Keith Lipscomb

  (3:01 PM)

Good afternoon, everyone. I hope you're all doing well. We've gotta start with the news that Al Jefferson has a torn ACL. What a rough few weeks in the NBA, injury-wise.

Thomas (Seattle, WA)

Just heard that Al Jefferson is out for the season with a torn ACL. Can a player come back from that type of injury and be as good as he was before this injury?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:03 PM)

There's no question that players can come back and be as effective again, but to expect that in the first season back is asking a bit much in many cases.

stan (detroit)

Who do you want the rest of the way, Durant or Roy?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:05 PM)

Durant for sure. He can help in so many categories, he's a better scorer, and as well as he shoots from the foul line, and the volume he attempts, it's very nice to have. And that's not to mention how well he's shot from the field and from 3-point range.

Brian (Brooklyn, NY)

Do you think Andrea Bargnani is worth starting over Greg Oden?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:07 PM)

If you want to guarantee that you'll fill up a few categories, Bargnani is the better choice, because he's getting more consistent minutes (especially since foul trouble isn't such a big problem for him). Oden right now is still just as likely to have a dud game, like he did against the Thunder on Friday, as he is a great game like he did on Sunday against the Knicks. Bargnani definitely misses Chris Bosh, but he should be back soon.

Kyle (OH)

Should I pick up Kevin Love, Marvin WIlliams, Al Horford, or Mike COnley

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:10 PM)

Well, Kyle, it really depends what you need. But I do think Mike Conley should continue to contribute, even if his scoring comes down from his recent run of strong performances. And with Jefferson's injury, Love has to get more consistent minutes, so he's capable of averaging a double-double the rest of the way. As Seth Landman wrote in today's Player Rater column, Williams doesn't get a lot of love, but he is capable of helping you across multiple categories, even if he isn't a master in any one. So, if I had to order them, I'd take Conley while he's getting these huge minutes, followed by Love, speculating a bit there.

David (New Rochelle, NY)

For the rest of the season: Dunleavy or Delonte West? Thanks...

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:13 PM)

Well, I can't help but be worried by Dunleavy leaving Sunday's game early on with a problem with his right knee, the same knee that kept him out of the first 34 games this season. If I knew both he and West would be healthy, it would be an easy choice, Dunleavy would be the guy. But since we don't know, I feel much stronger that West will be able to play the rest of the schedule once he returns, since his injury wasn't related to his legs. Dunleavy has the upside, West is the more sure thing.

Wayne

Have Bosh and Granger. They've helped me to a 12 - 3 record, but is it time to trade either/or both before their teams shut them down?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:15 PM)

I can't see either player's team shutting them down, because they'll be battling for a playoff spot, despite their poor current records. They're both only about 4-5 games out of the final spot. And I think it would be tough to get true value back for Bosh right now. I'd hang onto them and hope things get better soon.

Travis (Chicago)

Need help in STL and ASST...Hinrich or Augustine?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:17 PM)

I think Augustin is the better choice, because he has a clearer path to consistent fantasy production. And that path could become even clearer if Raymond Felton is traded. We'll see on that front. But Hinrich just won't give you crazy numbers in any one area with the Bulls right now.

Birdman (Mass)

Would you trade Chris Paul for Amare & Jay Rich? I would slot J rich into my empty Paul slot and Amare into my Brand Spot (which is occupied by Jay Thompson).

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:22 PM)

It's an intriguing deal, because you essentially have to look at the numbers Paul/Thompson will get you and compare them to what you expect from J-Rich/Amare. You obviously lose a lot in terms of assists and steals, but at least Amare shoots well from the line, like Paul, and goes there a fair share. I'm not sure if you're in great shape assist-wise, but if you are, I can see you pulling it off. Jason Thompson will be streaky, since he's still a rook and has had some problems with fouls.

Holtz (Indy)

I will make the playoffs, deciding if I want to shop Jamison around. I think the Wizards might sit him a more down the stretch to get other guys some playing time. Who should I target for him? Would Iguodala be good?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:24 PM)

I'm not convinced they'll sit him, unless he's really hurt, but there's no doubt that Iguodala is a fair offer, especially when you consider how much better he's played without Brand in there.

Larry: (Boston)

What is Boozer's trade value right now? Would you give up any of Paul Peirce, Josh Smith, or Richard Jefferson with Boozer possibly being back on the 17th?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:26 PM)

Well, I wouldn't say his value is terribly high because he's been late to return from injury, and naturally there's no guarantee that he'll remain healthy once he DOES return. But that being said, Jefferson's the only one I'd even consider dealing, but with all the recent injuries in Milwaukee, Jefferson's value has gone up considerably because he's getting 40+ minutes a night lately. I'd hold off on trading for Boozer.

brooklyn, NY

So, Jefferson is gone. Besides Love, is there anybody else worth monitoring in Minnessota?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:29 PM)

I can see Ryan Gomes becoming a more dependable scorer and rebounder. Don't expect miracles, but someone's going to have to pick up the slack in the frontcourt. And if Mike Miller's ever going to get his preseason value back, this would be the time to do it. He's worth a flier at the back end of your roster if he's on the wire in your league.

Rob (SC, PA)

I offered Milsap for Jeff Green. He needs a center and I need some threes out of the forward position. I've got Sheed, Duncan, and Howard already. Fair offer that makes sense? By the way - for Holtz in Indy, I'd do Iguodala for Jamison for the additional reason that the Sixers have a lot of games during the playoffs (4, 4, and 4 during weeks 22-24) and the Wiz only have 4, 3, and 2 games during that same stretch!

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:31 PM)

That's an outstanding point, Rob. Thanks for doing the research on that one. If you're in a head-to-head league, those are certainly huge factors, especially if you're close to a sure thing to make your playoffs. And yes, the Millsap for Green is a fair offer, as things stand now. Millsap's value may not be this high the rest of the season, so now's the time to unload him, just in case Boozer comes back and reclaims all of his prior playing time at his expense. I don't expect it to be that dramatic, but you never know.

Brews (NYC)

I'm loaded at guard: Harris, Calderon, Stuckey, Westbrook, E. Gordon, Mayo, Agustin. Who's the best trade bait outside of Harris? Need a SF with threes. Any good targets?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:33 PM)

Calderon is the biggest name out of those guys and has the longest history, albeit still pretty short. And if you can find a team which needs assists, he's obviously a great guy to dangle out there. As far as SFs to get, Rashard Lewis is a nice target, and with Jameer Nelson out for maybe the season, I expect Lewis' offensive numbers to increase a tad.

Craig - Pasadena

Is something up with Millsap?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:36 PM)

Craig, I think Millsap is definitely more of a mid-teens scorer than the 20-point guy was for a little stretch there, but this recent run of single-digit performances has been quite disappointing. One factor has been foul trouble. He's not getting huge minutes and may not be playing with the same abandon when he's watching his fouls, but since he doesn't create his own offense much, it could also be a factor that Deron Williams is back and scoring at a high rate recently. I'm more worried about him losing time when Boozer returns than I am about Millsap's game itself.

Evan (NY)

One of the many people to lose Al Jefferson for the season? Need blocks and rebounds now. Is Andray Blanche a good replacement? Or is Ryan Gomes a better pickup? Thanks Keith.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:40 PM)

Hi Evan. It really is tough to find blocks out there, isn't it? Well, in most leagues Ronny Turiaf is out there and he's in the top 3 in blocks per game in the entire NBA. He's also a decent rebounder on a per-minute basis, and with Biedrins out for a week or so, he should do well for you in the meantime. Blatche is still out with that knee, so I'd stay away from him until further notice. Gomes won't help you in blocks, but will play big minutes the rest of the way, if you want better across-the-board production that what Turiaf can offer.

Malik (Tucson, AZ)

Duhon or Augustin?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:42 PM)

I may be in the minority on this, if indeed Augustin gets big minutes the rest of the way, but I'm taking Duhon, because he'll provide much more assists and shoot at least as well, if not better. I expect Augustin to score more, but he's put up surprisingly low steals numbers, so Duhon can help you in more areas in a very friendly system.

Pete (Green Bay, WI)

I need help bad now that I have lost Al Jefferson and appartently Dunleavy. I have Howard, Aldridge and Lee to fill in at center. Could you please rate the following free agents on my waiver wire: G. Wallace, Love, AK-47, J. O'Neal and Scola. If it helps, I need FG's and assists.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:45 PM)

Well, it's always tough to ditch one injured guy for another, but Gerald Wallace can be a difference maker in the games he does play. He expects to be back after the break and will get more assists than all the others on the list, with a manageable FG%. Love will provide a decent percentage. He's shot much better recently. If you'd rather not incur another injury-prone guy, I'd consider Love next.

NYC Ballers

What's your take on Krstic, M. Gasol, and McGee the rest of the year? Need to trade or possibly release one.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:48 PM)

Well, I wouldn't do anything with Gasol. He's the best of the trio. And while Krstic has skill and can put up steady numbers when given the chance, I find McGee intriguing and given the situation in Washington, it's possible they'll give him a chance to play even more in March and April, which might make him worth holding onto moreso than Krstic. Just a gut feeling.

George (Bristol)

How do you rank DeAndre Jordan in a dynasty league? This guy has great potential in a head to head format for blks, rebs, etc.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:50 PM)

He's still quite the project at both ends of the floor. He's not a great defender yet, despite the blocks and rebounds, and he has very limited offensive game. He would've really benefitted from returning to A&M for at least one more season. So, as long as Camby and/or Kaman are in front of him in Clipperland, it's hard to see him getting huge minutes in the next year or so.

Fausto Peralta (Los Cabos, Mexico)

is this a fair trade Ramon Sessions and Hakim Warrick for Randy Foyle and Udonis Haslem? please help me with this one.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:53 PM)

I think it's a fair deal, because both Foye and Sessions have seen lots of shots open up for them due to recent injuries. I personally like Sessions more, but it's arguable. And Warrick and Haslem are similar enough.

PJ Athens, OH

What's the skinny on Tyson Chandler? He was dropped in a fairly deep league (15 roster spots 10 team league). Would you rather have him or Ty Thomas?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:56 PM)

Hi PJ. While it's no fun trying to guess what's going to happen with Thomas next, I think I'd be willing to give him a run over Chandler right now. Chandler's ankle's been a problem and while his FG% and rebounding history is the selling point with him, Thomas' upside is worth taking the gamble on at this point. A trade is possible for Thomas, so we may have to reevaluate his situation after the deadline.

Jeff (Indy)

How bad is Dunleavy's injury? I didn't see it and none of the stories are providing good information. Are we talking a few games off or a few weeks?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:58 PM)

Jeff, I wish I had more news on it, but I've heard nothing concrete yet to indicate how much time he'll miss. I don't expect him to play this week, since I think the team may play it safe with him, since this is the same knee, but I'm playing the waiting game for an answer, as you are, unfortunately.

acg (nyc)

who would you rather have the rest of the way... billups williams or nash?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:00 PM)

I really like Deron Williams, so he's my choice. He's really been a different player since the calendar flipped. About 23 points and 10 dimes a game, and he shoots it well, too. He's my guy.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:00 PM)

All right, everyone. I've gotta run, but thanks for the questions and we'll do it again soon!