DeAndre Decision

LOS ANGELES LAKERS
PG Derek Fisher
SG Kobe Bryant
SF Ron Artest
PF Pau Gasol
C Andrew Bynum

Lamar Odom's per-minute production since he became a reserve is nothing short of remarkable. He is playing six less minutes a game, but his shot attempts are actually up to 11.3 per game in 14 stints off the bench. The bottom line is that he has been more assertive offensively while playing with the second unit. So, it stands to reason that he can maintain his scoring, but I remain skeptical that his rebounds and defensive numbers will hold with these reduced minutes. I would still consider Odom a sell high.

With Andrew Bynum healthy, Pau Gasol's minutes have returned to normal levels. After averaging 39.5 minutes per game in November, Gasol is down to 35.5 in 12 January games. That has resulted in a drastic hit to his rebound and scoring numbers, taking Pau from a top-5 option to a top-15 fantasy player. Still, there's no reason to sell here. Gasol's percentages are difference-making.

MEMPHIS
PG Mike Conley
SG Sam Young
SF Rudy Gay
PF Zach Randolph
C Marc Gasol

This rotation has been among the most stable in the league ever since the O.J. Mayo demotion. The black hole of Sam Young, Tony Allen and Xavier Henry should never be trusted while Mayo is going to play 25-27 minutes nightly.

The most encouraging development is the recent play of Marc Gasol. After reaching double figures in rebounds just five times in his first 31 games, he's gotten there four times in his last 13 games. Gasol is also averaging 2.15 blocks over that span. Finally in a groove, the arrow is pointing up.

MINNESOTA
PG Luke Ridnour
SG Corey Brewer
SF Michael Beasley
PF Kevin Love
C Darko Milicic

Jonny Flynn's horrid play since coming off that hip surgery is a major concern for the Wolves. But it has been a blessing for fantasy owners, as we have not had to deal with a value-killing timeshare. Luke Ridnour is the clear starter that plays 32-35 minutes nightly. Flynn is the clear No. 2 and gets just 12-15 minutes. With Flynn showing no signs of improvement, there's no reason to sell high on Ridnour.

Corey Brewer's promotion to the starting five has to be looked at as a success. He has done exactly what we thought he would do in his last seven starts -- average 2.57 steals per game. The problem is that he has missed practice lately to be with his ailing father in Tennessee and the Wolves are committed to developing Wes Johnson. Consider Brewer a specialist that you are willing to cut bait with at any time.

Darko Milicic continues to impress anytime he isn't nicked up or in foul trouble. The problem is he suffers from those two ailments often. Still, the upside when it comes together for Milicic is too great to sit down. Despite a few clunkers, Darko is averaging 11.1 points, 5.6 boards and 2.0 blocks over his last 11 games.

NEW ORLEANS
PG Chris Paul
SG Marco Belinelli
SF Trevor Ariza
PF David West
C Emeka Okafor

Marcus Thornton still isn't starting, but he is definitely on the radar. Finally ahead of Quincy Pondexter and Willie Green in the rotation, Thornton has played 21 minutes or more in four straight games. Over that span, he is averaging 14.0 points and 2.0 3-pointers made per game. With Marco Belinelli struggling badly, Thornton's role can only grow and deep leaguers should have already added him.

OKLAHOMA CITY
PG Russell Westbrook
SG Thabo Sefolosha
SF Kevin Durant
PF Jeff Green
C Nenad Krstic

Coach Scott Brooks has been pressed recently about his starting five. Many want to see Serge Ibaka starting in place of Nenad Krstic and James Harden in there for Sefolosha. Brooks response was simple -- we are winning and I don't want to mess with my player's roles. It's a smart strategy and Brooks does not figure to stray from it no matter how well Ibaka is playing.

So, once again, we need to ignore the fact that Ibaka does not start. Over his last 10 games, Ibaka is averaging 11.4 points, 8.6 boards and 1.6 blocks on 60.7 percent shooting. It is the kind of line almost every owner needs.

Jeff Green had been really struggling with his shot over the last couple weeks, so his 8-for-13 line Monday night is highly encouraging. Green, who averaged 39.5 minutes per game in November and 37.0 in December, may have been wearing down. The All-Star break will do him well.

The idea of losing your starting job due to injury is nothing new. Made famous by Yankee Wally Pipp back in 1925, it now happens all the time in the NBA -- even to former All-Stars. On Monday night, Greg Monroe stuck in the starting five even though Ben Wallace (ankle) was healthy. Aaron Brooks still has not gotten his job back from Kyle Lowry even though Brooks has been healthy for two weeks.

NBA coaches are constantly tinkering, toying and yanking around with rotations. The effect this has on minutes played and thus statistical production is where we come in. Each week in this space, I'll explore the rotations of half the league's teams while attempting to get inside coaches' heads. The idea is not to tell you what Kevin Durant and LeBron James are going to do -- it's to decipher how much production we can get out of fringe players. Last week, I hit the East. Let's start this week off with the Clippers, where Chris Kaman is in danger of getting "Pipped."

* Note that lineups listed reflect the starters in the team's previous game. Stats are through Monday's game unless otherwise noted.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
PG Baron Davis
SG Eric Gordon
SF Ryan Gomes
PF Blake Griffin
C DeAndre Jordan

Just two weeks ago, I thought Chris Kaman would get his starting job back once healthy. But with the Clippers winning 12 of their last 17 games, that's now a poor bet. There is no question that DeAndre Jordan has played well enough to keep the starting job -- he is averaging 8.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks over his last 10 outings. More than that, Jordan does not demand touches in the post like Kaman does -- allowing Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin to get all the isolations. Kaman actually now fits better with the second unit.

Ideally, the Clips would trade Kaman for a small forward and allow Jordan to blossom as part of their core. But trades in the NBA are easier said than done, and we can not brush Kaman off as some scrub who makes $11.3 million. Just last season, Kaman averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks on his way to the All-Star game. Once healthy, look for Kaman to get about 25-28 minutes off the bench with Jordan hovering around the 30-minute mark. That's enough for both to hold value in all formats.

Be careful not to get caught up in the Blake Griffin hype machine. He will continue to be among the league leaders in minutes, points and boards, but it's troubling from a fantasy perspective that he does not block, steal, pass, make 3-pointers or hit free throws at a plus-level. It sounds crazy, but guys like Elton Brand and Nene Hilario are better fantasy options.

Eric Gordon's health is certainly a concern, but there is no real way for owners to protect themselves. If Gordon were sidelined, Randy Foye, Al-Farouq Aminu and maybe even Rasual Butler would all chop up the minutes as an unappealing three-headed monster led by Foye. The real beneficiary would be Baron Davis, who would take on a larger scoring role with the first unit.

DALLAS
PG Jason Kidd
SG DeShawn Stevenson
SF Sasha Pavlovic
PF Dirk Nowitzki
C Tyson Chandler

Coach Rick Carlisle has become some kind of mad scientist as his team has floundered. They have lost seven of their last nine games, although it must be noted that four of those losses came with Dirk Nowitzki (knee) sidelined. Still, Carlisle appears panicked as he brings both Shawn Marion and Jason Terry off the bench.

Carlisle has started Sasha Pavlovic, a slow-footed journeyman on a 10-day contract in each of the last three games. That leads us to an obvious question -- will Peja Stojakovic start once his signing is completed? I suspect he eventually will. Stojakovic is still one of the best pure shooters around and the Mavs are in desperate need of floor spacing with their first unit. However, fantasy owners should only be adding Peja in very deep formats. Like Pavlovic is now, Stojakovic is likely to play just 18-22 minutes per game -- if his gimpy knees even allow that. And even when he was in his prime, the sharpshooter gave owners nothing in steals, blocks, assists, rebounds or free-throw attempts.

Meanwhile Marion's move back to the bench is a real downer. The fact that he can't separate from Sasha Pavlovic and DeShawn Stevenson in the rotation speaks volumes. There will be some sporadic big games from Marion, but his sudden inability to shoot treys or get his trademark defensive stats means you aren't missing much by leaving him on waivers.

Out of this entire mess, Jason Terry's role is perhaps the most secure. Whether starting or coming off the bench, he is going to play 31-34 minutes and get at least 14-16 shots up a night. Make sure you're there when he catches fire as he often does late in the season.

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DENVER
PG Chauncey Billups
SG Arron Afflalo
SF Carmelo Anthony
PF Kenyon Martin
C Nene Hilario

We are exactly one month away from the NBA's trading deadline. The Nuggets could very well use that entire period to get the best deal for Carmelo Anthony, or Melo could even decide to stay in Denver during that time. My guess is that Denver will give Anthony one last chance to sign a three-year, $65 million extension with them. If he once again declines to do so, the Nuggets will trade him to a team willing to "rent" him, like Houston or Dallas.

In the meantime, however, we can only analyze this rotation as currently constructed. Kenyon Martin is on a minutes cap thanks to his balky knees and is a threat to be a late scratch nightly. It's not worth the headache. J.R. Smith and Al Harrington can only be considered 3-point specialists as bench players. Ty Lawson has not topped 28 minutes in a game since December. Until further notice, this rotation is set.

GOLDEN STATE
PG Stephen Curry
SG Monta Ellis
SF Dorrell Wright
PF David Lee
C Andris Biedrins

The concern over Stephen Curry's usage is overblown. Does anyone really think that Acie Law, who has been dumped by five different teams since 2007, is a real threat to Curry? In most of the games where Curry has seen limited minutes, the issue has been foul trouble. He's a poor defender, so that is going to happen. But the Warriors are ideally going to play Curry 34-40 minutes nightly, depending on how hot he is. With his elite steal, 3-point and free-throw skills, that is more than enough to make Curry a top-10 fantasy player. Stay the course.

HOUSTON
PG Kyle Lowry
SG Kevin Martin
SF Shane Battier
PF Luis Scola
C Chuck Hayes

As mentioned in the intro, Aaron Brooks still doesn't have his starting job back from Kyle Lowry even though the Rockets have lost nine of their last 14 games. The problem now is that Brooks simply is not shooting the ball well: He has made just 17-of-68 (25.0 percent) of his 3-pointers since coming off the shelf two weeks ago. I suspect that's a chicken-and-egg stat, meaning Brooks would play better with starter's minutes, but Rick Adelman is not showing any intention of finding out. I still think Brooks will eventually move past Lowry, but it's going to take a longer losing streak. Keep Brooks stashed.

Chuck Hayes is the preferred starter for Adelman even when Jordan Hill and Brad Miller are both healthy. A prototypical glue guy, Hayes is an underrated source of defensive stats and rebounds. He's a good bet for 25-30 minutes nightly the rest of the way.

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS
PG Derek Fisher
SG Kobe Bryant
SF Ron Artest
PF Pau Gasol
C Andrew Bynum

Lamar Odom's per-minute production since he became a reserve is nothing short of remarkable. He is playing six less minutes a game, but his shot attempts are actually up to 11.3 per game in 14 stints off the bench. The bottom line is that he has been more assertive offensively while playing with the second unit. So, it stands to reason that he can maintain his scoring, but I remain skeptical that his rebounds and defensive numbers will hold with these reduced minutes. I would still consider Odom a sell high.

With Andrew Bynum healthy, Pau Gasol's minutes have returned to normal levels. After averaging 39.5 minutes per game in November, Gasol is down to 35.5 in 12 January games. That has resulted in a drastic hit to his rebound and scoring numbers, taking Pau from a top-5 option to a top-15 fantasy player. Still, there's no reason to sell here. Gasol's percentages are difference-making.

MEMPHIS
PG Mike Conley
SG Sam Young
SF Rudy Gay
PF Zach Randolph
C Marc Gasol

This rotation has been among the most stable in the league ever since the O.J. Mayo demotion. The black hole of Sam Young, Tony Allen and Xavier Henry should never be trusted while Mayo is going to play 25-27 minutes nightly.

The most encouraging development is the recent play of Marc Gasol. After reaching double figures in rebounds just five times in his first 31 games, he's gotten there four times in his last 13 games. Gasol is also averaging 2.15 blocks over that span. Finally in a groove, the arrow is pointing up.

MINNESOTA
PG Luke Ridnour
SG Corey Brewer
SF Michael Beasley
PF Kevin Love
C Darko Milicic

Jonny Flynn's horrid play since coming off that hip surgery is a major concern for the Wolves. But it has been a blessing for fantasy owners, as we have not had to deal with a value-killing timeshare. Luke Ridnour is the clear starter that plays 32-35 minutes nightly. Flynn is the clear No. 2 and gets just 12-15 minutes. With Flynn showing no signs of improvement, there's no reason to sell high on Ridnour.

Corey Brewer's promotion to the starting five has to be looked at as a success. He has done exactly what we thought he would do in his last seven starts -- average 2.57 steals per game. The problem is that he has missed practice lately to be with his ailing father in Tennessee and the Wolves are committed to developing Wes Johnson. Consider Brewer a specialist that you are willing to cut bait with at any time.

Darko Milicic continues to impress anytime he isn't nicked up or in foul trouble. The problem is he suffers from those two ailments often. Still, the upside when it comes together for Milicic is too great to sit down. Despite a few clunkers, Darko is averaging 11.1 points, 5.6 boards and 2.0 blocks over his last 11 games.

NEW ORLEANS
PG Chris Paul
SG Marco Belinelli
SF Trevor Ariza
PF David West
C Emeka Okafor

Marcus Thornton still isn't starting, but he is definitely on the radar. Finally ahead of Quincy Pondexter and Willie Green in the rotation, Thornton has played 21 minutes or more in four straight games. Over that span, he is averaging 14.0 points and 2.0 3-pointers made per game. With Marco Belinelli struggling badly, Thornton's role can only grow and deep leaguers should have already added him.

OKLAHOMA CITY
PG Russell Westbrook
SG Thabo Sefolosha
SF Kevin Durant
PF Jeff Green
C Nenad Krstic

Coach Scott Brooks has been pressed recently about his starting five. Many want to see Serge Ibaka starting in place of Nenad Krstic and James Harden in there for Sefolosha. Brooks response was simple -- we are winning and I don't want to mess with my player's roles. It's a smart strategy and Brooks does not figure to stray from it no matter how well Ibaka is playing.

So, once again, we need to ignore the fact that Ibaka does not start. Over his last 10 games, Ibaka is averaging 11.4 points, 8.6 boards and 1.6 blocks on 60.7 percent shooting. It is the kind of line almost every owner needs.

Jeff Green had been really struggling with his shot over the last couple weeks, so his 8-for-13 line Monday night is highly encouraging. Green, who averaged 39.5 minutes per game in November and 37.0 in December, may have been wearing down. The All-Star break will do him well.



PHOENIX
PG Steve Nash
SG Vince Carter
SF Grant Hill
PF Channing Frye
C Robin Lopez

Coach Alvin Gentry has stayed true to his word, not tinkering with his lineup at all over the last couple weeks. What he has done, however, is have a quick hook with starting center Robin Lopez. Lopez has played 16 minutes or fewer in five straight games, allowing Marcin Gortat to play near-starters minutes. Still, as we saw Monday night, both centers can get lost in the shuffle when the Suns either get behind or play a team that goes small. Gortat is the player to own here as the better rebounder and shot blocker, but be prepared for some clunkers.

Vince Carter's usage since becoming a Sun is highly encouraging. Coach Alvin Gentry is on the record saying he needs Carter to take 15-20 shots per game and the veteran is playing 33 minutes a night since the trade. That's three more than he was playing in Orlando and he's getting three more shots up per game in Phoenix. If you can handle the field goal percentage, Carter is worth starting for his treys and points -- he is playing the role Jason Richardson used to.

PORTLAND
PG Andre Miller
SG Wesley Matthews
SF Nicolas Batum
PF LaMarcus Aldridge
C Joel Przybilla

The injury to Marcus Camby's knee is reportedly not as severe as originally thought, meaning he should be held in most formats. Joel Przybilla and Dante Cunningham are proving that they can not replace him by any stretch of the imagination, and the Blazers are capable of hanging at the No. 8 seed in the West over the next two weeks. Whatever athleticism Przbilla had has been sapped by knee surgeries as he is no longer a shot-blocking threat. After swatting 1.8 a game as a starter last year, Przybilla had just one in his first two starts this year.

When Rudy Fernandez is making shots, he can put up huge fantasy lines. When his jumper is off, he rides the pine. That makes Fernandez a risky play as a streak shooter. Meanwhile, Nicolas Batum has coach Nate McMillan's faith no matter what. That's because Batum plays defense and is viewed as the prize of the Blazers' organization. Now a lock for 36-plus minutes nightly, Batum is a favorite to be one of the second half's true breakout stars in fantasy.

SACRAMENTO
PG Beno Udrih
SG Tyreke Evans
SF Omri Casspi
PF Jason Thompson
C DeMarcus Cousins

Paul Westphal's decision to roll with Omri Casspi in place of Francisco Garcia (calf) is interesting. While Donte Greene provided just 8.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 20 starts, Casspi has a skill we can all use: 3-point shooting. In nine starts heading into Monday night, Casspi was attempting 5.8 treys per game and converting at a very solid 38.5 percent clip. Casspi is also rapidly improving as a rebounded. In the last five games which Casspi has gotten 30 minutes or more, he is averaging 9.8 boards a night. Players often lose their starting jobs to injury under Westphal, so Casspi is a candidate to stick. He just needs to produce at a better rate than he did Monday night.

We advised to buy low on Tyreke Evans in this space last time around, and hopefully you were able to do so. With his foot finally looking healthy and a procedure on his plantar fasciitis no longer being considered, Evans is regaining his form. Over his last nine games prior to Monday, the reigning Rookie of the Year is averaging 19.4 points, 6.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 steals.

The Kings are not going to let Samuel Dalembert derail DeMarcus Cousins' growth. Dalembert's contract is up after this season and at age 30, he is not part of the future. Cousins has shown raw signs of being an All-Star down the line and will get as many minutes as his attitude/foul trouble allows. The arrow on Cousins is still pointing up.

SAN ANTONIO
PG Tony Parker
SG Manu Ginobili
SF Richard Jefferson
PF Tim Duncan
C DeJuan Blair

Richard Jefferson has predictably regressed back to the form that made him a liability a year ago. As his jumper has gone wayward, his confidence has been shot. Heading into Monday night, Jefferson was averaging just 7.1 shot attempts per game in 12 January contests. He averaged 9.7 attempts a night in the previous 30 games. If Jefferson is gun shy, he can not help your fantasy team due to a lack of defensive stats, assists or rebounds. Heck, even Jefferson's free-throw percentage is down to 73 percent. Dump him.

DeJaun Blair's minutes are impossible to predict. He has been helped by the absence of Matt Bonner (knee), but Gregg Popovich does not hesitate to have a quick hook with Blair. In the last month, he has played less than 15 minutes four times. He has played more than 30 minutes twice. Without any blocks upside, only deep leaguers should deal with the inconsistency.

UTAH
PG Deron Williams
SG Raja Bell
SF Gordon Hayward
PF Paul Millsap
C Al Jefferson

After sticking with the same starting five for the first 43 games of the season, coach Jerry Sloan finally made a move on Saturday. With the Jazz riding a three-game losing streak, he inserted Gordon Hayward as a starter at small forward ahead of Andrei Kirilenko. That resulted in a nine-point loss to the 19-25 Sixers. So now, Sloan may be back to the drawing board. His options are going back to AK47, sticking with the unimpressive Hayward, or turning to his best shooter off the bench, C.J. Miles.

I'd expect Kirilenko to eventually get his starting job back. As the best defender of the group (and one of the best in the league), he is best used against the opposition's first unit. He is also a plus-passer, unlike Hayward and Miles. Once the dust on this brutal five-game road trip settles, look for Kirilenko to get back to his usual 31-33 minutes a night. But until that happens, Kirilenko is just a stash in fantasy. Bench players rarely play more than 24-26 minutes for Sloan, and Kirilenko's history as a reserve does not suggest otherwise.

The idea of Miles in the starting five is intriguing. During last year's playoffs, Miles started all 10 games and averaged 14.4 points and 1.5 3-pointers a contest. But Sloan continues to lament Miles' inability to defend, so any promotion would likely be short term.

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