If you’re holding onto these guys, you shouldn’t be:

Tayshaun Prince, SF, Detroit

A fringe fantasy player at best when healthy, Prince’s best fantasy asset was his ability to stay healthy and play every game of his career. Now that that streak is over and other players are filling his void (Charlie Villaneuva and Jonas Jerebko), you can find replacement level players who will be better than him.

Leandro Barbosa, PG/SG, Phoenix

An energizer bunny and electric scorer off the bench, Barbosa was struggling mightily this year with injuries to both wrists before this severely sprained ankle sidelined him. Due back a little after Christmas, Barbosa’s three-point ability isn’t needed in the same way as it was before he was injured thanks to the emergence of Jared Dudley. His playmaking skills were never strong as the backup PG to Steve Nash, and now that Goran Dragic has settled into that role nicely, he won’t be relied on there either. As a backup with two of his three major roles reduced (quick scoring being the third), there’s no reason to jump on him or hold onto him. Take a wait and see approach to see if he recaptures any of the magic he had a couple of years ago.

Rudy Fernandez, PG/SG, Portland

Hopefully you cut the cord when the back surgery was announced, if you hadn’t already. No need to hold onto a fringe player like Fernandez.

Yao Ming, C, Houston

Early rumors of his return this year were quickly dismissed by GM Daryl Morey. This isn’t going to be another Elton Brand situation where he may or may not be back for the end of the year. Two years ago, Brand worked hard to come back form an Achilles tendon tear and managed to play six meaningless games for the lottery-bound Clippers. Why? He was an impending free agent who needed to prove he was healthy enough to warrant a big-money contract. Brand did enough to trick the Sixers into giving him a ridiculously huge contract and cost the Lab a fantasy championship that year. Yao won’t be opting out of his contract after this year, and Morey won’t foolishly let him play after reconstructive foot surgery, especially with just one more year left on the deal after this season.

Greg Oden, C, Portland

Keeper leaguers, it’s not worth it. There are other fish in the sea. Dynasty leaguers, maybe, given how young he still is. But do you want to rest the fortunes of another season on his porcelain-like knees? The Lab wouldn’t.

Comments (3)

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment