Wired Fantasy Basketball Week 2 Rejection: It’s Dyson Daniels’ Time

The 2024-25 NBA season finally began on Tuesday, meaning fantasy managers are already looking for quality additions. Of course, we’re working with a small sample size since only two teams (Boston and Minnesota) played multiple games. However, a combination of early rotations and injuries has some low-roster players looking at the possibility of opting out. The Opt Out column will be published every Friday, so you have potential targets to consider before next game week.

Priority additions:

1. Taylor Hendricks

2. Andre Drummond

3. Dyson Daniels

4. Santi Aldama

5. Nick Richards

6. Grady Dick

7. Caleb Martin

8. Miles McBride

9. Julian Champagny

10. Tre Mann

Taylor Hendricks, Utah Jazz (52% roster, Yahoo)

As he did at the end of last season, Hendricks remained in the Jazz’s starting lineup. While the stats he recorded in Wednesday’s loss to the Grizzlies didn’t necessarily fly off the page, the score sheets stand out here. Hendricks played 29 minutes, recording 12 points, five rebounds, two steals, one block and three 3-pointers. Getting shots in a lineup that includes Lauri Markkanen, Keyontae George and Collin Sexton can be challenging. However, Hendricks showed in the opener against Utah that he can provide fantastic value in non-scoring categories. He is already competing in some standard leagues and that percentage will only increase as the season progresses.

Andre Drummond, Philadelphia 76ers (44%)

Drummond is an obvious choice considering there is still no word on when Joel Embiid (knee) will return to action. “The Process” hasn’t played at all in the preseason and the plan is for him to get in a few scrimmages before being cleared. Drummond is worth keeping in the lineup until that time comes, especially for coaches looking for a player who can help in categories like field goal percentage and rebounding. While he may be a liability in the free throw percentage category, the positives outweigh the negatives as long as Embiid remains on the sidelines.

Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks (40%)

Daniels certainly has a following in fantasy basketball circles, and his performance on Wednesday against the Nets didn’t discourage them at all. He played 35 minutes in the Hawks’ four-point win, recording 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, five steals, one block and two 3-pointers. Of course, we don’t expect Daniels to regularly record six assists on defense, but he is capable of providing consistent production in the steals and blocks categories. And playing as a starter will only raise his ceiling moving forward. You’re better off getting Daniels now while he’s still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues.

Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic (34%)

While he had his moments as a pro, availability issues limited Carter’s fantasy value for most of his career. He remains the starting center in Orlando, but the variety of options available to Jamal Mosley is limiting WCJ’s playing time. Still, his 14-rebound effort in Orlando’s win over Miami was encouraging, and the Week 2 schedule worked out well as the Magic played four games. It’s a back-to-back game, with Game 2 on Monday of Week 3, but the coaches may be able to get Carter to rebound well in at least the first three games.

Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies (31%)

Jaren Jackson Jr. is still recovering from a hamstring injury, meaning Aldama will fill the void in the starting lineup. He was outstanding in Wednesday’s win over Utah, playing 31 minutes and recording 27 points, five rebounds, two assists and five 3-pointers. While there may have been some concerns going into this game about the possibility of Brandon Clarke or Jake LaRavia stealing minutes from Aldama, that didn’t happen. Rookie center Zach Eadie took the hit, but largely due to foul trouble, he only played 15 minutes. Aldama is worth having until Jackson is cleared to return, as he offers a skill set that none of the Grizzlies’ other healthy players can boast.

Tre Mann, Charlotte Hornets (24%)

The Hornets may have won their first game in Houston on Wednesday, but they went down Brandon Miller in the first half with a sore hip. He’s already ruled out for Friday’s game against the Hawks, making Mann an even more attractive prospect. In Houston, he played 29 minutes off the bench, hitting 8 of 16 field goals for 24 points, six rebounds, one assist, one blocked shot and four 3-pointers. Expecting that level of production from Mann on a semi-regular basis would be a bit much, but he is the most explosive offensive player on the Hornets bench. With Miller sidelined, Mann’s offensive ability will be needed even more.

Grady Dick, Toronto Raptors (20%)

The Raptors could be without two starters on Friday as RJ Barrett (shoulder) and Immanuel Quickley (pelvis) are questionable against the 76ers. The latter’s absence will likely impact Ochai Agbaji more in the starting lineup, as Dick’s shooting ability will likely keep him in the starting lineup when everyone is healthy. Circumstances make him worth considering for relief, especially in the deeper leagues. Dick had a down night in Wednesday’s blowout loss to the Cavaliers, shooting 5-of-13 from the field and finishing with 13 points, two rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two 3-pointers. However, Toronto’s roster and likely status as a rebuilding team increases Grady’s value.

Miles McBride, New York Knicks (17%)

While the Knicks added two standout players in Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, those moves (and the free agent departure of Isaiah Harteinstein) significantly thinned Tom Thibodeau’s bench. And with Landry Shamet suffering a dislocated shoulder in the preseason, McBride became an even more important secondary option. Recruiting bench players can be a challenge, but Deuce is worth the risk, especially in deep leagues. The negative for Week 2 is the schedule, as the Knicks will only play three games, starting with the Cavaliers on Monday.

Nick Richards, Charlotte Hornets (16%)

Like Philadelphia, the Hornets are patiently waiting for their starting center to return. Mark Williams (foot), who played just 19 games last season, has no specific timeline. As a result, Richards is a more attractive option in the major leagues than usual. Houston’s performance (six points, eight rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 24 minutes) wasn’t great, but part of that can be attributed to Richards having foul trouble early on. As a starter last season, Richards averaged just over 2.5 fouls per game, with four or more whistles (without suspensions) on 11 occasions. Based on his track record, Wednesday’s five-foul streak isn’t the norm for Richards. Flow away.

Caleb Martin, Philadelphia 76ers (9%)

Martin may have come off the bench in Philadelphia’s loss to Milwaukee on Wednesday, but Nick Nurse’s words before the game put him on notice if he’s on the waiver wire. The 76ers coach named Martin one of the team’s top five players, saying he brings Caleb off the bench to spark the secondary. Also of note is the statement that he will play “starting” minutes.

Martin played 37 minutes Wednesday, a number that could remain stable while the 76ers are without Embiid and Paul George. Both participated in most of Friday’s practice but will not participate in Philadelphia’s next two games. The Week 2 schedule isn’t in Martin’s favor either, with the 76ers not playing their first game until Wednesday against Detroit. But it’s worth it for a quick drive through Toronto and Indiana to wrap up the first week.

Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans (7%)

The Pelicans won their first game on Wednesday but suffered significant personnel losses as Dejounte Murray broke his left (non-hitting) hand. He’s out indefinitely, and with Trey Murphy (hamstring) also out, there’s a need for 3-point shooting. The absence could mean more opportunities for Hawkins, who spent 28 minutes off the bench against the Bulls. The sophomore guard finished the game with 13 points, seven rebounds, one assist, one blocked shot and three 3-pointers. The return of Zion Williamson (illness) helps, but he doesn’t provide much value as a perimeter shooter. Hawkins has it, so he’s worth a look in deeper leagues.

Julian Champagnie, San Antonio Spurs (5%)

Champagne starting Thursday in the injured Devin Vassell’s first game was no surprise, but there were questions about his playing time. He played 27 minutes in the loss to Dallas, recording 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, two blocks and four 3-pointers. The combination of playing time and production makes Champagnie a great buy, even though the Spurs only play one game this week (Saturday vs. Houston). They will play four games in week two, and with Vassell not returning until November (he will be re-evaluated on November 1), Champagne will be able to string together a few starts.