful fantasy value.

Why it matters

Team context also plays an important role at this stage of the season. Some organizations remain firmly in the playoff race and are leaning heavily on their most productive rotations. Others have shifted focus toward the future, resting veterans and giving younger players extended run as they evaluate talent and improve draft position. Those shifting rotations often create valuable fantasy opportunities that may not have existed earlier in the season.

The details

To simplify the process, this week's recommended pickups are organized into three rostership tiers: 30–49%, 15–29%, and 0–14%. The Week 21 schedule is also included to assist with streaming strategy and maximizing the number of games in active lineups.

  • Fantasy basketball playoffs begin on Monday for many leagues.

The players

Kelly Oubre Jr.

A priority pickup this week who looked sharp in his return during Saturday's 125–116 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, finishing with 24 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals after missing two games due to illness.

Neemias Queta

Saw his minutes fluctuate after the arrival of Nikola Vucevic at the trade deadline, but with Vucevic now expected to miss about a month due to a fractured finger, Queta has a clear path to consistent minutes.

Quentin Grimes

Has been excellent over his last two games, averaging 21 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and one steal while logging 36.2 minutes per contest. His expanded role has come with VJ Edgecombe (back) sidelined, and the opportunity could grow even further with Tyrese Maxey (hand) suffering an injury.

GG Jackson II

Has become an important part of the offense for the Memphis Grizzlies, posting a 25.8% usage rate over his last 10 games. With Memphis dealing with constant lineup changes over the past month, Jackson has benefited from steady minutes and has delivered consistent production.

Tristan da Silva

With Franz Wagner (ankle) sidelined, da Silva has stepped into a larger role and made the most of the opportunity, averaging 14.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals in 30 minutes per contest in four games in March.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.