Wire to Wire aims to be your waiver wire resource for all of your fantasy basketball needs. It will dive into playing time trends, injury replacements, and even an occasional category specialist—all of which can be found on a typical waiver wire within your fantasy league at any given time.

A lot of common names are mentioned this week. Some have received elevated playing time due to injuries, while one specific baller will get more time simply because he’s on the same team as Ron Artest. Add John Salmons to the list of players who got a late- season boost thanks to playing with Artest at any point in their careers. We may be adding this to future theories for drafting purposes. Until then, we’ll just focus on players that you can add this week to get you to the playoffs.

(Statistics as of March 8)

Shallow Leagues

Eddie Jones, SG/SF, Miami Heat
14 G; 23.1 MPG; 8.3 PPG; 2.6 RPG; 1.6 APG; 1.4 3PM; 50.0 FG%; 82.4 FT%; 1.1 SPG; 0.1 BPG; 0.4 TO (stats accumulated with Miami)

If the injury to Dwyane Wade didn’t convince you to pick up Jones, maybe the injury to Jason Kapono will. Jones has put up back-to-back 20-point games including 10 treys. Couple this with solid percentages and the need for Jones to produce for the Heat just to make it to the playoffs, and I think you have a huge opportunity for your fantasy team over the next few weeks. Even though Wade has said he’ll attempt a comeback, there is no guarantee. If this happens, Jones is yours for the keeping.

John Salmons, SG/SF, Sacramento Kings
57 G; 27.1 MPG; 8.2 PPG; 3.6 RPG; 3.2 APG; 0.5 3PM; 44.8 FG%; 75.5 FT%; 0.9 SPG; 0.4 BPG; 1.5 TO

I mentioned Salmons as a deep-league addition last week due to nagging injuries to Artest. What I didn’t count on was domestic violence followed up quickly by the Kings excusing Artest from the team. If you added Salmons in deep leagues last week, he’ll prove to be a very nice addition. I’m thinking that Artest isn’t back any time soon, and Salmons’ across-the-board contributions can help any team in any-sized league. Add him if he’s still out there.

Charlie Villanueva, SF/PF, Milwaukee Bucks
37 G; 25.5 MPG; 12.4 PPG; 6.1 RPG; 1.0 APG; 0.8 3PM; 47.7 FG%; 82.0 FT%; 0.7 SPG; 0.3 BPG; 1.4 TO

I was very high on Charlie V coming into this season, but apparently the Milwaukee injury bug had different plans. Regardless of the time he has missed, Villanueva is back. Charlie brings solid percentages, decent rebounding and the ability to hit from long range. If you’re holding on to an injured player like Jason Kapono or Anthony Parker, I would consider swapping out for Villanueva. At least he’ll give you the short-term production needed to get you to the playoffs.

Richard Jefferson, SF, New Jersey Nets
34 G; 36.4 MPG; 16.1 PPG; 4.5 RPG; 2.9 APG; 0.7 3PM; 47.2 FG%; 73.8 FT%; 0.7 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 2.2 TO

Jefferson likely wasn’t dropped in your league, but if he was, you should snag him immediately. He won’t be suiting up until next week, but with the Nets in the playoff hunt, you can bet the house that they’ll be looking for some huge nights from RJ. The injury always a concern, but what do you have to lose from your last bench player for this type of potential? If he’s there, go get him!

Standard Leagues


Maurice Evans, SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers
61 G; 22.2 MPG; 8.7 PPG; 3.0 RPG; 1.0 APG; 0.6 3PM; 42.6 FG%; 78.1 FT%; 0.5 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 0.8 TO

You likely will not have many more nights where Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom are MIA, but the latter may be the case for the majority of the rest of this season. Odom says that he’ll re-evaluate his shoulder later this season, but if he’s aiming to make it back for the real playoffs, this doesn’t help you during the fantasy season. Evans will be getting a lot of minutes going forward. While he’s hit or miss on some evenings, he should be a solid utility player for any standard fantasy team.

Steve Francis, PG, New York Knicks
29 G; 25.2 MPG; 9.7 PPG; 3.3 RPG; 4.0 APG; 0.6 3PM; 39.3 FG%; 86.4 FT%; 1.0 SPG; 0.2 BP; 2.0 TO

Stephon Marbury has been playing out of his mind lately. Enough that the rest of his team has flown a bit under the radar. Francis was once a top-50 fantasy pick, so there’s no doubting his talent. If he’s able to get playing time, which I think he will due to the Jamal Crawford injury, he’ll be able to produce down the home stretch. There are definitely better fantasy schedules during the last three weeks, but if he’s out there, he may be worth the look.

Chuck Hayes, SF/PF, Houston Rockets
57 G; 20.4 MPG; 5.0 PPG; 6.2 RPG; 0.6 APG; 0 3PM; 53.8 FG%; 61.5 FT%; 0.7 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 0.8 TO

Though not very publicized, the Rockets have placed Chuck Hayes in the starting line up over Juwan Howard. Yao Ming is back, so the front court is definitely well represented for the Rockets. However, as long as Hayes is logging starter’s minutes, he has double-double potential written all over him. If you’re low in rebounding, Hayes is worth an add in standard leagues. Deeper league owners should waste no time in picking this guy up.

Deep Leagues

Juan Dixon, PG/SG, Toronto Raptors
7 G; 27.1 MPG; 11.4 PPG; 3.3 RPG; 1.9 APG; 0.9 3PM; 49.3 FG%; 80.0 FT%; 0.7 SPG; 0.1 BPG; 1.0 TO (stats accumulated with Toronto)

When the deal went down that sent Dixon to Toronto, I didn’t see any impact with the slew of wing players that the Raptors currently dress. However, the injury to Anthony Parker has opened up a starting spot, and it didn’t go to Morris Peterson; it went to Dixon. He’s shown the ability to contribute on any team that’s given him the minutes, and nothing has changed. If Dixon keeps logging in 30 minutes a game, look for some help in scoring, steals and threes with the occasional assist. Great deal for the Raptors (in hindsight), and it could work out in the favor of deep league owners as well.

Jake Voskuhl, C, Charlotte Bobcats
57 G; 12.5 MPG; 3.6 PPG; 3.1 RPG; 0.4 APG; 0 3PM; 46.3 FG%; 69.2 FT%; 0.4 SPG; 0.3 BPG; 0.7 TO

The recent absence of Emeka Okafor and the absolute bust of a season for Primoz Brezec have opened up some time for Jake the Snake. While he won’t wow you in any categories, I find it hard to pass up a solid rebounding option who’s center-eligible in deep leagues. If you’re holding on to someone like Andray Blatche, cut ties for Voskuhl. He may not be the long-term answer, but he’ll help you now. Go for it.

Brian Cook, PF, Los Angeles Lakers
51 G; 17.1 MPG; 7.7 PPG; 3.7 RPG; 1.1 APG; 0.7 3PM; 47.3 FG%; 76.2 FT%; 0.5 SPG; 0.4 BPG; 0.9 TO

Almost like a Maurice Evans-light, Cook has the ability to make an impact for the Lakers’ stretch run. The only problem with the power forward is his nights of inconsistency. He’ll drop a few threes one night, and then give you a dreaded night of 2-for-10 from the floor. If you can stomach the ups and downs, Cook may be worth it with his ability to hit the long ball and clean up the glass.

Dwyane Wade, PG/SG, Miami Heat
46 G; 38.5 MPG; 28.8 PPG; 4.8 RPG; 7.9 APG; 0.5 3PM; 49.4 FG%; 81.6 FT%; 2.1 SPG; 1.3 BPG; 4.2 TO

Keeper league owners likely have just accepted the fact that they’ll be without Wade and shoved him to the bench. However, redraft league owners have a choice to make. If you’re in a deep roto format, I think said choice is an easy one to make. Pick up Wade, and sit him until he can come back for the final leg of this season. It may only be a week or two, but it’s well worth the roster spot that’s currently being held by someone like Sergio Rodriguez or Daniel Ewing.