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.

I want to apologize in advance for all of the swingmen listed in this week’s edition of Wire to Wire.  If anything, this shows us that we should never overpay for shooting guards and small forwards on draft day, as there is plenty of value on the wire within the first few weeks of the season.  Later on, we have to count on injuries and trades, but out of the gate is where we’ll see which roles that players have in their respective systems.  With that said, here are this week’s targets for your wholesome waiver wire additions.

Shallow Leagues (10-12 teams)

Ronnie Brewer, SG/SF, Utah Jazz
29 MPG; 16.3 PPG; 1.3 RPG; 2.0 APG; 0.5 3PM; 61.4 FG%; 69.2 FT%; 2.8 SPG; 0.3 BPG; 0.8 TO

While I feel like I discussed Ronnie Brewer all summer long, this will officially be my last mention of the shooting guard in a “pick him up now” type fashion.  As mentioned, he will not offer much from downtown, but if he keeps ripping over two steals per game at a double-digit scoring pace, he could be one of the steals of this year.  He should be owned in all formats despite his free throw shooting and is even startable this coming week with Utah’s three games.  Of course, if he falters and ends up on the bench, we’ll forget this ever happened…

Brendan Haywood, C, Washington Wizards
31 MPG; 10.0 PPG; 13.7 RPG; 1.0 APG; 0.0 3PM; 52.0 FG%; 44.4 FT%; 0.7 SPG; 3.0 BPG; 1.7 TO

Fewer players in the NBA can get under his respective coach’s skin as much as Haywood does.  With that said, it is pretty tough to ignore his line thus far, even with Washington being winless.  Andray Blatche was rumored to be taking Haywood’s job, but as long as the big man is rejecting three shots a game and pulling down double-digit boards, I find it hard to believe that Eddie Jordan will be sitting the former Tar Heel any time soon.  You could do a lot worse that Haywood as a third or fourth center.

Tyrus Thomas, SF/PF, Chicago Bulls
31 MPG; 9.0 PPG; 8.0 RPG; 1.0 APG; 0.0 3PM; 40.0 FG%; 37.5 FT%; 0.7 SPG; 1.7 BPG; 1.3 TO

Despite rumors of Joe Smith getting the starting nod, Ty Thomas has been the starting power forward for the Bulls, and has logged considerable playing time.  The only downside is that Thomas has been as inconsistent as ever, going for four, 21, and two points in the three games thus far.  Another negative is the fact that the team is 0-3 and no one shakes things up more than Scott Skiles, so we may see a bit of a lineup change in the near future.  In the meantime, if you need a boost in boards, steals and blocks, Thomas will be a solid spot filler at the forward slot. 

Josh Childress, SG/SF, Atlanta Hawks
21 MPG; 4.5 PPG; 3.5 RPG; 0.5 APG; 0.0 3PM; 36.4 FG%; 100.0 FT%; 1.0 SPG; 1.0 BPG; 1.0 TO

Childress has been absolutely awful thus far and has been dropped in many shallow leagues.  One look at this guy’s career averages, and you have to expect a rebound in his production, even at 20 minutes a game.  It is no secret that the Hawks are saturated with forward-types, but Childress should be owned nonetheless.  Any time a player can average a steal and a block in 21 minutes of play, just imagine what he’ll do for fantasy teams once the offense gets back on track.
 
Last Week: Jose Calderon, Travis Outlaw, John Salmons, Jeff Foster

Standard Leagues (12-14 teams)

Martell Webster, SG/SF, Portland Trailblazers
35 MPG; 16.3 PPG; 4.3 RPG; 1.7 APG; 2.0 3PM; 47.4 FG%; 87.5 FT%; 0.7 SPG; 0.7 BPG; 1.7 TO

He was not the sixth pick overall in his draft for nothing.  With three games in the books, Webster has been a considerable contributor in points and threes without hurting percentages in the least.  Of course, you’ll have to be a bit wary of the winless schedule of the Blazers and the possibility that the team may shake things up, but as long as Webster is getting over 35 minutes a night and is getting his shots, he’ll be worthy of a fantasy spot in all standard leagues.  I hesitate to recommend the shooter for shallow leagues, simply due to the rest of options that are out there for guard/forward slots.

Damon Stoudamire, PG, Memphis Grizzlies
28 MPG; 14.0 PPG; 3.0 RPG; 3.5 APG; 3.0 3PM; 42.9 FG%; 66.7 FT%; 1.0 SPG; 0.0 BPG; 0.5 TO

Though the Grizzlies have only played two games and are inundated with guards, Stoudamire appears to have the starting point job locked down.  As the free throw percentage is certain to increase, I wouldn’t count on the three treys per game to stay at said level.  It would seem preposterous to think that Mike Conley Jr. would not get a crack at the starting gig before too long, but as given the amount of talent that we have obviously seen on the wire thus far, you’re better off going for what’s working now and only banking on the future where it is afforded.

Damien Wilkins, SG/SF, Seattle Supersonics
33 MPG; 18.3 PPG; 7.0 RPG; 4.0 APG; 2.0 3PM; 43.9 FG%; 86.7 FT%; 1.3 SPG; 0.0 BPG: 1.3 TO

I’ve received some emails regarding Wilkins, and whether or not he’s worth the addition at the expense of other small forwards.  While I find it hard to believe that Wilkins will keep an 18 points per game pace, a quick look at the Supersonics as a whole, and it is entirely possible.  Wilkins is getting over 30 minutes per game and has put up a solid free throw shooting mark and has drained the occasional long ball.  It is no secret that the team is in the hands of Kevin Durant, but you could do a lot worse for a standard league bench spot.

Mickael Pietrus, SG/SF, Golden State Warriors
26 MPG; 11.7 PPG; 4.0 RPG; 0.3 APG; 2.7 3PM; 64.7 FG%; 62.5 FT%; 1.3 SPG; 1.0 BPG; 0.7 TO

I hesitate to mention Pietrus here as Don Nelson has a way with fantasy lineups.  One second, Al Harrington is the sixth man.  Next night out, he’s starting and draining Craig Hodges type shots.  Nonetheless, Pietrus is getting modest playing time and has contributed at least one three in each game thus far.  There’s no telling what will happen to his playing time once Stephen Jackson comes back, but if you need short term shooting, and can take the hit at the free throw line, feel free to nab Pietrus.

Last Week: Francisco Garcia, Theo Ratliff, Ronnie Brewer, Jason Williams

Deep Leagues (14+ teams)

Carlos Delfino, SG, Toronto Raptors
31 MPG; 7.7 PPG; 5.3 RPG; 2.7 APG; 1.7 3PM; 40.0 FG%; 100.0 FT%; 2.3 SPG; 0.0 BPG; 0.3 TO

Anthony Parker and Jason Kapono have been getting the starts, but Carlos Delfino has been recording some pretty consistent stats thus far.  Not many bench players get 31 minutes off of the bench, and even fewer have recorded two steals per contest.  Couple this with the potential that we all saw in Detroit, and he may earn even more minutes as the season progresses.  If either of the aforementioned starters were to experience a set back, Delfino would have to be owned in all standard formats.  For now, just stash him away or activate him in deep leagues.

Chuck Hayes, SF/PF, Houston Rockets
27 MPG; 3.3 PPG; 9.0 RPG; 1.0 APG; 0.0 3PM; 71.4 FG%; 0.0 FT%; 1.3 SPG; 0.3 BPG; 0.3 TO

A vote for Hayes is a vote for rebounds.  Rebounds and only rebounds.  Getting decent playing time in Houston this season, Hayes has put up solid rebounding numbers and may be seen as a poor-man’s Reggie Evans.  He may never see enough time to get a consistent double-digit board total, but if Luis Scola struggles or there is an injury down low, Hayes would be the man to scoop up the extra minutes as well as the extra boards. 

Keith Bogans, SG/SF, Orlando Magic
30 MPG; 9.3 PPG; 3.0 RPG; 1.3 APG; 2.7 3PM; 52.9 FG%; 100.0 FT%; 0.3 SPG; 0.0 BPG; 1.0 TO

While many had J.J. Redick pegged to be the starting shooting guard for the Magic this season, it was actually Bogans that has won the job.  And while he’s not the first scoring option by any means, the veteran guard has had some decent value from downtown, hitting nearly three treys per night in 30 minutes of play.  There’s no guarantee that Bogans holds the job all season long, but if you need the boost in three-point field goals for a week or two, Bogans and his upcoming four-game set could be just the answer for your problems.

Fabricio Oberto, C, San Antonio Spurs
20 MPG; 6.0 PPG; 5.7 RPG; 1.3 APG; 0.0 3PM; 57.1 FG%; 100.0 FT%; 0.3 SPG; 0.3 BPG; 0.7 TO

I felt obligated to throw a big man in here this week, and given the depth of some leagues, I think that Oberto has the best shot at consistent fantasy value this season.  Unfortunately, that level of consistency will have to be achieved through 20 minutes per game as that seems to be all he receives.  I had talked up Oberto’s game this summer and I feel that he could be a double-double each night out if given the chance.  If you need the help down low, you could do a lot worse and you never know when the big guy could go for 15 and 10. 

Last Week: Damien Wilkins, Rashad McCants, Martell Webster, Aaron Gray