Monday's Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Adds: Cedric Coward, Sam Merrill and More

A new week of fantasy basketball is here, so we have a new round of waiver wire options to discuss.

Check back later today for a story on weekly fantasy basketball projections.

Check out fantasy basketball waiver wire options on FantasySP all season long!

Should You Add Cedric Coward?

Coward has been added in 17.44% of leagues today, bringing his overall mark up to 81.9%.

Coward has played 22 or 23 minutes in each of the first three Memphis games. He has between 14-27 points, with the 27-point outing coming on Saturday.

He's made 70.4% of his shots, including 8-of-11 from 3-point land and 11 of his 12 free throws. Coward also has 11 rebounds, seven assists, five steals, and fouls, a block and no turnovers.

It's been a stellar start to the career of the 2025 No. 11 overall pick. The guard isn't going to continue shooting this well, but his role could increase in time, allowing him to keep improving his fantasy stock.

He should already be added in all deeper leagues, and most standard leagues already. Another big game or two will get him to 100%. If you can afford to add him now, you might have to do it before he gets scooped up by someone else.

Should You Add Tre Jones?

Jones is rostered in 73.28% of leagues after a 11.3% increase.

Jones has delivered good numbers over his first two games for the Bulls this season. He has scored 25 points on 8-of-15 shooting - he's 2-of-3 from deep and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line.

Jones has played 61 total minutes, also recording 16 assists, eight steals, six rebounds and fouls and five turnovers. He's been a +23 when on the court, helping Chicago to a 2-0 start.

His numbers aren't over-the-top great, but he's doing enough to utilize him in all fantasy leagues. Jones definitely needs to be added and started in all deeper leagues. I like the idea of adding him in a few more standard leagues as well.

Again, if he delivers another big game or two, we could see his own percentage get near 100 by the end of the week. So keep a close eye on him if you aren't ready to add Jones now. Scoop him up if he delivers more well-rounded numbers in his next outing.

Should You Add Rui Hachimura?

Hachimura is up 9.07% and sits at 59.48% overall.

Hachimura was a popular pickup in the days leading up to the season, but he didn't do much in the team's first game. He's been fantastic in the Lakers' last two games, so he's back on the rise.

Hachimura had just nine points, four rebounds, three assists, two fouls and a turnover across 35 minutes in the team's first game. He has 41 points, five rebounds, two assists and steals, four fouls and two turnovers in the past two games combined.

Several Lakers are already out with injuries, so it makes sense to add Hachimura as he has an expanded role. These performances won't last all season, so add and utilize him while you can.

He should be added and utilized in deeper leagues right now. Hachimura is an OK standard league streamer too, but I only like adding him if I had a roster spot to play with - he's not a must-add guy by any means.

I see Hachimura as more of a deep-league asset as the season rolls along, and when the Lakers are at full strength. In times when he's in a groove or when the team is not at full strength, he can be a standard league streaming option.

Should You Add Dillon Brooks?

Brooks is owned in 79.31% of leagues after an 8.24% increase.

He's been really good across the first three games of the year for the Suns. Brooks has tallied 58 points, 10 rebounds, eight steals, seven assists, two blocks, seven turnovers and 13 fouls.

Brooks is 22-of-59 from the floor, and while that's not a great percentage, all those shot attempts is what should appeal to fantasy owners. He is 9-of-31 on 3-point shots and he's made all five of his free throws. 

He's played between 26-34 minutes a game, so there's plenty of fantasy value to take advantage of, and a decent long-term outlook. I don't see him getting to 100% rostered, unless his shooting percentages increase. He's owned in a good amount of leagues now.

If you see him improving as a scorer, now would be a time to buy Brooks. If you see his role decreasing as the season moves along, then selling him high is also an option right now.

Should You Add Sam Merrill?

Merrill has been added in 8.1% of leagues, bringing his overall mark up to 56.03%.

He's been a steady and useful fantasy asset in the first three Cavaliers' games. Merrill has totaled 58 points, seven rebounds and assists, a steal and block and five turnovers and 13 fouls.

Merrill is 17-of-33 from the floor, including 15-of-29 from deep. He's made all nine of his free throws.

Merrill has played between 26-30 minutes, while scoring 17-22 points. He's been a really steady performer so far, but I'm not sure it can continue.

Darius Garland and Max Strus are each out for the Cavs right now, and their returns will hurt Merrill. That makes Merrill a sell-high candidate, especially in deeper leagues. He needs to be rostered in all those deeper leagues right now.

He's not a bad streaming option in standard leagues, depending on who else is available. Don't overlook Merrill, but also don't treat him as a long-term option, as I see Garland and Strus taking away minutes and fantasy production in time.

Should You Add Dylan Harper?

Harper is rostered in 74.14% of leagues after an 8.02% increase today.

Harper has looked pretty solid in his first three games for the Spurs. He's tallied 48 points, 13 assists, 15 rebounds, three steals and seven turnovers and 14 fouls.

The rookie is 18-of-37 from the floor overall, plus 2-of-7 from 3-point land. Harper is 10-of-12 from the free-throw line.

He played 22+ minutes in the opening game, and then 25 minutes in game two before 29 minutes in game three. He's scored at least 13 points in each game, and is coming off his best showing.

I'd expect him to play around 30 minutes a game going forward, and even more if he keeps producing like he did in that contest.

He's another guy who needs to be rostered in all deeper leagues, and starting daily already. I like adding him in standard leagues as well, although he's not a locked-in starter for those leagues.

Don't wait forever to add him, because the rookie looks like he's here to stay as a good fantasy asset, even if he's not a daily starter. Add and stash him at least.

Should You Add Ajay Mitchell?

Mitchell is up 6.19% and sits at 69.83% overall.

Mitchell gets another mention in a waiver wire story after continued success on the court. He has 56 points, 13 assists, 12 rebounds, three steals and a block, plus one turnover and seven fouls over his first three games.

He's played between 14-38 minutes for a banged-up OKC team in the early going. Mitchell is 21-of-45 from the field, 5-of-12 from 3-point land and has made all nine of his free throws.

His role will be different when OKC is at full strength. I'd treat him as a deep-league asset at best right now, with standard league streaming upside. Several Thunder players are out for Monday's game, so some fantasy owners are adding him to stream him against Dallas.

Don't get too attached to Mitchell, but definitely utilize him while his value is highest. He's a sell-high trade asset in deeper leagues right now.