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.

Another week in the books and another handful of injuries to report.  It was not a good week to be a swingman as several big names (and some not-so-big) have fallen to the injury bug, allowing for a few more minutes to go around.  If you’re an owner of Tracy McGrady, Manu Ginobili or Corey Maggette, you will definitely want to explore some short term options over the holiday week.

Shallow Leagues (Less than 12 Teams)

Nazr Mohammed, C, Charlotte Bobcats
While many pundits of the NBA chastised the Bobcats for taking on the contract of Mohammed a little over a week ago, fantasy owners should love this move as it offers up even more talent that can likely be plucked off of the waiver wire.  Nazi Mo has averaged 17 points, 11 rebounds and just over two blocks per game over the last three contests and has elevated himself into that “own in all formats” status.  We can all use a little help in our front court and Mohammed’s extended time in Charlotte has provided us with just that.  Run to your waiver wire and add him if he’s still available.

Al Thornton, SF/PF, Los Angeles Clippers
The kid who was considered to be one of the more NBA-ready draft selections this past year is finally getting his chance to shine.  With many of the Los Angeles Clippers succumbing to injuries in the recent days, Thornton started his first game since late November and finished with 25 points and six rebounds in nearly 43 minutes of play.  Corey Maggette and Tim Thomas both look like they could be missing some time in the formidable future, and this means good things for Thornton.  Pick him up if only until the aforementioned forwards return.

Ryan Gomes, SF/PF, Minnesota Timberwolves
It looks like the flu bug is hitting the Minnesota Timberwolves pretty hard, knocking Marko Jaric and Rashad McCants out of the lineup for a few games.  Ryan Gomes has ventured back into the starting lineup and has posted some very solid nights, averaging 14 points, five rebounds and a steal over the last five games.  There is no telling what the ‘Wolves will do with Gomes once everyone is healthy, but it looks like this former Celtic will at least enjoy the meantime.  Give him a shot with three games this week.

Erick Dampier, C, Dallas Mavericks
If you need scoring out of your centers, you may as well just move on to the next recommendation, but if boards and blocks are in demand, look no further.  The Mavericks have rolled off five straight wins and Erick Dampier has played a large roll in each of them.  Over the last three games, Dampier has only scored 19 total points, but he has also hauled in 27 rebounds and blocked a lofty nine shots.  I’ve personally added Dampier myself in a shallow league as he should be providing a solid cushion as a fourth center.  If you have the room, I suggest you do the same.

(Last Week: Juan Carlos Navarro, DeShawn Stevenson, Joel Przybilla, Cuttino Mobley)

Standard Leagues (12-14 Teams)

Yi Jianlian, SF/PF, Milwaukee Bucks
Bucks swingman Desmond Mason looks to miss the next eight weeks with a left thumb injury, and this will open up a lot of touches for some other members of the Bucks.  Rookie forward Yi Jianlian has registered over 40 minutes in the last two games, pulling down double-digit boards in each.  What’s even better is that the Chinese star poured in 29 points, three steals and a blocked shot in the most recent game against the Bobcats.  Yi is a big guy that hits over 80 percent of his free throws, nearly half of his field goals, and has a decent size advantage on most of his opponents.  You could do a lot worse for a back-up forward at this point in the season.

Dorrell Wright, SG/SF, Miami Heat
I have personally added Wright in more than one league this week as the Miami Heat play four games while other teams suit up only twice.  What makes things even better is the fact that Wright has taken a larger role in the Miami front court with the injury sustained to Alonzo Mourning’s knee.  While his scoring has been suspect over the month of December, Wright has recently rattled off back-to-back double digit nights, but has also blocked three shots in each of said games.  Wright looks firmly entrenched in his starting role at small forward, and is a great play this week and could be from this point forward. 

Bonzi Wells, SG, Houston Rockets
News out of Houston this weekend is that Tracy McGrady felt a sharp pain during a dunk attempt and will likely miss the next Rockets game while awaiting the results of an MRI.  With McGrady out, Bonzi Wells will likely move into the staring lineup – or at least see more time off of the bench.  The veteran shooting guard can be a solid source of points, rebounds and steals.  While Houston plays only twice this week, they will suit up four times in each of the following two sessions so Wells is definitely worth the add through the month of January.

Brent Barry, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs
While it doesn’t rain often in Texas, it looks like it’s starting to pour as Tracy McGrady will be joined by Manu Ginobili on the shelf, as the super sixth man has injured his finger and may be out for at least this week.  The absence of Ginobili should offer an increase in playing time for Brent Barry who can provide a decent scoring punch even in limited time.  Barry should provide a bevy of three pointers this week with the upside to put up about five rebounds and five assists per game.  In a week that seems to be inundated with shooting guard injuries, Barry can provide ample replacement.

(Last Week: Anthony Johnson, Josh Boone, Paul Millsap, Morris Peterson)

Deep Leagues (14+ Teams)

Ime Udoka, SF, San Antonio Spurs
Speaking of Ginobili, the man who appeared to have benefited the most from his most recent absence is the undrafted forward Ime Udoka who blew up for 17 points and eight rebounds in the recent win over the Clippers.  He has only scored in double figures one other time this season, so I am tempering my expectations a bit.  Udoka deserves monitoring at this stage as the Spurs have the ability to make stars out of any of their players at certain points during the season.  Watch how Greg Popovich rotates Udoka into the game this week and proceed from there. 

Luis Scola, SF/PF, Houston Rockets
Here we go again.  For two straight games, the Spanish import Scola (who ironically was a part of the now injury-ridden Spurs) has put up solid scoring and rebounding numbers.  The injury to McGrady may make things even better for Scola, but owners have to be tenuous at this point after the up and down season that they have seen thus far.  As I mentioned above, the Rockets only play in two games this week, so Scola’s short-term production may be a bit moot.  However, if you see consistency for a change, the eight games over the next two weeks may allow some great use out of the first year forward. 

Roger Mason, PG, Washington Wizards
Last week, I mentioned Nick Young in this space as he seemed like the man to add given his staring role.  It didn’t take long for Young to be removed and it is now the sharp-shooting Roger Mason Jr. that has taken over the starting point guard role – and he has done well in his limited time.  If you need a short-term boost in scoring and threes, Mason could be your man until Antonio Daniels returns. 

Charlie Bell, SG/SF, Milwaukee Bucks
The injury to Desmond Mason could provide the most time for a guy who looked like he wouldn’t even be in a Bucks jersey over the past summer.  Charlie Bell surprised many fantasy owners last season as he was given quite a chance to shine.  The return of Bobby Simmons and the signing of Mason hasn’t meant great things for Bell’s PT, but this is bound to change over the next two months.  The steals specialist will likely be added in many deep leagues over the next few weeks, so go see if there is room for him on your roster now.  You won’t regret it.

(Last Week: Sean Williams, Glen Davis, Anderson Varejao, Nick Young)