All I want for Christmas is my first round pick, Danny Granger, healthy and back in my lineup again. And maybe a new TV. Too much, Santa? Happy Holidays from everyone at RotoExperts and may the New Year bring good fantasy fortunes!

In the world of fantasy roundball, we're all looking for the next waiver wire stud, but who do you drop? Sometimes cutting your losses and picking up a waiver wire stud can dramatically improve your team. Other times, you pick up a flash in the pan and drop a disappointment that ends up statistically exploding - on someone else's roster. So, who should you drop and why? This week's NBA Roundtable discusses who the RotoExperts are currently considering dropping on their own teams.

Abe Chong

Spencer Hawes (PF/C, SAC), it's getting harder to hang onto you. I know that somewhere in that young, 7'2 frame a double-double threat who shoots threes AND blocks shots is lurking, but why can't you get more than 30 minutes on a Sacramento team that clearly needs size? Consider this: he's been removed from the starting lineup more than few times, and his minutes are dwindling into the 20s. Hawes' tendency to shy away from physical contact in the paint seems to be the main culprit, and his inability to string together a run of productive games is severely hurting his fantasy value. Recently, coach Westphal has started Jason Thompson at center for the Kings, which does not bode well for Hawes - should the move stick, you can bet his production to continue trending downward.

Tom Lorenzo

The one guy I keep going back and forth on is Anthony Randolph (PF, GSW). He came into this season with so much promise, and I was hoping that his ability to block shots and run the floor in the Golden State offense would turn him at least into a similar version to Tyrus Thomas -- who I can't seem to stay away from! The problem was most savvy owners also knew about Randolph, so you had to reach for him in the 7th or 8th round if you wanted a shot. That makes him a tough pill to swallow. It's one thing to drop one of your "top 10" players (meaning guys you took in the first 10 rounds) because he gets injured for 6-8 weeks, but it's another thing to admit that you made a mistake in drafting someone that early. I think it makes it much more difficult to pull the trigger.

Right now I'm hanging onto Randolph because he has shown some promise -- 13 points, six rebounds, and two blocks over his past three games. The Warriors are hurting up front with Andris Biedrins, Mikki Moore, and Rony Turiaf all out. Biedrins seems to be about 2-3 weeks away from returning. So, it's probably in my best interest to hold onto Randolph so at the very least he can raise his trade value and I can get something out of him. Why do I always have to own guys like Randolph and Thomas? It's my guilty pleasure, I suppose.

Eno Sarris

I can't believe I'm writing this, but Spencer Hawes (PF/C, SAC) is now approaching the last man stamding on about four or five of my fantasy teams. A testament to diversification if I ever saw one, owning his crappy season multiple times has me scrambling almost across the board. It's actually making me hawes-tile. It would be one thing if he was constantly in the hawes-pital, but he's playing. He's just playing very, very poorly. Per 48 minutes it doesn't look terrible (18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots) but because of his passive play, his numbers have actually dipped from 29 minutes a game last year to 27 this year. He ran off a string of 20/10 performances against good teams late last year, and I still have confidence that he can rediscover his skills. With a new system in place though, I'm just not sure if he'll get his mojo back in Sacramento. Maybe he'll leave town in one of the rumored deals that will bring a new big to the purple and black. If not, I guess I'll be less hawes-pitable to owning him.

Jeff Andriesse

I'm starting to lose patience with Mario Chalmers (PG, MIA). Now that he's coming off the bench behind Carlos Arroyo, I fear this could be a permanent demotion. In shallow leagues, it is time to really consider cutting bait. I own Chalmers in both a rotisserie and in a head-to-head format, and I can't keep running him out there for minimal stats and expect to win. Here's the kicker, however: I drafted Chalmers for a reason, and big scoring numbers wasn't one of them. When he's playing regular minutes, his steals and threes are valuable, so if I can afford to stash him, I will. But I say it is time to look for numbers elsewhere if you have to. Chalmers may indeed regain value later in the year, but right now he's killing fantasy teams.

Brad Rysz

The player I'm on the verge of dropping is Knickerbocker rookie Toney Douglas (G, NYK). The reason I'm still holding on is two-fold. First, I'm simply waiting for Chris Duhon to blow his chance as a starter. It almost happened once and Douglas flourished with the extended minutes. Unfortunately, veteran leadership is important and Duhon was quickly reinserted into the starting lineup. Second, Douglas has shown flashes of dominance. In a four-game stretch from Nov. 7-13, Douglas averaged 18.8 points and showed a great ability to score at a high level. Still, Douglas is a rookie and it's becoming quite obvious that coach Mike D'Antoni isn't going to give him consistent minutes. In fact, Douglas has only one double-digit scoring outing in December. Love the talent, but I think it's time to part ways with this former Seminole.

Tamer Chamma

Andre Miller (PG, POR).  He has been awful this year with his stats down in every single fantasy category except for turnovers.  I don't see his numbers getting any better since he is splitting time with Steve Blake.  On the flip side I am thinking of keeping him for three reasons: First, Rudy Fernandez will be out for at least a month and since Fernandez went down Miller's minutes and numbers are up.  They are not at the level they were last season with the Sixers but at least they are moving in the right direction. Secondly, I have not seen anything on the waiver wire that is better then Andre Miller at this point.  Point guard is a notoriously thin position and even though Miller's numbers are down they are still better then a lot of other available points.  Finally, I drafted him in the sixth round - and I felt good about it.  I may be using my heart over my head here but I have to give him so more time. Right?

Nearly 20 games into the season, we have a large enough sample size to gauge a player’s fantasy value this season. As always, some players will maintain their production, others will flame out. A panel of RotoExperts writers shares their thoughts on which early season breakouts will retain their value, and which ones you may want to think about trading. One thing that many RotoExperts seem to agree on: Marc Gasol is money this season.

Brad Rysz  

The early season surprise who will maintain his value is surely Marc “Don’t Call me Pau” Gasol.  The Grizzlies lack any legitimate options to take playing time away from Gasol, and the youngster simply refuses to stop improving. For a center, his 75.5 FT% is elite, as is his 63.3 FG%. He’s taken the next step in rebounding and is grabbing 10.8 per game this season. He also combines the ability to block a shot (1.6) and rip a steal (1.1). Besides low assist numbers, Gasol is about as all-around a contributor as you can get from the center position, and one that has a legitimate chance to wind up as a top 15 fantasy performer.

One disappointment who I don’t feel will rebound is Washington’s Caron Butler. With Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison demanding 15 shots a game, Butler has become little more than a role player. Arenas also takes away any assist opportunities for Butler. The past two seasons Butler averaged 4.9 and 4.3 assists, respectively, but now sits at 1.2 per contest. Butler just doesn’t have the same opportunities he had the past few seasons and is no longer a Top 20 player. In fact, he may not finish in the Top 50.

Tamer Chamma

I think Marc Gasol will maintain his production.  He has always been underrated because his older brother is better so I am not surprised he has made the jump he has statistically in his second year.  In addition, he currently has no one pushing him for minutes and I don't see Hasheem Thabeet posing a threat this season if ever.

 On the other hand, I don't think that Chris Kaman will continue his hot start.  He has never been able to put up this production over a full season and I think he will either miss significant time with an injury or see a drop in his numbers as the grind of playing 37 minutes a night starts to wear on him.  If he was a younger player I would have an easier time believing he is a 20-and-8 player but with six full seasons under his belt I think we know what Chris Kaman is at this point.

Tom Lorenzo

Throw it down, big fella! I've been a fan of Greg Oden since day one. And, of course, I've been burned by my adoration for the 7-footer since the day his name was called on draft night. This season, though, he's looking like a legit superstar fantasy big. Going into Monday he was leading the league in blocked shots, shooting over 60 percent from the floor, while averaging close to a double-double in points and rebounds. All of this while playing under 25 minutes per game. Imagine what he can do once he gets up to 30 minutes per? I think Oden is here to stay. Maybe not in the Top 10, but I would be surprised to see a healthy Oden fall out of the Top 30 by season's end.

Ed. Note: This was obviously written prior to Oden’s unfortunate injury — it remains here as both a tribute to the young center’s potential and as a precautionary reminder of the risks of drafting known injury risks.

I'm not sold on Channing Frye. Sure, he can hit the three-point shot and it helps that he's center-eligible. Robin Lopez just returned to action and I take it that he'll start eating into Frye's minutes little by little. Lopez is the better defender of the two, which is what the Suns could use more of in the paint. He's had a nice early run, but he'll fall outside of the Top 50 once all is said and done.

Eno Sarris

If I believe in any of the nice starts to the season, it's a trio of young big men. Al Horford isn't doing much more than he did before, he's just doing more of what he did before with more minutes and touches. It's nice to see players age organically. Joakim Noah is also putting up similar rate statistics, but making ample use of the nine minutes more a game he's getting right now. But really, it's Marc Gasol making the most of extra time and touches this year. With five minutes more a game, "the other" Gasol added 1.5 free throws (with good FT% for a big man), 3-plus points, 3.5 rebounds and half a blocked shot per game. That's better across the board, with some of the cheapest center numbers — and the cherries on top are the good percentages. Gasol makes ugly look good. (Also: Carmelo Anthony is also making good look better this year as the rare high-volume, high-percentage multi-category stud we thought he would be.)

Looking around at the hot starts, Larry Hughes keeps showing up. There's no way he can keep on getting 32 minutes per game game in a town that holds Nate Robinson, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Galinari, and even youngster Toney Douglas. I expect the minutes to drop soon. I think Chris Douglas-Roberts is a great story, and his slash-and-pop game seems like a bright spot on the winless Nyets, but there are too many clouds on the horizon. Devin Harris is playing already, Terrence Williams is playing well, and Courtney Lee will get time eventually. D-R fills up a jersey, but he takes too many shots from the worst spot on the floor: long two-pointers. Now is the time to trade him at top value.

Jeff Andriesse

There may not be a bigger surprise in the league than Marc Gasol. All the talk in the preseason was about the additions of Allen Iverson and Zach Randolph, and how they would affect mainstays O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay and Mike Conley. And with No. 2 pick Hasheem Thabeet in Memphis, folks were convinced Gasol would fade into the background. Not so, by a long shot. Thabeet is ineffective, Iverson is off in some sort of retirement/pouting session, and Randolph is more than happy to leave the dirty work - rebounding, playing defense - to Gasol, who has responded with 15.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.1 steals and a league-best 63.3 field goal percentage. With all those doubts erased, there's no reason to think Gasol won't continue his tear en route to the fantasy MVP based on draft position.

Rodney Stuckey is averaging a career-high 17.3 points and has taken the Pistons on his back recently, averaging 23 points per game in his last three through Sunday. Not too many players can give you around 20 points, five boards and four-plus assists each night, but Stuckey is one of them. He's even contributing 1.4 steals and having a better fantasy season than many imagined. Unfortunately, I don't see this lasting as much of his damage has come with Detroit stars Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince sidelined. The vets will return to the lineup and kindly let Stuckey know that they would like some of their shots back, and with Ben Gordon in the equation to get his, fantasy owners should sell high on Stuckey right now. 

Abe Chong

I really wish I picked up Carl Landry when I had the opportunity. Even as a bench player, the Houston Rockets are keenly aware of his talents and fully intend to capitalize on them. Sporting a robust season average of 16.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks while shooting a sparkling 56% from the field and 88% from the line, Landry has increased his points and boards to the 19-and-8 range over the last week. His promising young career his undoubtedly on an upswing right now and the starless Rockets rotation needs his scoring this year.

Sorry to all of you who own big Roy Hibbert, but it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to believe in the breakout season many are still hoping for. Since Troy Murphy’s return, Hibbert’s production has been trending steadily downward. While there is undeniable potential in his 7’2, 278lb frame, his lumbering style of play doesn’t seem to quite fit into a Pacers offense that is better suited for a faster tempo. After a hot start, Hibbert’s average minutes-per-game has dipped to just under 23 minutes. Jeff Foster’s return from injury also gives coach Jim O’Brien a veteran option at center that will surely continue to impact Hibbert’s playing time. Use him as throw-in fodder if he’s on your roster.

As of today, most NBA teams have about 20-22 games remaining on their schedules.  In roto leagues, it's time to cut bait on certain categories and make a push for the ones which are in striking distance.  In head-to-head leagues, it's time to start streaming players to make a final playoff push.  It's the most important time to pay close attention, particularly since both lottery and playoff-bound NBA teams are altering their lineups and rotations. 

As the end of the season draws near, keep checking back for more players that can be useful.  During the stretch run, streaming players will be crucial to success since every little stat helps.

If Larry Hughes (PG/SG/SF, NYK) is on waivers, stop reading this pick him up NOW.  In three games since quietly joining the starting lineup, he's averaged 36+ MPG, 3 3PT, 22 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, and 3 STL shooting 51 percent from the field.  He has all the right ingredients to become a fantasy monster:  He's got a chip on his shoulder because he was benched in Chicago (and wasn't at all quiet about it), and he's playing for Mike D'Antoni.  I wouldn't be too worried when Nate Robinson (PG/SG, NYK) returns from an ankle injury since Hughes is quickly carving out a role on the Knicks.

With Kevin Durant (SG/SF, OKC) and Jeff Green (SF/PF, OKC) both sidelined, jump on the Thabo Sefolosha (SG/SF, OKC) bandwagon and enjoy the ride.  Even when both return, T-bo's tenacious defense should keep him in the starting lineup and rookie Kyle Weaver (SG/SF, OKC) will once again assume a bench role.  I've been pimping him since his trade to Oklahoma, and he's starting to show why.  In his last three games, Sefolosha is averaging 15 PTS, 8 REB, and 2 STL while playing heavy minutes.  The lanky Swede has the tools to be an elite steals specialist who can hit threes and rebound.

It took longer than expected but, Nenad Krstic (PF/C, OKC) is finally making an impact.  He's been in the starting lineup for about a week and is consistently scoring in double digits while playing more minutes than Nick Collison (PF/C, OKC).  As a bonus, Krstic is averaging a block a game.

Andray Blatche (PF/C, WAS) was back in the starting lineup Wednesday night against the Thunder and he responded with 14 PTS and 5 REB in 35 minutes. Blatche isn't a dominant rebounder, but he can score points and block shots.

As reported earlier a day earlier in the Arizona Republic, Matt Barnes (SG/SF, PHX) was in the starting lineup against the Heat and played 39 minutes.  If the move sticks, he should be picked up in all standard leagues.  With starter's minutes, expect 2 3PT, 15-17 PTS, 7 REB, and 1 STL a game.  His success might come at the expense of Leandro Barbosa (PG/SG, PHX), who came off the bench and played 30 forgettable minutes.

Anybody looking for 10 rebounds and 2 blocks a game?  Look no further than Joel Przybilla (C, POR).  Greg Oden (C, POR) is now scheduled to miss up to 10 days with bone chips in his knee, but Portland has always exercised extreme caution when it comes to their prized center.  This late in the season, Przybilla could easily net an owner a quick 50 rebounds and 10 blocks before Oden returns.  Plus, when you own him, you get to use nicknames like the Vanilla Gorilla, White Kong, and Ghostface Przybilla as much as you want.  My nickname contribution is Przybilla the Fantasy Thrilla.  

After a frenzied deadline day, my head was left swirling trying to analyze the implications of every trade and how it affects the lineups.  Although fantasy analyses are pure speculation until the minutes and rotations of the traded players become clear, there are moves that you can make now based on educated speculation that could have big payouts.  Listed below are all the teams that were involved in deadline trades and the fantasy effects for the players involved: 

Chicago Bulls (Note:  The Kings-Bulls trade was analyzed in Wednesday's blog)

Players added: Tim Thomas (SF/PF, CHI), Jerome James (C, CHI), Anthony Roberson (PG/SG, CHI) 

Players subtracted: Larry Hughes (PG/SG/SF, NYK), Thabo Sefolosha (SG/SF, OKC)

Fantasy analysis - None of the players acquired by the Bulls figures to make much fantasy impact.  Thomas and Roberson are buried on the depth chart beneath younger, more talented players.  As for Jerome James, since my editor just sent all the writers an e-mail last week regarding the inappropriate use of fat jokes, I'll just say there's a hefty chance he won't see any playing time.

Houston Rockets

Players added:  Kyle Lowry (PG/SG, HOU)

Players subtracted:  Rafer Alston (PG, ORL)

Fantasy analysis - Most owners are well-aware of Lowry's potential, and he's never really had the opportunity to be the No. 1 point guard.  If Rockets head coach Rick Adelman decides to start him and hands him 30+ minutes-per-game, I think he could be a solid contributor in points, rebounds, and assists.  Right now, Aaron Brooks (PG/SG, HOU) is Lowry's main competition for the starting point guard spot.  Given the fact that Brooks is clearly more of a scoring point guard, Adelman might be forced to lean heavily on Lowry's passing skills.

Minnesota Timberwolves:

Players added:  Shelden Williams (SF/PF, MIN), Bobby Brown (PG/SG, MIN)

Players subtracted:  Rashad McCants (SG/SF, SAC), Calvin Booth (C, SAC)

Fantasy Analysis - Once a promising player, Shelden Williams showed up to preseason training in Sacramento overweight, out-of-shape, and stayed that way through the season.  Even if he can play his way into shape and into the rotation, it'll likely be a month before he can even start to be productive off the bench.  As for Bobby Brown, he'll do most of his humpin' around in very limited minutes off the bench behind Sebastian Telfair (PG, MIN) and Randy Foye (PG/SG, MIN).

New York Knicks

Players added:  Larry Hughes (PG/SG/SF, NYK), Chris Wilcox (PF/C, NYK)

Players subtracted:  Jerome James (C, CHI), Anthony Roberson (PG/SG, CHI), Tim Thomas (SF/PF, CHI), Malik Rose (SF/PF, OKC)

Fantasy analysis:  Hughes is the guy to keep an eye on since the Knicks are in need of a solid shooting guard. While he can be productive with starter's minutes, it's highly doubtful that D'Antoni will play Hughes 33+ minutes per game with Nate Robinson (PG/SG, NYK), Wilson Chandler (SG/SF/PF, NYK), and Quentin Richardson (SG/SF, NYK) all vying for playing time.  As a David Lee (SF/PF/C, NYK) and Al Harrington (PF/C, NYK) owner, I'm slightly worried about the addition of Wilcox in the frontcourt.  While he has no jump shot, his size and athleticism projects to be a good fit in the D'Antoni offense and he could steal some minutes from either big man.  Hopefully, Wilcox will play no more than the 21 minutes-per-game that Tim Thomas was averaging this season.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Players added:  Thabo Sefolosha (SG/SF, OKC), Malik Rose (SF/PF, OKC)

Players subtracted:  Chris Wilcox (PF/C, NYK)

Fantasy analysis - I like Sefolosha as a deep league pickup because he's young, promising, and finally has an opportunity to assert himself on a rebuilding team.  The Thunder need help at shooting guard, and I'm betting that they'll give T-bo a long look.  Based on what we've seen in limited minutes, he can be especially useful as a three-point and steals specialist.  Rose's acquisition was purely a cost-cutting move, and he poses no threat to Nick Collison (PF/C, OKC) and Nenad Krstic (PF/C, OKC), who are locked in a timeshare and canceling out each other's usefulness.

Orlando Magic

Players added: Rafer Alston (PG, ORL)

Players subtracted: Brian Cook (PF, HOU), Adonal Foyle (C, MEM), Mike Wilks (PG, MEM)

Fantasy analysis - Alston deserves to be picked up in all standard leagues.  The Magic are desperate for a true ballhandler, so Skip to My Lou will have a long leash and ample playing time - exactly what he needs to be effective.  I wouldn't be surprised to see him average 16 points, 2 threes, 6 assists, and 1.5 steals for the rest of the season.  If you're lucky enough to get him, be prepared to take a slight hit in field goal percentage and turnovers.

 Sacramento Kings

Players added: Rashad McCants (SG/SF, SAC), Will Solomon (PG, SAC), Calvin Booth (C, SAC)

Players subtracted:  Bobby Brown (PG, MIN), Shelden Williams (SF/PF, MIN)

Fantasy analysis - Only McCants will see any playing time, and that'll be behind Kevin Martin (SG, SAC), Francisco Garcia (SG/SF, SAC), and Andres Nocioni (SF/PF, SAC).  If any of those three gets injured, McCants could be productive in a sixth man role off the bench.  Solomon and Booth will be tenth and eleventh men on a Sacremento team that will focus on evaluating the young talent on the team.

The Toronto Raptors received Patrick O'Bryant (C, TOR) from Boston, but I thought I'd spare you some time and tell you that he really won't have any worth.  He could make some noise, but that would only come if the Raptors frontcourt was decimated by injuries. 

Updated:  ESPN.com is reporting that the Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, and Portland Trailblazers have agreed to a trade that would send Brad Miller (C, SAC) and John Salmons (SG/SF, CHI) to the Bulls.  The Kings would receive Andres Nocioni (SF/PF, CHI), Drew Gooden (PF/C, CHI), Michael Ruffin (PF, CHI) and Cedric Simmons (PF/C, CHI) in the exchange.  Ruffin will be immediately sent to the Blazers for Ike Diogu (PF/C, POR) and cash considerations. 

From a fantasy perspective, the addition of Miller to the Bulls' lineup does not bode well for Joakim Noah (PF/C, CHI) and Tyrus Thomas (SF/PF, CHI).  While both have been playing great lately, Miller will likely eat into their minutes and curb some of their productivity.  Miller will probably start at center and assume most of the minutes, leaving Thomas and Noah to fight for minutes at power forward.  As for Salmons, it's not looking pretty  -  he will probably not play heavy minutes and take nearly as many shots playing the same positions as Ben Gordon (SG, CHI), Kirk Hinrich (PG/SG, CHI), and Luol Deng (SG/SF, CHI).  I expect Salmons to either start in a timeshare or play a role off the bench.  Either way, his value is pretty much shot for the season.

On the Kings' end, Spencer Hawes (C, SAC) seems to be the primary beneficiary of the trade, but Gooden has a sneaky habit of playing effectively and edging out younger big men for more playing time.  Jason Thompson (SF/PF/C, SAC) might also see reduced minutes when Gooden comes back from injury as well.  Ike Diogu, who was compared to Elton Brand when he was drafted in 2003, could further clog up the frontcourt if the Kings plan on giving him a look.  The big winner in Sacramento might be Francisco Garcia (SG/SF, SAC), whom the Kings are high on and will probably start in Salmons' vacant small forward spot.  I'd keep an eye on Nocioni too, who is still young, talented, and certainly capable of making an impact if he finds a way to get 30+ minutes a night.  Unfortunately, Nocioni and Garcia's games are very similar and they could find themselves splitting minutes at the wings.  

Now that the All-Star Break has passed, it's time to get down to business.  If you had any sort of plans to bolster your roster or make up ground in a category, now is the time to be aggressive.  If you shuffle your feet a few more weeks, almost any player you trade for won't have enough time to make an impact.  Listed below are guys who are poised to have a big impact in the second half. 

Second-half studs:

Mike Miller (SG/SF, MIN):  I cannot pimp this guy enough.  He's the No. 1 option on a bad team - in fantasy world that equals stud.  Miller takes care of the ball, shoots at a high percentage from the field and free-throw line, and delivers hearty doses of three-pointers, rebounds, and assists.  He doesn't hurt you in any category, which makes him a valuable fantasy player.

Andrea Bargnani (SF/PF/C, TOR):  My mancrush on Bargnani might be borderline unhealthy, but I always feel that way about centers who can get 2 three-pointers and 2 blocks per game.  With Jermaine O'Neal (PF/C, MIA) in South Beach, the talented Italian will come up big in the second half.  I even touted Bargnani as one of my "young players I would target for keeper leagues" in this week's Roundtable.

Shawn Marion (SF/PF, TOR):  The Matrix is back...on an up-tempo team!  Chris Bosh (PF/C, TOR) and Andrea Bargnani are decent rebounders, but neither can inhale rebounds like Marion.  In a fastbreak offense, there are more rebounds to go around, shots to block, and pockets to pick.  The points and three-pointers will be erratic, but the hustle stats will remind you of Marion's glory days.

Lamar Odom (SF/PF, LAL):  Odom is playing heavy minutes and a vital role in the Laker's offense now that Andrew Bynum (C, LAL) is out for the season.  Expect the exceptional production to continue through the second half of the season.  The multifaceted Odom should end up at least a top-40 player on the season, which is impressive considering he did squat for most of the first half.

Antonio McDyess (PF/C, DET):  With Jason Maxiell (PF/C, DET) and Amir Johnson (SF/PF, DET) as his main competition for playing time, McDyess' veteran savvy should earn him abundant minutes.  If he plays 30+ minutes a game, expect double-doubles galore with some blocks.  Sneak this potential waiver gem onto your roster and enjoy what should be a fine second half from Dice.

The Los Angeles Clippers:  Specifically, Eric Gordon (SG, LAC), Zach Randolph (PF/C, LAC), Marcus Camby (C, LAC), and even Chris Kaman (C, LAC) if he can come back healthy.  I'm leaving Baron Davis (PG, LAC) and Al Thornton (SF/PF) off this list because of their glaring negative contributions in certain categories.  Randolph is 20-10 waiting to happen, Gordon is probably the most underrated rookie this season, and Camby is a top-15 player when healthy.  The Clippers aren't as bad as most people think, and they'll have plenty of competitive games now that they're mostly healthy to pile up stats.  

The Phoenix Suns:  Interim coach Alvin Gentry is the lone holdover from Mike D'Antoni's old coaching staff, which probably means the Suns will start runnin' n' gunnin' again.  Amidst all the chaos in Phoenix, one thing was clear: Terry Porter was not getting through to this team.  Now that Porter's been ported out, I fully expect a mini-rejuvenation in the desert.  Aside from Shaquille O'Neal (C, PHX), trading for any of Phoenix's disappointing players this season is a good investment.

The key to winning your league is being the first to know and the first to react.  The Fantasy Minutiae is here to provide you with up-to-the-minute fantasy analysis down to every last detail. 

  Al Jefferson (PF/C, MIN) out for the season

The Timberwolves' worst fears were confirmed Monday when Jefferson was diagnosed with a torn ACL that will sideline him for the rest of the season.  Owners in keeper leagues should take note that full recovery from a torn ACL injury usually takes a year, making Al-Jeff's status for the early part of next season doubtful as well.  In the Wolves' first game without Jefferson on Tuesday night, Mike Miller (SG/SF, MIN) joined the starting lineup as I predicted and produced an adequate 12 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 three-pointers in a game-high 43 minutes.  It's probably already too late to buy low on Miller, who should rebound nicely from a dismal first half as one of the Wolves' primary scoring options.  Also as predicted, Kevin Love (PF/C, MIN) started at center and posted a solid 15 PTS and 11 REB in 34 minutes.  While Love is a nightly double-double threat, he provides little help beyond PTS and REB.  Nevertheless, K-Love will continue to log heavy minutes and produce solid numbers for a waiver wire pickup.  Keep a close eye on Love's minutes when Craig Smith (PF/C, MIN) returns from injury after the All-Star break - Smith had been starting alongside Jefferson and Ryan Gomes (SF/PF, MIN) and could steal Love's minutes upon his return.   Speaking of Gomes, pick him up if he's available since his scoring will most likely increase during Jefferson's absence.  Gomes has the ability to nail two threes a game and score 15-17 points with assured starter's minutes.

Jason Terry (PG/SG, DAL) succumbs to injury bug

Terry is the latest casualty of the injury epidemic currently sweeping through the NBA.  While the Jet gave an optimistic three-week timetable for his return from a fractured right hand, the official timetable is set to "indefinitely".  Ouch.  Before the injury, Terry had been performing like a fantasy stud, averaging a career-high 19.9 PTS and 2.1 3PT per game.  The Mavericks will most likely look to Jose Juan Barea (PG/SG, DAL) to assume the energizer-off-the-bench role while Terry recovers.  On Tuesday night against the Kings, Barea came off the bench and scored 10 PTS in 24 minutes.  It's doubtful that the Mavericks will give Barea 30 minutes-per-game even with Terry sidelined, so hold off on picking up Barea for now.  Instead, look for the Mavericks' starters to step it up and boost their scoring.  Antoine Wright (SG/SF, DAL), who currently starts at shooting guard, scored 23 PTS against the Kings in 24 minutes.  Given Wright's unusable season averages, he's probably not worth picking up unless he plays more than 34+ minutes-per-game.

Sasha Pavlovic (SG/SF, CLE) out four to six weeks

The Cavaliers bad luck at the shooting guard spot this season continued on Tuesday with reports that Pavlovic would miss four to six weeks after spraining his right ankle against the Lakers on Sunday night.  With original starter Delonte West (PG/SG, CLE) already nursing a four-to-six week injury of his own, the Cavaliers were forced to start Wally Szczerbiak (SG/SF, CLE) at shooting guard on Tuesday night.  Besides having a last name that gives writers hell, Szczerbiak does little else except shoot three-pointers and play matador defense that prematurely ages head coaches.  If you're desperate for threes, Szczerbs is a decent short-term option until West returns from a fractured right wrist.  West recently had his cast removed and is scheduled to resume practicing right after the All-Star break.  Now would be a good time to pick up West, his roto-friendly game is always far too undervalued.  

Vladimir Radmanovic (SF/PF, CHA) finds his groove

Radmanovic came off the bench in his first game as a Bobcat and posted 13 PTS, 4 REB, and 3 3PT in nearly 30 minutes of action.  With Gerald Wallace (SF/PF, CHA) out indefinitely, Radmanovic should find himself starting and playing heavy minutes very soon.  Radmanovic will provide help in PTS, REB, and STL, but his true value lies in his ability to sink the three-point shot.  A volume three-point shooter like Radmanovic could very well tip the scales in your favor when it comes to the 3PT category.  Pay close attention to Rad-man's minutes when Raja Bell (SG, CHA) returns, since the Bobcats have been starting both D.J. Augustin (PG, CHA) and Raymond Felton (PG/SG, CHA) in the backcourt and one of these players is bound to lose minutes with a healthy Bell in the lineup.  My gut feeling is that Bell will start in place of Augustin, with Radmanovic at small forward and Augustin backing up both guard spots.  Hold onto Augustin because the Bobcats are actively looking to trade Felton to open up more playing time for the talented rookie.

The key to winning your league is being the first to know and the first to react.  The Fantasy Minutiae is here to provide you with up-to-the-minute fantasy analysis down to every last detail. 

  Al Jefferson (PF/C, MIN) suffers right knee injury

In Sunday's most significant fantasy event, Al Jefferson had to be helped off the court by teammates after landing awkwardly on his right knee on a shot-block attempt.  The injury occurred with less than 30 seconds to play, and Jefferson said afterward "I just came down wrong on it. I felt it pop."  Jefferson is scheduled to get an MRI today, but it looks fairly certain that Jefferson will be out a few weeks considering he felt a dreaded "pop."  Kevin Love (PF/C, MIN) is the best healthy big man on the Wolves roster, and the rookie is in line to play significant minutes in Jefferson's absence.  Pick up K-Love for immediate help in rebounds.  Mike Miller (SG/SF, MIN) could also rejoin the starting lineup and shoulder the offensive load with Craig Smith (PF/C, MIN) is also out nursing an injury.  If Miller can produce anything close to the solid averages he posted the two previous seasons, he should stick in the starting lineup and could have a nice second half.  Sebastian Telfair (PG, MIN) will get his usual 10 points and 6 assists, but I fear for Randy Foye (PG/SG, MIN), who will struggle as the focal point of the offense.

Mike Dunleavy (SG/SF, IND) leaves game with knee soreness

Dunleavy left Sunday's game against the Wizards after playing just three minutes with soreness in his right knee - the same knee that sidelined Dunleavy for the Pacers' first 34 games.  While it currently seems to be a day-to-day setback, Dunleavy owners are understandably nervous.  The Pacers have recently been starting games with an ultra-small, run'n'gun lineup that features T.J. Ford (PG, IND) and Jarrett Jack (PG/SG, IND) starting in the backcourt, and Dunleavy starting at forward next to Danny Granger (SG/SF, IND) and center Troy Murphy (PF/C, IND).  Keep your eye on this team, because Indy's fastbreak offense produces sexy stat lines.  If Dunleavy misses extended time, brush the dust off Marquis Daniels (SG/SF, IND) and plug him into your lineup for a boost in points and rebounds. 

Quick hits

With Andris Biedrins (C, GSW) sidelined until at least the All-Star Break, Rony Turiaf (PF/C, GSW) is worth adding - Turiaf is averaging 3 blocks-per-game over his last 6 games...because I've mentioned the Knicks in every piece so far I might as well mention that Wilson Chandler (SG/SF/PF, NYK) and rookie Danilo Gallinari (SF, NYK) were in the starting lineup on Sunday night but both played less than 20 minutes...I definitely think Nets' rookie Ryan Anderson (PF/C, NJ) can be useful until Yi Jianlian (PF, NJ) returns in three weeks...D.J. Augustin (PG, CHA) exploded for 27 PTS and 6(!) 3PT on Sunday against the Heat, pick him up because he's got talent and opportunity right now.

The key to winning your league is being the first to know and the first to react.  The Fantasy Minutiae is here to provide you with up-to-the-minute fantasy analysis down to every last detail. 

The key to winning your league is being the first to know and the first to react.  The Fantasy Minutiae is here to provide you with up-to-the-minute fantasy analysis down to every last detail. 

You have to love State Farms' new Lebron James (SF, CLE) commercial where he gets drafted by the Cleveland Browns.  Just look at James' powerful frame and amazing athleticism and it's clear that LBJ easily could've been the greatest wide receiver or tight end ever to play in the NFL.  I always love it when a good sports commercial takes us to another realm, and this was right up there with Nike's Michael Vick Experience and Jordan's Let Your Game Speak. 

And from one fantasy land to another:

Chris Paul (PG, NO) expected to miss several games

Paul owners are breathing a huge sigh of relief after it was reported that CP3 was only day-to-day with a strained groin that forced him to leave Monday's game against Portland.  Antonio Daniels (PG, NO), who was traded for earlier this season to provide veteran point guard play, will man the point in Paul's absence.  With Paul only expected to miss up to four games, Daniels is not worth an add.  If Paul's strain lingers as groin strains sometimes do, then every player on the Hornets loses value since CP3 is the cog that makes the Hornets' offense run.  Cross your fingers and hope that fantasy's best point guard comes back without a hitch.

Jameer Nelson (PG, ORL) out indefinitely with torn right labrum

Latest reports are saying that the Magic will decide over the week whether Nelson will have season-ending surgery on his shoulder.  Nelson's torn labrum is the exact same injury that Elton Brand (PF/C, PHI) suffered earlier this year and like Brand, Nelson will have to decide if he wants to try rehab and attempt to play again this season.  Either way, Anthony Johnson (PG, ORL) will be manning the point in the foreseeable future.  Like the aforementioned Antionio Daniels, Johnson role is to provide veteran point guard play in Nelson's absence.  He's worth keeping an eye on given the extended length of time Nelson will miss.

Elton Brand (PF/C, PHI) suffering from an injury setback

In the latest development regarding Elton Brand's much-publicized Philadelphia story, Brand played less than nine minutes - all in the first half - in the 76ers' loss to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.  Brand was wearing a protective brace over his right shoulder and admitted to feeling shoulder stiffness in what he described as "a setback, absolutely".  Although it remains uncertain whether Brand will miss more time, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Brand will not be a useful fantasy player this season as a 76er.  With Philadelphia obviously playing better without Brand, it would make perfect sense for 76ers management to either trade Brand or shut him down for the season and hope their $80 million dollar man returns next year fully recovered.  In Brand's best-case scenario, he would be traded to a team willing to take a chance on him, and then play through injury with a vengeance to prove that he's worth his hefty contract.  That's a lot to hope for even with fervent speculation from the Philadelphia media adding fuel to the trade flames.

The key to winning your league is being the first to know and the first to react.  The Fantasy Minutiae is here to provide you with up-to-the-minute fantasy analysis down to every last detail. 

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!  Before heading out to friends' BBQs to gain weight that'll take months to lose, take a minute to catch up on a very busy weekend in the NBA: 

Andrew Bynum (C, LAL) leaves game with knee sprain

Bynum left Saturday night's game against the Grizzlies with an apparent knee sprain after a collision with teammate Kobe Bryant (SG, LAL).  Preliminary X-rays were negative, but Bynum is scheduled to have an MRI today in New York.  This unfortunate injury comes right after Bynum's selection as Western Conference Player of the Week, capping a streak of five games where he averaged over 26 points and nearly 14 rebounds. Should he miss significant time, Pau Gasol (PF/C, LAL) and Lamar Odom (SF/PF, LAL) will see a significant boost in value.  While it may be difficult to trade for Gasol, owners should jump on Odom if he's available on waivers.  Odom's disappointing output thus far can be attributed to his decreased minutes as a sixth man, but he will likely see an upwards of 30+ minutes if Bynum doesn't suit up for an extended period.  Odom's potential to contribute in nearly every category would be a welcome addition to any roster.

Baron Davis (PG, LAC) and Marcus Camby (PF/C, LAC) nearly at full sail

The Clippers welcomed back two of their injured stars last Wednesday as Davis and Camby both came off the bench in their first game back.  On Saturday, Camby was reinserted into the starting lineup, and Davis was able to play 30 minutes of injury-free basketball.  Zach Randolph (PF/C, LAC) is also expected to return to the team sometime during the Clippers 7-game road trip.  If they can all stay healthy, and that's a big if, they will stuff the stat sheets and add a few wins to the Clippers' woeful record.  I'm an especially big fan of Randolph, who is averaging 22 PTS and 11 REB on the season.  Eric Gordon (SG, LAC) has been handling the scoring load admirably in their absence, but B-Diddy and Z-Bo aren't exactly known for sharing the ball nicely when it comes to taking shots.  However, Gordon is an interesting throw-in to target: he has cemented himself into the starting rotation as shooting guard of the future for the Clippers and should remain productive given starter's minutes.

Al Harrington (PF/C, NYK) red hot...again

Making me eat my words from Wednesday's Minutiae, Harrington lit up the Pacers on Saturday night to the tune of 31 PTS, 8 REB, and 3 3PT on 14-of-24 shooting.  More importantly, he's been averaging a solid 34 minutes since rejoining the starting lineup while it appears that Wilson Chandler and Tim Thomas will play traditional 2nd-unit minutes (22-30 minutes).  This also marks the 1,902,049th time I've rescinded my advice on buying/selling Harrington this season.  I'm taking that as a sign of consistent inconsistency  and selling high while his stock is soaring.  Think of Harrington every time you hear Katy Perry's Hot N Cold on the radio (every 3 minutes) and let him be somebody else's headache. 

Charlie Villanueva (SF/PF, MIL) filling it up

Villanueva has stepped up to fill the scoring void left by Michael Redd, averaging 40+ minutes, 27 PTS, 9.3 REB, 2 3PT, and close to 1 steal and 1 block a game over his last 3 games.  Villanueva is a legitimate 20-10 threat when he plays over 35 minutes a game, and the Bucks are in dire need of his offense right now.  Monitor his minutes closely as the Bucks incorporate Andrew Bogut (C, MIL) back into the rotation.  If his minutes start to dip, peg him as a sell-high.  If he continues to play heavy minutes, he'll produce numbers similar to Antawn Jamison (SF/PF, WAS), only with more blocks.