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 20 percent of leagues as well as players to scoop up and stash away.
Top Guard Free Agent options for Week 8
1. Dahntay Jones, Pacers (@ORL, CHA, @MEM, @SA): Just when Fantasy owners thought his run had come to an end, an injury to Danny Granger has revived his Fantasy viability. Eventually, Mike Dunleavy, Jr. will take on a bigger role, but he's still playing just around 20 minutes per game. Jones will get a chance to continue the production that made him a decent No. 3 guard option in standard leagues for the first month of the season. (Availability: 29 percent)
2. Jason Williams, Magic (IND, TOR, @MIA, POR): With Jameer Nelson sidelined for at least a few more weeks, Williams will continue to see around 30 minutes per game. He is averaging 10.6 points, 6.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds over his last five games and could put up numbers along those lines or higher when he faces favorable matchups against the Pacers and Raptors in a four-game Week 8. The Raptors give up 108.3 points per game, good (or bad) for second in the NBA. J-Will isn't an ideal start, but can certainly fill a gap this week. (Availability: 49 percent)
3. Mike Conley, Grizzlies (BOS, @ATL, IND, DEN): Many Fantasy owners have developed a sense of hopelessness when it comes to Conley, but it appears he's ready to be productive again. He is averaging 13.3 points, 3.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds over his last five contests with just under a steal per game and eight three pointers. Perhaps the addition of Jamaal Tinsley lit a fire under him. His matchups this week against Indiana and Denver are favorable and could lead to some inflated numbers. (Availability: 49 percent)
Also consider this week: Courtney Lee, Beno Udrih, C.J. Watson
Avoid for this week: Mario Chalmers, Luke Ridnour, Chris Duhon
Top Forward Free Agent options for Week 8
1. Ryan Gomes, Timberwolves (@UTA, LAC, SAC, @BOS): So much for Kevin Love taking away from the Fantasy appeal of Ryan Gomes. In the three games since K-Love has returned to the lineup, he has scored at least 15 points with good rebound numbers and over 30 minutes per game. Gomes can play the three or the four, so he allows the T'Wolves some flexibility and can play alongside Love. Consider the 20.2 points per game, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game he is averaging over his last five games good enough reason to add and start him this week. He's also providing good three-point shooting and steals production. (Availability: 42 percent)
2. Marvin Williams, Hawks (MEM, UTA, @CHI): Even with just three games, we recommend plugging Williams into your lineup in standard formats this week. He is averaging close to eight boards per game over his last five and is offering up good numbers in steals. He doesn't handle the ball enough to turn the ball over in a way that will hurt owners and while his offensive numbers have struggled as a result of that, he still has the ability to drop 15-20 points from time to time as he did this past week against the Raptors and Knicks. (Availability: 43 percent)
3. Peja Stojakovic, Hornets (@DAL, DET, DEN, @TOR): Peja's numbers dropped some once Chris Paul returned to the lineup for the Hornets, but he continues to see around 30 minutes per game and should get plenty of good looks this week against Denver and Toronto. Both teams allow 100 points per game. (Availability: 50 percent)
Also consider this week: Mickael Pietrus, Chris Andersen, Donte Greene
Avoid this week: Udonis Haslem, Anderson Varejao, Wesley Matthews
Top Center Free Agent options for Week 8
1. Ben Wallace, Pistons (@HOU, @NO, @OKC, LAL): Big Ben's stat lines may not always be pretty, but he can muster up enough production in peripheral categories to be useful in a pinch and, this week, he could be your best bet at center off the wire. He is averaging 11.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game over his last five games. What he won't give you in scoring, he can make up for in other areas like rebounds, blocks and steals. He will face two teams this week with weak front court presence in the Rockets and Thunder. (Availability: 46 percent)
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2. Joel Przybilla, Trail Blazers (SAC, PHO, @ORL, @MIA): The season-ending knee injury that will sideline Greg Oden for the rest of the season will open up more minutes and a starting job for Przybilla. In his first game back in the starting lineup, Przybilla put up 12 points and 8 rebounds. The scoring is not likely to be consistent, but the rebounding should be. He has two favorable matchups this week against the Kings and Suns. (Availability: 48 percent)
3. Rasheed Wallace, Celtics (@MEM, PHI, MIN):The Celtics will face three teams that give up 100-plus points per game. They could find themselves well in front in any of the games against weaker opponents and that could actually lead to more minutes in the latter stages of those games as the C's look to rest their regulars. Even if they don't, Wallace should see a good number of looks against teams that allow a lot of shot attempts. (Availability: 46 percent)
Also consider this week: Andray Blatche, Roy Hibbert, Tyson Chandler
Avoid this week: Erick Dampier, Drew Gooden, Samuel Dalembert
Top scrapheap free agents for Week 8*
1. Matt Bonner, Spurs (@PHO, @GS, IND): Bonner has been putting up decent numbers in limited playing time, but on Monday in Utah he showed what he can do when getting added playing time. He scored 28 points with 8 rebounds. A good three-point shooter, Bonner could see added playing time with Michael Finley sidelined. He has three excellent matchups in Week 8 against three teams that allow the opposition to score well over 100 points per game. (Availability: 85 percent)
2. C.J. Watson, Warriors (@PHI, SA, WAS): The Warriors have been giving Watson around 35 minutes per game. In his last five games, he has averaged 14.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists. As long as he continues to get this type of playing time in Golden State's potent offense, he could be a very cheap source for double digit scoring in the low-to-mid teens along with good numbers in steals and decent rebounding for a guard. (Availability: 83 percent)
3. DeMar DeRozan, Raptors (@MIA, @ORL, NJ, NO): We had high hopes for the rookie coming into the season, considering the fact that he locked up a starting shooting guard spot out of the preseason. He'd been disappointing until recently, but has averaged 14.2 points and 4.2 rebounds over his last five games. He is starting to attack the basket more and his aggressiveness is leading to increased scoring from the foul line. (Availability: 85 percent)
4. Chase Budinger, Rockets (DET, @DEN, @DAL, OKC): Another rookie, Budinger has quietly contributed decent totals over the past week. He scored 19 points with 5 rebounds on Dec. 2 at the L.A. Clippers and has been a steady presence off the bench for the Rockets. He is a presence beyond the arc and stretches opposing defenses. Consider him a sleeper with a four-game week that includes a favorable matchup against the Nuggets. (Availability: 92 percent)
5. Chris Andersen, Nuggets (OKC, HOU, @NO, @MEM): In category-based play, there is no doubt that Chris Andersen can help you close a gap in blocks in a hurry. He has averaged over two blocks per game over the last two weeks with around seven rebounds. He hasn't been much of a scorer, but he could see some inflated numbers in that area as well this week as the Nuggets face three teams that give up 100-plus points per game, possibly allowing him to get into double figures at least once or twice. (Availability: 73 percent)
*owned in less than 30 percent of leagues
Top long-term free agent pick ups
1. James Harden, Thunder : This rookie has earned himself more playing time as the season has gone on, getting himself into the 25-30 minute range. He's a good three-point shooter and can begin to play a significant scoring role off the bench. He has the ability to score, and now he may be getting the chance to do it regularly very soon. (Availability: 49 percent)
2. Roy Hibbert, Pacers : Many Fantasy owners have given up on Hibbert. Since Troy Murphy returned from his injury, Hibbert has seen his production take a nose dive. However, as the year progresses, we expect the Pacers to increase his role alongside Murphy, going away from veteran Jeff Foster, in an effort to build him up as their big man of the future. He's also just a Murphy injury away from returning to No. 1 center production, making him excellent insurance for Murphy owners. (Availability: 44 percent)
3. Tyrus Thomas, Bulls : Thomas is taking longer to recover than initially expected from an arm injury, but when he does return (possibly within the next two weeks) he is likely to be plugged right back into the starting lineup and will once again be a good source for steals, blocks and rebounds with a chance to improve upon his scoring. He can easily average around 12 points, 7 rebounds and 1.5 steals and blocks once he gets going again. He's worth a claim if he's been given up on in your league. (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).
