More players are emerging from the depths of free agent lists to post fantasy worthy numbers. This is the current group of players to pickup or start watching (in no particular order):
- Antoine Wright, Nets - When the Nets didn’t extend Wright’s contract it seemed to turn a light on in his game. That, or by year three he is finally catching up to the pro game. Whatever the reason he is averaging over 12 points and 3 boards and getting solid minutes in the Nets rotation. He can contribute threes and steals as well.
- John Salmons, Kings- Chances are Salmons is long gone from your waiver wire. If not grab him right away. In the depleted Kings lineup, Salmons is getting 35+ minutes a game and averaging 20+ points and has really heated up over the last three games. He has been a long time free agent journeyman, so there is a chance your league hasn’t caught on yet.
- Ronnie Brewer, Jazz - Brewer is the starting SG the Jazz have been searching for. He doesn’t need shots to be effective, and his biggest asset so far has been defense. He is racking up steals at a crazy pace, so far averaging more than 3 a game. Given he is getting 16 points to go with those steals he is a hot commodity right now.
- Francisco Garcia, Kings- Another Kings player benefiting from injuries to the regular starters. The Kings couldn’t seem to find a PG replacement for Bibby so they have turned to Garcia and he hasn’t been spectacular but steady running the offense. Since being inserted at PG he is averaging 35+ minutes, with 15+ points, and 2+ steals. His assists have been inconsistent but he should be good for 4 a game. A great pickup right now until Bibby returns.
- Tim Thomas, Clippers - When Brand went down to injury, everyone assumed the team would move forward with Maggette and rookie Thornton in the frontcourt. Instead Thomas has maintained his starter minutes with Thornton being the odd player out. He has played well as a starter averaging 15 points, 6 rebounds and is always a good source of threes. He is solid in the rotation right now averaging over 30 mins/ game.
- Ryan Gomes, Wolves- The youth movement in Minnesota is in full affect and Gomes is one of the players benefiting. Gomes is one of those do everything type players, where he could fill up a different stat category each night. The biggest surprise this season has been the number of three points shots he is putting up (he has shot 18 over the last 5 games, 7 in the last game) and making. 13 points, 5 rebounds and a couple threes a night is worth a look.
- Kyle Lowery, Grizzlies- Lowery is not a solid pickup yet, but he seems to be stealing the starting PG spot away from Damon Stoudamire. Right now both players have been splitting time which isn’t great for anyone, but in the last game Lowery played 30 minutes and was the much better player. He is was on the verge of starting last season when he got hurt (season ending), so he may be on that exact same path this season. As a starter, the PG for this team has lots of options, so if Kyle is consistently getting those 30 minutes he is a guard you should grab ASAP.
- Troy Murphy, Pacers- Murphy is back from injury and in the rotation in Indianapolis. He has been a disappointment the last couple seasons (based on his potential), but he is always a solid contributor of rebounds and threes when he gets minutes. He is worth picking up and evaluating how he fits into the Pacers plans before another team steals him and benefits when he is getting starter minutes in 2 to 3 weeks. If he his minutes consistently stay around 20-22, then he will not prove valuable enough to keep.
- Eddie House, Celtics- Who will be another scorer for the Celtics has been a big question since all the trades occurred this summer. Eddie House looks ready to step into that 6th man, microwave, point producer role. Always ready to shoot the ball, House hasn’t been shy playing with the big three. Similar to when he was in Phoenix, when teams double the star players he simply sits on the perimeter and shoots wide open shots. If you need threes he will get them in bunches, but while he plays the point he will also produce some assists and steals for your team.
- Robert Swift, Sonics- Swift isn’t worth a pickup right now, but he is finally back from knee tendinitis and in the starting lineup. He probably will only produce about 10 points a game at his best this season, but he could be an excellent source of rebounds and blocks if he can earn the minutes away from Nick Collison.