NBA Picks Week 5: Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Picks

The lockout has really taken its toll on NBA and fantasy rosters as injuries seem to be spreading at a rate not seen since the bubonic plague. As of today a third of my roster is in some state of injury. These guys may be a game out or simply on extended vacation, but its a headache trying to plug the dam with every finger you've got.

Thankfully there are several players with breakout potential laying fallow on the waiver wire just waiting to be plucked off to join your team of broken toys. My criteria for weekly sleeper selections are players owned in less than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues who look interesting for the week ahead as well as some long-term plays.

SF James Johnson (Toronto Raptors)

James Johnson has been an intriguing phenomenon since draft day. In the early going he was a defensive monster, skillfully filling up those hard to conquer categories like steals, blocks and rebounds. The only issue was that he wasn't starting, thus he was known for turning in spotty performances night after night. He probably wore thin on the patience of those who took a flier on him early and found himself back on the waiver wire. Johnson was elevated to starter last week, and he's been a revelation ever since posting healthy lines. He's got the talent to be a solid high performer on your roster if he's still around in your league.
Owned in 23 Percent of Yahoo! Leagues—8 Percent Change from Last Week

PG Baron Davis (New York Knicks)

Baron Davis has spent the early month of the season sidelined with a herniated disk in his back. In his absence, the Knicks have been a disjointed mess, unable to get any flow going between the five men on the floor. They are dying for a true point guard to come in and run this offense. Davis just happens to be almost ready to fill that gaping hole. Mike D'Antoni is looking to slowly introduce Davis into the offense this week as his minutes will be limited at first. Give him a week or two to shake off the rust, and he should be producing solid lines like he did in 2010 for the Clippers. Once Baron gets going he won't be waiver wire bait for long. Just be aware that he's an aging star, so risk of injury will unfortunately always shadow him on the court.
Owned in 32 Percent of Yahoo! Leagues—5 Percent Change from Last Week

SG Richard Hamilton (Chicago Bulls)

I'm going to go against my 50 percent rule on Hamilton since he just barely sneaked above the mark since my research last night. Hamilton is the chief benefactor to the wrist injury to Luol Deng. Deng is slated to miss a minimum of 2 weeks attempting to heal, and there have been quiet murmurs of him requiring season-ending surgery. I doubt the injury is that dire since it's on his non-shooting wrist, but its out there as a possibility. In Deng's absence, Hamilton hung 22 points and 10 assists on the Nets Monday night. He will be a key contributor to the Bulls' offense until Deng's return and could very well hold his own on the stat sheet even after. 
Owned in 51 Percent of Yahoo! Leagues—15 Percent Change from Last Week

SG Jordan Crawford (Washington Wizards)

Can things look any bleaker in DC? The Wizards canned coach Flip Saunders this week after an awful 2-15 start. It was alarmingly clear that this team had zero cohesion or leadership. Its hard to dig up much positive here with John Wall taking a hacksaw to his potential and JaVale McGee letting it rain, but one standout of late has been Jordan Crawford. On the season he is averaging 11.3 points, a three, 2.5 rebounds and assists per game. He's been uncorked the last few games, scoring in double figures in eight of nine games with four of the last five being over 17. Who knows what the Wizards are going to look like after assistant Randy Whitman takes the reins, but look for a solid producer like Crawford to continue to play a pivotal role.

Owned in 21 Percent of Yahoo! Leagues—2 Percent Change from Last Week

C Ian Mahinmi (Dallas Mavericks)

Dallas' big man Ian Mahimi is currently coming off the bench, but he is out-playing starter Brendan Haywood. On Tuesday, Mahinmi scored 17 points with a heady 19 boards in 29 minutes of play. If Spencer Hawes' never ending "will he play or won't he play" drama is irritating the bejesus out of you, Mahinmi is one of the better options still floating around many waiver wires who has real upside potential should he play his way into the starting gig.

Owned in 9 Percent of Yahoo! Leagues—4 Percent Change from Last Week

PF Chuck Hayes (Sacramento Kings)
Chuck Hayes has been riding that trendy injury bandwagon for the better part of January with a dislocated left shoulder, not to mention starting the season with the heart condition scare that threatened to put an end to his NBA career. Hayes returns to a crowded backcourt that includes J.J. Hickson and Jason Thompson fighting for minutes. It may take a week or two, but Hayes will reassert himself as starter and rack up heavy minutes between the forward and center positions.

Owned in 40 Percent of Yahoo! Leagues—3 Percent Change from Last Week

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