The 2024-25 NBA season finally began on Tuesday, meaning fantasy managers are already looking for quality additions. Of course, we are working with a small sample size as only two teams (Boston and Minnesota) played multiple games. However, the combination of early rotations and injuries has made some players on a low roster worth a waiver look. The Waiver Wired column is published every Friday, so there are some potential targets to consider before next game week.

Priority adds:

1. Taylor Hendricks

2. Andre Drummond

3. Dyson Daniels

4. Santi Aldama

5. Nick Richards

6. Gradey Dick

7. Caleb Martin

8. Miles McBride

9. Julian Champagnie

10. Three men

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

As he did at the end of last season, Hendricks has earned a place in the Jazz's starting lineup. While the stats he recorded in Wednesday's loss to the Grizzlies didn't necessarily jump off the page, the minutes here stand out. Hendricks played 29 minutes and finished with 12 points, five rebounds, two steals, a block and three 3-pointers. Getting shots in a lineup that includes Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George and Collin Sexton could prove difficult. Still, Hendricks showed in Utah's opening game that he can provide imagination even in categories that don't involve points. He is already in the squad in several standard leagues and this number is likely to increase as the season progresses.

Andre Drummond, Philadelphia 76ers (44%)

Drummond is an obvious choice as there is no definitive word yet on when Joel Embiid (knee) will return to action. “The Process” didn’t play at all in the preseason and the plan is for him to get in a few bouts before being released. Drummond is worth keeping on the roster until then, especially for managers looking for a player who can help in the field goal percentage and rebounding categories. While he can be a liability in the free throw percentage category, the positives outweigh the negatives as long as Embiid stays out.

Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks (40%)

Daniels certainly has his fans in fantasy basketball circles, and his performance on Wednesday against the Nets didn't discourage them. He played 35 minutes in the Hawks' four-point win and finished with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, five steals, one block and two 3-pointers. Of course, we don't expect Daniels to post six defensive contributions on a regular basis, but he is capable of performing consistently in the steals and blocks categories. And if he plays in the early stages, his ceiling will only increase in the future. Better get Daniels now while he's still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues.

Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic (34%)

While he has had his moments as a pro, availability issues have limited Carter's fantasy value for most of his career. He remains the starting player in Orlando, but the variety of options available to Jamahl Mosley reduces WCJ's playing time. However, his 14 rebounds in Orlando's win over Miami were encouraging, and the Week 2 schedule fits well with the Magic playing four games. There is a back-to-back game, with the second game taking place on Monday of Week 3, but managers can at least get some solid rebounding value out of Carter in 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 finishing with 27 points, five rebounds, two assists and five 3-pointers. While there may have been concerns before this game about Brandon Clarke or Jake LaRavia's potential to take minutes away from Aldama, that didn't happen. Rookie center Zach Edey was the one who took the hit, but foul trouble had a lot to do with him only playing 15 minutes. Aldama is worth having until Jackson is cleared to return, as he has a skill set that none of the other healthy Grizzlies bigs can boast.

Tre Mann, Charlotte Hornets (24%)

The Hornets won their opener in Houston on Wednesday, but they lost Brandon Miller in the first half with a sore hip. He's already been ruled out for Friday's game against the Hawks, making Mann an even more enticing candidate. He played 29 minutes off the bench in Houston, shot 8 of 16 from the field and finished with 24 points, six rebounds, one assist, one block and four 3-pointers. It would be a bit of a stretch to expect this level of performance from Mann on a regular basis, but he is the most explosive offensive option on the Hornets' bench. With Miller sidelined, Mann's offensive skills will be needed even more.

Gradey Dick, Toronto Raptors (20%)

The Raptors could be without two scheduled starters on Friday as RJ Barrett (shoulder) and Immanuel Quickley (pelvis) are questionable for their game against the 76ers. The latter's absence will likely impact Ochai Agbaji more in terms of the starting lineup, with Dick's shooting ability likely to keep him in the first unit once everyone is healthy. Circumstances make him worth considering as he was claimed off waivers, especially in lower leagues. Dick didn't have a great night in Wednesday's blowout loss to the Cavaliers, shooting 5 of 13 from the field and finishing the game with 13 points, two rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two 3-pointers. However, Toronto's roster and likely status as a rebuilding team increase Gradey's value.

Miles McBride, New York Knicks (17%)

While the Knicks added two key players in Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, Tom Thibodeau's bench was significantly shrunk with those moves (and the departure of Isaiah Harteinstein in free agency). And with Landry Shamet dislocating his shoulder in the preseason, McBride is an even more important backup option. It can be difficult to use substitutes, but Deuce is worth the risk, especially in deep leagues. The negative about Week 2 is the schedule, as the Knicks 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, does not have a specific timetable. Therefore, Richards is a more attractive option in deep leagues than he normally would be. The performance in Houston (six points, eight rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 24 minutes) wasn't great, but that can be attributed in part to Richards getting into foul trouble early. As a starter last season, Richards averaged just over 2.5 fouls per game while being whistled 11 times (with no disqualifications) for four or more fouls. Based on the track record, Wednesday's five-foul night isn't the norm for Richards. Stream 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 pregame words make him worth a look if he's on the waiver list. The 76ers coach called Martin one of the team's five best players and said he would bring Caleb off the bench to lead the second unit. Also notable was the statement that he will play “entry-level” type minutes.

Martin played 37 minutes on Wednesday, which could continue as long as the 76ers remain without Embiid and Paul George. Both participated in most of Friday's practice but will not play in Philadelphia's next two games. The Week 2 schedule doesn't work in Martin's favor either, as the 76ers don't play their first game until Wednesday against Detroit. But it's worth a roll of the dice for the short road trip through Toronto and Indiana to close out week one.

Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans (7%)

The Pelicans won their opener on Wednesday but suffered a significant personnel loss as Dejounte Murray suffered a fractured left (non-shooting) hand. He is out indefinitely and with Trey Murphy (hamstring injury) also sidelined, a 3-pointer is required. The absences could mean more opportunities for Hawkins, who played 28 minutes off the bench against the Bulls. The second-year guard finished the game with 13 points, seven rebounds, one assist, one block and three 3-pointers. Having Zion Williamson (illness) back helps, but he doesn't provide much value as a perimeter shooter. Hawkins does, so he's worth a closer look.

Julian Champagnie, San Antonio Spurs (5%)

It was no surprise that Champagnie started in Thursday's opener for the injured Devin Vassell, but there were questions about his playing time. In the loss to Dallas, he played 27 minutes and finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, two blocks and four 3-pointers. The combination of playing time and performance makes Champagnie a solid player, even if the Spurs only play one more game this week (Saturday against Houston). They will play four games in Week 2, and with Vassell not expected back until November (he will be re-evaluated on November 1), Champagnie will have a chance to string together some games as a starter.