Week 13 Free Agent Finds

Topping off the list of this week's free agent finds are a few Chicago Bulls.

1. Taj Gibson - Chicago Bulls, PF -

 I've got multiple arguments for him.  First off, fantasy-wise, Gibson really isn't that far below Boozer in general.  Rather, he's very close.  Now also consider that Gibson gets a few less minutes per game, but still gets the crunch time playtime.  Now, figure in that Carlos Boozer has been nursing a calf injury; he's not even playing tonight against Cleveland.  This will be Boozer's third missed game in his last ten.  Gibson will be taking the start, and likely more minutes even when Boozer returns.  In the previous two games Boozer missed, Gibson landed 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks against Atlanta and 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists against Phoenix.  Gibson is in for a big game tonight and strong numbers as long as Boozer's injury lingers around, which could be for who knows how long.

2. D.J. Augustin - Chicago Bulls, PG -

This isn't the same D.J. Augustin that ran Charlotte a few years back or the same one that took a backseat to George Hill in Indiana last season.  He's different.  He's matured, smarter, a better shooter... all of the things you want in a point guard.  Augustin is no Derrick Rose, but he's better than Kirk Hinrich, Marquis Teague, and Mike James, all completely irrelevant in this case.  It doesn't come down to Hinrich vs. Augustin; it just comes down to whether or not to pick up Augustin.  I'll convince you.  Hinrich starts still, and I'm not too sure why.  But Thibodeau is a good coach, and I won't question it.  Either way, Hinrich is officially ruled out for about a week with a hamstring injury, making Augustin able to run the offense from the get-go.  Now Hinrich hasn't missed any action yet, so the following stat line is while Hinrich was getting 30 minutes a game.  Over his past six outings, Augustin has averaged 18 points, 7 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.7 threes a game.  Now you're not going to see Augustin's minutes skyrocket to 46 (you might, it's Thibodeau), but you will see increased production due to the absence of Kirk Hinrich.  Pick him up, and give him a week.  If you're not happy, drop him.  But you will be.

3. Channing Frye - Phoenix Suns, PF -

In short, Channing Frye is a power forward who is a three-point specialist.  Not many power forwards can successfully guard him, and he's too tall in the post to be effectively contained by a small forward.  He's hard to match up with, and he's hot right now.  The Suns' center, Miles Plumlee, is nursing an injury right now, offering more rebounding opportunities for Frye, who already averages 5.5 boards a game.  Through his last 11 games, Frye has hits four threes six times.  He's also grabbed almost 6 rebounds a game.  Shooting power forwards sometimes have it tough, but the Suns have an excellent point guard in Goran Dragic, who is averaging over 7 assists over his last few games.  I mean he learned from Steve Nash, he's got skill.  Anyways, pick up Frye for this week and see how he fairs out for you.

4. - Randy Foye - Denver Nuggets, SG - 

I'm not going to go into huge detail about Randy Foye right now; I'll keep it short and sweet.  In his last six games, Foye is averaging 18.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.2 threes a game.  He's hot.  He sat out his last game because of a stomach bug, not an injury.  He's feeling it right now, and he's playing well.  Ride him while he's hot and see how it turns out to you if you need a shooter.

If these guys are still available (although unlikely in your league), grab them immediately: Jared Sullinger, Celtics PF; Jimmy Butler, Bulls SG/SF; Eric Bledsoe, Suns PG/SG (if you can afford to hold onto him for 2-4 weeks); Darren Collison, Clippers PG

*If you own Jordan Crawford, please trade him away now or drop him for a better option.  You need to realize he may be a great back-up scorer, but he's just that, a back-up.  He will be behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.  Unless either of them get hurt for an extended period of time (which isn't unlikely with Curry), he has very little value.

X-Factor of the Week: Greivis Vasquez, Raptors PG

This guy is lethal.  He's deadly.  We're talking about 12 assists per game, league-leading.  The problem?  He's sitting behind Kyle Lowry.  Keep an eye on this situation.  Over his last two games, Vasquez has really found his game even off the bench, averaging 13 points, 8.5 assists and 6 rebounds.  The Raptors claimed they were no longer interested in trading Lowry, given his outstanding play as of late and the team's recent success.  HOWEVER, they will have that same success with Vasquez running the show, and I think Toronto knows that.  They have a starting point guard sitting on their bench, playing 20 minutes per game.  He's finally fully recovered from his ankle surgery in the off season, and the Raptors stated that they are no longer "marketing" Lowry.  They aren't out looking to trade him, but he will be a free agent at the end of the year, and if somebody wants to trade for him, the Raptors will consider it.  I've almost picked up Vasquez just in case this happens, to hold onto him.  What I'm saying is, if you hear so much a rumor that Lowry is getting traded, immediately pick up Vasquez, whatever you do.

Good luck to all in Week 13!