Advertisement

Court Report: Attention, K-Mart Owners

I'm not one for long introductions. Let's get right to the info, immediately actionable or otherwise.

* The big news of the day broke just over an hour ago. Kevin Martin(notes) has been diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his left wrist and treatment options are currently being discussed. Technically it could be much worse, as it's his non-shooting wrist, but this still figures to be a blow for fantasy owners and a very thin Kings roster. The Kings waived Desmond Mason(notes) today, meaning that rookie Omri Casspi(notes) would likely be the main benefactor if Martin were to miss time. Another plausible scenario would be Beno Udrih(notes) moving back into the starting lineup, pushing Tyreke Evans(notes) to shooting guard.

• Another does of reality for Channing Frye(notes) owners on Wednesday, as early foul trouble resulted from his matching up with Dwight Howard(notes), and he finished with five points, 1 three, and four boards in 19 minutes. It should also be a cautionary tale for those of you with trade offers rolling in from current Frye owners. He should be good in general, but don't pay for production from his first three games alone. Also keep in mind that we'll get a Robin Lopez(notes) update next week and, while Frye is light-years ahead of him on offense, he's a much better defensive option against the "true" centers of the league.

Leandro Barbosa(notes) missed another game because of the cyst in his right wrist, but he should be back soon, barring any complications.

Vince Carter(notes) (ankle) did not play Wednesday and he'll be a game-time decision on Friday.

Richard Hamilton's(notes) ankle has been slow to heal, making doubtful for Friday and possibly beyond. Those of you in deeper leagues should consider a Will Bynum(notes) add for the weekend - he's averaged 18 points on 46-percent shooting, 1 three, 3 boards, 4 assists, and 1.5 steals in 30 minutes over the past two games. The Pistons play Friday (@ORL) and Sunday (PHI), but have only one weekday game in Week 3 (Wednesday, CHA).

Quentin Richardson(notes) is playing a ton while Daequan Cook's(notes) shoulder has kept him sidelined (40 minutes per over the past two games) and the threes are falling (9-for-16 from long-range in those games). He'll probably be good for Friday's tilt with Denver, but the Heat then have three days off and Cook isn't expected to be out much longer.

• If there is a slight bit of fantasy value to be mined from the "other" Nets' bigs while Yi Jianlian(notes) is out, it will come from Josh Boone(notes), who compiled 11 points, 8 boards, two steals, and one block in 29 minutes of the blowout loss to the Nuggets on Wednesday. Deep-leaguers should keep an eye on the situation and keep in mind that Boone's career per-36's include 9.9 boards and 1.4 blocks.

Troy Murphy(notes) (back) had trouble putting on his shoes Wednesday, so playing was not a consideration. Consider him very questionable for Friday's game versus Washington - the Pacers then have four consecutive days off before playing the Warriors on Wednesday.

• 15 points, 14 boards, and two blocks is all well and good, but the best part of Roy Hibbert's(notes) line on Wednesday was zero fouls in 29 minutes. He remains unrostered in half of Yahoo! leagues despite season averages that include 10.8 points, 10.3 boards, and 2.3 blocks in 26 minutes.

• Although his 24 points versus the Celtics was, in a word, unexpected, Oleksiy Pecherov(notes) does have some offensive skills and he's likely to play plenty while Kevin Love(notes) remains out, particularly in the wake of his Wednesday performance. The T-Wolves' shedule is pretty favorable in the short-term, with six games (featuring MIL, @GSW, @MEM) over the next nine days. We should have an update on Love roughly two weeks from now.

• It was good to see Spencer Hawes(notes) back in the starting lineup on Wednesday, even though he had a sub-par offensive game against the Hawks (31 minutes, 6 points, 3-of-9 shooting).

• Look here and here for some insight into why Tyreke Evans' shooting percentage is hovering just below 35 percent.

• Is the writing on the wall for Mike Conley(notes)? He certainly didn't help himself Wednesday, posting eight points on 3-of-10 shooting in 30 minutes while Allen Iverson(notes) went for 18 points (8 of 12) in 27 minutes.

• Two updates, one link: Andrew Bynum(notes) is doubtful for Friday because of a strained right elbow, although the injury isn't considered to be "too serious." Pau Gasol(notes) was a minor participant in practice on Thursday, but he remains "very doubtful" for Friday. D.J. Mbenga(notes) should get extended run in the Lakers' frontcourt versus the Grizzlies.

• Two more updates, another single link: Devin Harris(notes) (groin) is looking at another two weeks at minimum before he'll be ready for a return.

“It could take four weeks to heal. If I come back in two weeks and I still feel it, I’m going to take the next two weeks. I’m hoping to be back in two weeks. That’s what I’m hoping for. We don’t have a date quite in mind. It comes down to when I come back I want to be completely healthy.”

Doh. Rafer Alston(notes) will continue to be a fairly poor option as the team's starter in the interim. And Chris Douglas-Roberts(notes) is now doubtful for Friday, as he did not travel with the team because of flu-like symptoms. Assuming he's only sidelined for a few days, CDR remains a solid pick-up for fantasy owners looking for some offensive help on the cheap.

Tyrus Thomas(notes) traveled to Cleveland on Thursday and will "try" to play versus the Cavs, although he's still not completely recovered from his bout with the flu.

• Dwight Howard is dealing with a sore shoulder but, thankfully, there is no structural damage.

• Click here for a detailed breakdown of the Anthony Randolph(notes) "situation", which the writer offers as that he's going to struggle for playing time as one of the team's backup centers because Don Nelson flat-out doesn't like his game. It's not going to make anyone suddenly become optimistic, I can assure you of that. So, clearly Randolph is just a matchup play at best for the immediate future, and that worst-case scenario that was only given a slim chance of taking place was in full swing essentially from the outset of the season. Would I blame you for cutting Randolph right now? No. But my advice is to give him one more week before you make a move, as the Warriors have LAC, SAC, MIN, IND, NYK, and MIL lined up through next Friday. If he can't get something going versus that collection of defenses - or if Nellie simply won't allow it to happen - then he truly may be hopeless.

• You didn't think you were going to get through a Thursday without an Eddy Curry(notes) Line mention, did you? A few of the highlights from the early-going: Jason Thompson(notes) (14.5:1) has struggled with his shot thus far, but not on the Curry Line, thanks to 29 positive stats (19 assists, 3 steals, 7 blocks) and just two turnovers ... After averaging 1.9 turnovers in 24 minutes last season, Louis Williams(notes) (6.75:1) is averaging just 1 in 35 minutes ... Stephen Curry(notes) (4.5:1) is at the head of the rookie pack ... Russell Westbrook(notes) (1.818:1) has been filling it up all over, but that includes a whopping 5 turnovers per game ... Caron Butler's(notes) (0.8:1) counting stats are down all over - through four games, he only has three assists and three steals ... Tyson Chandler(notes) (0.625:1) is bringing up the rear for qualifiers, thanks to five positive stats (1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks) and eight turnovers.