Fantasy Basketball Hot Pickups: Week 8

Raju ByfieldDec 12, 2010

Thaddeus Young has been going off since Evan Turner’s demotion to the bench and has averaged 20.7 points, seven rebounds on .765 percent shooting from the field. I still feel that Young will be starting at power forward with EB at center before the season is over. Regardless Young is a must-add in fantasy leagues. Young is still available in 40 percent of Yahoo leagues.

DeAndre Jordan has stepped it up as of late and with Chris Kaman due to be out for two and half more weeks Jordan makes for a solid pickup. He has averaged 8.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in six December games and is a recommended add if you need the big man stats. He will be inconsistent but as stated above, the block and rebound upside is there. Jordan is currently available in 92 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Jodie Meeks has been on fire as of late and has unseated Evan Turner as the 76ers starting shooting guard. Over the past three games Meeks has been averaging 20.3 points and five three-pointers per game on a strong .553 percent shooting from the filed. Meeks is still available in 83 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Daniel Gibson has been solid this season when playing extended minutes and is a must-add following news of his ascension to the starting lineup for the Cavs. Boobie has points, threes, assists and steal upside and may prove to be an impact player for fantasy squads. Gibson is still available in 41 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Kris Humphries continues to play well but is still available in 56 percent of Yahoo leagues. Humphries is averaging 8.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 16 games as the Nets starting power forward. Humph is a must-add in all redraft leagues.

Reggie Williams is in line to get a lot more run with Stephen Curry dealing with an injured ankle. Curry may be out until after Christmas and Williams is a hot pickup for the duration of his injury. Williams is still available in 62 percent of Yahoo leagues and should be added where available.

DeJuan Blair has had strong games for the Spurs this week and continues to hold of Thiago Splitter. Blair has always been a rebounding machine but is finding more consistency in the points and steal departments. Blair is still available in 73 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Jason Thompson has been named the Kings starting power forward for over a week and despite being inconsistent needs to be owned in deeper leagues. He had a 22 points, 14 rebounds outburst this week which highlighted his upside as a starter. He is currently available in 78 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Wesley Matthews is still available in 32 percent of leagues despite being named the starting small forward for the Blazers. He has been on fire over the past four games with 21.5 points, 2.8 steals, 2.6 rebounds, two three-pointers and 2.3 assists.

Greg Monroe had a 15-rebound outburst for the Pistons as their starting centre with Ben Wallace sitting out for a game. He moved back to the bench Saturday night but his outing highlighted his upside and suggests that he will be a key contributor down the stretch of the fantasy season. He is an excellent fantasy playoff stash. Monroe is still available in 91 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Jordan Farmar is in line for some more starts at point guard with Devin Harris dealing with a shoulder injury and needs to be owned until he doesn't. Farmar has been fantasy relevant since Harris’ return to the starting lineup and should be added in deeper leagues regardless of Harris’ injury situation. Farmar is currently available in 71 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Jonny Flynn was back in the D-League this weekend but is finally expected to see game action this week for the Timberwolves. Rambis has made it painfully obvious that Flynn will be eased back into action and owners should adjust expectations accordingly. Sitting at 23 percent owned fantasy owners need to appreciate that there is a reason Flynn is more owned that some current starters. It may take him a week or two to get going but Flynn has major upside with the Timberwolves new firepower in Beasley and Johnson.

Jerryd Bayless exploded in his second start at point guard for the Raptors and put up 31 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one three-pointer vs. the Pistons. He will not seize the bob yet, but this start highlighted his tremendous upside. Bayless is a must-add in dynasty leagues and is a worthwhile add in deeper leagues with a 200-player pool or more. Bayless is still available in 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Mike Dunleavy has been hot as of late and has averaged 12.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 threes, 1.3 blocks and one steal over his past four games. Dunleavy needs to be owned and is currently available in 51 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Spencer Hawes has averaged 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks over his past two contests and is a recommended pickup in deeper leagues. Hawes is available in 86 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Brandon Rush has started to come into his own and has averaged 15.3 points, 3.3 threes and one steal over his past four contests. He wont provide much more than points and threes as the one steal per game is a bonus. Rush is available in 72 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Samuel Dalembert is coming off the bench for the Kings but is still worth a roster spot due to his unique block upside as well as his strong rebounding even off the bench. Dalembert is currently available in 48 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Derrick Favors is set to make some noise for fantasy basketball playoff time. Nets head coach Avery Johnson has given every indication that Favors will get the starting job late in the season which makes Favors a stash by any means necessary player for playoff success. I’ve been stashing him all year with the same thoughts, you should do the same. Favors is still available in 81 percent of Yahoo leagues.