Four Players To Target

It’s getting to that point in the season where owners are ready to cut bait on players that have hounded them all season. Maybe a player was out with injury, and has been ineffective since his return. We know he’s just getting his legs back, but they think he’s ‘lost it’. Maybe the player has battled an injury all season, and has been inconsistent. We know he’s ‘hurt’ and will heal, they think he’s injured and one step from the shelf. Maybe the player went on IR and his backup came in and was effective. We know coaches tend to stick with their starters, but they think he’s lost his job for good. Here are 4 buy low players that I love right now. Caution! I wouldn’t go after more than two of these guys, no need to take on more risk than is necessary. And really, if you have any questionable players on your squad, maybe just go for one. When you do Ink this deal, be sure to place this guy on your bench until he proves he’s ready to roll (minutes per game will be the key, look for 30+).

1. Devin Harris – PG – NJ Nets

Harris is battling tendinitis in his wrist now, and that’s been the reason given for his ineffective shooting. Still, a recent MRI showed no serious damage, and Harris was held out of the last game as a precautionary move. When healthy and effective, Harris is at least worth 18 points, 6 assists and some steals. He came into the season as a top ranked player, and many people got burned taking him in the second round. If you made a low ball offer last month, they scoffed at you for rubbing it in that he’s been slow. Now, with this latest setback, they are ready to dump. I’d bet you could offer players like Foye (based on his potential production) or Andre Miller (who probably won’t keep up his current stat line when Blake returns).

2. Jose Calderon – PG – Toronto Raptors

Another guy owner’s are just dying to cut bait on. I got a call on Saturday from his owner in my league, sending out a feeler to see what I’d offer him. I told him ‘Sorry bub, no interest here’. I figure he’ll make the rounds this week, and I know everyone will avoid that situation (remember, no one likes to buy low, they only like to buy high) and I’ll snake through a low ball offer sometime on Thursday. They travel tonight for the second game of a back to back, then don’t play again til Friday. Timing should be perfect here. I have no doubt Jose will be their starting PG by the end of the season. He’s not a great source of points, but he is an awesome source of dimes.

3. Andris Biedrins – C – GS Warriors

I asked people to hold off early in December as we didn’t know much about Biedrins injury. Well, he’s back now and it doesn’t appear to be a cause for re-injury concern. Biedrins is my favorite in this group, and I actually already inked the deal. When healthy, he’s a lock for a double double with an average of a steal and 1.5 blocks per game. Best part is, he is dirt cheap right now. I offloaded Hibbert and Barbosa to snag him. I expect, at worst, he’ll give me Hibbert’s numbers. But with the return of Granger, Dunleavy and Murphy, Hibbert will be squeezed for time going forward. Biedrins has only Turiaf to battle for time, as Anthony Randolph went down with injury. Low low low ball here, his owners are completely disgusted (and likely missed the 5 blocks he had on the 5^th, and 3 steals on the 8th). I’m likely to also start using him right away, as he can be very effective even in limited minutes.

4. Manu Ginobili – SG – SA Spurs

The Italian Stallion with a last name no one seems to get right (it’s GIN NO BLEE). Manu’s starting to get the minutes again and it’s showing up in his stat line. He’s a great guy to have on your squad, offering solid points and treys, but chipping in with good numbers everywhere else too. Manu battled injury early on this season, but the Spurs played it right and gave him rest where he needs it. To the owner not paying attention, he might seem inconsistent and not very good. There isn’t much time to strike as I expect the stat line to only improve from here. I’d offer a guy like Ariza here, someone you could really use to offload. Another option would be Randy Foye.

As mentioned, I already inked a deal for Hibbert. Both Calderon and Harris are on the same team in my league and I know the guy is looking to deal. His keeper was Harris this year so I expect him to still be in love, so I’ll target Calderon before going after Manu. My low ball will be something like Iverson and Dunleavy (Indy plays tonight and Wednesday, fingers crossed for two good games from Dunleavy to up his value, I just grabbed him off the FA wire after the 2-1 trade for Biedrins).

One last thing, it might seem like I am giving contradictory advice on Randy Foye right now, suggesting people grab him and also offer him in trades. Randy is an awesome commodity right now because you just don’t know what you’re gonna get. The potential is high enough to warrant a pick up, no doubt, but if I can ink one of the (more sure) guys above with him in a deal, well then take it and run!