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.

Man, it feels good to be back.  After the last few months of mock drafts, expert league results and preseason play, we finally get to put all of our hard work to use.  Dennis has already given you all the primer for the beginning of the season, but what he didn’t dive into too much (thankfully, for job security purposes) were some of the talent that can still be found on waiver wires of all league sizes and formats.  That, ladies and gentlemen, is where I come in.  From this week on, Wire to Wire will give you the low down on the up-and-comers that can help out your fantasy squad.  But enough of the introduction, let’s get into the goods for the premier week of the 2007-08 season.  Enjoy.

Shallow Leagues (10-12 teams)

Jose Calderon, PG, Toronto Raptors
Last Season: 21 MPG; 8.7 PPG; 1.7 RPG; 5.0 APG; 0.3 3PM; 52.1 FG%; 81.8 FT%; 0.8 SPG; 0.1 BPG; 1.4 TO

With so many point guards going in the early rounds of drafts, those that cannot be a fortunate owner of a Gilbert Arenas or Steve Nash are forced to scramble later on.  While names like Jamaal Tinsley and Devin Harris have made their way up the draft board, one of the more efficient guards in the game is still sitting around on some free agent lists.  Not many back up players get over 20 minutes per night.  In fact, Calderon only gets six less minutes per night than Manu Ginobili.  With five dimes per night, snag him for his current production as well as his upside in the event that T.J. Ford was to go down. 

Travis Outlaw, SF/PF, Portland Trailblazers
Last Season: 23 MPG; 9.6 PPG; 3.2 RPG; 0.8 APG; 0.2 3PM; 43.4 FG%; 79.0 FT%; 0.9 SPG; 1.1 BPG; 1.0 TO

Another player that did very well in his limited minutes last season.  With Zach Randolph moved on and Greg Oden done for the season before it has even begun, one of the players in for a solid increase in minutes is Travis Outlaw.  While Martell Webster (more on him later) is penciled in as the starting small forward for the Blazers, Outlaw will get his time off of the bench and will make the most of it.  30 minutes a night will see at least a steal and a block per contest, and the increase in his scoring will be welcomed.  He will not do much from long range, like his peer, but if its cheap hustle stats you need, here is your answer.

John Salmons, SG/SF, Sacramento Kings
Last Season: 27 MPG; 8.5 PPG; 3.3 RPG; 3.2 APG; 0.5 3PM; 45.7 FG%; 77.9 FT%; 0.9 SPG; 0.3 BPG; 1.5 TO

If you’re living under a rock of some sorts, you have not heard that Mike Bibby will miss the next ten weeks after undergoing surgery on his hand.  The two main beneficiaries of this move are Quincy Douby and John Salmons.  Salmons was having a strong preseason as it was and would see a bump with Ron Artest missing the first seven games.  Well, his role on the Kings just skyrocketed as he’ll likely be the second scoring option behind Kevin Martin for at least the first two weeks of the season.  The worst that can happen is that Salmons only pumps out two strong weeks.  This is definitely worth the last roster spot in a shallow league.

Jeff Foster, C, Indiana Pacers
Last Season: 23 MPG; 4.3 PPG; 8.1 RPG; 0.8 APG; 0.0 3PM; 47.1 FG%; 63.9 FT%; 0.8 SPG; 0.5 BPG; 0.9 TO

I felt the need to add a big man to the list of waiver options for a shallow league owner.  Jermaine O’Neal and Troy Murphy have not exactly been model citizens of health this preseason (or ever, for that matter), so a guy that can pull down double-digit boards on any given night is worth a look.  Do I wish he would block more shots?  Of course, but realize that his per game stats are a bit skewed due to his sporadic minutes throughout the season.  If you’re hurting for a center, you could do a lot worse than Foster to start off the season.

Standard Leagues (12-14 teams)

Francisco Garcia, SG/SF, Sacramento Kings
Last Season: 18 MPG; 6.0 PPG; 2.6 RPG; 1.1 APG; 0.7 3PM; 42.9 FG%; 83.3 FT%; 0.6 SPG; 0.5 BPG; 0.9 TO

SI.com’s own James Quintong went with Garcia in the later rounds of the 14-team Dropping Dimes expert league this year, immediately raising a few eyebrows.  Little did he know, Mike Bibby would go under the knife to free up some minutes in SacTown.  OK, maybe he didn’t exactly know that, but Garcia did show some flashes of brilliance towards the end of last season.  This year, he’ll just get to strut his stuff early on due to Bibby being out and Ron Artest being suspended.  Expect a bit of a timeshare with John Salmons, but do not be surprised if Garcia breaks the 20-point mark once or twice within the first two weeks of the season.

Theo Ratliff, PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Season: 22 MPG; 2.5 PPG; 3.5 RPG; 0.0 APG; 0.0 3PM; 33.3 FG%; 75.0 FT%; 0.5 SPG; 1.5 BPG; 0.5 TO

With only two games last season, Ratliff had been forgotten about in most circles.  In fact, he was the “throw-in” in the Al Jefferson/Kevin Garnett trade as the Celtics felt like the big man was dead weight.  Well, with the trade of Mark Blount to Miami, the Timberwolves have decided to start both Jefferson and Ratliff, allowing for one formidable defensive frontcourt.  It wasn’t long ago that Ratliff was a mid-round selection for his rebounding and shot-blocking abilities.  Will he achieve those numbers again?  It’s not likely.  However a starting center should be owned in all standard formats.  And friends, Theo Ratliff is in fact now a starting center.

Ronnie Brewer, SF/PF, Utah Jazz
Last Season: 12 MPG; 4.6 PPG; 1.3 RPG; 0.4 APG; 0.0 3PM; 52.9 FG%; 67.5 FT%; 0.7 SPG; 0.1 BPG; 0.4 TO

Going in to this season, the Utah Jazz will be known more for their play in last year’s postseason than anything else.  The well-known story about Derek Fisher’s family was very captivating, but the news of his move to Los Angeles was not as publicized.  This move left the shooting guard position up for grabs in Utah, and it looks to have been won by second-year guard Ronnie Brewer.  Brewer has had a successful preseason, including several nights of high scoring.  He won’t offer much from beyond the arc, but his efficiency coupled with his potential for steals makes him a viable option in all standard formats.

Jason Williams, PG, Miami Heat
Last Season: 31 MPG; 10.9 PPG; 2.3 RPG; 5.3 APG; 1.6 3PM; 41.3 FG%; 91.3 FT%; 1.0 SPG; 0.0 BPG; 1.6 TO

Williams was once a solid mid-round addition in fantasy rings.  His health has been a viable concern in recent seasons, but that doesn’t mean he should be completely ignored.  The Heat already appear to be struggling with injuries and age.  While the addition of Ricky Davis will cut into J-Will’s scoring a bit, any player that can help teams out in terms of assists, threes and free throw shooting deserves a roster spot.  While he shouldn’t be counted on a starter for a full season, his production should be ample early on, placing Williams among one of the better back-up options at the point.

Deep Leagues (14+ teams)

Damien Wilkins, SG/SF, Seattle Supersonics
Last Season: 25 MPG; 8.8 PPG; 2.8 RPG; 1.9 APG; 0.6 3PM; 43.5 FG%; 88.2 FT%; 1.1 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 1.4 TO

Wilkins was a popular addition to fantasy teams last season when Rashard Lewis went down.  The presence of Ray Allen kept a ceiling on his scoring opportunities, but the forward was still a source of percentages and steals.  This season brings new opportunities with Allen and Lewis both in new locations.  While the offense will run primarily through rookie Kevin Durant, Wilkins will see several chances to flourish, especially if Durant starts to draw double-teams.  At worst, you’ll have a player logging 30 minutes a game that won’t hurt you anywhere. 

Rashad McCants, PG/SG, Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Season: 15 MPG; 5.0 PPG; 1.3 RPG; 1.0 APG; 0.5 3PM; 35.0 FG%; 69.0 FT%; 0.7 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 1.1 TO

It wasn’t a matter of if Ricky Davis was going to be traded as much as a matter of when.  The move of Davis to Miami gives us one of the youngest teams in the league in Minnesota, but one that may end up surprising some people.  Those that drafted Corey Brewer were more than likely happy to hear of the trade, but it will be McCants who will get the starting nod at shooting guard on opening day.  McCants has been bitten by the injury bug over the last two seasons, but has shown a ton of talent when given the time.  While there is no guarantee he stays healthy this season, McCants will be a solid source of points, threes and steals – as long as he holds on to the starting gig.

Martell Webster, SG/SF, Portland Trailblazers
Last Season: 21 MPG; 7.0 PPG; 2.9 RPG; 0.6 APG; 1.1 3PM; 39.6 FG%; 70.5 FT%; 0.4 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 0.9 TO

If you read any of my stuff last season, you’re aware of my perceived admiration for Martell Webster’s fantasy value.  Well, it looks like I may have just been a year early as it seems that Webster has finally come to.  The injury to Greg Oden opened up a slight rotation for the Trailblazers, and fewer players have capitalized on preseason opportunity more than Webster has this summer.  While he may split time with Travis Outlaw, Webster’s a virtual unknown amongst casual fans and should be found on deeper waiver wires.  Snag him up for his scoring and threes, with a bonus if Brandon Roy’s heel keeps acting up.  I own him on three separate teams, so if this recommendation fails, we’ll all go down together.

Aaron Gray, C, Chicago Bulls
Last Season: Rookie, DNP

How ironic would it be if Chicago’s lack of front court offense was cured by their second round draft selection?  While it has been said that it would take an injury to Ben Wallace for Gray to have value…we have an injury to Ben Wallace.  An ankle injury appears to have the fro’d out big man hobbled, and questionable for opening day.  Back-up center Joakim Noah is on crutches, and Tyrus Thomas may also be out.  I’m not recommending picking Gray up right away, but he definitely deserves a look in ultra deep leagues.  If any of the aforementioned remains out for a considerable amount of time, Gray should turn opportunity in to production.