NBA Fantasy Risers/Fallers (Jan. 26): Ray Allen Is Struggling

This is the birth of a weekly column, NBA Fantasy Risers/Fallers , where we will look at five guys that are either about to rise or are in the midst of ascending the fantasy ladder.

And, of course, there are the other five that are barely worth mentioning but need to be discussed, so you know when/if to drop them from your team.

This isn't a Waiver Wire column. Not all of these guys are meant to be on your fantasy rosters right now . But take heed, keep an eye on the guys mentioned in this column, and tune in for more fantasy advice at NBA Soup .

Risers

Jerryd Bayless, G, Portland Trailblazers (Available in 90 percent of leagues)

Bayless has benefited immensely from the absence of Brandon Roy, as he's averaged 14 points in his last three games while averaging only 18 minutes per game.

He's been dealing with an ankle injury, but with Roy still out with a nagging injury of his own, Bayless is slated to start on Wednesday night.

He's not yet ready to help out in your starting lineup, but if Bayless fares well on Wednesday, he could be worth stashing on your bench.

Kyle Lowry, G, Houston Rockets (83 percent)

Lowry has been filling up the stat sheet the last three games, as he's averaged over 12 points, 4.7 rebounds, and six assists in his last three games.

He's shooting over 47 percent from the field over that span, while hitting 80 percent of his three-point attempts (4-5).

The spike in production is nice to see out of the back-up point guard, but Lowry's minutes are still a bit too sporadic to start trusting him just yet.

George Hill, G, San Antonio Spurs (90 percent)

Hill is averaging fairly pedestrian numbers on the season (10 ppg, 2.2 ast, 2.2 reb), but his spike in play over the last three games has fantasy owners reaching for their mouse to click "add" on Hill.

Perhaps they think it's Grant Hill and aren't looking at the "SA" next to his name link.

Regardless, Hill is doing a fine job of late, averaging 14.3 points per game and three assists per game over the final three games.

Hill has also scored in double figures in eight of his last nine, making him one of the top guys to watch on the waiver wire.

Goran Dragic, G, Phoenix Suns (88 percent)

Dragic is averaging an insane 16.5 points per game in his last four games, while shooting above 52 percent, both on his three-point attempts and overall from the field.

He's also done a solid job filling up his stat sheet, dishing out 2.3 assists and grabbing 2.3 boards per game.

His last game, a 32-point effort, undoubtedly aided his recent rise in percentages, but Dragic should continue seeing extra minutes, nevertheless.

The injury to Barbosa ony helpes his cause.

Drew Gooden, F/C, Dallas Mavericks (70 percent)

Gooden has been extremely average all season for Dallas, but has recently seen a surge on both ends of the floor, as he's averaging 14.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per game in his last three games.

Gooden has poured in at least 14 points and seven rebounds in three straight games, and earned a place in the starting line-up for the first time in eight games.

With Tim Duncan, well, being Tim Duncan, and DeJuan Blair coming on strong, it's still not safe to trust in Gooden's recent rise in production. Do keep him on your radar, however.

Fallers

Ray Allen, SG, Boston Celtics (Owned in 97 percent of leagues)

Allen, the subject of trade rumors involving Golden State's Monta Ellis, has been atrocious in his past three games, while seeing his overall level of play drop.

In those three games, Allen, usually a three-point marksmen, is shooting under 20 percent from beyond the arc and averaging just over 10 points per game.

Wonder no more why Allen is on the trading block.

Leandro Barbosa, G, Phoenix Suns (50 percent)

Barbosa was already struggling just to average 10 points per game on the season, but a wrist injury should have him out for at least the next six weeks.

We're not telling you to drop Barbosa, but it wouldn't be the worst decision in the world. With Goran Dragic playing as well as he has been, it may be time to sell Barbosa for as much as you can get for him.

Kevin Martin, SG, Sacramento Kings (95 percent)

Martin has not been his usual dominant self since returning from injury and has been especially paltry in the scoring department in his last three games.

Over that span, Martin is averaging just 11 points per game, shooting 31 percent from the field and less than 25 percent from beyond the arc.

Considering he's still getting major minutes (over 34 per game), this doesn't look very good for Martin or the Kings. Needless to say, Martin could/should be trade bait for you (and maybe even the Kings), and should be on your bench until he gets it together again.

Vince Carter, G/F, Orlando Magic (97 percent)

Carter, the free agent acquisition that was supposed to make everyone forget about Hedu Turkoglu, has not lived up to expectations, especially recently.

His season averages are solid, but injuries and inconsistency have rattled Carter in the past month, and he's having a particularly rough week.

In his last four games, Carter is shooting under 30 percent from beyond the arc, while averaging just 13.3 points per game.

For the contract and all the hype, Carter just isn't getting it done, whether in the real world or in fantasy.

Trevor Ariza, G/F, Houston Rockets (89 percent)

Ariza has been battling percentage issues all season and has yet to find his shot at a consistent rate. It's proven to be especially true in the past three games, as Ariza is averaging under 10 points per game.

He's shooting 14 percent from three-point range and under 34 percent from the field.

He gets great minutes and a lot of attempts, but the ball simply isn't falling and really hasn't been all season.

If you're looking for a way to get rid of a percentage killer, bench Ariza.

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