Once your draft is over and the season's started, it's time to start making periodic checks (daily checks would be ideal) to see which players to sign to your roster and which players to drop. Depending on how many teams are in your league, the wire might be rich or void of talent. Still, it's an essential component to the winning equasion.
Here are some players who might still be available on your waivers that you should consider signing:
- Josh Childress, Atlanta Hawks
With Marvin Williams out for 6-8 weeks, Childress has been left under the radar in many leagues. After his first three games, Childress has contributed 11.7 ppg, 7.7 rbpg, 1.0 spg, low turnovers and high %s.
- ZaZa Pachulia, Atlanta Hawks
If you can stomach his 3.3 turnovers and lack of blocks in his first three games, his 18 ppg off 61.5% shooting to go along with 7.7 rbpg is nice.
- Al Jefferson, Boston Celtics
11.3 ppg, 7.0 rbpg, 1.3 bspg in his first three games can help if you're in need of a big man.
- Sean May, Charlotte Bobcats
Has become a starter with Emeka Okafor playing center and rewarding the Bobcats with 11.0 ppg, 8.3 rbpg, and 2.0 bspg over his first three games.
- Darrell Armstrong, Indiana Pacers
Don't expect big minutes (is getting around 17 a game), but if you need threes, Armstrong's been popping them up at 2-3 a game.
- Jamaal Tinsley, Indiana Pacers
If he still hasn't been picked up in your league, nab him quick! He appears to be healthy and provides excellent numbers in assists and steals.
- Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat
Against the 76ers on Nov. 5th, he put up 17 pts to go along with 16 rbs.
- Dorell Wright, Miami Heat
Finally got some minutes this season against the Sixers and put up 15 pts, 9 rbs, 2 steals and 1 block.
- Antoine Walker, Miami Heat
He's extremely streaky, but with Shaq injured and DWade not playing at his best, Walker's putting up respectable numbers of 14.3 ppg to go along with 2.0 threes per game.
- David Lee, New York Knicks
Is averaging 9.0 rbpg in his first four games. You won't get much else from him, but if you need boards that might be enough.
- Quentin Richardson, New York Knicks
After a big first game, QRich was picked up quickly in most leagues. If you find him available on the waivers, snatch him while you can to enjoy additional points, threes with some help in rebounds.
- Anthony Parker, Toronto Raptors
Doesn't fill a stat sheet, but is a capable scorer who gets the occasional three.
- Etan Thomas, Washington Wizards
Has started of late over Brendan Haywood and collected 14 pts, 15 rbs, and 6 blocks against Orlando on Nov. 6.
- Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors
15.8 ppg and 1.3 spg in his first four games isn't bad. You can also be happy with his high %s.
- Andris Biedrins, Golden State Warriors
Since taking over as the starting center, Biedrins has come alive in the last two games.
- Shaun Livingston, LA Clippers
Some owners are giving up on him on account of Sam Cassell taking over as a starter, but he's still getting significant minutes and doing some decent things on the court.
- Tim Thomas, LA Clippers
When he gets more eased into the offense, he'll be a great fit as a starter for this team.
- Luke Walton, LA Lakers
An early candidate for Most Improved Player Award with a stat line of 14.0 ppg, 5.0 rbpg, 1.5 threes per game, and 1.3 spg.
- Hakim Warrick, Memphis Grizzlies
He's only good for points, boards and FG%, but he's doing those things at a nice rate early on.
- Craig Smith, Minnesota Timber Wolves
He's done well in limited minutes and may see more time as Minnesota is looking thin up front.
- Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Sacramento Kings
Will be starting at center for Brad Miller, who will be out for a while with a hand injury.
- Kevin Martin, Sacramento Kings
Averaging 21.8 ppg, 1.3 spg in his first few games. He should not be available on the wire, but if he is, grab him now!
- Brent Barry, San Antonio Spurs
Has had back to back games with 5 three pointers.
- Earl Watson, Seattle Sonics
Despite Luke Ridnour's fast start, Watson is still getting quality minutes off the bench and is averaging 6.0 apg and 2.0 spg in his first three games.
Nocioni
Someone dropped him and he's having a sick game tonight. I need threes and steals like mad (Kidd, Luke Walton, and Duhon are my "gunners" and I trail the second-last three point shooting team 58-38), and I'm not sure if I should drop someone for him. Some other guys I'm considering are Fred Jones, Luther Head, and Smush Parker, but I haven't had the guts to drop anyone flat-out.
The good news is that I'm doing all right elsewhere with KG, Krstic, Dalembert, Ilgauskas (if he stops sucking), Diaw (if he plays), Childress, RJ, Maggette, Tayshaun, and Roy.
re:Nocioni
It depends on who you're looking to drop. Nocioni's a guy who I think will eventually get more consistent, but right now as the Bulls struggle, Skiles might scramble the line up a bunch to find what works. That means that pretty much everyone will be inconsistent for a while I suspect.
Pau
Just found Gasol on the waiver wire. Read Philthy's blog to see why I dropped Etan Thomas for him.
I'm just getting frustrated because the waiver wires look good in some of my leagues, but no one is biting on my two-for-one trades. The league's small enough where I have to drop average, not crappy, talent to pick a guy up. I ended up dumping Mo Williams because I already had Andre Miller, Jason Terry, and Speedy Claxton (trade bait for guys needing steals), but J.R. Smith looks like he's going to help my terrible percentages.
I found some more nice players...
I've found some guys on the wire who can probably help you out...granted, your league probably isn't the same as mine, but it wouldn't hurt to look if you've got an injured guy, a bum, or an injured bum. Or two-for-one and make a pickuup (that's what I'm hoping to do)
SG Fred Jones - He's scoring, popping threes, and even rebounding.
SG J.R. Smith - Threes, steals, and points.
G Luther Head - Threes, even points and boards aren't bad.
F/C Steven Hunter - Blocks. He sucks at the line, though.
F/C Jeff Foster - Steals, but who knows if he'll keep it up. Boards should be okay, though.
PG Smush Parker - Threes and steals are nice. Assists should come.
G Nate Robinson - He scores.
SG/SF Sasha Pavlovic - He's got the potential to score, but trust me, he's streaky.
RE:
Yeah, you'd know about Pavlovic's streakiness in Cleveland :P.
Nice list.
Peja Stojakovic
I just found the sniper on the waiver wire, and I'm pretty sure that dumping James Posey for him wasn't a bad idea. Too bad the move is pending until Tuesday...why does it take so daggone long?
Peja's FG% isn't very good, but he'll chip in 2 threes and solid FT%. He's not the stud he once was, but hey, I figure he'll contribute more than Posey did.
Of course, this is all just part of my master plan to trade for LeBron James...play the wire for hot players and lump 4 of them together to acquire the King...fwahahaha
Yes!
I finally caught a stroke of luck...in Peja's first game with my team, he goes 15-22 from the field and 7-8 from the line and drops 42 points with a ton of threes, all STAT CAT's I could use. Sweeeeeet.
Seriously, who puts Peja Stojakovic on waivers?
Peja
See? You're not that dumb. People have to remember that fantasy basketball is a marathon, not a sprint. There are some players you have to be patient with and rely on their averages (which means taking the good games with the bad) instead of trying to predict the good ones.
Peja
Man, someone's a noob in your league. There are some players you just don't give up on. Peja's one of them. Shooters, even if they're getting older, can light it up at any time and with Paul on that team, he's bound to pick it up at least a little.
Minutes are the key...
The easiest thing to do to see if somebody is worth a pickup off the wire or will keep up the production is to look at the minutes. Guys like Barry do not get enough consistent minutes to continue to produce at that rate. However a guy like Barbosa who is seeing an increase in minutes, there is no reason to think he won't keep producing. 30+ minutes for anybody = nice stats. Walton has been getting mins, but be careful if they start to dip below 30 mins per game.
Jamal Crawford
That's why I think he's gonna be huge right now since francis is hurt.
good point
I don't think Walton's minutes will decrease. Radmanovic sucks.
The Waltons
I hate Bill Walton, which means I hate Luke Walton...they can all just friggin' eat me!
Andrew Bynum
He's showing some flare, too! 20 pts, 14 boards and 3 blocks against the Wolves. Granted, he's been playing some teams with not much for centers (Mark Blount in Minnesota and Johan Petro in Seattle). But still!
Luke Walton
He's been playing well, and I managed to find him on waivers in one of my leagues. He's a great pickup if you're looking for depth and/or trade bait. You might have to overpay to trade for him now, but if you can dump an injured player or a fourteenth-round bum, he's definitely someone to consider acquiring.
Walton
He's really taken advantage of Radmanovic not playing well. And frankly, I just think he's a better player than Vlade.
Heck yes.
I think I just made some significant upgrades in a Yahoo! public league just by playing the waiver wire.
I picked up Mo Williams, Etan Thomas, and Carlos Arroyo and gave up Luther Head, Eddie House, and Speedy Claxton. I'm feeling pretty good about this team...I've got Andre Miller, Gerald Wallace, Jason Terry, Ron Artest, Bosh, Tim Duncan, Battier, Abdur-Rahim, Korver, and my three waiver pickups.
I really needed assists and percentages, and Williams and Arroyo should be improvements in those areas. Etan Thomas gives me a backup big man and trade bait.
hmmm
I understand that Claxton is struggling, but he just came off injury and steals are tough to find and 2.3 a game is a lot to give up on. I dunno, you might regret that one later. I don't see Head doing much in the long haul.
Solid team
Mo Williams should not have still been on the wire. That was a nice pickup. Arroyo is outplaying Jameer Nelson, but keep a sharp eye on that situation, because even though Arroyo is better than his career has shown (he's always shined in International competition with Peurto Rico) he can be inconsistent. Speedy Claxton might still put together a good year. He's still recovering from an injury remember, but I don't blame you for letting him go.
Don't give up on Terry. He'll find his rhythm soon.
Great balance and depth.
playing the wire
do you really think some of these guys are gonna keep it up though? i mean it's really raelly really early and brent barry is old!
Nice list
I know in my public leagues I have alot of gaps from those late rounds in the draft. I could probably swap out at least three guys. The biggest issue I have found this past week since the season started is getting a decent Center off the wire. If you dont draft a good center, its seems impossible to pickup someone decent. I tried to get Etan Thomas but someone picked him up already. Do you have any other suggestions?
Finding a Center
The best way to sort the waiver wire list in Yahoo leagues is to set it to the position you want to look for (in the drop down box) and toggle between Season (Totals) and Season (Average) - which is another drop down box. Then, click on "Rank." "O-Rank" is Yahoo's pre-season ranking and "Rank" is the season's current ranking based on their automated formula. The difficulty right now is that one game can drastically affect a players' average and totals, so you have to be careful. Click on the players name and find "game log" to see how they've done.
If none of the centers on this list are available in your league (have you tried for Andris Biedrins?), you might need to wait and either make a trade for one or try and nab one later in the season. Another big man to consider might be Andrew Bynum, though he hasn't shown much consistency so far.
Crappy
You beat me to this. Good blog. It's still tough to know who's going to continue playing well and who's going to crap out on us.