Week 16 Free Agent Finds

Well I can't say I didn't tell you so.  If you missed out on picking up Randy Foye, there's not a lot of hope left, seeing as he is owned in over 94% of fantasy basketball leagues now.  No Nate Robinson, no Andre Miller, and now Ty Lawson has a cracked rib?  I bet you're just kicking yourself.

Well all that aside, let's take a look at your best prospects for waiver wire pickups here in Week 16.

1. DeMarre Carroll, Hawks SF - Carroll is really having quite a coming out party this year on a pretty banged up Hawks team.  This past month, he's averaging 15.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.1 treys and 1.7 steals.  In my opinion, he's the second best player to own on the Hawks, from a fantasy perspective, right behind Paul Millsap.  Scoop him up if he's available in your league.

2. Steve Nash/Steve Blake, Lakers PG - In shallow leagues, maybe these guys won't be extremely relevant, but in deeper leagues, both of these guys will have fantasy value.  Upon return from injuries, Nash will start at the point guard and Blake will start at the 2-guard.  Both players will have ample opportunities to drop some dimes and hit a few threes.  Jordan Farmar probably won' t have much fantasy relevance.

3. Danny Green, Spurs SG - I'm not a Spurs fan, especially from a fantasy perspective, mainly due to the way Popovich uses his players.  On any given day, Green or Belinelli's minutes could range from 15-35, depending on how they're playing, but you can't overlook the fact that San Antonio is hurting for health, with Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobli both missing a significant amount of time.  Upon Leonard's return in a few weeks, Green will be irrelevant, but he's worth a short add if you need a boost this week.

4. Raymond Felton, Knicks PG - It's hard to imagine that Felton's slump will continue for much longer.  He's never been a top-tier point guard,  but over the past month, he's averaging about 10 points and 6 assists.  Not great numbers, and obviously any point guard on a team with Carmelo Anthony can't expect much more production, but Felton's a guy to keep an eye on if you need a short-term add.

5. Wesley Johnson, Lakers SF - Johnson is a story, no doubt, but when you look at him, just statistically, there's no reason you don't want him on your team.  ESPN analysts have bragged about "1+1+1" players all year long, meaning players that get at least 1 block, 1 steal, and 1 three pointer a game, and Johnson is one of the few players in the league doing that.  But more importantly, since the Lakers have found health at the point guard position, Johnson is averaging almost 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks a game.  The pressure will be taken off of Johnson, but he'll still be the only player on the Lakers clocking 40 minutes a night.

6. Jordan Hill, Lakers PF/C - Jordan Hill is also worthy of a pick up, at least in the short term.  Gasol will be out at least until after the All-Star Break, so Hill will be a smart add for at least this week of play.  Coming off the bench behind Robert Sacre (probably not for much longer), Jordan Hill has logged 29 points and 15 rebounds over the last two games, and he's worth keeping an eye on.

7. Ryan Kelly, Lakers SF/PF - Now Hill is a great short term add, but if you're looking to the future, pick up Ryan Kelly.  He's impressed coach D'Antoni with his three-point shot, giving himself a spot in the starting lineup.  Over the past month, D'Antoni has given Kelly almost 28 minutes a game, and he's only recently begun starting.  The Lakers don't need a player like Hill in the starting lineup while Gasol is healthy.  The starting line will be Nash, Blake, Johnson, Kelly, and Gasol.  I don't really like any of the Lakers due to their inconsistency this season, but it's hard to think players like Kelly won't benefit from a player like Nash spreading the ball around.

Players who have lost or are losing fantasy relevance very quickly:
If you haven't already traded or dropped these players, try to work out a trade quickly before they lose relevance altogether.

1. Darren Collison, Clippers PG - Needless to say, with the return of Chris Paul, Collison will no longer bring much to any fantasy team unless there are any setbacks with Paul, which is unlikely.

2. Jamaal Crawford, Clippers SG - A lot of Crawford's production over the past few months has been opportunities due to him running the show, and now with the return of Paul, back-up point guard duties are now on Collison.  Crawford will only really help you in deeper leagues, but he's definitely a better option than some.

3. J.J. Redick, Clippers SG - The return of Paul will definitely impact many players, and some may think that Redick's production will return to how it was early in the season with Paul back.  However, I don't really think so.  Redick's got a sweet shot, but I can't see him producing much more than a couple threes a game and maybe a few assists.


How much of a risk are you willing to take?

It might be time to consider trading for Kobe Bryant.  Right about now, picking up Kobe is a gamble to say the very least.  However, he's the kind of player that, if he comes back, he will be great.  If he comes back.  Here's my opinion.  Kobe isn't going to be playing for much longer.  He already announced he would play two more years and retire.  Now there's no telling how this season will affect that, but I guarantee he won't cut his career short.  He's Kobe.  Kobe wants to play, and Kobe wants to win.  There might never have been another player with as much will to win as Kobe.  The Lakers are officially 12 games out of playoffs.  12 games behind the 8 seed.  It's unlikely the Lakers will make the playoffs, as this year the West has taken more shape than previous years.  Needless to say, though, if there's a chance, Kobe will take advantage of it.  I expect Kobe to start playing late February, early March at the latest, and while some people think he might rest, taking days off isn't Kobe Bryant.  I'm not a fan, but I'm just stating the facts.  If you can buy him low right now (and a lot of owners are probably worried about not making playoffs), then go for it.  He's a high risk-high reward player.

Best of luck in Week 16!

Why Randy Foye, Denver SG/PG is a Must-Add In All Fantasy Basketball Leagues

So for those of you who don't know, here's the situation in the mile-high city of Denver, Colorado: starting point guard Ty Lawson is nursing a strained rotator cuff in his shoulder, back-up point guard Nate Robinson just underwent surgery on a torn ACL, third string point guard Andre Miller has unofficially been released from the team, and starting shooting guard Randy Foye stepped into the point guard role and filled Lawson's shoes by dropping 16 assists.

True, Foye also had 8 turnovers and shot 4/13, but regardless, Foye is officially an elite option if he wasn't already before.  Over the past month, the Nuggets guard is averaging 16.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 4.2 APG, while knocking down 3.2 three pointers a game.  Lawson will most likely return in the next one or two games, but even then, Foye has additional value in Robinson's absence.  Foye will command the normal role as starting shooting guard in addition to filling in as the second-string point guard.  We know he can shoot the ball, and now we know he can create plays for his teammates.

Bottom line: Randy Foye is only owned in 57.2% of ESPN leagues and even less in Yahoo! leagues, and is a must-add in all leagues, points or categories, head-to-head or rotisserie.  He's a true shooting guard who can shoot the three about as well as anyone and can make plays for his teammates, and he now has an elevated role in the offense and will be clocking about 40 minutes per game.  He's everything you want in a fantasy basketball player, and he's hot right now and is showing no signs of cooling off.

Week 14 Free Agent Finds

Man, has it been a crazy week in the NBA or what?  Carmelo Anthony breaks a Madison Square Garden record lighting it up for 62.  Chandler Parsons sets a franchise record with 10 made threes and an NBA record with 10 made threes in a half!  Only for Terrence Ross to hit 10 threes the following night, posting 51 points, setting a Raptors franchise record.  We saw Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins get injured in the same game, and the next game, Marcus Thornton and Isaiah Thomas combine for 80 points on 29-58 shooting.  It's been quite a week, to say the very least.  So what did we learn?

Carmelo Anthony can score.  His 62-point outing was against the Bobcats, but not to take anything away from Melo, it's still 62 points.

Chandler Parsons can shoot.  Just about as well as anyone and probably the best shooter on the Houston Rockets.

Terrence Ross had a freak outing with DeMar DeRozan getting hurt with an ankle sprain.  Who knows if he can keep up that scoring outburst in consecutive games?  I don't think so.

Thornton and Thomas are good... if Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins are out.  They managed to get off 58 shots between the two of them.


So at this point in the season, who's available on the waiver wire still?  Deeper leagues have real problems with the waiver wire.  Mainly, there's nobody worth having on it.  However, that doesn't mean you can't snag a solid player if you make good decisions.  So take a chance.  Here's my list of waiver-wire adds for Week 14:

1. Andray Blatche - Brooklyn Nets, PF - The main thing I like about Blatche is his consistency.  The Nets have no Brook Lopez, and Kevin Garnett is far from the KG we all used to know.  Blatche can shoot a mid-range jumper, finish in the post, rebound, and play defense.  He's a good player, and over the last two weeks, Blatche is averaging 16.4 PPG, 8 RPG, and 1.2 BPG in just 26 minutes per game.  Normally, I don't like adding players to my roster who aren't playing 30-40 minutes every night, but Blatche is nice, and he's definitely someone to keep an eye on, especially if KG starts resting or Blatche starts getting more minutes.

2. James Johnson - Memphis Grizzlies, SF - James Johnson is an interesting player.  He is literally the definition of a stat-sheet stuffer.  He won't contribute in quantity, but he will do a little bit of everything for you.  He really is the missing piece of the Grizzlies.  Over the past two weeks, Johnson is averaging 8.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.9 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game in less than 23 minutes a game!  He does it all, and if you watch them play, you'll see just how important he is to their success, making big plays in late game situations.  Pick him up if you need help in every statistical category.  He should be owned in all but shallow leagues.

3. Tyson Chandler - New York Knicks, C - Obviously, Chandler should be owned in all formats.  However, his production had been slumping, so frustrated owners decided to drop him.  He's slowly getting back into the swing of things, but with all of the injuries plaguing the power forwards of New York (Stoudemire, Bargnani, and Martin) there are many rebounds to go around and Tyson can lock down the paint.  Pick him up if you're in the 22% of leagues where he's available.

4. Markieff Morris - Phoenix Suns, PF - Markieff is the better of the Morris twins, needless to say.  So when you're looking for this guy, be sure not to pick up Marcus.  Morris has been on a tear lately, averaging 17.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game over the past couple of weeks, pretty solid numbers for a waiver-wire power forward pick up.  The problem with any Suns player is the fact that, because there are no superstars, the entire team gets involved, so it's hard to predict who that will be on any given night.  Obviously, Dragic and Plumlee will produce, but other than that, it's up in the air.  However, Morris has started to solidify his mark as a necessary player on this team, posting some stat lines of 24 pts-7rbs, 23 pts-12 rbs, and 27 pts-15 rbs in recent games.

5. Jason Thompson, Sacramento Kings, PF and Derrick Williams, Sacramento Kings, SF - With injuries falling upon Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins, that opens up a lot of opportunities for the rest of the Sacramento players.  The first game following the injuries, Thornton went for 42 points, but I don't think this is indicative of the production without the Kings focal points.  However, look into Williams and Thompson.  Williams will see the highest benefit here, though.  Gay is averaging almost 17 shot attempts per game in addition to 6 rebounds, and Cousins is averaging almost 17 shot attempts per game, too, with almost 12 rebounds.  We're talking about 34 shots and 18 rebounds that need to be filled up.  Who better to do that than Williams and Thompson?

A few other free agents I thought I'd throw out there in case you're daring that might do some work for you: DeMarre Carroll, Atlanta SF; D.J. Augustin, Chicago PG (if available); Miles Plumlee, Phoenix C; Taj Gibson, Chicago PF; Larry Sanders, Milwaukee C; Alec Burks, Utah PG (as long as Gordon Hayward is sidelined and potentially upon his return)

Best of luck to all in Week 14 of Fantasy Basketball!

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!

Who's Got the Hot Hand?

I've been disappointed with the NBA over the past few weeks, and especially with the fantasy aspect of it, my team in particular.  I currently hold on to Russell Westbrook, out until past the All Star break, Ryan Anderson, out indefinitely with a herniated disc, and Chandler Parsons, Jimmy Butler, and Tyreke Evans, all dealing with day-to-day injuries.  Not to mention an under-producing Lebron James.  Frustrating barely describes this season.  Well enough about me, so let's get right into some players who have been playing exceptionally well and are worth a look at trading for.

1) Goran Dragic 

Straight to the point, the guy's an assassin, and a silent one.  You didn't realize it, but the Suns are off to a 21-15 start, and they wouldn't be there without Dragic.  Phoenix is in the game, and all of the sudden, you realize Dragic has 22 points, 8 assists, and a couple of rebounds and steals.  He's playing 35 minutes a game, and that's while Eric Bledsoe is playing.  With Bledsoe just undergoing knee surgery, that gives a pretty dominant boost to the already-productive Dragic.  I'm not saying that Dragic's minutes will increase significantly, but the offense will run through him more than it already had.  He's scored 21 points or more in six of his last ten, and has had 7 or more assists in six of his last ten games.  Bottom line, this guy is a top-tier point guard and a threat every night.  

2) Terrence Jones

I've been going on and on about Terrence Jones for weeks, and I'm not done giving props to the big guy.  He had a few rough games, but I blame it on his ankle injury.  Jones has been a monster lately, posting rebounding totals of 14, 11, 13, and 17 in four of his last 9 games, dipping below 8 rebounds just once.  Don't forget, he's getting these rebounds in spite of Dwight Howard.  Heck, he's taking boards AWAY from Howard.  He's had multiple games of 3+ blocks.  There's nothing not to like about this guy.  He can finish around the rim, he's athletic, can grab boards, can block shots, and he's getting 26 minutes per game.  Normally, 26 MPG is a little low, but I give Jones the exception.  He's playing exceptionally well and if he's on waivers, pick him up; if not, trade for him.

3) Kris Humphries

Believe me, I'm even upset with myself for putting him in this list.  I really am.  So much so, I am almost didn't do it.  But that doesn't mean I can overlook what he has been doing and the potential he has on the Boston Celtics.  He's healthy, he's playing over 30 minutes a game now, he's rebounding well... and he's on the Celtics.  His competition on the boards is Jared Sullinger, a 6' 9" forward playing the center position.  Not to discount Sullinger's play or rebounding abilities, but Humphries is the obvious rebounder on the team.  I don't like the guy or the way he plays, and he played quite awful last season, but a new team with very little depth in rebounding means Humphries has potential to be a double-double guy, including 13 rebounds per game or so and a couple of blocks.  Give him a chance if you've got the room for him.

4) Kyle Lowry

I love Kyle Lowry.  He's a guy that is a triple-double threat every time he plays a game, but will never quite get there.  I've known that, but lately, he's proven it to everyone else.  The guy's averaging 16 PPG, 7.5 APG, and 4 RPG while hitting 2 threes a night.  He's playing great, and the Raptors are finally playing just as Kyle Lowry wants them to.  DeRozan is hitting, Terrence Ross is coming around, Amir Johnson, Patrick Patterson, and Jonas Valanciunas are on their games, and more importantly, Rudy Gay is gone.  That's been the case over the last few weeks, and Lowry has averaging over 8.5 assists over that stretch in addition to double-digit scoring in every game since.  He's a top-20 player in my mind with no hesitation, and if you can grab him from someone who doesn't quite appreciate his potential, do it.

5) Kendall Marshall

I was going to stop after Lowry, but I couldn't resist not mentioning Kendall Marshall.  Let's put it this way:  in his first career start with the Lakers, he scored 20 points, dished out 15 dimes, and grabbed 6 boards.  In his second start, he scored 9 points, dished out 17 dimes, and grabbed 6 boards.  There are no other point guards on the Los Angeles Lakers roster, and Steve Nash, Jordan Farmar, and Steve Blake are all sidelined with injuries, and Kobe Bryant is still out.  I'm not convinced that any of those point guards will replace Marshall after the showings he's put up lately, and I think even when Kobe is back, Marshall is looking bright.  It's amazing how well he is playing, and even better, he understands his role.  I guess I'll mention that despite his efforts, the Lakers are 1-9 in their last 10, and Marshall looks to be the starter from here on out.  If you're part of the 87% that picked him up, congratulations.

Now let's talk about some disappointments.

1) Andre Iguodala - I've been saying all season long that Andre Iguodala isn't cut out for an elite fantasy position with the Warriors.  There's too much going on with the Splash Brothers and with David Lee and Bogut in the post that Andre is very limited in almost every category.  Curry, Thompson and Lee combine for 50 shots per game, and Iguodala is 5th on the team in shots attempted.  Take that and combine it with the fact that Curry always has the ball and Iguodala is limited by Lee and Bogut on the boards... trade him if you have him, and don't trade for him.  We'll leave it at that.

2) David West - David West annoys me terribly.  He's a great player and a great power forward who should be averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds every night.  But he's not. And it's not because of Roy Hibbert's dominance.  And it's so frustrating because he could.  Here's what it is.  It's the fact that the Indiana Pacers thought it would be a great idea to add Luis Scola to the roster.  It's the fact that Lance Stephenson and Paul George like to bang with the big boys and grab rebounds of their own, and West doesn't give that extra effort anymore.  There's too much depth on the Pacers for West to be an elite option anymore.

3) Evan Turner - The Philadelphia Sixers are 12-25, the third worst record in the East, and the third worst record in the NBA.  Michael Carter-Williams has been named a superstar for some reason.  He's good, no doubt, and stuffs the stat sheet, and I applaud his efforts and I think he's a good player, but truth is, Evan Turner is the star of the Sixers.  He's the go-to guy, the scorer, the defender, the guy you should run your offense through, the guy who is going to rebound, score, and create plays for teammates.  He's a 20-8-6 guy in my mind, and it's frustrating for me to see players play below their potential.  Turner, I recommend, is a guy I would look into picking up, because one of these days, he's going to pick up his game and start playing like the multi-dimensional player he is.

4) Jameer Nelson - He's playing 34 minutes a game, and having very little to show for it.  His stat line looks pretty good, at 12.7 PPG, 6.3 APG, and 3.8 RPG including 2.4 threes per game.  But he's Jameer Nelson, and Victor Oladipo wants to be the Magician.  Nelson has potential, but nothing is going to change on the Magic as long as they keep spreading the love like they are, giving 6 players at least 11 shots per game.  He's not worth the pick-up, but you might be able to get something out of him because of his name.

Now let's play a game involving frequently asked questions, and let's call it, hmm, FAQs.

Who's going to benefit from Ryan Anderson's injury? Al-Farouq Aminu.
But who's going to benefit from Tyreke Evans's injury? Oh, easy one.  Al-Farouq Aminu.
But with Jrue Holiday out, too, who's going to benefit from his absence?  Eric Gordon.
Not Austin Rivers? No.
Bottom Line: Pick up Al-Farouq Aminu.

I'm as sad about Luol Deng leaving Chicago as just about anybody.  But despite my feelings, let's answer a question.

How is the Luol Deng trade going to affect the Bulls?  Easy answer: Pick up D.J. Augustin.  Tonight, Augustin led the team in minutes (35), points (20), and assists (12).  Problem solved.  Also, try to get Joakim Noah if you can.
How about Andrew Bynum?  Leave him alone.
And the Cleveland Cavaliers?  There are very few players on the Cavaliers worth having.  Kyrie Irving, Luol Deng, and Anderson Varejao.  Please don't keep Alonzo Gee or Dion Waiters, but fine, keep Tristan Thompson.

Chandler Parsons is suffering from all sorts of injuries this season, what do I do?  Hold on to him.
Who will be benefitting from Parsons's injuries?  No one.  Ronnie Brewer and Omri Casspi will be filling in for Parsons, but neither of them will get enough minutes nor will they do enough in those minutes to warrant a pick up.  Pick up Terrence Jones if you can.


A message to all fantasy basketball players looking to make a run for the playoffs.
Download theScore app for your Android phone or iPhone, and subscribe to the NBA basketball news alerts.  Not only is it a great way for you to have first-hand knowledge of injuries and updates, but it's just a good app to have to track players and teams and their statistics.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fivemobile.thescore&hl=en
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/thescore-mobile/id285692706?mt=8

Now, when it comes to trades, you want to look for players who a) are getting good minutes, b) have very little competition at that position on their team, c) are effective in multiple categories, and d) are getting ample opportunities and chances to reach their potential.  Best of luck to you in Week 12!

P.s.  Keep in mind Rajon Rondo is trying to return by the end of the month and while the Celtics have very little to play for, they are only 2 games out of playoffs with their horrendous 13-25 record.  Boston isn't an organization that will try to doom themselves for a lottery pick; they'll play to compete.  Rondo will be good; I guarantee it.  He will be the point guard and he will have options that consist of Jordan Crawford, Jeff Green, Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger, and Kris Humphries.  Maybe not the best players to surround a guard like Rondo with, but still good enough to grant Rondo is assist numbers that he is always so determined to achieve.

Jeremy Lin, Tyreke Evans Among Top Pick-Ups

In light of recent events in the basketball world, I'd like to dedicate a short post to a few players I think are must-adds if you can grab them.  I'll cut to the chase.

Jeremy Lin

I'm a Rockets fan, and I wasn't a believer in Jeremy Lin.  I didn't think he was worth his contract, to say the least.  I didn't think he could be the point guard they needed to become a championship team, and maybe I still don't.  Either way, though, if there was any one player I could add right now, it's Lin.  He's showed his sparks of brilliance and his diversity.  He hit nine three-points in a single game, he's changed his shot a bit, can still pass the ball, and has proved to be a pretty efficient point guard.  He's averaging 14.3 points, 4.2 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game this season, and he's come off the bench in over half of the games.  The reason he is officially a must-have is because of injuries.  Patrick Beverley, the current starting point guard for the Rockets, has just been ruled out for the next 4-6 weeks, and Harden has a high-ankle sprain, which could prove to be a lingering injury.  To top it all off, Parsons is having lingering back spasms.  Not that Lin could replace Harden and Parsons, but long story short, Houston will need offense and production, and Howard won't get all the attention.  Lin, too, is coming off an injury, so be weary, but I picked him up, and I recommend it.  I actually think this might be the break he needs to get Houston's starting point guard gig back.

Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Evans.  A 6'6" point guard that produces in every category?  Yes, please.  Many fantasy owners were displeased with their drafting of Tyreke at the beginning of the year due to his lack of production.  Obviously, it's not easy sharing a point guard slot with Jrue Holiday.  Now Evans has been getting his share of the point guard position, but he's getting some shooting guard playing time, too.  Whatever it takes for this guy to be on the court is fine with me.  He's averaging 12 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 assists per game this season.  His points are slightly lower than last year; the guy's only getting 24.8 minutes per game this season.  It's a crime.  He's actually producing better this year than he did last year in 6 less minutes per game.  Following a triple-double against the now 20-9 Clippers (11 pts, 13 rbs, 10 ast), Evans posted another strong stat line against the now 23-5 Trailblazers, putting up 21 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals.  He's a good pick up under any circumstances, but if anything at all happens to Jrue Holiday, Evans is in for far more than just a 24 MPG role.  Grab him while you can.

Larry Sanders

I won't go in too much depth about him.  First things first, to clear the air, his injury was to his thumb.  His legs, shoulders, knees, they're all fine.  It was a thumb injury.  I've already talked about him a bit, but I can't get over the fact that nobody is talking about this guy.  2nd in blocks per game and 12th in rebounds per game last season, Sanders averaged 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game in only 27 minutes per game last year.  One more advantage is that his free throw percentage is above that of Dwight Howard or DeAndre Jordan, so that's not going to kill you if your league also is based on efficiency.  He's cleared for basketball activities and already working out at the Bucks' facility.  Like I said, his injury was to his thumb, so expect him to produce just as well if not better this year on a struggling Milwaukee team.  

Giannis Antetokounmpo

I'm not going to say I'm an expert on the guy or even that I know much about him.  That being said, if you're willing to take a gamble, as the Milwaukee Bucks are, take a chance and pick him up.  Worst case scenario, he's unproductive and you drop him three games later.  Best case scenario, he immediately becomes a double-double monster.  I'm thinking somewhere in between.  He's the youngest player in the NBA.  He's over 6'10", has a 7'3" wingspan, and he plays on the wing.  We're looking at a guy who could be comparable to Kevin Durant one day.  He's got the body type of Durant, athleticism, a decent-looking and work-in-progress jumpshot, can hit the three, chases down defenders... I mean he's destined for something one day.  I'm just not sure when.  It could be in his rookie year or in 2016, but if you want to take a chance, pick him up if you can.

Other Pick-Ups

Nick Young, Wesley Johnson, Danny Granger, Nene, and Greivis Vasquez

Best of luck in Week 9 and happy holidays!

Is It Time to Trade Your Stars?

Through the first 20 or so games of the season, anybody will tell you, “Hold on to your star; he’ll come around.” even if they’re in a slump.  Here I am, for instance, managed to get the first pick in the draft with LeBron James.  Through this point in the season, Lance Stephenson currently has 2 triple-doubles compared to LeBron’s 0.  Now obviously, I won’t be getting rid of LeBron, and this is an extreme example, but if your star is under-producing, it may be time for a change.  

Less dramatically, let’s take a look at David Lee.  Last season, Lee averaged 18.5 PPG and 11.2 RPG, a double-double machine, even with the return of Andrew Bogut.  This season, however, he’s falling in basically every category.  His points, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage, and his minutes are all down from last season.  Through the first few games, yeah sure stick it out, it’s David Lee, but now’s the time to trade him off.  But don’t trade him at the value he’s playing at; trade him at the 2012-2013 David Lee.  One tip to fantasy basketball: Buy low, sell high.  Look for somebody with potential.  Look for a star.  Lee is a star, despite his decreased numbers, but there are 45 guys who are getting better fantasy numbers than he is.  Don’t trade for Trevor Ariza just because Ariza averages more.  Look for somebody consistent that you know will produce.  Obviously, you’re not going to get Westbrook for Lee, but think more realistic, like Joakim Noah, Ryan Anderson, or Al Horford.  Or even better, throw in some of your lower end players and try to get someone better.  In my league, for example, I traded Lee pretty early.  I wanted James Harden, so I offered up Lee, DeRozan, and Lowry for Harden, Blair, and Dalembert.  I immediately dropped the latter two, so I basically traded three solid players for Harden.  Obviously, I didn’t know that the Toronto Raptors’ cancer (Rudy Gay) was going to be traded, but either way, it was worth it.  Long story short, guys like Lee, trade them while you can still get higher value out of them.

Other players like this are Dwyane Wade, George Hill, Tony Parker, Ricky Rubio, Pau Gasol, David West, Greg Monroe, Josh Smith, Carlos Boozer, Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, Kemba Walker, and Joe Johnson.  

There are a few stars who are producing (fantasy-wise) way below where they should be, such as Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Kyrie Irving, and Evan Turner.  Please, please, do not release these players.  They have far too much upside to trade for any reason.  Westbrook is limited by Durant’s production, but he’s the kind of player that will produce in every category and he has just worked his way back from an injury.  I don’t even need to elaborate on why not to drop Paul George.  Kyrie Irving is the only offense on a struggling team, meaning he’ll get the minutes, the shots, the assists, and that doesn’t even mention his Iverson-esque handles.  Turner is more in the grey area, but Michael Carter-Williams is still injured, and Turner can score, rebound, pass, play defense, everything you want out of a player, and he leads the team in minutes.

Quiz time: Who do you keep on your roster out of this list of elite point guards?

I’ll tell you.  Keep all of them.

Except Tony Parker.

I’ve already created a list of of players to watch this week, but I feel the need to add to it.

Amar’e Stoudemire: Keep an eye on this guy.  Just two years ago, he was finishing his fourth consecutive season averaging over 21 PPG and 8 RPG, two of which he surpassed 25 PPG and 9 RPG.  He underwent surgery, and I normally find it hard to trust a player that has undergone surgery like that.  Tracy McGrady scarred me, but that’s a story for another day.  Anyway, Amar’e is feeling it again.  He’s been on a minutes restriction as of late, which has just been lifted, and tonight he just played in his first back-to-back game of the season.  This is a struggling Knicks team, to say the least.  The second highest paid team in the NBA has the third worst record in the league, and let me tell you, Kenyon Martin is not the answer.  When Tyson Chandler comes back, yes, the power forward position on the Knicks will lose a lot of relevance, but Amar’e should be the #1 option at that spot, in front of Kenyon Martin and Andrea Bargnani.  He’s got the talent and potential, and he hasn’t lost as much as everyone seems to think he has.  Keep an eye on this guy, he may pull through.  If you’re going to have any New York power forward, take Stoudemire.

Amir Johnson: The Toronto Raptor is probably my favorite player on waivers right now, if you do, in fact, fall in that 26.4% of leagues in which he is, for some reason, available.  Rudy Gay averaged 18.6 field goal attempts per game.  That’s almost 25% of the entire Raptor offense, and only scored 19.4 points per game to show for it.  Now that he’s gone, that’s over 20 more possessions that need to be filled by someone.  DeRozan is already getting his 17.7 FGA, and Lowry isn’t going to take 20 more shots.  Neither is fill-in Terrence Ross.  Ross may shoot about 8 times a game in Gay’s absence, but he still won’t be that difference.  In the Raptors’ first game without Gay, Johnson scored 32 points on 14/17 shooting, to go with 10 boards, two blocks and two steals.  The next game?  19 points and 9 rebounds.  In each of his past three games, he’s taken more shots than he had in any other game this season, and with an inconsistent Valanciunas and an injured Hansbrough, Johnson’s got the paint on lock.  I wouldn’t be surprised if, upon Hansbrough’s return from injury, they go small, bench Valanciunas, and start Johnson at the center.  Either way, pick him up if you can.

Kenneth Faried: I honestly don’t understand why Faried’s minutes are being limited so much.  I’m gonna guess because that it’s just because that’s the Nuggets style of play, because the Manimal deserves more than 24 minutes a game on any given night.  Javale McGee is already injured, and once he comes back, I can’t say that Faried’s minutes are exactly going to increase.  However, keep an eye on the situation just in case something unexpected happens.

Brandon Bass: On a team absolutely devoid of depth, Bass seems like a lock at his position on the Boston Celtics.  He’s always been a hustle guy, getting those tough rebounds and putting up subtle but surprising stats.  When Rondo returns here in a few weeks, Bass’s value will undoubtedly rise.  You’ve got time, though, seeing as he’s only owned in 47.5% of ESPN leagues.

Andrew Bynum: This name has been tossed around the league throughout the past few years, but he’s got upside and incredible potential.  He’s a double-double guy with 3 blocks per game when healthy.  You don’t have much time, and he’s owned in all but 10% of leagues, but if you need a center, he’s worth a look.  I might even consider trading low for him.

Tony Snell: In this situation, with no Derrick Rose and an injured Butler and Deng, I would normally tell somebody to pick up Tony Snell in a heartbeat.  This is different because it’s the Bulls, though.  They don’t score a whole lot, and Tony Snell isn’t a playmaker and hasn’t proved himself as en elite defender, although I do see some Butler/Deng potential in him, especially if he stays in Chicago long enough.  In addition, it appears that Mike Dunleavy is taking the initiative to be the go-to guy in the defending duo’s absence, although not completely effectively.  That being said, keep an eye on him.  Butler is nursing a toe injury and Deng has an achilles injury which we don’t know a whole lot about, so if either of them were to take a significant amount of time off, it’s not crazy to think Snell might be that guy.

That’s about it for today, but if you have any questions pertaining to your roster or just want my opinion on a trade something, feel free to contact me.

http://fantasyforums.wordpress.com/2013/12/11/is-time-to-trade-your-stars/

Keep An Eye on Trade Targets – Trade Rumors

In this post, I’m going to focus on players who have trade rumors floating around and whether or not it will benefit or hinder them, and how you can predict what will happen.  The following players are up in the air right now: Kyle Lowry, Jordan Crawford, Omer Asik, Iman Shumpert, Jeremy Lin, Tyson Chandler, Zach Randolph, and Paul Millsap.  If you’re interested in trying one of your own, just click the following link to work some magic! http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine

Now, obviously, some of these are more viable than others, so I’ll start with the ones that are extremely unlikely.

Tyson Chandler, Iman Shumpert, Pau Gasol: The Lakers are banged up, and New York is struggling.  The Lakers are now down three point guards in Steve Nash, Jordan Farmar, and now Steve Blake.  New York is down a center in Tyson Chandler, and has struggled to a record of 7-16.  There has been trade talk involving sending Chandler and Shumpert for Gasol and I assume one of these injured point guards in L.A.  However, Chandler is such a vital piece of the New York defense that even though he’s injured, I find it very unlikely New York would give him up especially for a player like Gasol.  So scratch that.  What I find more likely is L.A. makes a deal for Asik, but I’ll get to that.

Ryan Anderson for Zach Randolph: There has been talk that the Pelicans offered to deal the sharp-shooting Anderson to Memphis in exchange for Randolph.  Although Randolph is unique at the power forward position considering his scoring and rebounding skills, Anderson is even more of a rarity, and as long as the Pelicans have Anthony Davis, their rebounding is in check.  Not saying that if the Pelicans received a good offer for Anderson they wouldn’t trade him, but just saying that this particular trade is unlikely.  Memphis doesn’t want to part with Randolph either, making this trade pretty undesirable.  So scratch that.

Jordan Crawford in Miami?: Dwyane Wade isn’t at the level he once was.  Maybe he can still produce, but he’s not going to be there on any and every given night.  That being said, the Miami Heat are interested in bringing in Crawford as a scoring option while Wade rests.  Crawford is currently having a nice season in Boston in lieu of the injured Rondo and defensive-minded Bradley.  I don’t really see how Boston could benefit from a trade like this, though.  Norris Cole is too important to the second unit that Miami wouldn’t trade him; Michael Beasley? Joel Anthony? Ray Allen back to Boston? Yeah, right.  Personally, I just don’t see it happening, but it may appeal to a young player like Crawford to be put in a position to win a championship so young.  So consider this.  However, if this trade processed, D-Wade’s already declining value will drop, as well as Crawford’s, splitting time with Wade.

Kyle Lowry to New York: Not going to happen unless they get a player like Iman Shumpert, which hasn’t exactly been offered.  Lowry, despite the numbers, is more important to any team that people realize.  Lowry has the potential to flirt with a triple-double every night.  He’s the kind of player that will give his team 12 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds, and consistently.  He’s vital to Toronto; the offense runs through him.  Meanwhile, New York needs a point guard that can create something, considering Carmelo Anthony is almost always the center of the offense.  Now originally when I heard about this, I figured Toronto wouldn’t trade Lowry due to his necessity on the Raptors, despite their 9-13 record.  However, a Greivis Vasquez complicates/interests things.  He had a real coming out season in New Orleans, and he is much too good of a player to not be a starting point guard.  He now sits behind Lowry in the depth chart, and I agree that Lowry is better, but having a startable guard in Vasquez might open up the possibility of dealing Lowry if the trade is good enough.  So consider this. If a trade goes through and Toronto receives anything other than a point guard, Vasquez instantly becomes a top-20 fantasy option.  He neared triple-doubles and posted a double-double almost every night.  Last year, he had more double-doubles than even Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo, leading all guards.  He’s worth a start, and if Lowry gets traded, picking up Vasquez is the first thing you do.

Omer Asik: Ahh Omer Asik.  So much talk.  Where’s he headed?  The list goes on and on.  Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Cleveland, New Orleans, Charlotte, pick one.  All that’s for certain is Houston wants to get rid of him.  Asik is a double-double machine with 2-3 blocks per game in a full-time role, although his offense still could use some work.  At this point, Houston just wants to get rid of him and his contract, and GM Daryl Morey is basically going to accept the best offer.  In Atlanta, Paul Millsap is a possibility.  As a Rockets fan, I like this.  However, Millsap is having such a nice season that it seems strange to trade him away.  On the other hand, Atlanta is starting two power forwards (Millsap and Horford), making this possible.  This would benefit Houston offensively and rebounding-wise, and would benefit Atlanta defensively.  Los Angeles, not happening.  Charlotte, not happening.  Philadelphia, maybe?  Word on the street is Philadelphia currently has the highest offer for him.  If this were true, they may be considering trading Thaddeus Young or even Spencer Hawes to Houston or a trade involving draft picks.  This would bring defense to Philly and a strong big man to Houston.  This is also a possibility.  If Asik was traded to Cleveland, Houston would be getting Anderson Verejao in return.  This is definitely a possibility, considering the shaky play of Andrew Bynum.  Asik would thrive in Cleveland with Kyrie Irving running the show, but I don’t see this happening unless nobody else offers for Asik.  He won’t be traded to New Orleans unless Houston gets Ryan Anderson for him.  Ryan Anderson would bring versatility to the power forward position in Houston, but Rockets defense would then be almost nonexistent.  However, either Anderson or Jones would be coming off the bench, and could provide a big spark for the second unit, which is what Houston needs.  

If you ask me? I think Houston should be looking to market Asik and Lin together for either a top-tier point guard or a startable wing coming off the bench to provide that second unit with some production.  Obviously, not many teams, if any, would be willing to pick up both Asik’s and Lin’s hefty contracts, so that sort of rules it out, unless there’s a three-team trade.  Either way, though, Asik could definitely be traded for a guard or forward who could run the show for the Rockets’ second unit.  Maybe to Toronto for Terrence Ross or Orlando for Maurice Harkless?  No idea how that kind of thing would work, but more likely than not, they will be receiving a power forward or center for Asik.  The bottom line is wherever Asik gets traded, that team wants him as a starter.  Nobody would buy Asik’s contract if they weren’t serious about playing him, so he will be a valuable fantasy asset.  My guess is around 12 PPG, 13 RPG, 2.5 BPG.  So try and get him now if you can.  That’s my advice.

Danny Granger: There haven’t been as many rumors about this guy, but he hasn’t played much over the past two years, so nobody knows what sort of condition he’s in besides the Pacers organization.  That being said, he’s still Danny Granger and Lance Stephenson has been playing well.  I have a feeling Indiana may try to market Granger, and if that comes, his fantasy value will rise because, similar to Asik, any team that is trading for Danny Granger wants to use him as a first or second option.  Keep an eye open.

Well, that’s all for today guys and, as usual, it’s been a pleasure.  If you’ve got any comments or questions, feel free to let me know!

http://fantasyforums.wordpress.com/2013/12/16/keep-an-eye-on-trade-targets-trade-rumors/