NBA fantasy waiver wire report
The stretch run is upon us. Can anything be found on the wire to help so late in the season? Let's find out.
George Hill, Spurs (42% owned in Yahoo! leagues): Despite averaging nearly 16 points, 3 assists, 1.5 threes, and 1 steal per game since Feb. 1, Hill is still owned in less than half of all Yahoo leagues. Now Tony Parker has a broken hand and will miss six weeks, meaning that Hill is going to be a Top 50 player the rest of the way. If he's still available, you know what to do!
Anthony Tolliver, Warriors (15% owned): What is the explanation for Tolliver's low ownership percentage? Surely some people are scared about an unknown rookie playing for the volatile Don Nelson, but there are several reasons why Tolliver should be owned in nearly every league by now. For starters, he's a big man with legit 3-point range, as evidenced by the 21 treys he's made over his last dozen games. He's also shown decent shot-blocking skills, with 7 rejections over his last four games. Most important, however, is the fact that he's gotten 44 minutes in two straight games, and now BOTH Andris Biedrins and Ronny Turiaf are sidelined. The Warriors are hurting for big men, and Tolliver will continue to be relied on heavily.
Rodrigue Beaubois, Mavericks (10% owned): With Jason Terry out for two weeks, Beaubois now has some value. The rookie guard started and played 35 minutes on Saturday, and is now averaging 21 points, 3.3 assists, 1.4 threes, and .7 steals on 63% FG shooting. Of course the red-hot shooting will cool down a bit, but he'll be worth owning as long as he's getting 30-plus mpg.
Terrence Williams, Nets (8% owned): Last Wednesday I suggested keeping an eye on Williams, and in three games since he's racked up 38 points, 20 rebounds, 18 assists, 3 threes and 1 steal. That kind of solid production can help out many squads right now, and despite Courtney Lee returning to action on Saturday, T-Will still got 32 minutes off the bench. It looks like he's going to get solid PT the rest of the way, so consider him if you need a small forward.
Delonte West, Cavs (20% owned): Over his last two games, West has totaled 39 points, 13 assists, and 9 rebounds on 15-25 FG shooting. He hasn't made a 3-pointer recently, but those will come soon. He WAS inactive for last Wednesday's game, but he's starting to put up nice numbers at the right time for Cleveland.
Carlos Arroyo, Heat (2% owned): Arroyo won't be consistent, but he's averaging 38-plus minutes, 11 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals over his last three games. Rafer Alston has been suspended by the team and Mario Chalmers is barely playing, and thus Arroyo now has solid value in deep leagues.
Ryan Hollins, Timberwolves (2% owned): Hollins flourished while Al Jefferson was suspended, scoring 29 points on 13-14 shooting while pulling down 12 rebounds over his last 2 games. Al-Jeff is supposed to return now, but there are no guarantees as far as playing time is concerned.
Joey Graham, Nuggets (1% owned): This is a speculation add more than anything. Graham started Friday's game in place of Kenyon Martin and posted 8 points, 3 boards, and 2 steals in 22 minutes. K-Mart may have to get surgery soon, and if it happens Graham will continue to get 20-plus mpg.
Eduardo Najera, Mavericks (0% owned): The Mavs are now hurting for big men, as Erick Dampier is still sidelined and remains a week away from returning, and Brendan Haywood is now out with a back injury. As a result, the veteran Najera has now played 20-plus minutes in three straight games. Over his last two contests he's totaled 12 points, 6 boards, 2 blocks and 3 treys, making him a decent short-term play in ultra-deep leagues.
Chris Hunter, Warriors (1% owned): Ronny Turiaf has been hampered by knee problems all season long, and he left Saturday's game just 8 minutes in thanks to a sore left knee. Lacking other big men to turn to, Nellie gave Hunter 32 minutes in place of Turiaf and he responded with 13 boards and 2 blocks, so consider him if you're as desperate as the Warriors are right now.
