Perhaps the hardest part about making moves on the wire early in the season isn’t figuring out whom you should pick up, but instead trying to decide whom to cut. Each team, roster, league, scoring system and owner is different, making it tough to put a blanket “cut list” in a column like this. Here is a general list of guys I would recommend hanging onto in most cases, as well as a list of guys I could see dropping for some of the free agents listed later in the column.
Hang On:
Serge Ibaka, Kenneth Faried, DeAndre Jordan, Nikola Pekovic, Steve Nash, Elton Brand, Ersan Ilyasova, Arron Afflalo, Evan Turner, Jared Dudley, Jose Calderon, Bradley Beal, Byron Mullens.
Let Go:
Hedo Turkoglu, Ricky Rubio, Derrick Rose, Amare Stoudemire, MarShon Brooks, Andray Blatche, Bismack Biyombo, Brendan Haywood, Jeff Green, Marco Belinelli, Tyler Zeller, Jonas Jerebko, Lamar Odom, Austin Rivers, Kendrick Perkins, Jimmer Fredette, Francisco Garcia, Terrence Ross, Enes Kanter, DeJuan Blair.
If you have to, drop in desperation:
Danny Granger, Eric Gordon, Nene, JaVale McGee, Rodney Stuckey, Jason Terry, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Andrew Bogut, Samuel Dalembert, Chase Budinger, Luke Ridnour, Manu Ginobili, Stephen Jackson, Tiago Splitter, Emeka Okafor.
Just because a player is listed above doesn’t mean they should automatically be dropped for a player in below.
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The Knicks and Hornets play just two times next week, so keep that in mind when setting lineups and picking up players.
Point Guards
Jarrett Jack G Warriors - Jack is averaging 10 points and seven assists in three games, but also posted 16 points, six boards and seven assists on Saturday, the first game the Warriors played without Brandon Rush (out for season, knee). Klay Thompson can slide over to small forward and Jack could then be in line for a ton of minutes at shooting guard. And when you add in Stephen Curry’s Dorito ankle, Jack could also end up starting at point guard for the Warriors. Jack looks like a must-own player to me.
Randy Foye G Jazz - Foye is averaging 25 minutes along with 13 points and two 3-pointers after three games. Foye will spend time at both guard spots for the Jazz and while he’s not a must-own player, I think he’s a guy you can plug into your lineup without having to worry about him too much.
Jose Juan Barea G Timberwolves – JJB had 21 points, four rebounds, five assists, a steal and a 3-pointer in Game 1 and Ricky Rubio’s not coming back anytime soon. Luke Ridnour will likely remain the starting point guard until then, but his back isn’t healthy and he’s another year older. If I owned Ridnour I’d consider dropping him for JJB, but keep in mind we’re only dealing with a one-game sample.
C.J. Watson G Nets - Watson had 15 points, a steal, two blocks and three 3-pointers in 28 minutes on Saturday. Deron Williams is going to run the point but also has a dinged up ankle, while Watson will also see time at shooting guard. Watson is worth keeping an eye on for now, but I’d like to see him do this in a couple more games before dropping someone good for him.
Devin Harris G Hawks - Harris had nine points in 22 minutes in the opener and is starting at shooting guard for Atlanta. He’s injury prone and his first game wasn’t a bonanza, but he’s another guy worth a close look as we go forward.
Nate Robinson PG Bulls - Robinson is averaging 13 points, five rebounds, five assists 1.3 steals and 1.3 3-pointers in three games and looks more like a point guard than he ever has. I’m not going to cut Kirk Hinrich to pick him up, but if I can own both Chicago point guards, I’m going to do so until we see how this goes.
Lance Stephenson G Pacers - Stephenson is somehow averaging 10 points, four rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 3-pointers in three games off the Pacers’ bench. He’s rendered D.J. Augustin useless and is another guy to keep an eye on in deep leagues.
Greivis Vasquez PG Hornets - Vasquez is averaging 13 points, five boards and 10 assists in three games, which means he shouldn’t be available in any leagues. I’m listing him here “just in case.”
Perhaps the hardest part about making moves on the wire early in the season isn’t figuring out whom you should pick up, but instead trying to decide whom to cut. Each team, roster, league, scoring system and owner is different, making it tough to put a blanket “cut list” in a column like this. Here is a general list of guys I would recommend hanging onto in most cases, as well as a list of guys I could see dropping for some of the free agents listed later in the column.
Hang On:
Serge Ibaka, Kenneth Faried, DeAndre Jordan, Nikola Pekovic, Steve Nash, Elton Brand, Ersan Ilyasova, Arron Afflalo, Evan Turner, Jared Dudley, Jose Calderon, Bradley Beal, Byron Mullens.
Let Go:
Hedo Turkoglu, Ricky Rubio, Derrick Rose, Amare Stoudemire, MarShon Brooks, Andray Blatche, Bismack Biyombo, Brendan Haywood, Jeff Green, Marco Belinelli, Tyler Zeller, Jonas Jerebko, Lamar Odom, Austin Rivers, Kendrick Perkins, Jimmer Fredette, Francisco Garcia, Terrence Ross, Enes Kanter, DeJuan Blair.
If you have to, drop in desperation:
Danny Granger, Eric Gordon, Nene, JaVale McGee, Rodney Stuckey, Jason Terry, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Andrew Bogut, Samuel Dalembert, Chase Budinger, Luke Ridnour, Manu Ginobili, Stephen Jackson, Tiago Splitter, Emeka Okafor.
Just because a player is listed above doesn’t mean they should automatically be dropped for a player in below.
Get the NBA Season Pass!
Follow me on Twitter!
The Knicks and Hornets play just two times next week, so keep that in mind when setting lineups and picking up players.
Point Guards
Jarrett Jack G Warriors - Jack is averaging 10 points and seven assists in three games, but also posted 16 points, six boards and seven assists on Saturday, the first game the Warriors played without Brandon Rush (out for season, knee). Klay Thompson can slide over to small forward and Jack could then be in line for a ton of minutes at shooting guard. And when you add in Stephen Curry’s Dorito ankle, Jack could also end up starting at point guard for the Warriors. Jack looks like a must-own player to me.
Randy Foye G Jazz - Foye is averaging 25 minutes along with 13 points and two 3-pointers after three games. Foye will spend time at both guard spots for the Jazz and while he’s not a must-own player, I think he’s a guy you can plug into your lineup without having to worry about him too much.
Jose Juan Barea G Timberwolves – JJB had 21 points, four rebounds, five assists, a steal and a 3-pointer in Game 1 and Ricky Rubio’s not coming back anytime soon. Luke Ridnour will likely remain the starting point guard until then, but his back isn’t healthy and he’s another year older. If I owned Ridnour I’d consider dropping him for JJB, but keep in mind we’re only dealing with a one-game sample.
C.J. Watson G Nets - Watson had 15 points, a steal, two blocks and three 3-pointers in 28 minutes on Saturday. Deron Williams is going to run the point but also has a dinged up ankle, while Watson will also see time at shooting guard. Watson is worth keeping an eye on for now, but I’d like to see him do this in a couple more games before dropping someone good for him.
Devin Harris G Hawks - Harris had nine points in 22 minutes in the opener and is starting at shooting guard for Atlanta. He’s injury prone and his first game wasn’t a bonanza, but he’s another guy worth a close look as we go forward.
Nate Robinson PG Bulls - Robinson is averaging 13 points, five rebounds, five assists 1.3 steals and 1.3 3-pointers in three games and looks more like a point guard than he ever has. I’m not going to cut Kirk Hinrich to pick him up, but if I can own both Chicago point guards, I’m going to do so until we see how this goes.
Lance Stephenson G Pacers - Stephenson is somehow averaging 10 points, four rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 3-pointers in three games off the Pacers’ bench. He’s rendered D.J. Augustin useless and is another guy to keep an eye on in deep leagues.
Greivis Vasquez PG Hornets - Vasquez is averaging 13 points, five boards and 10 assists in three games, which means he shouldn’t be available in any leagues. I’m listing him here “just in case.”
Shooting Guards
Jamal Crawford G Clippers - Crawford is averaging 26 points and three 3-pointers in three games off the Clippers bench, and while Aaron Bruski doesn’t agree with me, I think Crawford has a great shot at keeping this up all season and winning Sixth Man of the Year. Consider him a must-own player.
J.R. Smith G/F Knicks - Smith was 3-of-11 for 11 points, three boards, six assists, a steal and two 3-pointers in his first game and then scored 20 with a full stat line (including nine boards and four treys) on Sunday. The Knicks need scoring punch with Amare Stoudemire shut down indefinitely and we’ve been high on Smith since last April. He looks like another must-own player and another Sixth Man candidate.
Ray Allen SG Heat – Allen is averaging 16 points and three 3-pointers through three games with the Heat and could lead the league in 3-pointers made this season. He won’t do much besides bomb threes and score some points, but it looks like he’ll be good at both of those things.
J.J. Redick G Magic - Redick had 21 points, four rebounds, six dimes and three 3-pointers in the opener, and could be the big beneficiary from Hedo Turkoglu’s broken hand. Redick still isn’t a must-own player, but he could be by the end of next week if he keeps it going.
Danny Green G/F Spurs - Green is averaging 14 points, a steal and 2.3 3-pointers through three games for the Spurs, and is starting over Manu Ginobili. Ginobili returned to action in Game 3, but saw just 15 minutes. Pop likes running his young guys hard during the season and saving his old legs, which means Green should start at SG all year for the Spurs.
Richard Hamilton SG Bulls – Hamilton is averaging 14 points in three games, and while he’s not doing much else, he is worth a look if your team is lacking some scoring punch. But how long he stays healthy is anyone’s guess.
Dion Waiters SG Cavaliers - Waiters is averaging 12 points, 1.7 steals and 1.3 3-pointers in three games as the rookie is starting at shooting guard. He’s only going to get better and looks like a must-own player in 12-team leagues and deeper.
Gerald Henderson SG Bobcats - Henderson is averaging 12.5 points, three steals, a block and a 3-pointer for the Bobcats so far, although I’m not sure how. He’s known for scoring a few points and not contributing much in other categories, so this hot start looks a little fluky to me. Keep an eye on him.
Jordan Crawford SG Wizards - Crawford is averaging 16 points, four assists and a 3-pointer through two games. Crawford is the forgotten man on the Wizards’ bench but he’s still a volatile scorer when his shot is falling. And given Bradley Beal’s slow start, Crawford’s number could be called more often than not. Just beware that when he goes into a shooting slump, he does it right, and can wreck your team’s shooting percentage in just a couple games.
Vince Carter SG Mavericks - Carter is averaging 14 points and two 3-pointers in 23 minutes after three games. The old man is still kicking and while I don’t trust him to keep it up all season, he does have a bigger role than I expected him to have this season. Give him a look in very deep leagues and only if you have someone you want to cut.
E’Twaun Moore G Magic - Moore had 13 points, five rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes in his first game. Don’t pick him up, but keep an eye on him. Jameer Nelson is already banged up and Moore could also see some extra minutes without Turkoglu around.
Small Forwards
Gerald Green G/F Pacers - Green is averaging 10 points and 1.3 3-pointers in three games, but is also averaging 31 minutes. He’s off to a very slow start, hitting just 39 percent of his shots so far, but with Danny Granger out indefinitely, Green is going to play and the numbers are coming. I consider him a must-own player, despite the slow start.
Al Farouq-Aminu SF Hornets - Aminu has been a bust thus far in his career but is showing signs of life now that Ryan Anderson is out of town. Farouq is averaging nearly 13 points, seven boards, two steals and two blocks through three games and looks to be locked into the starting job for the Hornets. I think he should be owned in most leagues until he cools off, but keep in mind the Hornets play just two games this week.
Tayshaun Prince SF Pistons - Prince is averaging 15 points in two games, leading the Pistons in scoring. He’s not the most exciting player to own, but he’s going to get his 30-plus minutes a night and can still rebound, steal and hit the occasional 3-pointer.
Alonzo Gee SF Cavaliers - Gee is averaging 11 points, three boards, three assists and 1.3 3-pointers in three games. He got off to a slow start in the opener, but is picking it up and should continue to start for the Cavs.
Jason Richardson & Dorell Wright G/F Sixers - Wright had 14 points, seven boards, two steals, a block and two 3-pointers in the opener, while Richardson added 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, four steals, three blocks and two 3-pointers for one of the most underrated lines of the new season. JRich went down Sunday with a sprained ankle and until we find out the severity of that injury, Wright is the guy to own right now. And when they’re both healthy, they’re both worth owning in almost all leagues.
Harrison Barnes F Warriors - Barnes is averaging just eight points in three games, but has to see a boost now that Brandon Rush is done for the year. I am not racing to pick up Barnes because I think Mark Jackson is going to go with Klay Thompson at SF and Jarrett Jack at SG (maybe off the bench), but there should still be enough minutes left over for Barnes to put up some decent numbers. Keep an eye on him.
Steve Novak SF Knicks - Novak had 17 points and five 3-pointers in first game, but hit two 3-pointers and scored just six points on Sunday. He’s a poor man’s Ray Allen, but won’t do much else besides hit treys.
Mike Dunleavy & Tobias Harris SF Bucks - Harris is starting and averaging 11 points and 4.5 rebounds in two games, while Mike Dunleavy went off on Saturday for 29 points, 12 boards and six assists. The two players are going to split minutes going forward, but Dunleavy should get hurt sooner than later, given his injury history. And when it happens, Harris will become more of a solid fantasy starter instead of a guy that’s simply nice to have on your bench – which is what his current status is.
Rashard Lewis F Heat - Lewis is averaging nine points and 1.7 3-pointers in three games, and is simply worth keeping an eye on off Miami’s bench.
Power Forwards
Glen Davis F/C Magic - Davis had 29 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in his first game, which is pretty much what I was hoping for and expecting. He’s a must-own player in all leagues and looks even better given Turkoglu’s broken hand.
Tristan Thompson PF Cavaliers – Thompson is averaging nine points and seven boards in three games, although he has yet to block a shot. The blocks should be coming and he’s going to get better every week.
Kevin Seraphin F/C Wizards - Seraphin made his debut on Saturday (he was out with a calf injury) and went off for 19 points, seven rebounds and a block on 8-of-9 shooting in 29 minutes. He’s not going to hit 8-of-9 shots every night, but Nene’s not walking through that door anytime soon, either. Seraphin is a guy I would recommend picking up, and he should be available in a lot of leagues. He averaged 15.5 points and seven boards over the final 15 games last year.
Carl Landry PF Warriors - Landry is somehow averaging 20 points and seven boards in three games off the Warriors’ bench and it appears that Mark Jackson is going to play him. He’s not a shot blocker and there’s no way his numbers stay this high, but he could also see time at SF with Rush out. He’s worth a flier as long as he’s hot.
Patrick Patterson PF Rockets – Patterson is averaging 10.5 points and 6.5 boards in two games and is finally getting healthy. He’s primed for a breakout season as Houston’s starting PF and now is probably the time to get him and stash him.
Larry Sanders PF Bucks - Sanders is averaging 13.5 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in two games. I don’t trust Scott Skiles, his rotations or his players all that much, but Sanders has a chance to be a shot-blocking machine if he can get 20-plus minutes a night. Would I drop Samuel Dalembert to pick up Sanders? Given Sammy’s slow start, I think I would.
Jared Sullinger & Brandon Bass PF Celtics - Sullinger started in his last game and played 30 minutes. His numbers aren’t worth mentioning just yet, but there’s a chance he could be ready to turn it on at any time, although a timeshare with Bass seems locked into place all season long. Bass is averaging 10 points and seven boards through three games, and isn’t a shot-blocking big man. I’d still rather own Bass for now, but that will change if Sullinger becomes the full-time starter.
Jae Crowder F Mavericks - Crowder is averaging nine points, three boards and 1.7 3-pointers through three games. I love him as a player, but the minutes have been too shaky for him to be held onto in many leagues. But if you’re in a deep one, he should get better as the season progresses, but could then disappear once Dirk Nowitzki is back.
Jason Maxiell PF Pistons - Maxiell is averaging 13 points and seven rebounds in two games, but my guess is Andre Drummond will eventually start eating into his minutes. Max is worth a look if you’re desperate for a PF in a deep league.
Josh McRoberts PF/C Magic - McBob played 27 minutes and had nine points, seven boards, two steals and a block in his Orlando debut. With Hedo Turkoglu’s broken hand, McBob is worth keeping an eye on for now.
Centers
Anderson Varejao PF/C Cavaliers - Varejao is averaging 14 points, 15 rebounds and four assists in three games, and has posted lines of 9 & 23 and 20 & 17 in two of them. He looks like a must-own center for the struggling Cavs.
Chris Kaman F/C Mavericks - Kaman had 16 points and four rebounds in 21 minutes of his first game of the season after missing time with a calf injury. I don’t know how long he’ll stay healthy, but he will be worth starting in most leagues as long as he’s a go.
Spencer Hawes PF/C Sixers - Hawes had 16 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, five blocks and two 3-pointers in Philly’s opener, and backed it up with eight points and five boards in just 15 minutes on Sunday. The Sixers went with a small lineup against the Knicks, which took Hawes out of action. And once Andrew Bynum is back from his bum knee, Hawes may stay just as inconsistent as he’s been thus far. But that first game alone is enough for owners in many leagues to take a flier on him at this point.
Omer Asik C Rockets - Asik is averaging just five points, but also 14 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in three games. He’s locked in as a starter and while his scoring and free throw percentage are a concern, the dude can clean the glass.
Jonas Valanciunas C Raptors - Valanciunas is averaging just seven points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 18 minutes after two games. He’s all upside and I’m in favor of owning/stashing him in all leagues as he learns how to play in the NBA.
Robin Lopez C Hornets - Lopez is averaging 14 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in three games. The Hornets play just twice next week, but Lopez looks like a legitimate fantasy center this season.
Boris Diaw F/C Spurs - Diaw is averaging 31 minutes and five points, five boards, four assists, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks after three games. The minutes are the key here and it looks like he could render Tiago Splitter useless this season.
Zaza Pachulia C Hawks - Pachulia had 13 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes of Atlanta’s opener. He’s going to see a lot of minutes as one of the Hawks only options as a true center, making him worth a look in deep leagues.