With only four weeks left in the season, fantasy owners have been busy working the waiver wire for the stretch run. ESPN's Most-Added/Dropped list is an underutilized tool that helps us gauge the market value of some of the more fringe fantasy players. Making the right moves on the waiver wire can be the difference between a championship team and one that finishes just short. With that said, let's take a look at some of the most-added and dropped players over the past week.
The Top 130
Note: Brian McKitish's top 130 players are ranked for their fantasy value from this point forward in the 2011-12 NBA season. Previous rank is indicated in parentheses.
1. Kevin Durant, SF, OKC (2)
2. LeBron James, SF, MIA (1)
3. Chris Paul, PG, LAC (3)
4. Kevin Love, PF, MIN (4)
5. Dwyane Wade, SG, MIA (5)
6. Russell Westbrook, PG, OKC (6)
7. Dwight Howard, C, ORL (7)
8. Deron Williams, PG, NJ (9)
9. Josh Smith, PF/SF, ATL (11)
10. Kobe Bryant, SG, LAL (8)
11. Al Jefferson, C/PF, UTAH (12)
12. Derrick Rose, PG, CHI (10)
13. Pau Gasol, PF/C, LAL (13)
14. LaMarcus Aldridge, PF/C, POR (14)
15. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, DAL (15)
16. Andrew Bynum, C, LAL (17)
17. Marc Gasol, C, MEM (19)
18. John Wall, PG, WSH (16)
19. DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C, SAC (26)
20. Paul Millsap, PF, UTAH (28)
21. Blake Griffin, PF, LAC (21)
22. David Lee, PF/C, GS (30)
23. Rudy Gay, SF, MEM (23)
24. Marcin Gortat, C, PHO (24)
25. Rajon Rondo, PG, BOS (29)
26. Kyrie Irving, PG, CLE (34)
27. James Harden, SG, OKC (32)
28. Greg Monroe, PF/C, DET (25)
29. Ty Lawson, PG/SG, DEN (22)
30. Steve Nash, PG, PHO (27)
31. Paul Pierce, SF/SG, BOS (31)
32. Marcus Thornton, SG, SAC (33)
33. Monta Ellis, PG/SG, GS (18)
34. Ryan Anderson, PF, ORL (35)
35. Tony Parker, PG, SA (36)
36. Kevin Garnett, PF/C, BOS (46)
37. Zach Randolph, PF, MEM (37)
38. Serge Ibaka, C/PF, OKC (39)
39. Joe Johnson, SG/SF, ATL (40)
40. Danny Granger, SF, IND (42)
41. Klay Thompson, SG, GS (86)
42. Nene, C/PF, WSH (67)
43. Andre Iguodala, SF/SG, PHI (43)
44. Gerald Wallace, SF/PF, NJ (44)
45. Joakim Noah, C/PF, CHI (45)
46. Roy Hibbert, C, IND (49)
47. Jeremy Lin, PG, NY (47)
48. Brandon Jennings, PG, MIL (38)
49. Nicolas Batum, SF/SG, POR (41)
50. JaVale McGee, C, DEN (48)
51. Jordan Crawford, SG, WSH (75)
52. Carmelo Anthony, SF, NY (20)
53. Tyreke Evans, PG/SG/SF, SAC (50)
54. Mike Conley, PG, MEM (51)
55. Kris Humphries, PF, NJ (53)
56. Carlos Boozer, PF, CHI (57)
57. Amare Stoudemire, C/PF, NY (54)
58. Chris Bosh, PF/C, MIA (55)
59. Luol Deng, SF, CHI (56)
60. Ramon Sessions, PG, LAL (84)
61. Manu Ginobili, SG, SA (59)
62. Tyson Chandler, C, NY (60)
63. Chris Kaman, C, NO (80)
64. Drew Gooden, PF, MIL (62)
65. Paul George, SF/SG, IND (63)
66. Goran Dragic, PG, HOU (113)
67. Jose Calderon, PG, TOR (76)
68. Andrea Bargnani, C/PF, TOR (64)
69. Antawn Jamison, PF, CLE (65)
70. Ersan Ilyasova, SF/PF, MIL (69)
71. Jason Terry, SG, DAL (66)
72. Jrue Holiday, PG, PHI (74)
73. Wilson Chandler, SF/SG, DEN (88)
74. Jarrett Jack, PG/SG, NO (73)
75. Luke Ridnour, PG, MIN (68)
76. Nate Robinson, PG/SG, GS (82)
77. Tim Duncan, PF/C, SA (77)
78. Wesley Matthews, SG/SF, POR (93)
79. Ray Allen, SG, BOS (70)
80. Nikola Pekovic, C, MIN (52)
81. Jared Dudley, SF/SG, PHO (79)
82. Channing Frye, PF/C, PHO (83)
83. Lou Williams, PG/SG, PHI (85)
84. Raymond Felton, PG, POR (90)
85. Luis Scola, PF, HOU (87)
86. Isaiah Thomas, PG, SAC (92)
87. Arron Afflalo, SG, DEN (95)
88. Jeff Teague, PG, ATL (89)
89. Evan Turner, SG, PHI (58)
90. DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC (78)
91. Brandon Knight, PG/SG, DET (91)
92. Rodney Stuckey, PG/SG, DET (81)
93. DeMar DeRozan, SG/SF, TOR (94)
94. Al Harrington, PF, DEN (100)
95. Kyle Lowry, PG, HOU (71)
96. Elton Brand, PF, PHI (105)
97. Alonzo Gee, SG/SF, CLE (111)
98. Kevin Martin, SG, HOU (72)
99. Devin Harris, PG, UTAH (112)
100. Jamal Crawford, SG/PG, POR (102)
101. Gerald Henderson, SG, CHA (103)
102. Corey Maggette, SF, CHA (101)
103. David West, PF, IND (96)
104. Jameer Nelson, PG, ORL (99)
105. Tristan Thompson, PF, CLE (NR)
106. Gordon Hayward, SG/SF, UTAH (129)
107. Nick Young, SG, LAC (107)
108. D.J. Augustin, PG, CHA (97)
109. Jason Kidd, PG, DAL (118)
110. Thaddeus Young, SF/PF, PHI (109)
111. Jose Juan Barea, PG, MIN (NR)
112. Bismack Biyombo, PF/C, CHA (110)
113. Stephen Jackson, SG/SF, SA (115)
114. Andre Miller, PG, DEN (108)
115. Carlos Delfino, SF/SG, MIL (NR)
116. Mario Chalmers, PG, MIA (116)
117. Jason Thompson, PF, SAC (NR)
118. Kenneth Faried, PF, DEN (121)
119. Spencer Hawes, C, PHI (NR)
120. Derrick Williams, PF, MIN (122)
121. Anderson Varejao, PF/C, CLE (123)
122. Eric Gordon, SG, NO (NR)
123. Trevor Ariza, SF/SG, NO (120)
124. Zaza Pachulia, C, ATL (NR)
125. Dorell Wright, SF, GS (125)
126. James Johnson, SF/PF, TOR (127)
127. Samuel Dalembert, C, HOU (128)
128. Shawn Marion, SF/PF, DAL (130)
129. Tony Allen, SG, MEM (NR)
130. Darren Collison, PG, IND (117)
Most-Added
Goran Dragic, PG, Houston Rockets (99.6 percent owned): Dragic made his debut in the top 130 a few weeks ago when we learned of Kyle Lowry's illness, but I've been tentative in moving him up in the ranks simply because his value will likely drop once Lowry returns. That said, we still don't have word on Lowry's return status, and it's beginning to look like his season might be in jeopardy at this point. Averaging 16.6 points, 9.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.0 3-pointers, Dragic would be a top-25 fantasy option if Lowry were to be shut down due to his bacterial infection.
Klay Thompson, SG, Golden State Warriors (92.4 percent owned): As expected, Thompson has taken full advantage of his opportunity with Monta Ellis out of town and Stephen Curry on the shelf. With 20.4 points, 1.6 steals and 2.6 3-pointers per game in his past five, Thompson is going to make his owners very happy during the stretch run.
Tristan Thompson, PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers (24.6 percent owned): Featured in this space before as a youngster with quality per-minute rebounding and shot-blocking numbers, Thompson has been given an opportunity for extended minutes at center in Cleveland. He's still too raw to be considered a consistent option, and his value will suffer if/when Anderson Varejao returns, but with 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in four starts at center, he's still a prime pickup candidate for anyone in need of big-man stats.
Jason Thompson, PF, Sacramento Kings (55.0 percent owned): Historically a frustrating player to own because of his inconsistency, Thompson was on quite a hot streak before missing Saturday's game with an ankle injury. Thompson has averaged 12.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals in his past nine contests, and certainly can help fantasy owners right now. Just don't be surprised if he falls back into his old inconsistent ways in the near future.
Mike Dunleavy, SG/SF, Milwaukee Bucks (78.9 percent owned): Call me skeptical, but I'm not rushing out to the waiver wire to add Dunleavy despite the fact that he's played very well recently, with 16.1 points per game over his past 10 contests. The Bucks suddenly have a ton of depth after the Monta Ellis trade, and Dunleavy is losing minutes to both Ellis and Carlos Delfino in recent action. With just 21.4 minutes per game in his past five, Dunleavy should come crashing back down to earth sooner rather than later. As far as pickups are concerned, I like Delfino's steals and 3-point shooting much better.
Zaza Pachulia, C, Atlanta Hawks (52.6 percent owned): Zaza isn't flashy or exciting, but he's quietly getting the job done in Atlanta, averaging 10.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 14 games since the All-Star break. Throw in the fact that he shoots well from the floor and the line and Zaza becomes quite valuable in fantasy leagues. Many (myself included) have slept on Pachulia to this point, but 52.6 percent of you have been enjoying his production for a few weeks now.
Gordon Hayward, SG/SF, Utah Jazz (42.7 percent owned): Thanks to the inevitable Josh Howard injury, Hayward has become one of my favorite pickup candidates over the past week. A versatile swingman, Hayward can do a little bit of everything with 12.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.2 blocks and 0.8 3-pointers in his past five games. It looks like the Jazz will roll with Hayward as their starter the rest of the way, and he should make the most of the opportunity.
Most-Dropped
Evan Turner, SG/PG, Philadelphia 76ers (43.0 percent owned): Well, that was quick. Just as quickly as folks jumped on the Turner bandwagon a few weeks ago, they jumped off it this week, after Turner posted just 6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 steals while shooting 31.3 percent in his past five games. I wrote a glowing review of Turner when he was first named as a starter, and I'm not quite ready to abandon that analysis just yet. As a second-year player, we should expect some inconsistency, but I still believe in his long-term development. Granted, I understand that some fantasy owners can't be waiting around for Turner to develop as the season winds down, but those who dropped him should monitor his progress going forward at the very least.
Bismack Biyombo, PF/C, Charlotte Bobcats (30.4 percent owned): Biyombo has struggled of late with 5.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game in his past five, but he's still providing useful defensive numbers even if they are slightly down from a few weeks ago. Biyombo will not contribute much on the offensive end, but those in need of blocks should certainly consider re-adding the rookie, as he's locked into 28-32 minutes per night for the frontcourt-challenged Bobcats.
Caron Butler, SF, Los Angeles Clippers (52.2 percent owned): Butler has been in a major funk since just before the All-Star break, and has averaged just 8.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.6 steals and 0.6 3-pointers while shooting 32.0 percent from the floor since the break. I had kept him in the top 130 up until this week in the hopes that he'd figure things out, but now that he's losing minutes it's unlikely that he'll turn it around before season's end. Most disappointing during this stretch is that Butler hasn't even been able to contribute in his strongest categories, steals and 3-pointers.
MarShon Brooks, SG/SF, New Jersey Nets (34.7 percent owned): I am still sold on Brooks' future, but he hasn't had much fantasy value in recent action with the Geralds (Green and Wallace) cutting into his minutes and production. Averaging just 9.6 points, 0.6 steals and 0.3 3-pointers in his past 10 games, fantasy owners can safely drop the promising rookie. Just be sure to file his name away for future reference in case injuries hit in New Jersey.
Nikola Pekovic, C, Minnesota Timberwolves (83.8 percent owned): Pekovic has been diagnosed with bone spurs in his ankle, and initial reports have not been clear on a return date. Given how valuable he's been -- 15.8 points and 9.0 rebounds as a starter -- owners would be wise to hang on to the center until we get some more concrete information about whether or not he'll try to play through pain with the Wolves fighting for a playoff spot in the West.