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.

The final session of the fantasy playoffs are upon us.  If you haven’t had to deal with the loss of any stars this season, I commend you as you’re truly an anomaly this season.  The recent additions of Gilbert Arenas and Michael Redd to the list of stars to bite the dust should have owners scrambling for last minute replacements.  It’s unfortunate that the players that got you to where you are today can no longer help you, but such is the life in the fantasy basketball playoffs.  Here are this week’s recommendations…

(Editor’s Note: I apologize for the delay on this.  Had some technical difficulties at the end of last week)

(Statistics as of Wednesday)

Shallow Leagues

Antonio Daniels, PG, Washington Wizards
72 G; 20.1 MPG; 6.6 PPG; 1.6 RPG; 3.0 APG; 0.2 3PM; 45.0 FG%; 85.2 FT%; 0.5 SPG; 0.1 BPG; 0.7 TO

The Washington Wizards are attempting to do their best Milwaukee Bucks impression, but at the worst time possible.  While Michael Redd and company have had their ups and downs, Gilbert Arenas is now done for the season and Caron Butler may not be far behind.  This now leaves Antawn Jamison as the main man in D.C., but the man feeding him the ball will be Daniels.  He’s racked up a double-double in each of the last two games, with 29 total assists.  He may not be the threat from downtown that Arenas was, but his dime-dropping could be Nash-esque over the stretch run.  Assuming that players like Ear Boykins are long gone, Daniels is the must-add player going forward.

Jason Hart, PG, Los Angeles Clippers
14 G; 30.2 MPG; 8.9 PPG; 3.4 RPG; 3.5 APG; 0.2 3PM; 48.1 FG%; 83.3 FT%; 1.9 SPG; 0.1 BPG; 1.4 TO

Though he’s been labeled the starting point guard by default, you can’t argue with a guy who logs in 40 minutes a night and gets to play along side of players like Elton Brand and Cuttino Mobley.  Hart’s assists may never reach double-digits, but he’s a solid scoring option – especially from the line where he hasn’t missed in his last four games.  Hart may also be a quiet contributor in the steals column for you, snatching 10 in his last eight games.  With all of the guards that have gone down this season, you’ll likely have room for Hart over the next two weeks - especially with seven games for the Clips.

Walter Herrmann, SF/PF, Charlotte Bobcats
41 G; 16.3 MPG; 7.5 PPG; 2.4 RPG; 0.5 APG; 0.8 3PM; 52.2 FG%; 75.0 FT%; 0.2 SPG; 0.1 BPG; 0.6 TO

I’ve struggled to take Herrmann seriously, and it’s on me as a fantasy owner.  I’m a firm believer that these guys should be looked at as purely stat producers, but one look at Walter, and you’ll understand.  Regardless, if he’s still available in your league, snag him and his 20 points a night that he’s put up over the last several games.  He’s a power-forward eligible player that can also drain the long ball, which we can all use.  If anything, he’s a solid long-term option at this point as he’s more than likely earned some playing time next season. 

Jerry Stackhouse, SG/SF, Dallas Mavericks
63 G; 24.1 MPG; 11.9 PPG; 2.2 RPG; 2.8 APG; 0.9 3PM; 43.0 FG%: 84.3 FT%; 0.8 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 1.7 TO

When talking about the sixth man of the year, Leandro Barbosa seems to garner all of the accolades.  While he’s very deserving, one look at Stack’s numbers and you’ll see that he’s not too far behind.  He’s not a flashy guy like a Josh Smith, but he’s been a key contributor over the last few nights with Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard experiencing some bumps and bruises.  If you need a boost in your scoring as well as free throw shooting over the last few nights of the season, Stack can give you a little veteran bump.

Standard Leagues

Tyrus Thomas, SF/PF, Chicago Bulls
66 G; 13.2 MPG; 5.1 PPG; 3.7 RPG; 0.5 APG; 0 3PM; 47.3 FG%; 60.8 FT%; 0.6 SPG; 1.1 BPG; 1.4 TO

It was only March of last year when the world became more knowledgeable of Tyrus Thomas.  Well, it looks like March is Tyrus’ month, as from Feb 28th on, Thomas has been a solid contributor in boards, blocks and steals.  He’s likely available in your league as his scoring numbers are up and down more than the Dow Jones, but once he gets over this latest bout with the flu, you can be looking at double-double potential with great hustle stats.  Rarely are there better players over the final stretch than those that are just starting to get consistent playing time.  Thomas fits into this category.

Renaldo Balkman, SF/PF, New York Knicks
65 G; 15.1 MPG; 4.6 PPG; 4.0 RPG; 0.6 APG; 0.1 3PM; 50.0 FG%; 55.4 FT%; 0.8 SPG; 0.7 BPG; 0.7 TO

From one rookie to another.  I have to admit that I had Thomas pegged for at least some fantasy contributions this season.  Balkman?  Not so much.  However, after the injury to David Lee and the ineffectiveness of Channing Frye, the Anti-Larry Brown in Isaiah Thomas has given the rookie Balkman a shot.  He’s been getting solid minutes off of the bench, and can reach double-double potential given the playing time.  He won’t block a lot of shots (what Knick does?), but his scoring, rebounding and steals should be there for the having. 

Jarvis Hayes, SF, Washington Wizards
72 G; 18.4 MPG; 6.4 PPG; 2.6 RPG; 0.9 APG; 0.7 3PM; 39.7 FG%; 84.2 FT%; 0.5 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 0.6 TO

With Arenas going down, think of Hayes as the rest of the scoring component to Antonio Daniels.  He loves to shoot the long ball, and has the potential for a 20 point night or two over the final stretch of the fantasy playoffs. The Wizards will need big nights from Hayes if they’re going to flourish in the playoffs, so expect a few nights of audition from Jarvis to prove his worth and increase his playing time.  If you’re holding onto someone like Joe Johnson at this point, the swap makes sense.

Deep Leagues

Sergio Rodriguez, PG/SG, Portland Trailblazers
58 G; 12.0 MPG; 3.3 PPG; 1.3 RPG; 3.3 APG; 0.3 3PM; 40.9 FG%; 88.2 FT%; 0.5 SPG; 0 BPG; 1.0 TO

This recommendation is totally hunch-based, but it may be worth the swing if you’re holding onto any dead weight.  Sergio’s per-minute stats blow Jarrett Jack’s out of the water, as he’s currently third in the NBA in assists per 48 minutes with 13.1 and an assist-to-turnover ratio north of 3.0.  I know Jack may be the better all-around guard for the Portland offense, but I have a feeling that Nate McMillan would like to see what he has for next season, as he has more than ample options to run with Brandon Roy in the backcourt for the next few years.  I’m calling for more playing time for one Sergio Rodriguez.

Jason Kapono, SF, Miami Heat
59 G; 26.2 MPG; 11.0 PPG; 2.8 RPG; 1.2 APG; 1.7 3PM; 49.7 FG%; 88.7 FT%; 0.6 SPG; 0 BPG; 1.0 TO

His minutes are only in the 20s for right now, and he’s definitely rusty, but he shouldn’t be far away from hitting the starting lineup as well as a flurry of three pointers.  The best three point shooter in the league this season deserves a shot in deeper leagues, as he’ll slowly work back into his groove.  Don’t expect 25 point nights too soon, but with Kapono’s efficiency and ability to drain the long ball, he should be able to provide an ample boost for your fantasy team over the final stretch.

Thabo Sefolosha, PG/SG , Chicago Bulls
64 G; 11.1 MPG; 3.3 PPG; 1.9 RPG; 0.8 APG; 0.2 3PM; 42.1 FG%; 51.3 FT%; 0.5 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 0.8 TO

The Swiss guard-turned-forward that surprised a lot of fantasy owners in the first few weeks is now getting another crack at the Bulls lineup thanks to a myriad of injuries to players like Andres Nocioni, Tyrus Thomas and Ben Wallace.  Over the last two games, where Sefolosha has been in the starting lineup, he’s averaged 10 points and 9.5 rebounds.  While he won’t get you much else as in terms of fantasy contribution, deep league owners at this point should jump all over any player that can walk on two legs, let alone put up a double-double.  When Wallace comes back, he may be relegated to bench duties, but for now, he’s all yours.