The Playlist: Week 19 fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups and lineup advice
· Yahoo Sports
Welcome back to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who to add off the waiver wire and get in your lineup for the upcoming week in fantasy basketball.
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Every league is different — sometimes a 75% rostered player hits waivers, whether by mistake or because they've hit an intolerable slump. If they fit your build, get 'em. But for this column, we're focusing on players under 50% rostered who are widely available and ready to help in Week 19 or beyond.
Reminder: The default Yahoo Fantasy basketball trade deadline ends Thursday, March 5. It’s the final week to trade, so get those offers out there before it's too late!
Fantasy basketball pickups and advice.🎧 Who's in My Rotation: High ScoreAce Bailey - FC, Utah Jazz (35%)
Bailey is trending up after his most productive month as a pro. His minutes are up over 32 per game and he’s improved his rebounding and stock output despite shooting his lowest true-shooting percentage since October.
Still, efficiency doesn’t matter in High Score and as long as his usage rate (21% in February), volume and opportunity continue to rise, Bailey will be a good add for Week 19. The rookie has scored at least 35 fantasy points in three of his last four games and has a favorable four-game week to take advantage of.
Neemias Queta - FC, Boston Celtics (38%)
If Queta was dropped in your High Score league after the Nikola Vučević trade, Week 19 is the best time to stream him. Over the last five games, Queta is averaging 14-10-2 with 2 blocks per game in under 25 minutes per game. That’s efficient per-minute production and in a week where the Celtics play three of their four games against weaker frontcourts such as the Bucks, Hornets and Mavericks, he could play a bigger role than usual.
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Boston also hits the lighter slates for those games, so there shouldn’t be an issue getting Queta into your starting lineup at least a few times. He’s coming off a monster 60-point fantasy performance on Sunday, so ride the wave.
Jeremiah Fears - G, New Orleans Pelicans (19%)
It’s a wrap for Jordan Poole, and in a four-game week, Dejounte Murray is unlikely to play in the Pelicans' Thursday-Friday back-to-back. He closed out Week 18, scoring 45 fantasy points in his last two outings. Surprisingly, the rookie Fears has played at least 30 minutes in only six games in 2026.
Despite the low number, Fears is averaging 39.9 fantasy points per game when he plays starter-level minutes. Between injuries and getting him valuable experience (even on a losing team), there's streaming appeal in points leagues like High Score, where his high turnover rate won't apply.
Nique Clifford - G/FC, Sacramento Kings (17%)
The schedule isn’t great, but Clifford is a must-roster player in all formats. He’s exceeded 44 fantasy points in three of his last four contests and has been a steady contributor for steals, boards and assists since Zach LaVine was ruled out for the season. He’s starting, and the role looks secure, as he’s one of a couple of rookies (him and Max Raynaud) who will continue to see more touches as we get later into the season.
If his shot starts to fall as it did on Sunday night, he could be one of the silly season league winners — along with teammates Precious Achiuwa and Max Raynaud.
🎧 Who's in My Rotation: Deeper points and 9-cat leaguesDerrick Jones Jr. - SF/PF, Los Angeles Clippers (9%)
The Clippers have arguably one of the best Week 19 schedules, hitting the lighter slates with a few fantasy-friendly opponents like the Warriors, Pacers and Grizzlies. John Collins and Kris Dunn left Sunday night with injuries. So, DJJ might get a boost in opportunity on the second leg of a back-to-back on Monday.
Jones has been operating as a top-150 player over the past month due to his scoring, 3s and stocks. He won’t wow you, but getting counting stats from a player who is generally efficient and doesn’t turn the ball over a lot can be quite useful as a streaming option at this period of the season.
Micah Potter - C, Indiana Pacers (13%)
Potter looks like the better add over Jay Huff lately. Potter’s dropped consecutive outings of 23 and 19 points — the first being a career-high — and over his last five games, he's averaging 16.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.8 triples and 1.8 combined stocks.
He’s been extremely efficient, too — which is perfect for 9-cat formats. Don’t wait to add him because Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin and Jay Huff should get more rest days over the coming weeks.
Cam Spencer - PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies (13%)
With Ja Morant out and the Grizzlies' backcourt constantly in flux, Spencer has been the one constant. He just went off for 25 points on Friday, going 4-of-9 from 3 in 25 minutes against Dallas.
The minutes have stayed north of 20 regardless of whether he starts, and with Memphis playing a Tuesday-Wednesday back-to-back in Week 19, Ty Jerome and Scottie Pippen Jr. could easily sit one leg — and Spencer will be the one absorbing the load. Oh, and keep an eye on Walter Clayton Jr. as a contingency for the same back-to-back. He just dished out a career-best 14 assists on Sunday.
Pelle Larsson - SG/SF, Miami Heat (9%)
Since sliding into the starting five in mid-January, Larsson is averaging 12.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 0.9 steals over 18 starts. He just went for 20-4-4 in 35 minutes against Houston on Saturday, and over his last four outings, he's averaging 34 minutes per game with 1.5 stocks.
With Norman Powell week-to-week due to a groin injury and Tyler Herro working his way back from a toe injury, Larsson will continue to start and play meaningful minutes for fantasy managers. He’s a good add for points or 9-cat leagues playing against Brooklyn twice, Charlotte and ending the week against the Pistons.
Will Riley - SF/PF, Washington Wizards (9%)
Riley is a sneaky add this week. Through 10 games in February, he's averaging 14.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 47% from the field and 37.5% from 3 — good enough for fourth among all rookies in February scoring behind only Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe. Despite coming off the bench, he just went for 19 points in 34 minutes on Saturday against Toronto.
The whole Washington rotational situation is a mess. However, the Wizards are playing three games in four nights to begin the week, leaving Kyshawn George likely to sit out at least one game. That’ll get Riley to play at least 34 minutes as he has in his past two games.