FANTASY BASKETBALL WAIVER WIRE (WEEK 7-WEEK 8)

FANTASY BASKETBALL WAIVER WIRE (WEEK 7-WEEK 8)

By Muntradamus

This article will take you through my mind as I analyze Free Agents in a majority of fantasy basketball leagues.

I will break down the free agents in different categories, and from there you can decide when you want to pounce on a player. If you have any fantasy basketball waiver wire questions ask away.

Page will be updated Daily:

2/11/12

PLAYERS I AM WATCHING CLOSELY

Jordan Hill/Samuel Dalembert  (C) Houston

This is the story of the decline of Dalembert, and the opportunity for Jordan Hill to finally emerge as a great fantasy option.  Samuel Dalembert has been dreadful as of late.  In the month of February Samuel is averaging (4 Points, 3 Rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 17 Minutes).  Those numbers will not get the job done for any owner fantasy wise.  Jordan Hill is getting back to 100% recovering from the flu.  If he has a big game Thursday Night he will be on everyone’s radar.  Even if he doesn’t Samuel Dalembert is fading, and Jordan Hill is the guy who is going to take over.   Hill has the potential to put up Roy Hibbert type numbers.

Daniel Gibson (G) Cleveland

If you need 3PTM, Gibson could be as good as Jason Terry if not better.  The problem for Gibson has always been minutes, and despite having a nice fantasy game with Kyrie Irving injured.  Gibson has only surpassed 30 Minutes one other time all season.  He is an inconsistent option, and right now he is competing with Ramons Sessions and Alonzo Gee for playing time.  Once Sessions gets traded, Gibson owners should be the big winners.

Chase Budinger/Chandler Parsons/Courtney Lee (F) Houston

The Triangle Slash (Nickname for this trio of fantasy options).  Each have the potential to be great fantasy options, but they all compete with each other and you can never predict the safe option for the night.  Chase Budinger is probably the best overall offensive player of the bunch.  Courtney Lee is the most dependable as far as consistent production goes.  Chandler Parsons is Mr. Intangible as he can fill up the stat sheet but is very inconsistent.  In the long run I like Chase to emerge from the pack, but that will only happen with an injury or trade.  All three should be on your waiver wire as of now.

Greivis Vasquez/Jarrett Jack/Eric Gordon (G) New Orleans

I know Eric Gordon is not back yet, but when he is that rotation could be a headache for all of them.  Gordon’s knee is a concern since there is no guarantee he doesn’t get shut down early when the Hornets are eliminated from the playoffs.  Jarrett Jack is looking at the highs of his fantasy season in the rear view mirror.  Greivis Vasquez is too valuable to that team not to get 30 Minutes a night.  It is possible all three can co-exist, but it is going to be tough especially playing for a poor team.  As of now none of the players above should be on your waiver wire.

Jeff Teague/Kirk Hinrich (G) Atlanta

Teague is on the verge of giving up everything he has worked towards, to a non-threatening PG/SG who has very little skills in Kirk Hinrich.  Luke Ridnour may be a better player than Kirk Hinrich, yet Jeff Teague is doing nothing to separate himself.  If Teague misses any time with an injury, or Hinrich continues to be a steady player off the bench.  Then we are going to have a complete timeshare.  When Teague is playing well he can play at a Mike Conley type fantasy production level.  In the long run I expect Teague to end up with more fantasy value, but he better start stepping up his game before he turns into bench material.  Which could turn into waiver wire material..

Rudy Fernandez/Aaron Afflalo (G) Denver

With no Danilo Gallinari in the picture, I expect Rudy Fernandez to become a great fantasy option.  The problem is Aaron Afflalo was paid way too much money by the Nuggets in the off-season to not get 30+ Minutes a game.  Once the Nuggets realize that Fernandez is way more dynamic player of an offensive player, I expect Rudy to be a great fantasy option.  If Rudy can finish out the weekend strong, I would strongly recommend picking up the Spaniard who can single handily carry you in the 3PTM category.

Derrick Williams/Michael Beasley/Martell Webster (F) Minnesota

With Kevin Love coming back, the fantasy basketball world is back to square one with Derrick Williams.  Michael Beasley is easily the 6^th man off the bench who will continue to shoot the ball at a ridiculous rate.  Since his return he is averaging about a shot attempt per two minutes played.  Martell Webster is a very talented combo forward who never has gotten the real chance to show off his skills.  Derrick Williams showed off his great young potential while filling in for the suspended Kevin Love.  When Kevin Love was playing last week,  Derrick Williams was seeing less than 20 minutes a game.  As a result Martell Webster was getting more PT than the rookie from Arizona.  I expect this time around, Williams will get more minutes than Webster.  I would use this more as an opportunity to sell Williams high for some value.  Maybe grab a declining Jeff Teague.

Ben Gordon/Rodney Stuckey/ Brandon Knight (G) Detroit

Ben Gordon just came back from his injury and now poses a threat to either Rodney Stuckey or Brandon Knight.  My feeling is Stuckey will be affected by this far more than Brandon Knight.  The Pistons future player is Brandon Knight, and Rodney Stuckey was not very dominant while Gordon sat with his shoulder injury.  Once the Pistons are eliminated from the playoff run, I expect Brandon Knight to be a must-start fantasy option.

Corey Maggette/Reggie Williams/D.J. Augustin/Kemba Walker (G/F) Charlotte

Maggette is supposed to return this weekend.  D.J. Augustin is supposed to return Monday.  That will leave Reggie Williams as the likely man out of the rotation.  Reggie has been playing to well to not be an important role player for the Bobcats, but the Bobcats shuffle their lineup like Tara Reid at your local bar.  Right now Reggie is a short term fantasy option, while Maggette and D.J. get their game back.  Kemba should continue to start and not lose value, as he is the face of the franchise.

Byron Mullens/Bismack Biyombo (C) Charlotte

Mullens is the weakest center in the NBA.  Bismack Biyombo is the rawest center in the NBA.  Together you have a bad fantasy situation.  If I had to pick one I would go with Biyombo and his rebound/block/steal potential.  Both should be left on your local waiver wire.

PLAYERS THAT ARE GOOD FOR THE BOTTOM OF YOUR ROSTER

Trevor Booker (F) Washington

Booker is the perfect complimentary player to the lanky athletic Javale McGee.  Booker will snag up rebounds and is a great low post scoring option.  I am worried about Andray Blatche, and his soon to be return in a couple weeks.  But even then Blatche has an up-hill battle to get his spot back as he was in the coaches’ dog house before the injury.

Tiago Splitter (C) San Antonio

Splitter is far more talented than Dejaun Blair. He also has better offensive potential than Tim Duncan.  But unfortunately Tiago’s playing time is completely unpredictable.  Good news is, that could change very soon as Blair is easily playing himself out of the starting role.  As for Duncan, the schedule after the all-star break starts to bunch up, which could lead to a lot of DNP’s for the Veteran.  Especially after the Spurs clinch their playoff spot.  For now he is a good player to stash for the long run.

Randy Foye (G) CLIPPERS

Foye is an explosive scorer with great steal potential.  The problem with Randy is the return of Eric Bledsoe, which could be any game now.  Another threat to Foye’s fantasy value is Mo Williams. When Williams is hot, he gets the majority of the playing time.  Either way Foye should up some big nights when you least expect it.

PLAYERS THAT SHOULD NOT BE ON YOUR WAIVER WIRE

Jordan Crawford (G) Washington

J-Craw is one the most explosive players in the fantasy basketball world.  He was easily the MVP of the fantasy playoffs last season, and with the Wizards heading towards early elimination, they will find ways to increase his playing time and opportunities.  He has potential to score in the 20 point range consistently.  Crawford also adds great 3PTM, steal, and surprisingly high assist potential.  Make sure he is not just sitting on your waiver wire as he can change your teams complexion at the end the season.

Nikola Pekovic (C) Minnesota

Nikola is Marcin Gortat 2.0.  With playing time he will dominate with double-doubles, and should be decent with the block/steal combo.  The wolves appear to be done with their Darko phase as it is time to pass the torch to the Yugoslavian Hitman.

Jeremy Lin (G) Knicks

Lin City is taking over New York.  The Knicks seemed to be dead in the water with Point Guard problems all season.  Finally someone stepped up, as Jeremy Lin is playing like a fantasy beast.  Baron Davis had a set back with his injury, and Iman Shumpert is more of a sixth man than a starter.  Which leave Jeremy as the most capable guard of leading his team.  His value will go down a little when Melo and Amare are healthy/playing.  I can’t see either of them giving up too many of their combined 35 FG Attempts per game.  For now enjoy the fantasy stardom while it’s here.

Mike Dunleavy (G/F) Milwaukee

Dunleavy is the best shooter on the Bucks, especially when Brandon Jennings is failing to hit more than 5 shots in a game.  The Bucks might bring Mike off the bench, but it does not mean he will rack up the Points and 3PTM in a hurry.  He has scored in the 17+ Range 6 out of the last 10 games.

Evan Turner (G) Philadelphia

Turner may only be getting 20 Minutes a game, but his potential with 30+ Minutes would make him an elite option.  He fills up the stat sheet the same way Dwayne Wade does.   Of course getting those 30+ Minutes will always be a challenge with how deep the 76ers run at the guard position.  It would be wise to stash him on your bench in case of injuries, or any rotation changes.

Jerryd Bayless (G) Toronto

The Raptors are in desperate need of a true scorer with Andrea Bargnani out.  Enter in Jerryd Bayless who has the fantasy potential to be a Monta Ellis type player.  One day.  For now expect the Raptors to give Bayless as many opportunities as he needs to be a viable fantasy option.  If Calderon were to get traded, Bayless would be close to must-start material.

Channing Frye (F/C) Phoenix

The Suns want Frye to be their guy, but his consistency throughout the season has been quite disappointing.  He is starting to gain more confidence in his stroke exemplified by his recent scoring.  If he has a good finish to this week, I would consider starting him in a majority of fantasy leagues.  His 3PTM, and block potential makes him an outstanding fantasy player.

Austin Daye (F) Pistons

Daye is one of those players that can play like a top 5 option at the forward position if given the consistent minutes.  Eventually that time will come to him as the Pistons are heading nowhere quick.  Daye can get; blocks, steals, 3PTM, rebounds, and points in a hurry.

James Johnson (F) Raptors

If you have been following my articles all season you will know that I refer to James Johnson as Gerald Wallace 2.0.  The reason for this comparison, is because nobody will rack up blocks/steals like this forward out of Toronto.  He is an immediate impact fantasy basketball player, and although inconsistency has been a problem.  He also has never really had the opportunity to be a consistent starter since college ball, at Wake Forest where he averaged 1.5 Blocks, 1.5 Steals as a Sophomore.  If you need blocks/steals, there is no reason to leave this dynamic option as a FA.

J.R. Smith (G) FA

J.R. averaged over 30 Points a game in China.  Everyone in the NBA already knew he was a prolific scorer.  But to average over 30 a game will bring him amazing confidence when he comes back to the NBA which is sooner than most people think.  His team was mathematically eliminated from the playoffs which means his season in China ends NEXT WEEK.

From there he will come back to the NBA, probably sign with whatever team will give him a nice 1 year deal to come off the bench.  Lakers would be a great fit.  He will rack up about 2-3 3PTM per game, to go along with excellent steal numbers, and most importantly…The chance for 20 Points off the bench.

There are not many players in the NBA who score like this guy, and if you want him in your fantasy league you should probably get that waiver claim ready now.  He is a difference maker, and if lack in the 3PTM or scoring department.  You might as well pick him up now instead of watching another team snag him away.  He will probably be playing in a NBA game by the end of the month.

“DECENT” PLAYERS I AM READY TO DROP

Gerald Henderson (G/F) Charlotte

The Bobcats have too many options that are all decent.  Gerald Henderson does not have any offensive skills that really separate him from the pack.  With Corey Maggette and D.J. Augustin healthy, the shot attempts will not be there consistently for Henderson.  I do not want to waste more time with him sitting on my bench injured.

Ronnie Brewer (G/F) Chicago

Brewer had some good fantasy value over this Luol Deng injury stretch.  While he continues to get the starts, and good minutes, I would drop him knowing his upside is coming to an end when Rip Hamilton returns.  Soon he will be competing with Kyle Korver every night for minutes.

Marvin Williams (F) Atlanta

I have given up on the former #2 pick in the NBA draft.  Even with Teague dissolving as a consistent fantasy option.  Marvin Williams is still doing nothing to impress.  Let other fantasy owners deal with the inconsistent forward.

Dejuan Blair (C) San Antonio

Blair is one of the worst starting centers in the NBA.  A double-double for Blair is almost like hitting the lottery as he has done the accomplishment 4/27 games.  That is terrible considering he hasn’t done the feat since January 13^th.