Each Week, Fantasy Basketball Writer Sergio Gonzalez gives Fantasy owners his top choices by position for players to pick up for the upcoming scoring period based upon matchups and other factors. He also gives Fantasy owners in deeper leagues his choices for top pick ups among players owned in under 30 percent of leagues as well as players to scoop up and stash away.
Top Guard Free Agent options for Week 6
1. Anthony Morrow, Warriors (IND, @DEN, HOU, ORL,): Morrow has shown in spurts that he can be a highly productive player, especially in the potent Warriors offense. The departure of Stephen Jackson and the injury to Kelenna Azubuike has greatly benefited him in terms of leading to more consistent production. He managed back-to-back 20-plus point games against Portland and Dallas, two tough defensive teams, and has gotten 10-plus shots in three of his last four games. Look to add him for what amounts to a very favorable four-game slate in Week 6. He will play against three teams that allow 100-plus points per game. (Availability: 32 percent)
2. Mario Chalmers, Heat (@POR, @DEN, @LAL, @SAC): The Heat's starting point guard is dealing with a minor shoulder issue, but it has not affected his recent play or his minutes in the least. He had 30 points against Toronto and 12 points with 9 assists against the Hornets in his last two games and is going to be in line for a solid week in cumulative formats with four games, including two against teams that allow 100-plus points per game. He offers good three-point shooting and steals as well. (Availability: 30 percent)
3. Nate Robinson, Knicks (PHO, @ORL, @ATL, NJ):The recent benching he had to endure after shooting at his own basket against the Nets last weekend appears to have done him some good. He scored 19 points against the Celtics and 15 against the Lakers in his next two games. Fantasy owners have been down on him this season for good reason. He is averaging under 10 points per game this season and has been basically un-startable. However, Fantasy owners are quick to forget his breakout season last year under D'Antoni, in which he averaged 17.2 points, 4.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. He even averaged a 24-5-5 for an entire month in February. When he gets hot, he can be a high-end Fantasy guard at a very cheap price. (Availability: 34 percent)
Also consider this week: Jarrett Jack, T.J. Ford, Nick Young
Avoid for this week: Kyle Lowry, Steve Blake, Rudy Fernandez
Top Forward Free Agent options for Week 6
1. Ersan Ilyasova (CHI, @WAS, @DET, CLE): The injury that will sideline Andrew Bogut for at least the next few weeks stands to make Ilyasova into a part-time Fantasy hero. He is averaging 15.8 points and 8.6 rebounds over his last five games and also offers good three-point shooting and some good steals numbers. He'll play four games in Week 6 and should be a worthy start in any format. (Availability: 36 percent)
2. Udonis Haslem (@POR, @DEN, @LAL, @SAC): The Heat have yet to start Haslem in a game this season, but he has still managed to average near a double-double (11.9 points, 9.4 rebounds). The Heat play four games, including favorable games at Denver and Sacramento and Haslem should accumulate very useful totals by the end of the week. He was cut in some leagues following a shoulder problem that kept him out for two games, but he is healthy now and ready to produce. (Availability: 34 percent)
3. Marvin Williams, Hawks (TOR, NY, @DAL ): Williams has all the upside in the world, but hasn't always had the role with which to produce the numbers he is capable of. The Hawks have been giving him more looks recently and it has led to solid numbers. He has taken 12 or more shots in each of his last three games and has averaged 20 points in those games, with good rebounding as well. The Hawks play two very favorable opponents in the Raptors and Knicks in Week 6, with both teams allowing at least 107 points per game and this could be a solid cumulative week despite playing only three games. (Availability: 40 percent)
Also consider: J.J. Hickson, Grant Hill, Hakim Warrick
Avoid: Martell Webster, Shane Battier, Ryan Anderson
Top Center Free Agent options for Week 6
1. Drew Gooden, Mavericks (PHI, @NJ, @MEM, ATL): Fantasy owners will have to pay close attention to their league's eligibility rules with Gooden, but in the leagues where he is eligible at center he is your best bet. Erick Dampier is out indefinitely with an illness, but even once he does return it is hard to see Gooden going back to under the 20 minutes per game he was getting before Dampier missed time. Gooden is averaging 14.6 points and 12.8 rebounds over his last five games. (Availability: 38 percent)
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2. Kendrick Perkins, Celtics (@CHA, @SA, @OKC): Perkins has to be one of the more underrated centers in Fantasy hoops. He is availabile in many leagues despite averaging over two blocks per game to go with double-digit scoring and seven boards. He doesn't take a ton of shots so his field-goal percentage is extremely high (59.2 percent) and really the only place he will hurt you is in free-throw shooting, but that is the case with most big men. He has been very steady with his production this season. (Availability: 41 percent)
3. Andray Blatche. Wizards (@TOR, MIL, TOR, @DET):Yes, Blatche lost most of his Fantasy value when Antawn Jamison returned from his shoulder injury. However, he did not lose all of it. In larger cumulative leagues where two centers are required, he can still rack up enough Fantasy points to get you by for a week when playing four games. He'll have very favorable matchups against a Toronto team that allows the second most points in the NBA. He's as good a stopgap as you'll find at the thin center position this week. (Ownership: 40 percent)
Also consider: Samuel Dalembert, Kurt Thomas, Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Avoid: Nenad Krstic, Joel Przybilla, Matt Bonner
Top scrapheap free agents for Week 6*
1. Jrue Holliday, 76ers (@DAL, @OKC, @CHA): The 76ers may have lost their starting point guard for an extended amount of time after it was learned that Lou Williams suffered a cracked bone in his jaw Tuesday. For however long he is out, Holliday will fill in as the starter. In just 10 minutes of action Wednesday, Holiday had 11 points and 6 rebounds with 2 steals, a block and an assist. His minutes will undoubtedly increase and he could be a real sleeper for cheap double-digit scoring and decent assists for at least a little while. (Availability: 96 percent)
2. Jarrett Jack, Raptors (WAS, @ATL, @WAS, @CHI): The Raptors have begun to give Jack more run, giving him 30 minutes in back-to-back games this week. He had 18 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds against the Pacers on Tuesday after managing 8 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds against Orlando on Sunday. He has been a well-rounded Fantasy option at times in the past and now seems like one of those times. (Availability: 70 percent)
3. Marco Belinelli, Raptors (WAS, @ATL, @WAS, @CHI): Much like Jack, Belinelli has been getting more and more playing time as it becomes clear that DeMar DeRozan has little to offer. He is a solid three-point shooter who can muster up some double-digit scoring performances and could be a decent play in deeper formats as a possible stopgap during his upcoming four-game week. (Availability: 91 percent)
4. Luke Ridnour, Bucks (CHI, @WAS, @DET, CLE): The Bucks have gotten a lot out of Ridnour the past couple of weeks while the team has been without Michael Redd. But with Redd back, his appeal took a big hit. Redd is taking a while to get back into game shape, however, and Ridnour could have just enough viability left for deeper leagues to help you out in a four-game week. He's a cheap source for assists. (Availability: 80 percent)
5. Kurt Thomas, Bucks (CHI, @WAS, @DET, CLE): The injury to Bogut has made Ilyasova into a part-time Fantasy stud. But it has also created more playing time for the veteran Thomas, whose center eligibility makes him appealing in deeper formats despite mediocre stats. Thomas had 10 rebounds with 8 points on Nov. 21 at Memphis in an example of what you could get out of him over the course of a four-game week. Don't expect big numbers consistently, but they are in there somewhere. (Availability: 93 percent)
*owned in less than 30 percent of leagues
Top long-term free agent pick ups
1. Carl Landry, Rockets : The Rockets forward continues to score around 20 points per game on most nights and Fantasy owners in many leagues continue to ignore him. He comes off the bench, but plays 25-30 minutes per night and is looked upon to be a scoring threat for the second unit. He gets to the line a ton and makes the most of his playing time as a focal point whenever he is on the court. (Availability: 36 percent)
2. Peja Stojakovic, Hornets : The injury to Chris Paul has had a surprising positive effect on Peja as he's been looked upon to be more of a scorer. He's hitting threes with great regularity, always a strongsuit for him. He's going to keep getting around 12-15 shots in the offense while CP3 is out and Fantasy owners should capitalize while they can. (Availability: 43 percent)
3. James Harden, Thunder : The rookie is getting more comfortable with each game and the team is getting comfortable enough with him that they are giving him double-digit shot attempts. He was a first-round draft pick that is seen as one of the building blocks of the future, but it looks like he's ready to produce in the present as back-to-back games with 24 and 25 points last week would suggest. He's a great three-point shooter and is putting together some well-rounded lines. (Availability: 49 percent)
4. Terrence Williams, Nets : The Nets have been very banged up in the early going this season and what those injuries have done is create a chance for Williams to contribute as a rookie. Even as the team gets healthier around him, we expect him to continue to see a good amount of minutes and shot attempts. He's a good three-point shooter as well and could become the team's outside presence. (Availability: 48 percent)
5. Ramon Sessions, Timberwolves : Many Fantasy owners have given up on Sessions due to his slow start this season. But what Fantasy owners have to realize is that it has more to do with the way he has been used than his ability. The ability that allowed him to average 14.0 points and 10.4 assists last season is still there. As the Timberwolves begin giving him a more active role in the offense, those numbers could come back at some point. (Availability: 44 percent)
Do you have a Fantasy hoops question for our staff? You can e-mail us at DMFantasyHoops@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Waiver Wire in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. You can also follow Sergio on Twitter (@CBSGonzalez).
