Fantasy Basketball Week 15 Waiver Wire: 9 Undervalued Players
With Week 15 of the 2025-26 NBA season arriving, the fantasy basketball landscape is shifting rapidly. The looming trade deadline and the inevitable mid-season attrition are opening doors for players who were previously afterthoughts. Savvy managers know that championships are often won on the waiver wire in late January, and right now, nine specific players are flashing league-winning upside while remaining undervalued in too many formats.
The Utah Jazz have clearly signaled a shift toward youth, making Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier priority adds. Filipowski has been a revelation when given extended run, providing a rare mix of spacing and rebounding that fits perfectly in Utah’s modern frontcourt. Beside him, Collier is finally capitalizing on the minutes opened by backcourt absences, showcasing the playmaking vision that made him a tantalizing prospect. Similarly, in Cleveland, sophomore wing Jaylon Tyson has carved out a permanent rotation spot, offering efficient scoring and defensive stats that stabilize lineups.
Injuries elsewhere have created massive opportunities for per-minute darlings. Denver’s Peyton Watson has exploded onto the scene in the absence of key starters, delivering defensive stocks (steals and blocks) at an elite rate. In Houston, Tari Eason continues to be a fantasy analytics dream; with the Rockets’ frontcourt thinned by injury, Eason’s ability to rack up rebounds and steals in limited minutes is scaling up to standard-league relevance. Meanwhile, Miami’s Kel’el Ware is proving to be a formidable interior presence, capitalizing on the Heat’s fluctuating lineups to post double-double threat numbers.
For managers chasing specific categories, Brandin Podziemski remains a steady hand for the Warriors, contributing across the board with assists and rebounds from the guard spot. Chicago’s Jalen Smith has found a rhythm alongside Nikola Vucevic, offering blocks and high-percentage finishing that is hard to find on the wire. Finally, Boston’s Sam Hauser is heating up from deep; while his game is one-dimensional, his volume three-point shooting is a luxury for teams needing to swing that specific category. These nine players are currently undervalued, but their windows of availability are closing fast as Week 15 tips off.
The Utah Jazz have clearly signaled a shift toward youth, making Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier priority adds. Filipowski has been a revelation when given extended run, providing a rare mix of spacing and rebounding that fits perfectly in Utah’s modern frontcourt. Beside him, Collier is finally capitalizing on the minutes opened by backcourt absences, showcasing the playmaking vision that made him a tantalizing prospect. Similarly, in Cleveland, sophomore wing Jaylon Tyson has carved out a permanent rotation spot, offering efficient scoring and defensive stats that stabilize lineups.
Injuries elsewhere have created massive opportunities for per-minute darlings. Denver’s Peyton Watson has exploded onto the scene in the absence of key starters, delivering defensive stocks (steals and blocks) at an elite rate. In Houston, Tari Eason continues to be a fantasy analytics dream; with the Rockets’ frontcourt thinned by injury, Eason’s ability to rack up rebounds and steals in limited minutes is scaling up to standard-league relevance. Meanwhile, Miami’s Kel’el Ware is proving to be a formidable interior presence, capitalizing on the Heat’s fluctuating lineups to post double-double threat numbers.
For managers chasing specific categories, Brandin Podziemski remains a steady hand for the Warriors, contributing across the board with assists and rebounds from the guard spot. Chicago’s Jalen Smith has found a rhythm alongside Nikola Vucevic, offering blocks and high-percentage finishing that is hard to find on the wire. Finally, Boston’s Sam Hauser is heating up from deep; while his game is one-dimensional, his volume three-point shooting is a luxury for teams needing to swing that specific category. These nine players are currently undervalued, but their windows of availability are closing fast as Week 15 tips off.
