By Ryan Lester, LestersLegends.com
I’ve scoured the fantasy basketball waiver wires to find gems so you don’t have to.
Dahntay Jones, SG/SF, Indiana Pacers
Jones averaged 19.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.8 blocks, 0.5 three-pointers, and 2.3 turnovers last week while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 76.9 percent from the line. He has been one of the biggest surprises this year. He’s averaging 17.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks on the year. In the Sporting News salary cap game, Jones has a $1.53 million cap number. He is owned in 43 percent of Yahoo! and 36.6 percent of ESPN leagues.
Anthony Morrow, SG/SF, Golden State Warriors
Morrow benefited from the Stephen Jackson trade last week with averages of 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.7 three-pointers. He shot 57.1 percent from the field and hit all of his free throws. On the year he’s averaging 12.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.0 three-pointer while hitting 52.9 percent from the floor and 87.5 percent from the line. Morrow has a $1.19 million Sporting News cap number, and is owned in 47 percent of Yahoo! and 14.1 percent of ESPN leagues.
Luke Ridnour, PG, Milwaukee Bucks
Ridnour has taken advantage of the Bucks’ injuries. Last week he averaged 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 three-pointers with just 0.8 turnovers. He shot 53.7 percent from the floor and 83.3 percent from the line. On the year Ridnour is averaging 10.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.6 assits, 1.0 steals, and 0.9 three-pointers while shooting 50 percent from the floor and 75 percent from the line. Luke has a $3.93 million Sporting News cap number, and is owned in 9 percent of Yahoo! and 1.3 percent of ESPN leagues.
Marcus Thornton, PG/SG, New Orleans Hornets
You’ve probably noticed Thornton’s name popping up on the daily box score breakouts (click here for the most recent one). He’s been on fire since Chris Paul went down. He averaged 19.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.8 three-pointers this week while hitting 50.9 percent of his shots. His Sporting News cap number is $1.72 million, and is owned in 6 percent of Yahoo! and 1 percent of ESPN leagues.
Jared Dudley, SF/PF, Phoenix Suns
The Suns can still turn out a variety of fantasy options. Dudley stepped it up last week averaging 11.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists 1.7 steals, and 2.3 three-pointers. He shot 47.4 percent from the floor and 80 percent from the line. Dudley has a Sporting News cap number of $1.03 million, and is owned in 19 percent of Yahoo! and 2.2 percent of ESPN leagues.
Rudy Fernandez, PG/SG, Portland Trail Blazers
Rudy picked up his game when Travis Outlaw went down. Last week he averaged 12.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.0 steals, and 2.0 three-pointers. He shot 42.5 percent from the floor and 87.5 percent from the line. He has a $2.81 million Sporting News cap number, and is owned in 51 percent of Yahoo! and 17.7 percent of ESPN leagues.
Ersan Ilyasova, SF/PF, Milwaukee Bucks
Ilyasova should pick up his production over the next couple weeks with Andrew Bogut out. Last week he averaged 14.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 2.3 three-pointers. He shot 48. percent from the field and 72.7 percent from the line. Ersan has a $1.53 million Sporting News cap number, and is owned in 19 percent of Yahoo! and 3.2 percent of ESPN leagues.
Beno Udrih, PG/SG, Sacramento Kings
Beno was having a solid year even before Kevin Martin went down. He’s playing even better now. Last week he averaged 17.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.3 three-pointers while shooting 47.8 percent from the floor. Udrih has a $4.00 million Sporting News cap number, and is owned in 44 percent of Yahoo! and 32.9 percent of ESPN leagues.
Drew Gooden, PF/C, Dallas Mavericks
Drew picked up his play when Erick Dampier was out. Last week he averaged 16.0 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 50 percent from the floor and 75 percent from the line. Gooden has a $3.41 million Sporting News cap number, and is owned in 29 percent of Yahoo! and 16.4 percent of ESPN leagues.
