Waiver Wire: Walker fitting the bill
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.
Top Guard Free Agent options for Week 20
1. Bill Walker, Knicks (ATL, @SA, @MEM, @DAL): The Knicks have said they want to see what they have in some of their younger players down the stretch and that they will give several young players a chance to contribute. Right now, that player is Bill Walker. He got some nice run in back-to-back games against the Cavaliers and Pistons this week and has taken a starting job from Sergio Rodriguez. It looks like he'll be getting 35 minutes and around 13-15 shots per game for Mike D'Antoni, and that's always good news. He had 21 points and 22 points in his first two games in his new role. (Availability: 77 percent)
2. T.J. Ford, Pacers (PHI, @BOS, @MIL): Tossed aside after a very poor start to the season, Ford finds himself in a situation to contribute again. He is once again starting and is getting 30-plus minutes per game. His scoring has been a bit inconsistent, but that will come in time as long as he retains his current role. He has been good for about 5-7 assists per game since returning to the starting point guard role in Indiana. (Availability: 47 percent)
3. Beno Udrih, Kings (@POR, TOR, POR, MIN): We have been down this road before with Udrih. As long as he can get 30-plus minutes per game, he can offer Fantasy owners some useful numbers across the board. Well, he is getting around 35 minutes per game starting alongside Tyreke Evans and is averaging a very respectable 14-3-3-1-0 line over his last five games. (Availability: 52 percent)
Also consider: Jose Juan Barea, Roddy Beaubois, Jerryd Bayless
Avoid: Sergio Rodriguez, Luke Ridnour, Arron Afflalo
Top Forward Free Agent options for Week 20
1. Peja Stojakovic, Hornets (GS, @OKC, DEN, @PHO): Peja's matchups are very favorable in Week 20 as he will face three of the worst defensive teams in the league in the Warriors, Nuggets and Suns. His numbers have gotten a nice boost this season whenever Chris Paul has missed time and this may be the last week Fantasy owners get to take advantage of that boost with CP3's return possibly coming in Week 21. (Availability: 32 percent)
2. Rasual Butler, Clippers (@ORL, @MIA, @CHA, @SA): The matchups are not very favorable for Butler on paper, but lately it doesn't matter who he has been playing. He has been a steady producer, averaging a 14-4-1-0-1 stat line over his last five games, all while getting around 40 minutes per game. (Availability: 50 percent)
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| Latest Gonzalez chat transcript (4/6) |
3. Yi Jianlian, Nets (@MEM, @DAL, @OKC, @HOU):The enigmatic Nets forward is back on another hot streak, averaging nearly a double-double over his last five games (11.8 points, 9.0 rebounds) with over a steal per game. The Nets don't have many options to go to right now and Yi is getting 40-plus minutes per night. (Availability: 38 percent)
Also consider: Taj Gibson, Jonas Jerebko, Chris Andersen
Avoid: Shane Battier, Hakim Warrick, Jared Dudley
Top Center Free Agent options for Week 20
1. Brad Miller, Bulls (UTA, @ORL, @MIA): The Bulls are going to be without Joakim Noah for the next few weeks and Miller is a direct benificiary. He has been around 15 points and seven rebounds over the last couple of games and he has always been a good distributor for a big man. He can get you 3-4 assists per night. He is dealing with a minor knee issue, however, so monitor that over the weekend. (Availability: 58 percent)
2. Anthony Tolliver, Warriors (@NO, POR,TOR): Just like Miller, Tolliver will benefit from the absence of another center due to injury. Andris Biedrins is dealing with a groin injury that could keep him out for another week and Tolliver will benefit from the boost in minutes. He offers around 11 points and eight boards per game with around a block per contest. (Availability: 59 percent)
3. Nenad Krstic, Thunder (NO, NJ, UTA):Very quietly, Krstic has been putting together some useful stat lines for anybody looking for a fill-in No. 2 center. He is playing around 25 minutes per game and has scored in double figures in three of his last four games with around 5-7 rebounds in each game. (Availability: 77 percent)
Also consider: Udonis Haslem, Ronny Turiaf, Ryan Hollins
Avoid: Jared Jeffries, Nazr Mohammed, DeAndre Jordan
Top scrapheap free agents for Week 20*
1. Jonas Jerebko, Pistons: Jerebko has done well with extended playing time this season and he finds himself playing 30-35 minutes per game again as a starter. Poor play by Charlie Villanueva has allowed Jerebko to step up his play and he posted a couple of double-doubles this week against the Celtics and Knicks. (Availability: 75 percent)
2. Roddy Beaubois, Mavericks: The broken orbital bone that will sideline Jason Terry for likely at least a couple of weeks will allow Beaubois and Jose Juan Barea to see a boost in minutes and therefore their production. Beaubois looks to have a tad more offensive upside, as he demonstrated by scoring 17 points with four assists and two rebounds in 29 minutes against the Timberwolves. (Availability: 96 percent)
3. Ronny Turiaf, Warriors The injury to Biedrins has created more room for Turiaf to contribute and he's turned in a few suprisingly productive games on offense. Blocks and rebounds are usually his thing, but Turiaf has scored at least 11 points in four straight games. Oh, and the boards and blocks are there as well. (Availability: 84 percent)
*owned in less than 30 percent of leagues
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.
