Perfect Time to Pick Up These Fantasy Players?

Below is a list of basketball players that deserve to be noticed in all fantasy leagues. These players are still waiting on the waiver wire to be picked up and could improve your fantasy league immensely in the second half of the NBA season.


Spencer Hawes (C, Sacramento Kings)

Owned %- 67% CBSSports NBA, 51% Yahoo! Fantasy NBA

With the trade deadline approaching quickly, the Sacramento Kings expect to make a deal that would trade away center Brad Miller, giving fantasy owners a hint that they should pick up a player like Hawes.

Hawes started the first two weeks of the NBA season due to an injury to Miller. Hawes enjoyed an excellent start of the year showing the entire NBA his ability to shoot threes, grab rebounds, block shots, and dominate down low.

The big man stands 7'0" and weighs 245 lbs.

Hawes has outstanding talent, especially with his physique. Being only 20 years old, Hawes has extreme potential to turn into a double-double guy with a couple of three-pointers and blocks per game.

Hawes should be picked up in all fantasy leagues if still available. Miller has a chance to start again if Miller is traded, as he would rack up consistent starter minutes, increasing his fantasy value tremendously.


Brandon Bass (PF, Dallas Mavericks)

Owned %- 28% CBSSports NBA, 9% Yahoo! Fantasy NBA

Brandon Bass is averaging more minutes per game throughout this season and is definitely proving worthy of time on the court. This is Bass’ third year in the league and he has started to show signs of his outstanding potential this season.

The power forward will continue to get a raise in minutes this year and should be picked up in all fantasy leagues within the next couple of weeks.

He will begin to emerge as a solid fantasy player very shortly and will be snatched by many fantasy owners in a short time span, so pick him up now.


Thaddeus Young (PF, Philadelphia 76ers)

Owned %- 74% CBSSports NBA, 69% Yahoo! Fantasy NBA

With Elton Brand now sidelined for the rest of the season, Thaddeus Young should see an increase in minutes and fantasy production during the second half of the season. He is averaging 37.6 minutes per game during his last five games, and has clearly shown signs of improvement.

Young is in his second NBA season and is only 20 years old. He has serious potential to become very valuable in all fantasy leagues and should be picked up if still available.

Leandro Barbosa (SG, Phoenix Suns)

Owned %- 61% CBSSports NBA, 72% Yahoo! Fantasy NBA

Leandro Barbosa is finally getting some time to prove to head coach Terry Porter what he is capable of doing on the court. Barbosa is averaging 18.6 points per game during his last five games, including a 32-point outburst against the Chicago Bulls.

All fantasy owners know what Barbosa can do when given consistent minutes per game and should be picked up if still available in your fantasy league. Barbosa could have an outstanding second half to the NBA fantasy season.


Tyrus Thomas (PF, Chicago Bulls)

Owned%- 66% CBSSports NBA, 58% Yahoo! Fantasy NBA

Tyrus Thomas has recently emerged as a fantasy stud during the last couple of weeks nearly averaging a double-double in his last five contests with 13.8 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game, while playing around 31.2 minutes per game.

Thomas is showing signs of the great potential a lot of people predicted from him, and he has and is absolutely dominating the boards and blocking shots from left and right.

Thomas should continue to average starter minutes throughout the rest of the season and could see an increase in fantasy production as well. He should be picked up in all fantasy leagues immediately if still available in your league.


Jason Thompson (PF, Sacramento Kings)

Owned %- 72% CBSSports NBA, 52% Yahoo! Fantasy NBA

Jason Thompson is starting for the lowly Sacramento Kings and has seen an increase in fantasy production as of late. Thompson has scored in double-figures each of his last 13 games and should continue to keep improving throughout the remainder of the season.

Being just a rookie, Thompson has extreme upside to turn into a double-double kind of guy in the weeks to come.

He is averaging 15.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and shooting nearly 60 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line during his last five games.

Thompson should be picked up now before it is too late.