Waiver Wire Deep Leagues: Champagnie Watson Jan 2026

Peyton Watson: Defensive Standout with Scoring

Expanded Role Breakdown

Game after game, Peyton Watson is enjoying more game time, as well as more responsibilities for the Nuggets. This season so far, he has started a lot of games, especially in the last month. This has shown us just how good of a player he is on both sides of the floor. For fantasy, more minutes means more statistical chances, making him a useful asset in Deep Leagues while his playing time remains high.

Nuggets Injuries Boosting Him

With Jokic out injured with a knee Injury, Peyton has benefited for it, as it has opened up massive opportunities for offensive production. Also, injuries to forwards like Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun have also cemented Watson's spot in the starting lineup for now. 

Blocks, Steals, and Rebounds Upside

Watson provides excellent defensive statistics, which are often hard to find on the waiver wire. He consistently records solid numbers in steals and blocks, offering great fantasy value in those categories. For example, on January 9, 2026, he registered 3 steals and 1 block along with 11 rebounds. His rebounding numbers have also increased with more minutes, making him a great all-around defensive specialist for your fantasy roster.

Why Add Them in Deep Leagues

Roster Percentages and Availability

Both Champagnie and Watson are widely available assets in fantasy leagues. They are not on a lot of Rosters. Stats have it that they are in under 5% in standard 12-team leagues. They may be budding players, but they are excellent targets in deeper formats where virtually every player is owned. Their low ownership makes them accessible waiver pickups right now. If your league has 14 or more teams, adding them immediately is a smart move before other managers notice their increased minutes and strong production.

Week 11 and ROS Outlook

For the immediate future, Week 11 looks promising, as the Wizards and Nuggets have four games each this week. This offers multiple opportunities for production.  As the season goes by, their value will either drop or spike depending on the health of their teammates. If those injuries continue, they could be top-100 players. In any case, they are worth holding onto until the injured stars return, providing solid short-term benefits to help win crucial weekly matchups.

Risks to Monitor

The main risk is the potential for decreased playing time. As their injured teammates recover and return to the lineup, Champagnie and Watson will likely see fewer minutes on the court. This could make them less effective for fantasy purposes. Keep an eye on injury reports daily. If a starter is expected back soon, their "must-add" status might change quickly. Be prepared to drop them back to the waiver wire when their opportunity dries up.

Other Deep League Options

Outside of these two players, there are other under-the-radar players who are gaining value due to major and recent rotation shifts by their teams. Moussa Diabaté has been a rebounding force for Charlotte while Ryan Kalkbrenner is sidelined. Meanwhile, Jake LaRavia is seeing massive minutes for the Lakers with Rui Hachimura out. Jeremiah Fears in New Orleans and Santi Aldama in Memphis are also strong targets.

Waiver Strategy Tips

To succeed in the Deep League, you need to be proactive. Don't wait for a player to have a breakout game. Keep close eyes on injury reports and add potential replacements before their value increases. Use the end of your bench to cycle through high-upside players who might benefit and possibly play from upcoming schedule advantages or temporary starting roles.

Conclusion

Prioritize Justin Champagnie and Peyton Watson for immediate impact. CTA: Add before opponents snag them.

People Also Ask

Is Justin Champagnie worth adding in fantasy basketball?
Yes. Champagnie is a strong deep league add for rebounds, blocks, and low turnovers while Washington deals with frontcourt injuries.

What is Peyton Watson’s fantasy value right now?
Watson’s fantasy value is rising due to increased minutes and elite defensive production with steals and blocks.

Who are the best deep league waiver wire adds for Week 11?
Justin Champagnie and Peyton Watson are among the top deep league adds thanks to expanded roles and four-game weeks.

When should fantasy managers drop Champagnie or Watson?
They can be dropped once injured starters return and their minutes consistently fall below 20 per game.