Let´s go over some guys who just might be available in your leagues. I decided to scan my own leagues that I am in to see who has typically been left on the wire. Here is what I discovered...

Standard Size League (12 teams)

Etan Thomas - Etan should be returning about now and even though the Wizards have been playing well with Haywood starting, there is a pretty big chance that Thomas might return to the starting lineup again. If he goes back to the numbers he posted before he went down he should be worthy of a roster spot on most teams.

Shaquille O`Neal - I owned Shaq in one of my leagues and decided to kick him off the team the moment it was obvious he was out for an extended period. Word is that he is going to play on January 15th. As much as people bash Shaq for not being the fantasy player he once was, he still has his strong suits; he brings you good points, boards, FG%, blocks and solid assists from the center spot. He does kill the FT% category, though. Any team that is already weak in this area can really benefit from adding Shaq. Take into account that the playoff schedule from Miami is really nice AND that Shaq has plenty to prove… he should be plenty good to own down the stretch run (aside from the occasional injury).

Stromile Swift - The big tease is teasing again, might this be the time it is for real? The coaching change is not hurting him and his minutes have gone up a ton. The injuries that slowed him down in the early part of the season appear to be over. The guy has a ton of fantasy potential, so if you are willing to make a gamble this is your choice.

Juwan Howard - Another big guy. With Yao Ming down, Howard has really stepped up. Good boards & good percentages - that is what he brings to the table, BUT only ‘til Ming returns from his injury. If you have a guy you can drop and those are the stats you are looking for Howard is your guy.

Dikembe Mutombo - The oldtimer is producing some very good numbers with Yao out. Juwan Howard is the guy you want if you need help with percentages. Mutombo is the guy you really want if you need a quick fix for blocks and rebounds.

Damon Stoudamire - Alright, not another big guy here. The Grizzlies have been firing on all cylinders since the recent coaching change and the return of Pau Gasol. Damon Stoudamire is finally seeing some minutes and putting up some decent numbers as well. Nice 3´s and assists.

Trying Hard To Find Something Decent (16 teams)

Bobby Jackson - The Hornets are an injury plagued team and B-Jax has fit right in so far this year. He is slowly recovering and starting to see some minutes, though. With Peja, Paul and West still out, someone has to pick up the slack and Bobby Jackson might very well be that guy. Rasual Butler has been nice, but be smart in deeper leagues and grab Bjax while you still can.

Marc Jackson - Probably a bit late to get a hand on this fellow, since David West is getting closer to returning. However he has been putting up some good numbers lately and is available in quite a few leagues. He is a pretty good shooter from the foul line and gives you a nice all-around statline. If you have someone to drop, he’ll be a nice short-term pickup.

Paul Millsap - Here is a guy who gets you a lot in the limited minutes he sees. He averages close to a block and a steal in about fifteen minutes and shoots around 55% from the field. His turnovers are so low that he is a sure pick up if you are in a deep roto league. Steals, Blocks, Boards and low turnovers. Not too many guys who beat that.

Wow It Is Looking Bad Out There (20 teams)

Joe Smith - I am going to assume this guy is gone in your leagues, but I am mentioning him anyway. With Webber not playing in Philadelphia Joe Smith is getting the minutes and actually putting up some numbers that makes him worth owning in a deep league. Pick him up as soon as possible.

Jason Maxiell - This guy is as undersized as Charles Barkley was and who knows he might be just as good a rebounder. He is definitely not near Sir Charles’ level, but he has got decent potential, though. What stands out most is his shot blocking ability, and in a twenty teamer blocks are hard to come by. So if you need blocks take a long hard look at this guy.

Kelenna Azubuike - I did not know this guy, but he was scooped up pretty fast in leagues I was in. He might be available in your league. He is a shooting guard that plays for the Warriors and with J-Rich out there are some minutes to spare. Nellie is a bit of a weird coach which usually means that guys like this usually have a shot at getting good minutes and thus numbers.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Anton Krijgsman is a column writer for RotoFreak.com and a moderator in our fantasy forum. If you'd like to comment on the article, please chime in on the boards.