Deron Williams Back on the Court

Although New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams was expected to be shut down due to a wrist injury, he was back on the court Wednesday night. He played 37 minutes and flirted with a triple-double. Deron tallied 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.

The Breakdown
We're surprised that Williams has returned because doctor's had told him to rest his injured wrist for at least a month. Since Williams was dropped in a few leagues, we recommend scooping him up if he's a free agent. Just be aware that he could still be shut down at any time. You'll have to keep an eye on him on a game-by-game basis.

Jordan Crawford Erupts for Career-High 39 Points

Washington Wizards rookie guard Jordan Crawford has been one of the biggest surprises as the season draws to a close. Crawford has scored in double figures in 12 straight games, capped off by a career-high 39 points against the Heat.

The Breakdown
Crawford is on a tear and he figures to log heavy minutes for the rest of the year. Not only is he scoring, but he's also contributing three-pointers, assists, and steals. He's a must own in all formats. Fantasy teams looking for a player to push them over the top in their pursuit of a championship should not hesitate to pick him up.

Most Dropped: March 30

These are the five most dropped players over the last week. Stats listed below are from the last 7 days.

1. David West (29 points, 1 steal, 1 block): It's no surprise West is being dropped since he'll be out of action for the next six months. Only team managers in keeper leagues should bother having him on the roster.
2. Tyler Hansbrough (13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds): Psycho-T has cooled off of late, but he continues to start. His production may be sporadic, but he's still doing just enough to be worth consideration in standard leagues. Those in need of help in points and rebounds should pick him up.

Most Added: March 28

These are the five most added players over the last week. Stats listed below are from the last 7 days.

1. Carlos Delfino (20.3 points, 4 three-pointers, 2 steals, 55% FG%, 83.3% FT%): Delfino is one of the hottest players in the NBA right now. He's playing very heavy minutes, including a 43-minute night in Milwaukee's last game. Delfino should be owned in all formats.
2. Anthony Randolph (19.3 points, 10 rebounds, 56.1% FG%, 80% FT%): Randolph has had a couple of big games since replacing the injured Kevin Love in the starting line up. Randolph is a versatile big man who can help fantasy squads in nearly every category. He appears to be a strong play in all formats for as long as Love is out of the line up.

Hot Streaks: March 26

Five players that have been playing well over the last couple of weeks. Stats listed below are from the last 15 days.

1. Carlos Delfino (15.5 points, 3.1 three-pointers, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 50.6% FG%): Delfino had a great three-game stretch this past week where he averaged 28.7 points. In addition to his scoring ability, Carlos can contribute three-pointers, rebounds, and steals. Delfino is starting and playing heavy minutes, making him someone who should be on all fantasy rosters down the stretch.
2. Jodie Meeks (14.6 points, 3.3 three-pointers, 1.3 steals, 51.9% FG%, 91.7% FT%): Meeks' hot shooting has continued for another week as he keeps draining the long ball. Teams in need of a boost in scoring, three-pointers, and steals should give Meeks a strong look. Meeks is playing over 35 minutes a night as Evan Turner has become a non-factor in Philadelphia's rotation.

Tyreke Evans Returns to Action

After missing 19 games to deal with plantar fasciitis, Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans was back on the court Friday night. Evans came off the bench to play 17 minutes, finishing with 6 points and 8 assists.

The Breakdown
Evans has been dropped in many leagues, but he could become a valuable asset once he's healthy and getting his regular dose of minutes. We recommend picking him up if he's in your free agent pool as he can contribute regularly in nearly every category.

David West Out Up to Six Months After ACL Tear

New Orleans Hornets power forward David West suffered a torn ACL in Thursday's game against the Utah Jazz. West will miss the rest of this season and may miss part of training camp for the 2011-12 season.

The Breakdown
The injury makes Carl Landry a must own in standard leagues. He'll give teams a boost in points and field goal percentage while chipping in a few rebounds. Those in deeper leagues may want to give Jason Smith a look.

Rudy Gay Requires Shoulder Surgery, Officially Done for the Rest of the Season

Memphis Grizzlies small forward Rudy Gay, who's been out since the All-Star break, will require surgery on his separated shoulder. He'll require 4-6 months to recover, meaning he won't return until training camp for the 2011-12 season.

The Breakdown
Any fantasy owners holding out hope that Rudy would return this season should cut him loose. Only Gay owners in keeper leagues should hang onto him. If you have Tony Allen, Sam Young, or Shane Battier on your roster, you should feel safe employing them for the rest of the year.

Most Dropped: March 23

These are the five most dropped players over the last week. Stats listed below are from the last 7 days.

1. Nick Young (Has not played due to injury): Young has been out about a week due to a knee injury, though he could return as early as tonight against the Clippers. Teams in need of another scorer and three-point shooter should consider Young, though you'll have to absorb a hit to your field goal percentage.
2. Andray Blatche (Has not played due to injury): Blatche is another in a long list of injured Wizards players. He's missed the last six games and it's unclear when he'll be back on the court. With no specific timetable for his return, he's not worth holding onto at this late point in the season. If there's a decent option available in your free agent pool, we'd suggest you go with him and send Blatche to the waiver wire.
   

Tim Duncan Sprains Ankle, Expected to Miss at Least Two Weeks

San Antonio Spurs big man Tim Duncan suffered an ankle sprain in tonight's game. The injury is expected to sideline him for at least two weeks, though there's a possibility Duncan misses the rest of the regular season.

The Breakdown
Duncan owners should look for a replacement as the Spurs won't be in a rush to bring him back. Some combination of Antonio McDyess, DeJuan Blair, and Tiago Splitter will take over Duncan's minutes. Blair looks like the most likely to see an increase in fantasy value, but team managers will have to keep an eye on the next few games to see how the playing time is divided.

Most Added: March 21

These are the five most added players over the last week. Stats listed below are from the last 7 days.

1. Tyler Hansbrough (20.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 54% FG%): Psycho-T is the most added player in fantasy basketball for the second consecutive week as he continues putting up big numbers in points and rebounds. He has emerged as must own in all formats as he's taken his game to another level in recent weeks.
2. C.J. Miles (26 points, 3 three-pointers, 4.7 rebounds, 56.4% FG%): Miles has become a hot add since dropping a career-high 40 points this past week as well as moving into the starting line up. Like Hansbrough, Miles is looking like a strong player to add for the stretch run as he's playing heavy minutes and contributing across a few categories.

Jordan Crawford, Trevor Booker Gaining Value Amid Injuries

With many key rotation players dealing with injuries, the Washington Wizards have turned to rookies Jordan Crawford and Trevor Booker for heavy minutes. As a result, each has gained considerable fantasy value as they play 35-40 minutes a night.

The Breakdown
Both players make for great pick ups in the short term. Booker is a good source of scoring and rebounds while Crawford is a big time scorer who can also contribute assists and steals. They should be owned in deep formats and may have some value in standard leagues depending on how long players like Andray Blatche, Josh Howard, and Nick Young are out.

Hot Streaks: March 19

Five players that have been playing well over the last couple of weeks. Stats listed below are from the last 15 days.

1. Toney Douglas (16.2 points, 3.4 three-pointers, 6.3 assists, 50% FG%, 84.6% FT%): Douglas emerged as a great fantasy option while Chauncey Billups was sidelined recently, but he's continued to play well and see heavy minutes even as he's been moved back to a reserve role. Toney is a great scorer, but he's also helping fantasy owners in every category besides blocks. Don't let him go unowned in your league as he looks to be a great pick up as the season winds down.
2. C.J. Miles (19.1 points, 2.1 three-pointers, 4.4 rebounds, 1 steal, 91.3% FT%): C.J. is presently on an eight-game double-digit scoring streak that was capped off by Wednesday's 40-point outburst. Miles was recently moved into the starting line up as his overall production has improved. Miles is looking like a solid pick up as the Jazz battle it out for a playoff spot.

Deron Williams Reinjures Wrist, May be Shut Down

New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams aggravated a wrist injury Friday night. Doctors are telling Williams he'll need at the very least least three weeks of rest to let the wrist heal. With the Nets out of playoff contention, they don't want to risk further injury to their All-Star and will likely decide to shut him down for the rest of the season.

The Breakdown
The loss of Williams would make Jordan Farmar a must own. He's played very well at various points in the season when he's had an opportunity to start. While he obviously won't put up the numbers of a Deron Williams, Farmar can be a solid source of points, three-pointers, and assists. Get him on your roster if he's available.

Channing Frye Makes Surprise Return

Phoenix Suns big man Channing Frye, who missed five games with a shoulder injury, returned to action Friday night. Frye played 31 minutes, tallying 17 points, 3 three-pointers, and 9 rebounds.

The Breakdown
After he was expected to miss at least two weeks, Frye was back on the court in just over a week and put up a nice stat line. Frye has been one of the most dropped players in fantasy over the last couple of weeks, so he's sure to be available in a number of leagues. Being that he's near the top 50 of our player ratings, he's clearly a must have.

Players to Watch: March 18

These are players we're keeping an eye on over the next week. Stats listed below are from the last 7 days.

1. Eric Gordon (Has not played due to injury): After being sidelined for the second time this season with a wrist injury, Gordon is set to return on Saturday. Gordon was dropped in a few leagues, so make sure you pick him up if someone was foolish enough to let him go. If he can regain his form, Gordon is capable of putting up top 30 numbers.
2. Jodie Meeks (16 points, 3.5 three-pointers, 1 steal, 52.6% FG%, 90.9% FT%): Meeks has been on fire in the month of March. He's on a 10-game double digit scoring streak, knocking down threes in bunches, hitting his shots at a high percentage, and seeing nearly 35 minutes a night. Anyone needing three-pointers and steals should get Jodie on their roster.

Tyreke Evans Cleared to Practice

Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans, who has been out for over a month dealing with plantar fasciitis, has been cleared to return to practice. If all goes well, he could see game action in the next 1-2 weeks.

The Breakdown
If Evans can get back on the court for the final few games of the season, it would be a huge boon to many fantasy squads. This year has been a bit of a letdown for the reigning Rookie of the Year, but he was starting to look like his old self just before the foot injury sidelined him. Tyreke is a constant threat to put up 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and a couple of steals on any given night. He's been dropped in many leagues, so pick him up if he's available as long as you can afford to stash him for the next couple of weeks.

Marcus Thornton owners should also keep tabs on Evans' recovery. When Tyreke is back on the court, Thornton stands to lose the most value of anyone on the Kings' roster. Be sure to monitor Thornton's minutes whenever Evans is back in the line up.

Most Dropped: March 16

These are the five most dropped players over the last week. Stats listed below are from the last 7 days.

1. Ramon Sessions (7 points, 5.5 assists, 1 steal): Since the Cavaliers added Baron Davis, Sessions' shooting has cooled off. While he's not putting up huge scoring nights, he's still remained a solid contributor in a few categories. We still recommend hanging onto him while Davis is out. Once Baron returns, fantasy owners will have to evaluate whether Sessions produces enough to keep on their roster.
2. Amir Johnson (2 points, 2 blocks): Johnson has missed Toronto's last two games and we're now seeing Ed Davis and Reggie Evans play heavy minutes in his place. Fantasy owners should be patient with Johnson as he's had a great season thus far. Once Amir gets back on the court, we'll have to see how the minutes shake out between the three Raptor power forwards before deciding if Johnson is still worth having on your squad.

Marcus Thornton Goes Off For Career-High 42 Points

Sacramento Kings guard Marcus Thornton lit up the Golden State Warriors on his way to a career night. His line: 42 points, 4 three-pointers, and 4 steals.

The Breakdown
Thornton continues to flourish in a Sacramento line up where he's getting big minutes and he's free to put up as many shots as he wants. Thornton should be universally owned, yet he still remains available in a few leagues. Grab him if he's a free agent in your league. He'll continue to be a major contributor for as long as Tyreke Evans is sidelined.

Ty Lawson Puts Up Third Straight Double-Double

Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson continues making his case for being owned in all leagues by putting up his third straight double-double. He finished tonight's game with 23 points, 10 assists, 2 three-pointers, and 2 steals.

The Breakdown
Lawson is playing big minutes and putting up great numbers across the board, which is a big reason he was one of the most added players over the last week. With the way he's contributing in every category besides blocks, fantasy owners in all formats have to snatch him up if he's available. He's a great player to have down the stretch.

Kendrick Perkins Makes Thunder Debut

Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins, acquired at the trade deadline, finally debuted for his new team. Perkins found himself immediately in the starting five, playing 20 minutes and putting up 6 points and 9 rebounds.

The Breakdown
It appears Kendrick's minutes were limited more because it was a blowout than to get him back into game shape. It's safe to assume he'll see in the neighborhood of 30 minutes a game going forward. Fantasy owners in need of a defensive center should consider picking up Perkins. He'll give fantasy squads an immediate boost in rebounding, blocks, and field goal percentage.

Most Added: March 14

These are the five most added players over the last week. Stats listed below are from the last 7 days.

1. Tyler Hansbrough (24 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2 steals, 59% FG%): Hansbrough has taken his game to another level since being moved back into Indiana's starting five. He's scored in double digits in 12 of his last 14 games. Additionally, he's scored 20+ points in four straight games, capping the week off with a career-high 29 points. Tyler is a must add in all formats.
2. James Harden (16.3 points, 2 three-pointers, 2.3 steals, 52.4% FG%, 92.9% FT%): For the second week in a row we find Harden on this list as he continues to play well. He's been a fixture in the top 100 of our player ratings all season, but since the Thunder shipped Jeff Green to Boston Harden's become an even more integral part of the team. He's a must add in the few leagues where he remains unclaimed.

Hot Streaks: March 12

Five players that have been playing well over the last couple of weeks. Stats listed below are from the last 15 days.

1. James Harden (17.8 points, 1.5 three-pointers, 1.5 steals, 50% FG%, 94.1% FT%): Since Jeff Green left Oklahoma City, James Harden has played some of his best ball as a pro. He's the Thunder's third option on offensive, he's counted on to play heavy minutes, and he's made a case that he should be owned in all formats. Harden should continue being a great source of points, three-pointers, steals, and free throw percentage for the rest of the season.
2. Randy Foye (16.5 points, 2.3 three-pointers, 5.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 97.1% FT%): Foye has been surprisingly good while Eric Gordon has been out with a wrist injury. Foye has been asked to play over 35 minutes a game over the last two weeks and is a must own while Gordon is sidelined. Eric is expected to be reevaluated in the next week, but it's no guarantee he'll come back any time soon. Add Foye now and hold onto him until Gordon steps back on the court.

Tyler Hansbrough Taking His Game Up a Notch

Indiana Pacers power forward Tyler Hansbrough has recently taken over starting power forward duties and has stepped up his game. He's scored in double digits in eight straight contests, including two double-doubles. In Indy's last three games, he's scored at least 20 points.

The Breakdown
Hansbrough is emerging as a good source of points and rebounds. We're surprised it took this long for Hansbrough to start playing well consistently as he was one of our sleeper picks entering the season, but he's finally playing at the level we thought he would. As the season winds down, he's looking like one of the strongest pick ups down the stretch. We recommend him in standard formats while he's starting and playing heavy minutes.

Players to Watch: March 11

These are players we're keeping an eye on over the next week. Stats listed below are from the last 7 days.

1. Kendrick Perkins (Has not played due to injury): Perkins participated in his first practice as a member of the Thunder this week. He's very close to debuting with his new team, possibly as early as tonight against the Detroit Pistons. Deep leaguers should not hesitate to add him now. In shallower formats, fantasy owners in need of a defensive-minded big man should have Perkins on their radar. Although he's expected to play heavy minutes for Oklahoma City, we want to see how he fits in with his new teammates before rostering him in shallower formats.
2. Tracy McGrady (15 points, 2 three-pointers, 9 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block): After riding the pine for a few games, T-Mac returned with a vengeance. McGrady has shown the ability to fill up the box score, but head coach John Kuester has been constantly fiddling with his rotation. We'll be watching McGrady's minutes closely this week. He's a must own if he's playing heavy minutes on a regular basis.
   

Carlos Boozer Goes Down With Ankle Sprain

In the final minutes of a blowout victory, Chicago Bulls power forward Carlos Boozer took a hard fall and sprained his left ankle. X-rays came back negative, but the severity of the sprain won't be known until Thursday.

The Breakdown
Given Boozer's injury history, it would not surprise us if he was forced to miss some time as a result of the sprain. Taj Gibson makes for an excellent pick up while Boozer is out. Teams in need of rebounding and shot blocking should give him strong consideration.

After Sitting Out Five Straight Games, Tracy McGrady Back in Starting Line Up

After seemingly falling out of the rotation, Detroit Pistons guard Tracy McGrady was back in the starting five. McGrady took advantage of the opportunity by putting up a great all-around line: 15 points, 2 three-pointers, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, and a block.

The Breakdown
What an amazing game from T-Mac! We recommend picking him up in all formats while he's getting minutes. He's played very well whenever he's been on the court, especially as a starter. The only question is whether head coach John Kuester will continue shuffling his rotation and hurt McGrady's value by limiting his minutes or benching him once again. Fantasy owners who choose to add T-Mac will have to monitor his minutes from game-to-game.

After Missing Over 3 Months, Reggie Evans Returns From Broken Foot

Toronto Raptors power forward Reggie Evans returned to action tonight after missing most of the season due to a broken foot. Evans grabbed 11 rebounds in 33 minutes.

The Breakdown
For teams in need of rebounding help, Evans is a must own. Before the foot injury, he was one of the league's top rebounders. His return performance shows he's going to continue his dedication to cleaning the glass. With Amir Johnson suffering an ankle sprain and Andrea Bargnani struggling to stay on the court due to the flu, Evans could be in line for big minutes.

For Johnson and Ed Davis owners, Evans' return will likely put a dent into their fantasy values. We recommend monitoring their minutes and dropping either of them if Evans hurts their playing time significantly.

Nenad Krstic Gaining Value With Celtics

Boston Celtics center Nenad Krstic, acquired in the Kendrick Perkins trade, has scored in double digits in five of the six games he's played in green. He's also seen his minutes rise with the lack of center depth in Boston, culminating with tonight's 38 minutes against the Clippers.

The Breakdown
With Shaquille O'Neal slow to heal and Glen "Big Baby" Davis out, Krstic is locked into the starting center spot and should see between 25-30 minutes a night. Deep leaguers should scoop him up while he's playing well.

For standard formats, Nenad will have to show more consistency on the glass and blocking shots to make himself worthy of a roster spot. Still, he's certainly a player to have on your radar in case he starts to see 30+ minutes of court time on a consistent basis.

Most Dropped: March 9

These are the five most dropped players over the last week. Stats listed below are from the last 7 days.

1. Channing Frye (11.7 points, 2 three-pointers, 8.7 rebounds, 100% FT%): Frye was widely dropped after injuring his shoulder over the weekend. He's expected to miss 2-3 weeks, putting his return around the end of the month. He's a player we'd keep an eye on if he's been dropped in your league. He's currently in the top 50 of our player ratings and should remain an impact player when he returns. Stash him now if you can afford to do so.
2. Trevor Ariza (7 points, 1 three-pointer, 75% FG%): Like Frye, Ariza is also dealing with an injury. Trevor's injury, though, doesn't appear to be as serious and he could return within the next few games. Fantasy owners who need help in steals should add him if he's available.

Most Added: March 7

These are the five most added players over the last week. Stats listed below are from the last 7 days.

1. Greg Monroe (14.3 points, 9 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.7 blocks, 59.4% FG%): As we recently noted, Monroe has been piling up double-doubles of late. Greg is locked into the starting center spot and should see big minutes for the rest of the season. He's a must own in the few leagues where he's still available.
2. Marcus Thornton (25.7 points, 2.7 three-pointers, 2.3 steals, 50.9% FG%, 81.3% FT%): Thornton has been on absolute fire since joining Sacramento and has made a case for being owned in all formats. He's a great pick up for scoring, points, steals, and free throw percentage.

Kevin Durant Rises to Top of Player Ratings

Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant has risen to the top spot in our player ratings.

The Breakdown
Although Chris Paul held onto the number one ranking for weeks, Kevin Durant has been the best player in fantasy this season based on per-game averages. He's managed to take over top spot despite playing eight fewer games than Paul. We expect Durant to stay atop our player ratings for the rest of the season, barring injury.

Hot Streaks: March 5

Five players that have been playing well over the last couple of weeks. Stats listed below are from the last 15 days.

1. Marcus Thornton (21 points, 2 three-pointers, 1.8 steals, 51.7% FG%): Thornton has been scorching since joining the Kings. He's a great source of points, threes, and steals and he shows no signs that he's about to slow down. He'll continue to play big minutes for the next couple of weeks while Tyreke Evans is sidelined. He's a must own in all formats.
2. Nicolas Batum (15.6 points, 2.6 three-pointers, 1.2 steals, 81.3% FT%): It was feared that Brandon Roy's return combined with the acquisition of Gerald Wallace would severely hurt Batum's fantasy value, but that hasn't been the case. Batum continues to start and he's averaging nearly 40 minutes a game over the last two weeks. He's deserving of a roster spot in all formats for as long as continues to log big minutes.

Mickael Pietrus Replaces Injured Vince Carter in Suns Line Up

With Vince Carter out of action as a result of a concussion, the Phoenix Suns turned to Mickael Pietrus at shooting guard. He took advantage of the opportunity by putting up 20 points, 3 three-pointers, and 8 rebounds in 35 minutes.


The Breakdown
It's anyone's guess how long Carter will be out as concussions can sideline players from just a few days to a few weeks. Pietrus is a must own while he's starting in Vince's place and playing heavy minutes. He should be added immediately in deep leagues and given strong consideration in standard formats for owners that need help in threes and scoring.

Carl Landry Puts Up Double-Double Following David West's Injury

Power forward Carl Landry put up his first double-double since being acquired by the New Orleans Hornets. Landry played 38 minutes after starter David West left early on with an ankle sprain.

The Breakdown
The severity of West's injury is unknown at this time, but looked like it was serious enough to cost him a few games. Landry would make an excellent pick up if West is sidelined. Keep your eyes peeled for updates on West's ankle.

Anthony Randolph Taking Advantage of Additional Playing Time

With Darko Milicic missing the team's last two games, Minnesota Timberwolves big man Anthony Randolph has been given a boost in playing time. He's responded by averaging 15.5 points, 6 rebounds, a steal, and a block in that period.

The Breakdown
Head coach Kurt Rambis has been praising Randolph since he put up a double-double on Wednesday. Anthony is showing the type of all-around contributor he can be when given ample minutes. Deep leagues should give consideration as a speculative pick up.

Rookie Damion James Showing Potential

New Jersey Nets rookie Damion James has been a solid contributor since returning from a foot injury. Last night in London James put up a career-high 15 points to go along with 7 rebounds.

The Breakdown
James has shown he can contribute in nearly every category. He's been in the starting line up since returning and has slowly seen his minutes rise close to the 30-minute mark. Fantasy owners in deep leagues should be all over him as he's showing great potential. Team managers in standard formats should have James on their radar as he may be worth an add if he continues to improve.

Players to Watch: March 4

These are players we're keeping an eye on over the next week. Stats listed below are from the last 7 days.

1. Tyrus Thomas (Has not played due to injury): The athletic big man has been out of action since late January due to a knee injury, but he's expected to be back on the court in the next week. His return could come as early as this Wednesday. With Charlotte so thin up front, Thomas should play heavy minutes once he's back to full strength. Teams in need of shot blocking and rebounding should stash him now.
2. Matt Barnes (Has not played due to injury): Like Thomas, Barnes is close to returning from a knee injury. Although he doesn't play huge minutes, he managed to hang around the top 100 of our player ratings when he was healthy through his ability to contribute across every single category. Expect more of the same when Barnes gets back to full strength, making him a great pick up in deep leagues with potential to help in standard formats as well.

Greg Monroe Continues Racking Up Double-Doubles

Detroit Pistons rookie center Greg Monroe recorded his fifth double-double in six games. During that six-game stretch, Monroe is averaging 15.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and a block while shooting 59.2% from the field.

The Breakdown
Monroe continues to play well and has become a must own. He's been one of the most added players over the last week and a half, but he's still available in a number of leagues. With the turmoil in Detroit combined with Ben Wallace's absence, Monroe is in line for big minutes for the foreseeable future and he's locked into the starting line up. Grab him quick if he's a free agent in your league.

Marcus Thornton Thriving as a Member of the Kings

Sacramento Kings guard Marcus Thornton has been on fire since the Hornets traded him. Thornton is averaging 21 points, 2 three-pointers, and 1.8 steals for the Kings while shooting a blistering 51.7% from the field.

The Breakdown
Thornton entered the season as one of fantasy's biggest sleeper picks, but he didn't live up to the billing until the recent trade. Thornton is emerging as a great pick up in standard formats. He should continue having big scoring nights for the foreseeable future. The only threat to his value will be the return of Tyreke Evans. Once Evans is healthy, Thornton owners will want to closely monitor his minutes.

Samardo Samuels Starts, Records First Career Double-Double

In the wake of Antawn Jamison's injury, rookie big man Samardo Samuels moved into the starting power forward slot. He took advantage of the new role in a major way, putting up his first career double-double.

The Breakdown
With Samuels putting up career highs in points and rebounds, deep leagues should be all over him. He should see big minutes for the rest of the season as Cleveland evaluates its young talent.

Ekpe Udoh Makes First Career Start

Golden State Warriors rookie big man Ekpe Udoh received his first career start tonight. In 30 minutes of action Udoh tallied 6 points, a steal, and 3 blocks. 

The Breakdown
Udoh is raw offensively, but could have some value as a shot blocker if he continues to see 30 minutes per game. Deep leaguers in need of help in blocks should consider grabbing him.

Recently Signed Jared Jeffries May Move Into Knicks Starting Five

New York Knicks big man Jared Jeffries, who was recently signed after being bought out by the Houston Rockets, will make his return to Madison Square Garden tonight. There are rumblings that the Knicks plan to move him into the starting center spot.


The Breakdown
Head coach Mike D'Antoni has been tweaking his line ups since the team acquired Carmelo Anthony. He appears to be quite fond of Jeffries, who had played with the Knicks from 2006-2010. The Knicks are looking to give Jeffries a big role because of his defensive abilities and having Jared at center allows New York to shift Amare Stoudemire to his natural power forward position. Deep leagues should have Jeffries on their radar.

Mavericks Ink Corey Brewer to Multi-Year Deal

The Dallas Mavericks and swingman Corey Brewer have come to terms on a multi-year deal. Brewer became available after the New York Knicks bought out his contract after acquiring him in the Carmelo Anthony trade.

The Breakdown
It's unclear where Brewer will fit on a deep Mavericks roster. He'll likely fill a reserve role playing both shooting guard and small forward. He'll have to compete with Rodrigue Beaubois, J.J. Barea, and Peja Stojakovic for minutes, so we don't expect him to have much of an impact in fantasy. He's only worth a look in the deepest of leagues unless he's able to crack the 20-minute mark on a regular basis.

Most Dropped: March 2

These are the five most dropped players over the last week. Stats listed below are from the last 7 days.

1. DeJuan Blair (9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1 steal, 63% FG%): Blair was a double-double machine entering the All-Star break, but he hasn't been able to crack double figures in rebounds since the Spurs returned to action. Additionally, his minutes are starting to slip. If Blair doesn't turn it around soon, he'll have to be dropped in standard formats.
2. Tayshaun Prince (Has not played due to injury): Things are a mess in Detroit and it's unknown whether Prince and others are missing games due to injury or as a result of a supposed protest. Prince has not done enough to be worth waiting on in standard formats. Fantasy owners should be looking at players like Austin Daye and Greg Monroe who are taking advantage of the minutes that have opened up while the veterans are sitting out.

Al Thornton Expected to Sign with Warriors

On Tuesday, the Washington Wizards agreed to buyout small forward Al Thornton. Thornton is expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors for the remainder of the season once he clears waivers.

The Breakdown
Thornton makes for a nice speculative addition in deep leagues. Golden State has a terrible bench, so Thornton could carve out a rotation role for the rest of the season. If he can get meaningful minutes, Al could give fantasy squads a nice boost down the stretch in the Warriors' uptempo offense.

Troy Murphy Elects to Join Celtics

Troy Murphy, who was recently bought out by the Golden State Warriors, has chosen to sign with the Boston Celtics.

The Breakdown
It's unclear how big of a role Murphy will have in Boston. His best shot of seeing meaningful minutes is if he gets some run at center. With Glen "Big Baby" Davis seeing the bulk of the minutes at power forward/center and Jeff Green also getting time at both forward spots, there may not be much playing time for Troy. Right now, he's only worth consideration as a speculative pick up in deeper leagues.

Davis and Green owners will want to monitor how Murphy impacts the rotation. Green owners should be especially interested since Jeff's failed to play over 20 minutes in any game thus far for the Celtics. Having another player to contend with for minutes will likely make Green expendable in standard formats.

Heat Expected to Add Mike Bibby on Wednesday

After waiving Carlos Arroyo, the Miami Heat are expected to sign point guard Mike Bibby once he clears waivers on Wednesday. Bibby was recently bought out after playing just one game for the Washington Wizards.

The Breakdown
While Bibby's having one of the worst season of his career, he's managed to hang around the top 100 of our player ratings purely because he's one of the top three-point shooters in the NBA. He'll likely take over starting point guard duties in Miami and should get a lot of wide open looks as defenses focus on the Big Three. Teams in need of a long distance shooter should definitely add Bibby, but don't expect too much from him in other categories.