Shooting Guards
Marcus Thornton & Terrence Williams Kings – Thornton could play on Sunday after missing three straight games and most of a fourth with a calf injury. If he plays Sunday, get him back in your lineup for next week, and if he doesn’t, you’ll have to make a tough decision on Sunday night when setting your lineup. The Kings finish up 4-3-2 to end the season. Williams continues to play well and has been helped by the absence of both Thornton and John Salmons (hip). Williams is averaging 10 points, five rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.6 steals over his last five games, and should continue to see decent minutes even if Thornton is back on Sunday.
Eric Gordon Hornets – Gordon has been hit or miss in his three games since returning from a knee injury, going for 15, 31 and 10 points. He’s hit five 3-pointers and is contributing across the board, so make sure he’s still not available in your leagues. Marco Belinelli had 15 points on Friday and 14 last Sunday, but scored just 6 & 5 points in his other two games. With Gordon back in the starting lineup, Belinelli is too risky to start in most leagues.
O.J. Mayo & Tony Allen Grizzlies – Mayo has cooled off over his last two games, but is still averaging 15 points, two boards, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.0 3-pointers over his last five. Allen has missed two straight due to a mouth injury and remains a bit risky for the upcoming five-game week. Make sure Mayo isn’t available in your league, as the Grizzlies finish up 5-4-2.
Rodney Stuckey Pistons – Stuckey is back from his toe injury and says he will play on Sunday. He scored 27 points on Friday and 15 on Thursday, meaning it’s time to get him back into lineups (and off waivers if he was dropped in your league.
Shannon Brown & Michael Redd Suns – Brown had a big game on Saturday with 24 points, five boards, three assists and four 3-pointers, following Friday’s line of 18 points, six boards, a steal and three 3-pointers. He was a little quiet coming into the weekend, but finally answered the call. The Suns go 4-4-2 to finish and Brown still looks like a must-start with Grant Hill still recovering from knee surgery. Redd is somehow averaging 16 points and 1.8 3-pointers over his last five games, and while I don’t trust him, he’s worth a look if you need some scoring in a deep league.
J.J. Redick Magic – Redick started in place of Hedo Turkoglu on Saturday and had 19 points, four boards, a steal and a 3-pointer. Turkoglu’s season is done thanks to a facial fracture, meaning Redick should continue to get plenty of minutes going forward. He’s averaging 10 points over his last five, and has hit double figures in scoring in three of them. Jason Richardson has also been getting nice run with Turkoglu out, and has scored in double digits in three straight while playing 23, 37 and 42 minutes. He could be getting hot at the right time, as the Magic finish up 4-4-2.
MarShon Brooks. Gerald Green & Anthony Morrow Nets – Brooks finally broke out with 18 points, six boards, six assists, a steal and a block on Friday and is still averaging just seven points over his last five games. The Nets finish up 3-3-2, so Brooks is still not a must-start, especially since he’s really struggled in all of his recent games except the last one. Green had 20 point and four assists on Friday and is averaging 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and .8 3-pointers over his last five. He’s not a must-start either, with just three games, but might be worth a look. Morrow is suddenly hot again, scoring 17, 20, 8 & 24 points in each of his last four games, hitting 10 3-pointers over that stretch. He’s another guy I don’t fully trust, but he’s hot enough that it makes sense to grab him if you need threes and points.
Iman Shumpert & J.R. Smith Knicks – Shumpert has scored 9, 5, 10, 25 & 25 points in each of his last five games, but has cooled off since the dual 25s late last week. The good news is that he’s played between 37 and 41 minutes in his last four games, so you have to think the production is going to eventually follow. Smith has hit double figures in four of his last five games and is averaging 12.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.8 3-pointers over that stretch. The Knicks finish up 4-4-2, making both players worth an add in any league right now.
Avery Bradley Celtics –Bradley continues to start over Ray Allen, as Doc Rivers wants scoring punch off the bench, but has scored just four and nine points in his last two games, both of which featured Allen off the bench. Bradley had scored 19, 13 and 17 points in his previous three games without Allen around, but the run appears to be over. The Celtics play five times this week, making Bradley worth a look in deeper leagues.
Devin Ebanks Lakers – Kobe Bryant’s shin injury kept him out on Saturday and Ebanks started, finishing with 12 points and four rebounds in 32 minutes. There’s still no word on when Kobe will return, so rolling the dice on Ebanks could make sense in a real deep league. But it’s tough to keep Kobe down, so ignoring Ebanks is probably the way to go.
Small Forwards
Corey Higgins, Derrick Brown & Corey Maggette Bobcats – Higgins blew up for 22 points off the bench on Saturday against the Hawks, while Derrick Brown started and had eight points and three rebounds in 22 minutes. Corey Maggette came off the bench for six points and four steals on 2-of-7 shooting in 26 minutes, while Reggie Williams remains out with a knee injury. This is a mess any way you slice it and despite the Bobcats playing five times in the upcoming week, I don’t trust any of these guys enough to start them in fantasy playoff leagues.
Brandon Rush Warriors – Rush continues to be a model of inconsistency, but awoke for 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and four 3-pointers in 30 minutes on Saturday. He had just eight and two points in his previous two games, and his minutes were down, but he’s still worth a roll of the dice with four games this week, and five the following. Klay Thompson, who is also inconsistent, is a better option at this point, in my opinion.
Michael Beasley Timberwolves – Beasley might finally be getting healthy again and had 20 points on Saturday after missing four straight games with a toe injury. Derrick Williams just hasn’t been getting it done and it’s conceivable that Beasley could finish the season on a high note. The Wolves go 4-4-1 to finish up.
Linas Kleiza Raptors – James Johnson has disappeared for Toronto due to disciplinary reasons and Kleiza has been getting 28 minutes per game over his last three, when he scored 8, 10 & 18 points, hitting seven 3-pointers off the bench. See if Johnson returns to the fold on Sunday, and if not, think about adding Kleiza.
Luke Babbitt Blazers – Babbitt is finally getting some late-season run for the Blazers and is averaging seven points and 1.6 3-pointers in his last five games. He had 12 points and two threes on Saturday, and might be worth a look in deeper leagues if you need a small forward who hits treys.
My deepest apologies for Waiver Wired being late this week, but better late than never, right? Injuries are ravaging the NBA and fantasy owners right now, as the silly season appears to have started about three weeks early with the shortened season. In any case, here are some hot pickups, as well as some schedule news that you’ll want to pay close attention to.
Schedule Chatter
ESPN weekly leagues count the final two weeks of the season as one big week. That means the Spurs play eight games that week, while the Bobcats, Cavaliers, Warriors, Heat and Sixers all have seven games in those leagues. On the flip side, the Celtics, Mavericks, Lakers, Timberwolves, Nets, Blazers, Kings, Raptors and Jazz only have five games in that final week in ESPN weeklies. If you were to dump Brandon Bass, Jason Kidd and Gerald Green to pick up Kawhi Leonard, Byron Mullens and Kemba Walker for the final week in ESPN leagues, you would net an extra seven games for that final week. Just something to think about.
The Celtics, Bobcats, Cavaliers and Grizzlies all play five games in the upcoming week, while the Hawks, Bulls, Nets and Sixers play just three times.
The Warriors, Rockets, Heat and Spurs all play five games the following week, while the Celtics, Bucks, Nets, Blazers, Kings, Raptors, Jazz and Wizards play three times in that one.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, here are the potential waiver wire pickups right now.
Point Guards
Jose Juan Barea Timberwolves – Barea has started the last couple games and averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 assists and 2.5 3-pointers with Luke Ridnour out with a severely sprained ankle. It sounds like Ridnour will miss a few more games, making JJB a must-own, must-start player for now. The Wolves finish up the season 4-4-1.
Devin Harris Jazz – Harris returned from a sprained ankle in a big way on Friday, going off for 28 points, five assists and five 3-pointers in a win over the Warriors. That might have been his best game of the season and now that it appears he’s healthy, he’s worth using in most leagues. The Jazz play four games this week and three the following week.
Greivis Vasquez Hornets – Jarrett Jack has missed four of his last six games with swelling in his foot and ankle, and has no timetable on a return. Vasquez has scored 11 or 12 points in four of his last five and has two 10-assists games to his credit in his last three. With Jack showing no signs of a quick return, Vasquez is a nice pick-and-play right now, as the Hornets finish up with a strong 4-4-2 schedule.
Kemba Walker Bobcats – D.J. Augustin is sidelined again with right knee tendinitis, meaning Walker should continue to start for the Bobcats. He’s scored in double figures in four straight games and is averaging 13 points, 6.6 assists, .8 steals and 1.6 3-pointers over his last five. The Bobcats play five times this week, then finish up 4-3, making Walker nearly a must-own player.
Donald Sloan & Lester Hudson Cavs – With Kyrie Irving out indefinitely with his shoulder injury, Sloan and Hudson are ballin’ for the Cavs. Sloan is starting, but averaging just six points, three assists and three rebounds over his last five, while Hudson blew up for 23 points, seven dimes and three steals on Friday. Hudson is averaging 14 points, five assists and 1.6 steals over his last three games, and looks like he might be a better play than Sloan. Both are worth a look with five games this week, and the Cavs finish up 4-3, meaning they get a seven-game week in ESPN leagues to finish the season.
Toney Douglas Knicks – Douglas had 15 points, five rebounds, six assists, a steal and a 3-pointer in Thursday’s win over the Magic, as it’s clear Baron Davis simply isn’t healthy right now, despite starting. I have no idea if Douglas will keep getting 25 minutes per game going forward, but after Thursday’s game, he’s worth a look in all leagues. The Knicks finish up 4-4-2.
Nate Robinson & Charles Jenkins Warriors – Mark Jackson seems to be going with the hot hand between these two, making both of them unreliable. Both are capable of big games at any time, but both will also have off nights when the other gets hot. Jenkins is averaging nine points, six assists and a steal over his last five, while Robinson is at 11 points, 5.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.0 3-pointers over his last five. Robinson still looks like the safer play between these two.
Patty Mills Spurs – You can’t trust Mills, or any other Spur for now, but Mills has had a couple nice games recently. Mills had 20 points, two dimes and four 3-pointers on Tuesday, got a DNP-CD on Wednesday, and then had 14 points, four assists, two steals and two more threes on Friday. The Spurs go 4-5-3 to finish the season, and as Tony Parker gets rest in preparation for the playoffs, Mills and Gary Neal are going to get minutes. But those random DNPs out of San Antonio are a pain in the neck.
Gilbert Arenas Grizzlies – Arenas is quietly making noise for the Grizzlies, who go 5-4-2 to finish out the season. He’s scored 14, 12, 8 and 10 points in his last four games and hit 10 3-pointers over that stretch. If you’re desperate for games played and 3-pointers, Arenas could be worth a look in deeper leagues.
Shooting Guards
Marcus Thornton & Terrence Williams Kings – Thornton could play on Sunday after missing three straight games and most of a fourth with a calf injury. If he plays Sunday, get him back in your lineup for next week, and if he doesn’t, you’ll have to make a tough decision on Sunday night when setting your lineup. The Kings finish up 4-3-2 to end the season. Williams continues to play well and has been helped by the absence of both Thornton and John Salmons (hip). Williams is averaging 10 points, five rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.6 steals over his last five games, and should continue to see decent minutes even if Thornton is back on Sunday.
Eric Gordon Hornets – Gordon has been hit or miss in his three games since returning from a knee injury, going for 15, 31 and 10 points. He’s hit five 3-pointers and is contributing across the board, so make sure he’s still not available in your leagues. Marco Belinelli had 15 points on Friday and 14 last Sunday, but scored just 6 & 5 points in his other two games. With Gordon back in the starting lineup, Belinelli is too risky to start in most leagues.
O.J. Mayo & Tony Allen Grizzlies – Mayo has cooled off over his last two games, but is still averaging 15 points, two boards, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.0 3-pointers over his last five. Allen has missed two straight due to a mouth injury and remains a bit risky for the upcoming five-game week. Make sure Mayo isn’t available in your league, as the Grizzlies finish up 5-4-2.
Rodney Stuckey Pistons – Stuckey is back from his toe injury and says he will play on Sunday. He scored 27 points on Friday and 15 on Thursday, meaning it’s time to get him back into lineups (and off waivers if he was dropped in your league.
Shannon Brown & Michael Redd Suns – Brown had a big game on Saturday with 24 points, five boards, three assists and four 3-pointers, following Friday’s line of 18 points, six boards, a steal and three 3-pointers. He was a little quiet coming into the weekend, but finally answered the call. The Suns go 4-4-2 to finish and Brown still looks like a must-start with Grant Hill still recovering from knee surgery. Redd is somehow averaging 16 points and 1.8 3-pointers over his last five games, and while I don’t trust him, he’s worth a look if you need some scoring in a deep league.
J.J. Redick Magic – Redick started in place of Hedo Turkoglu on Saturday and had 19 points, four boards, a steal and a 3-pointer. Turkoglu’s season is done thanks to a facial fracture, meaning Redick should continue to get plenty of minutes going forward. He’s averaging 10 points over his last five, and has hit double figures in scoring in three of them. Jason Richardson has also been getting nice run with Turkoglu out, and has scored in double digits in three straight while playing 23, 37 and 42 minutes. He could be getting hot at the right time, as the Magic finish up 4-4-2.
MarShon Brooks. Gerald Green & Anthony Morrow Nets – Brooks finally broke out with 18 points, six boards, six assists, a steal and a block on Friday and is still averaging just seven points over his last five games. The Nets finish up 3-3-2, so Brooks is still not a must-start, especially since he’s really struggled in all of his recent games except the last one. Green had 20 point and four assists on Friday and is averaging 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and .8 3-pointers over his last five. He’s not a must-start either, with just three games, but might be worth a look. Morrow is suddenly hot again, scoring 17, 20, 8 & 24 points in each of his last four games, hitting 10 3-pointers over that stretch. He’s another guy I don’t fully trust, but he’s hot enough that it makes sense to grab him if you need threes and points.
Iman Shumpert & J.R. Smith Knicks – Shumpert has scored 9, 5, 10, 25 & 25 points in each of his last five games, but has cooled off since the dual 25s late last week. The good news is that he’s played between 37 and 41 minutes in his last four games, so you have to think the production is going to eventually follow. Smith has hit double figures in four of his last five games and is averaging 12.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.8 3-pointers over that stretch. The Knicks finish up 4-4-2, making both players worth an add in any league right now.
Avery Bradley Celtics –Bradley continues to start over Ray Allen, as Doc Rivers wants scoring punch off the bench, but has scored just four and nine points in his last two games, both of which featured Allen off the bench. Bradley had scored 19, 13 and 17 points in his previous three games without Allen around, but the run appears to be over. The Celtics play five times this week, making Bradley worth a look in deeper leagues.
Devin Ebanks Lakers – Kobe Bryant’s shin injury kept him out on Saturday and Ebanks started, finishing with 12 points and four rebounds in 32 minutes. There’s still no word on when Kobe will return, so rolling the dice on Ebanks could make sense in a real deep league. But it’s tough to keep Kobe down, so ignoring Ebanks is probably the way to go.
Small Forwards
Corey Higgins, Derrick Brown & Corey Maggette Bobcats – Higgins blew up for 22 points off the bench on Saturday against the Hawks, while Derrick Brown started and had eight points and three rebounds in 22 minutes. Corey Maggette came off the bench for six points and four steals on 2-of-7 shooting in 26 minutes, while Reggie Williams remains out with a knee injury. This is a mess any way you slice it and despite the Bobcats playing five times in the upcoming week, I don’t trust any of these guys enough to start them in fantasy playoff leagues.
Brandon Rush Warriors – Rush continues to be a model of inconsistency, but awoke for 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and four 3-pointers in 30 minutes on Saturday. He had just eight and two points in his previous two games, and his minutes were down, but he’s still worth a roll of the dice with four games this week, and five the following. Klay Thompson, who is also inconsistent, is a better option at this point, in my opinion.
Michael Beasley Timberwolves – Beasley might finally be getting healthy again and had 20 points on Saturday after missing four straight games with a toe injury. Derrick Williams just hasn’t been getting it done and it’s conceivable that Beasley could finish the season on a high note. The Wolves go 4-4-1 to finish up.
Linas Kleiza Raptors – James Johnson has disappeared for Toronto due to disciplinary reasons and Kleiza has been getting 28 minutes per game over his last three, when he scored 8, 10 & 18 points, hitting seven 3-pointers off the bench. See if Johnson returns to the fold on Sunday, and if not, think about adding Kleiza.
Luke Babbitt Blazers – Babbitt is finally getting some late-season run for the Blazers and is averaging seven points and 1.6 3-pointers in his last five games. He had 12 points and two threes on Saturday, and might be worth a look in deeper leagues if you need a small forward who hits treys.
Power Forwards
Jason Smith Hornets – Smith blew up for 26 points, 10 rebounds and three steals on 12-of-16 shooting on Saturday, and is averaging 14 points, five boards, a steal and .8 blocks over his last five games. Carl Landry and Chris Kaman are also playing well again, and all three players deserve a look as the Hornets finish up 4-4-2. I’d rank them Kaman, Smith, Landry.
Brandon Bass Celtics – The Celtics play five games in the upcoming week and Bass is averaging 11 points, six boards, a steal and .8 blocks over his last five. The minutes are steady and despite scoring just two points on 0-for-6 shooting in his last one, Bass looks like a strong play this week. The Celtics finish up the season at 5-3-2.
Glen Davis Magic – With injuries to both Dwight Howard and Ryan Anderson, Davis is having a monster week, going for 23 & 12, 15 & 7, 31 & 10 and 18 & 16 points and boards over his last four games. But Howard is back and Anderson is hoping to return from his sprained ankle on Monday, making Davis a true roll of the dice. The Magic finish up at 4-4-2, which makes Davis even more intriguing the rest of the way. But I’m worried that he’ll disappear again once Anderson is back to full strength.
Thaddeus Young Sixers – Young blew up for 20 points and seven boards on Saturday, but had scored eight or fewer points in his previous three games. The Sixers finish up 3-4-3, and that seven-game week in ESPN leagues could make Young a must-start for that final week. But with three games this week, owners will have to weigh options carefully before starting Young.
Brandan Wright Mavs – Wright has played well in two straight games, going for 16 points, six boards and a block on Saturday, and 13 points, five boards and two blocks on Friday. Ian Mahinmi has been out for personal reasons and Wright is simply more skilled than starting center Brendan Haywood. If Mahinmi is going to miss more time, Wright could be a sneaky, but risky play going forward. The Mavs finish 4-4-1.
Marreese Speights Grizzlies – Speights has been up and down during his five-game week, but continues to start and gets five more chances in the upcoming week. He’s averaging eight points, 6.6 boards, .6 steals and .4 blocks over his last five, and should offer more of the same going forward.
Centers
Byron Mullens Bobcats – Mullens is starting at power forward but also qualifies at center in most leagues. He’s scored 17, 31, 8, 20 and 20 points in his last five games, averaging 19 points, nine boards and 1.4 blocks over that stretch. With five games in the coming week, four in the following and three in the final week, he’s as must-own as they come right now.
Kevin Seraphin Wizards – Seraphin is feeling it in the absence of Nene (plantar fasciitis) and is averaging 16 points, 7.6 rebounds, .8 steals and .6 blocks over his last five games, and remains a must-start player until further notice. Just beware that Nene’s return would potentially hurt Seraphin. The Wizards finish up 4-3-3.
Jeremy Tyler Warriors – Tyler is quietly averaging eight points, six boards, .8 steals and 1.2 blocks over his last five games and continues to start over Andris Biedrins. He’s not going to score a ton of points, but the boards and blocks should be there.
Ekpe Udoh Bucks - Drew Gooden finally returned to the lineup on Saturday and had seven points, eight rebounds and four assists on Saturday, while Larry Sanders had 14 points, seven boards and two blocks off the bench. Udoh, who had been hot with Gooden out, also came off the bench and had six boards, two steals and three blocks, but failed to score in 26 minutes. Gooden played 21 minutes and Sanders played 17 in the win over Portland. I’d rank these guys Gooden, Udoh, Sanders, but Sanders is too risky to use at this point. The Bucks finish 4-3-3.
Jordan Williams Nets – Shelden Williams is back and starting for the Nets, but Jordan Williams appears to have more upside. Jordan played 24 minutes and hit all seven of his shots on Friday, finishing with 14 points, four rebounds and a block, while Shelden had three points, four boards and a block in 21 minutes. Neither are great fantasy options, but both are worth a deep-league look.