Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Vince Williams soars with Ja Morant sidelined
With Ja Morant sidelined again, the next-man-up mantra in Memphis has created an intriguing fantasy basketball opportunity, and Vince Williams Jr. is at the center of it.
Williams has gone from fringe rotation piece to viable waiver wire target as the Grizzlies search for playmaking, defense, and energy on the wing. His appeal in fantasy stems less from gaudy scoring totals and more from a well-rounded profile that can quietly fill multiple categories. When Morant is out, Memphis leans more on ball movement and committee creation, which plays directly into Williams’ strengths as a connective guard/forward who can rebound, pass, and defend.
In standard leagues, managers hunting for upside should view Williams as a speculative add with the potential to stick beyond Morant’s absence. He profiles as the type of player who can flirt with value even on modest usage, simply by contributing across the box score: a handful of assists, solid rebounding from the wing, opportunistic threes, and defensive stats. That combination can be especially valuable in head-to-head formats where versatility and “glue guy” production often swing weekly matchups.
The Grizzlies’ current situation also matters. With their backcourt depth tested and the organization invested in developing younger pieces, Williams has a clear pathway to consistent minutes. As long as he’s seeing a stable role alongside Desmond Bane and the rest of the core, his fantasy floor remains appealing. Even if his shot isn’t falling on a given night, he can still return value via hustle categories.
In deeper leagues, Williams should already be rostered. In 10- and 12-team formats, he’s in that priority streamer tier who can quickly graduate to must-hold if the minutes and usage solidify. Managers who missed on early-season breakouts now have a chance to grab a late-rising wing whose game fits the modern fantasy landscape: multipositional, active on defense, and capable of contributing without needing plays called for him.
Williams has gone from fringe rotation piece to viable waiver wire target as the Grizzlies search for playmaking, defense, and energy on the wing. His appeal in fantasy stems less from gaudy scoring totals and more from a well-rounded profile that can quietly fill multiple categories. When Morant is out, Memphis leans more on ball movement and committee creation, which plays directly into Williams’ strengths as a connective guard/forward who can rebound, pass, and defend.
In standard leagues, managers hunting for upside should view Williams as a speculative add with the potential to stick beyond Morant’s absence. He profiles as the type of player who can flirt with value even on modest usage, simply by contributing across the box score: a handful of assists, solid rebounding from the wing, opportunistic threes, and defensive stats. That combination can be especially valuable in head-to-head formats where versatility and “glue guy” production often swing weekly matchups.
The Grizzlies’ current situation also matters. With their backcourt depth tested and the organization invested in developing younger pieces, Williams has a clear pathway to consistent minutes. As long as he’s seeing a stable role alongside Desmond Bane and the rest of the core, his fantasy floor remains appealing. Even if his shot isn’t falling on a given night, he can still return value via hustle categories.
In deeper leagues, Williams should already be rostered. In 10- and 12-team formats, he’s in that priority streamer tier who can quickly graduate to must-hold if the minutes and usage solidify. Managers who missed on early-season breakouts now have a chance to grab a late-rising wing whose game fits the modern fantasy landscape: multipositional, active on defense, and capable of contributing without needing plays called for him.
