Waiver Wire: Who will set the pace in Indiana?

Each Week, our Fantasy Basketball staff gives Fantasy owners our top choices by position for players to pick up for the upcoming scoring period based upon matchups and other factors. We also give Fantasy owners in deeper leagues our choices for top pickups among players owned in fewer than 30 percent of leagues as well as players to scoop up and stash away.

Top Guard Free Agent options for Week 9

1. Chris Duhon, Knicks (CHI, MIA, SA): Duhon is in the midst of a hot streak. He is averaging 15.6 points and 7.8 assists in his past five games after getting 18 points and six assists against Charlotte. The best thing about Duhon is he's averaging 38 minutes per game over that span, and the Knicks appear committed to him with Nate Robinson in the doghouse. With three games during this scoring period, Duhon could be a useful No. 3 Fantasy guard with the way he's playing. (Availability: 33 percent)

2. T.J. Ford, Pacers (MIL, @BOS, ATL, @MIA): Ford has struggled this season and is averaging just 9.8 points and 3.3 assists, which are his worst totals since his rookie year in 2003. But he scored in double figures in his past three games after getting 13 points, six rebounds and seven assists against Orlando and could start to turn things around with Danny Granger (foot) out. The Pacers have four games in Week 9, so if there's a time to trust Ford it could be this week. (Availability: 36 percent)

3. Beno Udrih, Kings (@CHI, CLE, LAL): Udrih continues to do a solid job helping the Kings deal with the loss of Kevin Martin. Udrih has scored in double figures in six consecutive games after getting 17 points and five assists against Portland. He's averaging 14.4 points and 5.0 assists in his past five games, and he is worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy guard during the upcoming scoring period with three games. When Martin returns, Udrih's Fantasy value will take a hit, but you can use him now while he's playing well. (Availability: 41 percent)

Also consider this week: Ronnie Brewer, Dahntay Jones, Jason Williams
Avoid this week: Mike Conley, Courtney Lee, Jarrett Jack

Top Forward Free Agent options for Week 9

1. Tyler Hansbrough, Pacers (MIL, @BOS, ATL, @MIA): Hansbrough has been a pleasant surprise, and he could see his value rise with Danny Granger (foot) out. He is averaging 13.0 points and 5.8 rebounds in his past five games with one double-double, and the Pacers are letting him play almost 25 minutes per game. Since Indiana has four games in this scoring period it could be time to rely on Hansbrough as a No. 3 or 4 Fantasy option depending on how deep your league is. (Availability: 51 percent)

2. Grant Hill, Suns (CLE, OKC, LAC, @GS): Hill might be my favorite waiver wire addition this week because he plays so well at home. The Suns have three games at home in Week 9, and their lone road game is at Golden State. In nine home games, Hill is averaging 14.2 points and 5.3 rebounds compared to 11.0 points and 6.5 rebounds on the road. He is averaging 12.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in his past five games, but don't be surprised if those stats rise based on this upcoming scoring period. (Availability: 32 percent)

3. Anderson Varejao, Cavaliers (@PHO, @SAC, @LAL, HOU): Varejao, who is eligible at forward and center in leagues where you get dual eligibility, is the No. 64 forward and No. 26 center in standard formats. He's played better than Paul Millsap, Udonis Haslem, Marvin Williams and Shaquille O'Neal, to name a few guys, and this week he has four games to rack up stats. In his past seven games, Varejao has one double-double and five games with either double figures in points or rebounds. For the season, he's averaging 7.7 points and 8.0 rebounds. (Availability: 51 percent)

Also consider this week: Corey Brewer, Udonis Haslem, Rasheed Wallace
Avoid this week: Boris Diaw, Tayshaun Prince, Peja Stojakovic

Top Center Free Agent options for Week 9

1. Erick Dampier, Mavericks (POR, MEM, @DEN): There's always the risk with Dampier that he gets in foul trouble or the Mavericks go in a different direction with their rotation, but he's producing since he returned from an eight-game absence with an illness. In his past seven games he has three double-doubles and four games with double figures in rebounds. He's also averaging 2.0 blocks and shooting 82 percent from the field in his past five games, and he should do well with three games in this scoring period. (Availability: 38 percent)

2. Roy Hibbert, Pacers (MIL, @BOS, ATL, @MIA): Hibbert has struggled after a hot start, but he does have the benefit of four games in this scoring period, which is why we like the Pacers in Week 9. He only has two games with double figures in points in his past seven outings, so be cautious if you plan to start him. But he can be used as a reserve center or an emergency replacement depending on injuries. And again, with Danny Granger (foot) out, the Pacers need help in scoring and rebounding. (Availability: 33 percent)

3. Brad Miller, Bulls (SAC, @ NY, NO): Miller's insertion into the starting lineup has improved his play and made him Fantasy relevant again. He's scored in double figures in three consecutive games after getting 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists against the Lakers, and he's averaging 12.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists over that span. The Bulls have a favorable schedule in Week 9, including a revenge game for Miller against the Kings, his former team. Miller will likely return to the bench once Tyrus Thomas (arm) comes back, but keep Miller active while he's playing like this. (Availability: 58 percent)

Also consider this week: Channing Frye, Joel Przybilla, Ben Wallace
Avoid this week: Andray Blatche, Tyson Chandler, Samuel Dalembert

Top scrapheap free agents for Week 9*

1. DeJuan Blair, Spurs (LAC, POR, @MIL, @NY): Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said he wants to limit Tim Duncan's minutes, which should allow Blair to get more playing time. He scored in double figures in back-to-back games against the Clippers and Suns with 26 points and 15 rebounds in those two outings. The Spurs play four games in Week 9, and Blair could be a useful option if Popovich continues to give him additional minutes. (Availability: 78 percent)

2. Chase Budinger, Rockets (LAC, @ORL, @NJ, @CLE): Budinger has started to play well recently. He has five games with double figures in points in his past seven games after getting 16 points, 12 rebounds and five assists against Detroit in place of the suspended Trevor Ariza. The Rockets have four games in Week 9, which gives Budinger increased value, but Ariza is back and so is Tracy McGrady, which will cut into Budinger's playing time. Still, in deeper formats, he could be worth the risk since McGrady won't be rushed into action. (Availability: 91 percent)

3. Jonas Jerebko, Pistons (@CHA, TOR, @TOR): Jerebko continues to play well in place of the injured Tayshaun Prince (back), who could return in Week 9 but likely won't make an immediate impact. Jerebko has scored in double figures in points in five of his past six games after getting 15 points, six rebounds and two assists against Houston, with two double-doubles over that span. He is worth owning in keeper leagues, and with three games this week he could be a useful option as long as Prince is limited or out. (Availability: 84 percent)

*owned in less than 30 percent of leagues

Top long-term free agent pick ups

1. Leandro Barbosa, Suns: Barbosa is expected to return from his left ankle sprain around Christmas, and he's a good reserve to stash on your bench. He can even start when he has favorable matchups. He was averaging 11.6 points and 2.0 assists before getting hurt in Week 5, but he's a proven scorer and has averaged more than 13 points in each of the past four seasons. (Availability: 61 percent)

2. Jrue Holiday, 76ers: Holiday started against Golden State on Monday, and he played well in the backcourt with Allen Iverson. Holiday had 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals against the Warriors, and coach Eddie Jordan might keep Holiday in the starting lineup. It could be a short-lived move with Lou Williams (jaw) hoping to return soon, but Holiday has upside as long as he's starting. (Availability: 84 percent)

3. Yi Jianlian, Nets: The Nets are hoping Yi can return Dec. 23 against Minnesota since he has been out since Week 2 with a knee injury followed by taking an elbow to the face, which required 50 stitches in his lip. Yi will get plenty of playing time for the rebuilding Nets, and he was averaging 9.8 points and 7.5 rebounds before getting hurt. He also had a solid preseason and could be worth a look as a reserve option. (Availability: 61 percent)

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