Each week, we'll survey the Fantasy Basketball landscape and provide you with a list of players whose Fantasy value has increased or decreased over the course of the past week. The arrows indicate which way a player's stock is heading, but you'll have to read what we have to say to know whether you should hold on to a player, or make a move to trade him -- or trade for him.
Kevin Garnett, F, Boston This stock up applies to Paul Pierce and Ray Allen also since the Celtics recently said they don't plan to rest their players even though their playoff fate is likely already decided. Boston has no reason to play Garnett, Pierce and Allen with a firm lead on the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. But the Celtics still plan on giving their stars plenty of minutes, which is good news for Fantasy owners if it actually happens as the season comes to an end.
Emeka Okafor, C, Charlotte Okafor is killing Fantasy owners at playoff time. In his past four games, Okafor is averaging 5.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in 23.3 minutes per game, which is well below his season averages. Hopefully it's just a slump and he'll snap out of it. But Okafor's game has gone down since Gerald Wallace has returned from a concussion. Okafor needs more minutes and more offensive touches to be successful otherwise Fantasy owners might consider benching him.
David West, F, New Orleans West has come back strong from his ankle injury, so hopefully he will stay healthy the rest of the way. In his three games following a two-game absence, West has averaged 31.7 points and 10.3 rebounds. West has played well all season, but if he can continue at this clip, Fantasy owners in the playoffs will continue to reap the benefit. West has positioned himself to be a second-round Fantasy selection in 2008-09 with his play this year.
Ben Wallace, C, Cleveland Big Ben has been terrible since coming to the Cavs. In 14 games, Wallace is averaging 4.9 points and 8.1 rebounds. And now Wallace is dealing with a bad back that could keep him sidelined for the rest of the season. When healthy, Wallace remains a good source of rebounds, but right now he's not doing anything to help your Fantasy team. If you need the roster space, it might not be a bad idea to release him.
Luol Deng, F, Chicago Deng has recently started to look like the player most Fantasy owners expected when he was drafted in third round of most leagues this year. After a slow start and then a setback with an Achilles' tendon injury, Deng has gotten hot. In his past five games, he's averaging 19.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 52 percent from the field. He has improved his season average to 17.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists and is back to being a starting Fantasy option again.
Shawn Marion, F, Miami It appears Marion will soon join Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem and Alonzo Mourning on the Heat's permanent injured list. Marion is dealing with a back injury and will likely miss all four games on the current road trip. Marion missed four games in a row and six of eight prior to facing New York on Wednesday. Marion is a solid Fantasy option when healthy, but the Heat have no reason to play him with the season lost.
Josh Howard, F, Dallas In the Mavericks first game without Dirk Nowitzki (knee), Howard had 32 points and seven rebounds against the Clippers. Howard should benefit with Nowitzki out, and hopefully that type of production will continue. Howard has struggled recently since dealing with a back injury, but now the scoring load rests on his shoulders as he tries to lead Dallas into the NBA playoffs. If you're lucky, Howard might continue to play like this and help in the Fantasy playoffs as well.
Jason Kidd, G, Dallas Kidd has struggled since coming to Dallas. In 18 games, Kidd is averaging 8.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists. All those stats are down from what he averaged in New Jersey. Kidd has a chance now to improve his stock with Dirk Nowitzki (knee) out, but it's unlikely Kidd's scoring will increase. In his first game without Nowitzki against the Clippers, Kidd had only 10 points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field. In his past five games, Kidd is shooting 26 percent from the field.
Vince Carter, G, New Jersey Carter recently said he's healthy and is playing like a leader, two things not generally associated with his basketball skills. It's translating to the court, as Carter is averaging 28.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 49 percent in his past six games. Carter has stepped up his play since Jason Kidd was traded to Dallas. But the better news is Carter is feeling good, which doesn't happen often at this stage of the season.
Al Thornton, F, Clippers Thornton has played well enough this year to likely finish as the third best rookie behind Kevin Durant and Al Horford. But Thornton hit the rookie wall recently, and that's hurting Fantasy owners. In his last three games, Thornton has scored just 17 points and 11 rebounds, which is well below his season average. And things could get worse for Thornton if Elton Brand returns from his ruptured Achilles' tendon as expected.
Do you have a trade you'd like reviewed by our experts, or feel that we're missing someone from our Stockwatch? You can e-mail us at DMFantasyBasketball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Stockwatch in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware we do not guarantee personal responses to all questions.
