By Charlie Zegers, RotoWire.com

In the future, we’ll use this column to poke around the ol’ waiver wire and try to find some hidden gems. This week, though, we’ll concentrate on players who probably slipped through the cracks in most drafts, but might offer more value than bigger names when the season tips off.

Pick ‘em Up:


Martell Webster – POR [SG]: Webster may win the starting small forward job for Portland, thanks in part to otherworldly 11-of-21 shooting from three in the preseason. We thought Greg Oden’s arrival would really help Webster’s development by creating a lot of open looks from long range; thus far, it appears he didn’t need the help.

Jason Smith – PHI [SF,PF]: With Sam Dalembert (stress fracture, left foot) likely to miss the season opener and possibly a few games beyond that, rookie Smith is expected to start in the middle for Philly. Smith is undersized for the position, but he has a sweet shooting touch and range that extends out to the three-point line. He won’t be able to defend most centers, but most centers won’t be able to defend him either. Center eligibility would give his fantasy value a nice boost.

Nick Collison – SEA [C]: While we’re on the subject of center eligibility, it looks like Collison will keep his. That’s not P.J. Carlesimo’s ideal scenario – the Sonics’ coach would greatly prefer to move Collison to his natural power forward spot – but none of Seattle’s young centers seem ready to take on the job.

Darrell Armstrong – NJN [PG]: Jason Kidd’s back is barking, and backup Marcus Williams is still weeks away from starting his rehab, which means the veteran Armstrong may have the opportunity to rack up some dimes passing to Vince Carter during the first couple weeks of the season.

Kelenna Azubuike has flown under many fantasy owners' radar in drafts this season.
(Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images)
Kelenna Azubuike – GSW [SG,SF]: Azubuike has been named as Don Nelson’s starting small forward while Stephen Jackson serves out his league-mandated seven-game suspension. As Matt Barnes proved last year, subs and fill-ins can put up stunningly good numbers in Golden State’s offense.

Walter Herrmann – CHA [SF,PF]: With Adam Morrison (torn ACL) out for the year, expect Herrmann to pick up a lot of floor time he wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

Theo Ratliff – MIN [PF,C]: A lot of fantasy owners have probably forgotten about Ratliff completely. That’s understandable – he appeared in just two games last season. But it seems he’s at least reasonably healthy now, and the T-Wolves are reportedly planning on starting him at center on a semi-regular basis. If that happens, Ratliff could emerge as a very valuable (and cheap) source of blocks.

Rafer Alston – HOU [PG]: Many people – myself included – wrote Alston off completely. His offseason legal troubles and the dozen or so other guards on Houston’s roster made “Skip to My Lou” look like a goner. But the latest reports out of Rockets’ camp indicate that Alston is the leading contender for the starting job.

Cuttino Mobley – LAC [PG,SG]: He might be available, based on the news that Quinton Ross is the Clippers’ likely starter at shooting guard. But Mobley is well-suited to the instant offense/sixth man role, and could actually have more fantasy value as the lead scorer on LA’s second unit.

Andray Blatche – WAS [PF]: Blatche’s experience in the league and solid play at the end of last season probably gives him the edge over Oleksiy Pecherov in the competition for Etan Thomas’ playing time.

Sit ‘em Down:

Marco Belinelli– GSW [PG,SG]: Belinelli probably found his way on to a lot of rosters in leagues that drafted early (including mine in the NBA.com Expert League) based on the strength of his performance in the Vegas Summer League. But training camp and preseason play have exposed Belinelli’s weaknesses; he’s having a lot of trouble adjusting to the speed and size of NBA-level competition. He may have trouble cracking Don Nelson’s rotation on a regular basis.

Peja Stojakovic – NOH [SG]: Stojakovic is shooting just a hair over 30 percent in the preseason, and he’s dealing with “stiffness” in his surgically repaired back. Those are both very ominous signs for anyone hoping for a return to Sacramento form from Peja this season.

Jason Terry – DAL [PG,SG]: The Mavericks are selling Terry’s move to the bench as a way to shore up their second unit. But Dallas’ dissatisfaction with Terry – and their flirtation with Kobe Bryant – is also well-known. It’s hard not to view the lineup shift as the first step toward a potential roster move.

Trevor Ariza – ORL [SF]: Things you never want to hear from your starting two-guard: “I heard a ‘pop’ in my left foot.” Ariza is listed ahead of J.J. Redick on many speculative depth charts, but the ongoing trouble with his foot makes him a risky play at best.

Joey Graham, Carlos Delfino, and Jason Kapono – TOR: Toronto would love for one of the three to step up and win the small forward job, but thus far, no luck. At this point, it looks like the Raptors will go with the still-recovering Jorge Garbajosa at the three.

Delonte West – SEA [PG,SG]: A number of nagging injuries are hampering West’s chance at winning the starting point guard job in Seattle. Given coach P.J. Carlesimo’s well-known focus on defense, we like Earl Watson’s prospects over Luke Ridnour’s.

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