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.

Hey!  Over here!  Remember me!?  I’m the NBA!! 

With all of March Madness sweeping the spotlight away from the NBA over the next few weeks, fantasy owners would be wise to catch their opponents sleeping at the wheel and pick up all of the goods.  While the “clearance rack” may be a bit picked over at this time of year, I think there are a few guys that could help you make that last push you need to see some fantasy post season.  On to this week’s recommendations…

(Statistics as of March 14th)

Shallow Leagues

LaMarcus Aldridge, SF/PF/C, Portland Trailblazers
54 G; 20.4 MPG; 8.1 PPG; 4.6 RPG; 0.4 APG; 0 3PM; 49.6 FG%; 71.7 FT%; 0.3 SPG; 1.1 BPG; 0.7 TO

I’ve mentioned Aldridge several times this season, yet it seems like he would always follow up a solid evening with a bust.  After five of his last seven games have seen double-digit scoring (including two over 20 points) some very nice rebounding and shot-blocking totals, it’s time to stop sleeping on the rookie.  With 27 rebounds and seven blocks in the last two games, Aldridge is primed for a solid finish – which will likely vault his value next season as well.  If he’s available in your league, regardless of settings, he should be picked up immediately. 

Chuck Hayes, SF/PF, Houston Rockets
61 G; 20.5 MPG; 5.4 PPG; 6.3 RPG; 0.6 APG; 0 3PM; 55.4 FG%; 62.5 FT%; 0.8 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 0.8 TO

Typically, a 6’6” power forward isn’t an attractive option for your rebounding totals.  However, this undrafted rookie out of Kentucky has been cleaning up the glass big time for Houston, and deserves consideration in all league-types.  He doesn’t get any plays run his way, so gets a ton of put-back opportunities – resulting in double-digit scoring in four of his last five games.  Hayes’ lack of shots blocked may worry some, but I think he’s more than made up for this by racking up 10 steals in the same five game span.

JR Smith, SG, Denver Nuggets
45 G; 25.5 MPG; 14.5 PPG; 2.4 RPG; 1.5 APG; 2.6 3PM; 43.6 FG%; 82.3 FT%; 0.8 SPG; 0.1 BPG; 1.6 TO

Smith may still be listed as doubtful for the recent road trip for the Nuggets, but the fact that the gunner is traveling is a plus.  While he may not contribute right away, few teams have as good of a schedule down the stretch as Denver which may make Smith a very nice commodity to have in the fantasy playoffs.  After his latest injury, he’s likely been dropped in shallow leagues.  If he’s out there, go get him as he could make a world of a difference in a few weeks.

Standard Leagues

Kwame Brown, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers
31 G; 27.2 MPG; 8.5 PPG; 6.4 RPG; 1.9 APG; 0 3PM; 57.1 FG%; 41.5 FT%; 0.9 SPG; 1.2 BPG; 1.8 TO

Andrew Bynum’s inconsistency has finally caught up to him.  Phil Jackson has seen enough of Bynum looking lost at times, and with Brown nearing 100% health, he’ll be likely manning the post for the Lakers over the next few weeks.  Brown usually has stretches of fantasy relevance, and if it happens over the next few weeks, owners should waste no time jumping over this opportunity as you never know when Brown flips the switch and puts up 20 and 10.  Now, don’t expect this type of production, but you have to love the potential of a huge night.  Of course, he is Kwame Brown.

Jorge Garbajosa, SF/PF/C, Toronto Raptors
62 G; 28.0 MPG; 8.5 PPG; 4.8 RPG; 1.9 APG; 0.9 3PM; 42.4 FG%; 75.8 FT%; 1.2 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 0.9 TO

You do not get much more hit or miss than the Garbage Man this season.  He may get 30 minutes, or he may get 15.  However, when you have a Raptors team with the post season in mind, and a center eligible player who can drain threes with the best of them (four against the Knicks), it’s hard to ignore the potential.  Hopefully, the Raps staff realizes that they’re doing something right over the last four games – resulting in four wins – and leaves Jorge in the starting lineup, and on the floor, for good.

Rajon Rondo, PG/SG, Boston Celtics
60 G; 20.1 MPG; 5.5 PPG; 3.2 RPG; 3.4 APG; 0.1 3PM; 39.2 FG%; 60.3 FT%; 1.4 SPG; 0.1 BPG; 1.7 TO

If I had to choose one player to make one shot to save my life, the last person may actually be Rajon Rondo.  However, if I need hustle stats for my fantasy team, Rondo may be just the man to do the job.  With 25 assists, 15 rebounds and eight steals in his last three games, Rondo can be very undervalued due to his lack of contribution in the scoring department.  If you’re low in steals, Rajon has the capability to add at least eight or nine steals to your weekly totals.  Give him a shot – no pun intended.  OK, maybe just a little.

Devin Brown, SG, New Orleans Hornets
40 G; 28.5 MPG; 11.8 PPG; 4.5 RPG; 2.8 APG; 1.5 3PM; 41.3 FG%; 75.9 FT%; 0.8 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 1.8 TO

Brown was once a huge waiver addition for most fantasy teams, but was then dropped with the return of Chris Paul and the emergence of Desmond Mason as a legitimate fantasy option.  Well, with six of his last seven games in the double figures, it may be time to give Brown and his ability to hit the long ball yet another shot on a fantasy roster.  If you’re still holding on to someone like Morris Peterson, a swap for Brown makes complete sense to me.

Deep Leagues

Kendrick Perkins, PF/C, Boston Celtics
54 G; 20.2 MPG; 4.2 PPG; 4.6 RPG; 1.2 APG: 0 3PM; 50.3 FG%; 53.9 FT%; 0.3 SPG; 1.4 BPG; 1.3 TO

Fewer players have bit me more than Perkins this season.  I’m ready to admit that he’s not starting center material for an NBA team, or a fantasy roster.  However, he’s blocking shots better than anyone given his limited minutes (at least one in seven straight games) and recently log double-digit boards in two straight games make him a very intriguing deep league option.  Don’t expect minutes in the 30s, but solid rebounding and shot-blocking figures are something that Perkins can deliver.

Derek Anderson, SG/SF, Charlotte Bobcats
43 G; 23.2 MPG; 7.1 PPG; 2.4 RPG; 2.7 APG; 1.0 3PM; 40.1 FG%; 88.9 FT%; 1.0 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 1.1 TO

As I’ve said before, each year we have a player that has zero fantasy value throughout the season start to show up towards the end of the year.  Well, it looks like Anderson can in fact be that guy.  With a recent surge in minutes (thanks to Brevin Knight), DA has shown up in the scoring, three point and free throw categories in grand fashion.  Wing players in the fantasy world are a dime a dozen, but if you need a little help from long range, Anderson should be able to get you there.

Jason Hart, PG, Los Angeles Clippers
5 G; 28.0 MPG; 8.8 PPG; 2.6 RPG; 2.6 APG; 0.6 3PM; 45.0 FG%; 83.3 FT%; 1.8 SPG; 0 BPG; 1.8 TO

I loved what Hart was able to do in Charlotte a few years back, and was shocked when he was dropped from Sacramento after given little-to-no chance.  Luckily, he fell into the lap of the Clippers who are in dire need of a healthy point guard.  Hart has recently seen his minutes in the high 20s and low 30s, and should be able to deliver at the point guard slot for deep league teams.  Yes, the PG is a deep place to be this year, but if you’re an owner of Dwyane Wade, Sam Cassell of even Shaun Livingston, Jason Hart is more than an amicable back-up.