NBA Underbelly

Welcome to the weekday edition of the Underbelly.  Today I’ll be discussing and recommending some players that all of you out there should be shopping around in trade offers.  I will list 4 guys in a tiered fashion (ie. top player, B player, Role Player, Wire Pickup).  Keep in mind that these are recommendations of who you should be offering in an attempt to get guys on the way up or players that have proven to be very consistent and on a similar level.

Remember that all of you can comment on my advice or even ask any specific questions by using the “comments” link located to the bottom right of each article.

 On with the show:

Top Tier Sell

Tracy McGrady

At first glance this might seem puzzling, however, you must consider the numerous season’s that McGrady has had a blinding start, only to get injured or slump at midseason.  Tracy McGrady has the name and the game to trade for almost any player in the league, so try packaging him with a mid range starter for a guy like Dirk Nowitzki, Lebron James, or Kobe Bryant.  You may have to throw in 2nd or 3rd tier players but it will be worth it.  All 3 have been more consistent fantasy producers and much more durable over the past few seasons.  Give it a shot.

Second Tier

Al Harrington

Big Al is off to a nice little start as he is averaging 20ppg, 7rebs and 2ass with 2.5 threes made a game.  This is a guy where his numbers may simply overwhelm some GMs.  If you offer him up for a younger scorer and a rebounding specialist, your team could reap the rewards.  Try going after guys like Marvin Williams, Danny Granger or Jamal Crawford and make sure you get a nice role player with them (ie. rebounder, assist guy, or 3point shooter).  Harrington is a hot and cold player, and I don’t think that after 10 seasons of inconsistency, he is suddenly going to have a full season of steady consistent production.

Role Player

Mike Dunleavy

The long awaited arrival of Dunleavy junior is finally here, and you can’t help but feel good for the guy.  However, feeling good does not mean you shouldn’t get rid of him.  Along with Danny Granger, Dunleavy has benefitted greatly from Jermaine O’Neal’s minute reduction, but with O’Neal getting healthier and the gut feeling I have the Dunleavy will disappear for stretches, I say trade him.  His numbers are pretty enough to get you a steady vet that you can rely on, or even a package for some solid youngsters with upside.  Whatever you do, don’t expect his production to stay where it is.

Waiver Level

Francisco Garcia

Fresh off my sleeper list, Senor Garcia’s name comes up again.  The emergence of John Salmons, the immediate return of Ron Artest and the eventual return of Mike Bibby makes this one fairly obvious.  Garcia is putting up nice numbers now but they are nowhere near Salmons, which means when Sacramento’s big gun (Bibby) is back, you have to assume that it’s Garcia who will suffer most.  Trade him for anything that you won’t consistently find on the waiver wire because thats where Garcia will be in 6-8 weeks.  If you can’t get anything for him, just ride him out because he will still contribute until Bibby returns.

Talk to you Sunday.