Fantasy Basketball Adds and Drops: Missi, Diabate, Vucevic and More

We're back with another fantasy basketball article looking at possible waiver wire adds and drop candidates as the NBA regular season settles in a bit.

Here is the story we did yesterday, after the first day of action. 

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Adds

Yves Missi - New Orleans Pelicans

Missi is at 42.9% rostered in fantasy basketball leagues right now. He was at 29.37% yesterday, so he's jumped up quite a bit.

He started and logged nearly 30 minutes of playing time in the team's season-opening loss. Missi recorded 13 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals.

He's a double-double threat every night, especially if he's playing that much. That makes him a good pickup after just one game.

I like adding Missi most in deeper leagues right now. If those opening game numbers keep up, he'll be worth adding in some standard leagues too, so keep close tabs on the big man.

Moussa Diabate - Charlotte Hornets

Diabate is another big riser, going from 31.35% yesterday to 40.97% today.

He started and played over 33 minutes in the team's season-opening victory. Diabate contributed 17 points, eight rebounds, five steals and three assists.

Diabate is in a similar boat to Missi in that he can be a pretty good fantasy option if given enough minutes. Diabate is a good pickup in deeper leagues after just one game, and if he keeps producing at a similar level going forward, he can be added in standard leagues too.

Don't wait too long to pick up post players like Diabate or Missi, as they are bound to quickly get scooped up in fantasy leagues.

Jared McCain - Oklahoma City Thunder

McCain sits at 54.52% owned right now - he was at just 28.18% two days ago, so he's risen significantly.

In OKC's season-opening win on Tuesday, McCain played 22 minutes off the bench. He delivered 20 points, two rebounds and assists and one steal while on the court.

Coming off the bench, as he should in most games where the Thunder are healthy, limits his fantasy outlook a little bit, and it could make him an inconsistent fantasy asset in 2026-27. After what he showed in the opener though, he is still worth some adds.

I like McCain most in deeper leagues, and would only treat him as a standard league streamer, as I don't think he can keep those opening game numbers up all season. He's definitely one to keep in mind if OKC is dealing with injuries at the guard spot.

Drops

Nikola Vucevic - Orlando Magic

Vucevic is down to 76.45% rostered at the moment. He sat at 81.85% owned yesterday.

His return to Orlando was a very unspectacular one. He played just five minutes off the bench and he didn't even get a shot attempt. Vucevic grabbed a rebound and had an assist, while committing two fouls.

Most expected Vuc to get enough playing time, even off the bench, to be a solid fantasy asset. The first game was not a good first step, and now fantasy owners are bailing on the big man.

He's definitely droppable in some standard leagues today, and if he has similar games down the line, Vucevic should be dropped in all standard leagues, along with some deeper leagues. He needs to play more to be worth more fantasy attention, so we'll see how things go from here.

Sandro Mamukelashvili - Los Angeles Lakers

Mamukelashvili was rostered in 39.93% of leagues yesterday, but fell to 37.74% overall today.

He came off the bench in his first game with LA, but logged 22 minutes. He got five shot attempts and finished with five points, four rebounds and two steals and assists.

It was a so-so first showing with his new team, but I'm not ready to write off Mamukelashvili. I think his production will increase in games to come, and that he could at least be a deep-league asset in that many minutes.

I'd hold him at least another game before making the drop. If Mamukelashvili doesn't deliver more in his next game, then he could be let go, but I'm holding out hope for him until then.

Khaman Maluach - Phoenix Suns

Maluach is rostered in 42.9% of leagues right now. He was at 47.08% two days ago.

He started in the team's season opener, but logged under 17 minutes. Maluach finished with two points, six rebounds and one assist and one block during his time on the court.

I like that he started, but that's not enough playing time to be a big fantasy asset. Maluach could still be a deep-league asset, but he needs to produce more while on the court to be worth holding in deeper leagues.

Like with Mamukelashvili, I'd be holding out hope for Maluach for at least another game or two. See if his production increases in the next game or two, otherwise he could be dropped in some deeper leagues.