Fantasy basketball: Which “offseason” players are worth adding?

This period in the fantasy basketball season is referred to as “silly season,” during which many struggling NBA teams are providing more chances to their younger, lesser-known players as they prepare for the next season.

With numerous star players sidelined in the 2025-26 season and fewer dependable fantasy options than in recent years, pinpointing some “silly season” standouts to enhance your roster for the fantasy playoffs could be crucial for securing a league victory.

So, which players should you consider adding before other managers claim them?

Here are insights from Andre Snellings, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Jim McCormick, and Steve Alexander regarding the “silly season” players they favor for the remainder of the season.

Ace Bailey, SF/PF, Utah Jazz (rostered in 33.0% of ESPN leagues): The Jazz have fully embraced the silly season, even incurring a fine from the NBA for resting their top players during the fourth quarter of a close game prior to the All-Star Break. They repeated this strategy earlier this week, holding out Keyonte George in the fourth quarter due to illness after he scored 15 points in the first three quarters. The Jazz selected Bailey to be a future star, and as they have sidelined their veteran players, they are giving him more opportunities. He has averaged over 15 field goal attempts in his last 13 games, and I anticipate that number will rise as they continue to prioritize him down the stretch. — Snellings

Tre Johnson, SG, Washington Wizards (4.8% rostered) The Wizards appeared to be committing to a rebuild when they decided to shut down newly acquired Anthony Davis, but recently they unexpectedly reactivated Trae Young and Alex Sarr, bringing them back into the lineup. I would be surprised if they continue to utilize Young for the remainder of the season. I expect they will shift back to focusing on their younger players before the month concludes. Meanwhile, rookie Johnson was averaging over 31 minutes and more than 14 field goal attempts in the eight games from January 11 until he sprained his ankle on January 29. His minutes and shot attempts have been gradually increasing since his return, and in his last three games, he has averaged 17.3 points and 4.0 three-pointers in 21.7 minutes. I fully anticipate his minutes will return to the 30s and his scoring average will rise into the 20s before the season wraps up. — Snellings

Kyle Filipowski, PF, Utah Jazz (46.7% rostered): The Jazz are on a path toward the lottery, and Filipowski has emerged as a key part of their future while capitalizing on injuries in the frontcourt. He has recorded at least 43 fantasy points in four of his last five games and should continue to receive consistent minutes as the team emphasizes his development. Rostered in 45.6% of leagues, he is a reliable option for fantasy managers. — Moody

Precious Achiuwa, PF/C, Sacramento Kings (37.0% rostered): Achiuwa has assumed a significant role in the Kings’ rotation due to injuries in the frontcourt. Similar to the Jazz, the Kings are also heading toward the lottery and are unlikely to rush players back, which is advantageous for Achiuwa from a fantasy standpoint. He has averaged 36.2 fantasy points and 32.6 minutes per game over the last eight games. Achiuwa is rostered in 39.9% of leagues and is a player that should be added for the fantasy playoffs. — Moody

Maxime Raynaud, C, Sacramento Kings (32.9% rostered): Someone needs to step up for the Kings, and Raynaud, the rookie selected in the second round from Stanford via France, has averaged 15.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and shot 59.4% from the field since early February, enjoying substantial minutes and regular double-doubles. He ranks among the top 10 centers during this period! The struggling Kings may not secure many wins, but Raynaud can certainly assist fantasy managers in their playoff pursuits. — Karabell

Collin Gillespie, PG, Phoenix Suns (60.6% rostered): It is surprising that Gillespie, who ranks among the top 50 ESPN points league scorers in fantasy for the entire season, remains available in nearly 40% of standard leagues. What more does the Villanova product need to accomplish? Gillespie has been a starter for the Suns since Thanksgiving. With the Suns heading to the playoffs, Gillespie, averaging 14.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 30.2 minutes as a starter, is a significant contributor to their success. — Karabell

GG Jackson, PF, Memphis Grizzlies (19.0% rostered): The Grizzlies are dealing with injuries and have effectively given up on the season, resulting in several players taking on larger roles in Memphis. My preferred choice is Jackson, who is only rostered in 22% of ESPN leagues. He is a solid source of points and contributes in various areas. Additionally, the Grizzlies have four games per week until the season concludes, making him an ideal addition to any roster. — Alexander

Derrick Jones Jr., SF, LA Clippers (10.1% rostered): Continuing with teams that are clearly striving to win in the closing weeks, the Clippers have fought their way back into the play-in picture after a rough start to the season. Jones has always been a role player, but he provides a level of production reliability that is rare among players this accessible. In addition to his value as a lob threat, Jones is one of the Clippers’ leading rim protectors, averaging a center-like 1.4 blocks per 36 minutes this season. His defensive metrics have improved since the trade deadline; he has averaged 2.8 blocks plus steals over the past week and has recorded at least two blocks in four of his last ten starts. — McCormick

Tristan da Silva, SF, Orlando Magic (15.7% rostered): The Magic have four games scheduled in each of the last four weeks, and Franz Wagner’s status is uncertain due to a high left ankle sprain for all remaining games. While da Silva may not be a star player and likely won’t single-handedly secure your league victory, he is expected to receive significant playing time and contribute. He has averaged 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.2 three-pointers over his last five games and shows no signs of slowing down. — Alexander

As many teams with widely available players aim to secure or enhance lottery odds in these final weeks of the season, the Magic are pursuing the Southeast Division title. Da Silva acts as a floor-stretcher for a team in desperate need of spacing. His defensive skills are also reflected in the box scores. A recent increase in his passing production as a connector gives him a resemblance to Toumani Camara (spring 2025 edition) as the season approaches its conclusion. — McCormick