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.

After all of the ‘tweener types that we discussed last week, I did my best to incorporate some point men as well as a handful of big guys.  The rotational issue in Toronto is killing a lot of owners, but a certain undrafted rookie may be benefiting.  A career resurgence in Minnesota and an injury in New Jersey may be opening up that much more production for some that may have not received time otherwise.  All this and more in this week’s edition of Wire to Wire.

Shallow Leagues (less than 12 teams)

Theo Ratliff, PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves
30 MPG; 10.0 PPG; 5.5 RPG; 1.0 APG; 0.0 3PM; 46.7 FG%; 75.0 FT%; 0.5 SPG; 3.5 BPG; 1.5 TO

From a throw-in for Kevin Garnett to Partying like its 1999, Ratliff is experiencing one of his best seasons since he was in a Philadelphia 76ers jersey.  Ratliff hasn’t averaged double-digit points since the 2000 season and this year he’s getting six less minutes per game.  While the rebounds could inch up a bit, the 3.5 blocks per contest are looking mighty nice.  He’s just coming off of the flu, so if someone in your league was sleeping, snag him immediately and kiss you lack of blocks good bye.  We could be looking at the comeback player of the year if Theo can manage to stay healthy.

Yi Jianlian,  PF, Milwaukee Bucks
27 MPG; 11.8 PPG; 5.8 RPG; 0.7 APG; 0.3 3PM; 47.5 FG%; 68.8 FT%; 1.0 SPG; 2.0 BPG; 2.0 TO

OK, I’ll be the first to admit that I though Jianlian was going to be a bust this season.  After not trying out against actual humans in the summer, followed by us not really knowing how old he really is and not wanting to play in Milwaukee, the cards were already stacked against him.  Couple all of this with the rest of the forwards on the Bucks’ roster, and I thought it would be nearly impossible for him to flourish this season.  Thus far, I’m way off.  12 and 6 with two blocks a night deserves a spot in all league formats.  Just wait until he starts logging more than 30 minutes a night.

Antoine Wright, SG/SF, New Jersey Nets
28 MPG; 11.8 PPG; 3.2 RPG; 1.3 APG; 1.3 3PM; 50.9 FG%; 100.0 FT%; 1.0 SPG; 0.8 BPG; 0.5 TO

With Vince Carter likely missing some time with a slam dunk gone awry, Antoine Wright will see an increase in minutes – making him ownable in all formats.  Wright is averaging 12 points in less than 30 minutes of time, so given a full load, he’s capable of about 15, three and three with solid percentages.  The Nets may regret not signing Wright to a contract extension before this season as he’s obviously using that as ammunition for his play this year. 

Grant Hill, SG/SF, Phoenix Suns
34 MPG; 11.7 PPG; 5.6 RPG; 2.4 APG; 0.7 3PM; 36.4 FG%; 80.8 FT%; 1.1 SPG; 0.6 BPG; 1.3 TO

It’s very unlikely that Hill is available in any league out there, but I have seen him on a waiver wire as recently as this morning.  His field goal percentage is off from his career average, but Hill is attempting nearly four times the amount of three point field goals per game as he has in the past.  The wing is a crowded place in Phoenix, but that does not stop the Suns from giving the veteran nearly 35 minutes a night.  As long as he’s walking, he deserves a roster spot.

Last Week: Ronnie Brewer, Brendan Haywood, Tyrus Thomas, Josh Childress

Standard Leagues (12-14 teams)

Jarrett Jack, PG, Portland Trailblazers
25 MPG; 9.5 PPG; 3.7 RPG; 2.8 APG; 0.5 3PM; 43.2 FG%; 76.2 FT%; 0.7 SPG; 0.0 BPG; 2.7 TO

Jack was relegated to a bench role as the ‘Blazers have opted to start newly reacquired Steve Blake at the point.  The former Yellow Jacket responded to his demotion by putting up back-to-back nights of 20-point play.  While he’s likely to split minutes with Blake going forward, his play will mainly be against the opposing reserves, allowing him to excel.  There’s a good chance that he was dropped after his demotion, so go ahead and nab him up from the impatient owner. 

Acie Law IV, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks
21 MPG; 6.5 PPG; 1.3 RPG; 2.3 APG; 0.3 3PM; 48.4 FG%; 70.0 FT%; 0.8 SPG; 0.0 BPG; 2.2 TO

There’s no doubting that Law has struggled with his promotion to the starting point guard role.  However, he is just that: a starting point guard.  After being held scoreless in 15 minutes of play this weekend, Law has been dropped in several standard leagues around the fantasy world.  The Hawks’ brass has said that this move is permanent as they want the rookie to develop.  If that’s the case, Law is worth the addition if you need help at point guard.  If you’re still holding on to someone like Earl Watson, it may be worth the switch.

Kurt Thomas, PF/C, Seattle Supersonics
19 MPG; 10.0 PPG; 7.0 RPG; 2.0 APG; 0.0 3PM; 100.0 FG%; 100.0 FT%; 0.0 SPG; 0.0 BPG; 0.0 TO

The carousel that is the Seattle front court continues with Kurt Thomas playing his first game after suffering a hamstring injury.  While Nick Collison is still around, Robert Swift had to leave a recent game a bit early after experiencing some tendonitis in his surgically repaired knee.  While his long-term value may not be anything special, the center position is as scarce as ever this season so Thomas may be worth the short-term add with Swift likely missing more time.
Anthony Parker, SG/SF, Toronto Raptors
27 MPG; 9.9 PPG; 3.7 RPG; 1.1 APG; 1.6 3PM; 45.8 FG%; 57.1 FT%; 0.6 SPG; 0.0 BPG; 0.9 TO

While a time-share in Toronto isn’t benefiting anyone in particular, Anthony Parker was drafted with many expectations derived from last season’s breakout performance.  When he didn’t start off as hot, he was dropped in plenty of leagues for whoever was the hot hand at the time, whether it is Kelenna Azubuike or someone of the like.  While Azubuike has done well thus far, Parker’s numbers are bound to improve – especially is terrible free throw percentage thus far.  Parker’s worth stashing away for the time being, as things are bound to be ironed out in the T-Dot before it’s all said and done.

Last Week: Martell Webster, Damon Stoudamire, Damien Wilkins, Mickael Pietrus

Deeper Leagues (14+ teams)

Jamario Moon, SF, Toronto Raptors
19 MPG; 7.3 PPG; 6.0 RPG; 0.3 APG; 0.0 3PM; 47.6 FG%; 50.0 FT%; 1.7 SPG; 0.7 BPG; 1.0 TO

Who?  That’s right Jamario Moon.  The undrafted rookie in Toronto, who surprised many of fantasy fans by getting the start this weekend – over the mid-level exception earning Jason Kapono.  Moon responded well with 12 points, six boards, three steals and a block against the Bulls, likely earning another start.  Check the box scores early on Tuesday night to see if the rookie got another chance, if so, he is worth the add in deep formats.  Do not be surprised if he creeps up this list given more minutes.

Erick Dampier, C, Dallas Mavericks
N/A

The addition of Dampier at this point would be more of a flier than anything.  He’s due back next week (shoulder) and it looks like the Mavs could use his presence down low.  The only thing that may hold him back is the recent play of DeSegana Diop, who has lost weight and is looking very good in the time he has been given.  While we cannot expect the production that Dampier gave us before he signed the lucrative deal in Dallas, eight points, eight boards and a block per night is not to far-fetched, even with a time-share on the blocks.

Bobby Jackson, PG, New Orleans Hornets
20 MPG; 9.3 PPG; 3.3 RPG; 2.0 APG; 1.6 3PM; 42.1 FG%; 75.0 FT%; 0.9 SPG; 0.0 BPG; 0.7 TO

Chris Paul is having one of the best starts in the fantasy game today, but that doesn’t stop his back-up in Bobby Jackson from doing his thing in his limited time.  If you need a small boost in scoring and threes, Jackson is your man as he’s putting up nearly 10 points and two threes per game in limited minutes.  If something was to happen to Paul, Jackson’s production would skyrocket – making him a must-own for all Paul owners.  If your deep league team needs some love from downtown in the meantime, Jackson should be there for the having.
Eddie House, SG, Boston Celtics
23 MPG; 11.2 PPG; 3.6 RPG; 3.0 APG; 2.2 3PM; 50.0 FG%; 87.5 FT%; 0.6 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 0.8 TO

There may be a “Big Three” in Boston, but that leaves plenty of room for other guys to flourish within the other two slots.  In this case, Eddie House has been seeing some minutes at point guard for the Celtics, allowing Rajon Rondo to get some rest now and again.  He’s only shooting guard-eligible in most leagues, but this should change soon.  Coupling this with the facts that the Celtics play four games this week and House is nailing threes galore, I have added House in several deep leagues – and I’m recommending you do the same.

Last Week: Carlos Delfino, Chuck Hayes, Keith Bogans, Fabricio Oberto