So, I would wager that most of you have passed the trade deadline, if your league has one. And it should. Nothing sparks a conspiracy theorist like an “uneven” trade between a contender and a team out of contention 2 weeks from the playoffs. If you are in a league that still allows trades, have your hand hovering over the “bullsh*t” button when trades come across the wire.
But what do you do when you have a player that needs replacing? The waiver is your saviour! Check these cats out if you need some last minute replacing:
BUY:
Boris Diaw PF, C
I’ll make the obligatory “Hon, Hon, Hon, sacre bleu!” French jab, but Homme boy (get it???) can ball. Diaw is getting the start over Tiago Splitter, and in the last 3 games, he’s gone 15.3/7.6/3.3/1/1, with 1.6 treys per. Most importantly, he’s only 17% owned. Zut Alors! Sorry. That’s hacky, even for me.
Matt Barnes SF
At the risk of being redundant, I have always said that through adversity comes opportunity. I’m pretty sure I was the first one ever to make this observation, just sayin. And Matty B, who has been getting the start lately, is taking advantage of his opportunity, going 16.4/5.8/3.2/1.4/.8, with 2.8 3pts per over the last 5 games. And on a personal note, I like him because he looks like the “bad boy” singer from every boy band from the ’90’s, which resonates with me. Although I would be hard pressed to name who was the bad boy from Colour Me Badd. The only logical answer is: All of them.
D.J. Augustin PG
Hey Mr DJ, keep playing that song, on and on and on. Any Zhane fans out there? No? Anyone? Fine. Well, you should be a fan of Augustin. He has been relevant for the Bulls since he was picked up mid-season. But in his last five, he’s become fantasy relevant again, going 15.8/2/3.4/.2/0, with 1.8 3pts per over the last 5 games. And he’s only 43% owned. So get off the dance floor, and grab this D.J.
Xavier Henry SG, SF
He’s only been back for 4 games, so take this recommendation with a grain of salt, but JB is big on him, so he’s got that going for him. In the last 2 games back before last night, he has gone 13.5/3/3/.5/0, with 2 3pt per, and shooting a very healthy 52.5% [JB – added in another solid line last night!]. And his name is dope, which should also count for something.
Gerald Green SG, SF
While it’s unlikely that he’s available in any self respecting league, G.G. has been nothing short of magnificent lately, and so he’s worth mentioning. He has gone 24/4.6/2.4/1.8/.5, with 3.8 treys. It says in Yahoo leagues that he’s only 67% owned, so you have a 1 in 3 shot that he’s there. He has been pure cash of late, the Suns go-to-guy, and if your league is sleeping on him, go on and get him!
SELL:
Nick Young SG
Full disclosure, I have a real dislike for Swaggy P’s silly looking face. He can shoot, there is no doubt, but he’s a selfish player, not one I’d want on my squad. So that bias out in the open, I’ll tell you why I think he should be dropped. Saggy’s been injured, and the medical staff are tight lipped, not telling anyone what’s going on, with his return date unannounced. The Lakers aren’t going anywhere, and I’m sure that there will be a log jam at the guard position, with Wes Johnson, Xavier Henry, Jordan Farmar, and Kent Bazemore all getting play to see what they can offer. So minutes will be at a minimum, even when Young returns. Do with that what you will.
Anderson Varejau PF, C
So, after the trade deadline, I suggested that Spencer Hawes will suffer due to platooning minutes with Anderson. But Varejao still isn’t back, nothing looks promising, and I’m beginning to think that there is a strong possibility that they will let him come back slowly, given the success Hawes has had. So his value can’t be depended on, and therefore makes him expendable, in my opinion. If you’re doing fine without his input thus far, maybe hold for the rest of this week, but I would wager he will be underwhelming, if he even comes back at all.
Ok boys and girls, that’s all there is in the muddy puddle that is my brain. May all your shots tickle the twine.
