The Playlist: Week 5 fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups and lineup advice

Welcome to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who to add off the waiver wire and what to play — when it comes to setting your lineup or music in my rotation — for the upcoming week in fantasy basketball.

[High Score is a new way to play Fantasy Basketball on Yahoo with simple rosters and scoring. It’s not too late to create or join a league]

Each week, you’ll see a compilation of the pickups you need to make in various scoring formats and how the schedule could impact your start-sit decisions. So press play and shuffle through the latest fantasy basketball info.

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🎧 Who’s in My Rotation:High Score

Derik Queen – FC, New Orleans Pelicans (25% rostered)

Going back to the well here since Queen earned his first start on Sunday and is still under 30% rostered. The Pelicans play four games this week (three on heavier slates) and Queen has averaged 35.7 fantasy points in High Score over the past seven games. For the season, Queen is posting a solid 1.10 fantasy points per minute (FPPM). He’s a must-roster in all formats as the Pelicans continue to be one of the worst teams in the league, leaving plenty of reason to give their 13th overall pick more minutes — and he’s nice.

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Wendell Carter Jr. – FC, Orlando Magic (33% rostered)

I’ll be streaming Carter against the Warriors and Clippers on Tuesday and Thursday, with both teams allowing over 54 fantasy points per game to opposing centers. Carter put up at least 40 fantasy points in High Score twice in Week 4 and has averaged 35 minutes in the last two games without Paolo Banchero. With four games this week (three on lighter slates), Carter is a guy with streaming appeal in Week 5.

Isaiah Collier – G, Utah Jazz (21% rostered)

Collier needed a couple of games to ramp up, and now he’s like the guy I expected him to be in the preseason. He’s scored at least 44 fantasy points in two of his last three games, piling up 27 assists over that three-game span. Since turnovers and FG% don’t factor into High Score, Collier is worth streaming on Tuesday or Sunday this week, but it’s best to pass on Friday’s matchup against the Thunder.

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Neemias Queta – FC, Boston Celtics (34% rostered)

We’re playing the matchups here, with the Celtics facing the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday and Friday. Per Rotowire, the Nets are bottom-10 against opposing centers, allowing 56.4 fantasy points per game. Queta won’t light up the box score, but double-digit points with 8 rebounds and a couple of stocks is attainable versus a team that struggles in the frontcourt.

Other High Score options:

• Andre Drummond – FC, Philadelphia 76ers (22%)

• Mousa Diabaté – FC, Charlotte Hornets (23%)

• Dillon Brooks – FC, Phoenix Suns (38%)

• Reed Sheppard – G, Houston Rockets (39%)

🎧 Who’s in My Rotation: 9-cat and points leagues

Tristan da Silva – SF/PF, Orlando Magic (12% rostered)

The Magic’s Week 5 schedule, plus Banchero’s injury, has opened up more touches and an expanded role for the sophomore forward. The young big has performed well with the opportunity thus far, averaging 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1 block in 36 minutes per game in his last two games. His shooting splits are beneficial for 9-cat leagues, too. He’s shooting 49% from the field, 41% from 3-point range, and 79% from the line on low volume. It’s a great week to play da Silva.

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Daniss Jenkins – PG, Detroit Pistons (14% rostered)

Jenkins has been a revelation for the Pistons. Over his last three games, he’s averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.7 assists per game and 2.3 steals per game. Two of those games were without Cade Cunningham, which could be the case on Monday as the superstar (hip) is listed as questionable. Jenkins is a dog, and I’d stream him at least for the Pistons’ Monday-Tuesday back-to-back games vs. the Packers and Hawks.

Max Christie – SG/SF, Dallas Mavericks (19% rostered)

Christie has quietly established a consistent presence in Dallas. Assuming Naji Marshall isn’t available, Christie is the other option I’d consider as the Mavs try to right the ship following Nico Harrison’s departure. Christie has been a top-100 player over the past two weeks, averaging 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists with 3 3s per game over the past 11 contests. The Mavs need his spacing, defensive versatility and low-key playmaking, so he should continue to see 30 minutes per game.

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Bogdan Bogdanović – SG/SF, Los Angeles Clippers (16% rostered)

The injuries are piling up for the Clippers, leaving Bogie as the next man up, following the absences of Bradley Beal (out for the season) and Kawhi Leonard (day-to-day). Bogdanović will struggle with efficiency; still, he’s a vet who can fill a void in 3s, assists, steals and points. He’ll be a streaming option from Thursday to Sunday, with the Clippers playing three games in four nights over that stretch.

Luke Kornet – C, San Antonio Spurs (8% rostered)

A speculative add, Kornet should be on most fantasy managers’ watchlist if Victor Wembanyama (calf) misses more games. With Wemby out on Sunday, Kornet earned his first spot start of the year, posting a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double with 3 blocks. The Spurs play on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, so there will be room for Kornet if Wemby’s out.

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Other waiver options:

• Collin Gillispie – PG, Phoenix Suns (14%)

• Anthony Black – PG/SG, Orlando Magic (8%)

• Jordan Walsh – SG/SF, Boston Celtics (2%)

• Saddiq Bey – SF/PF, New Orleans Pelicans (20%)

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