Hoops Heist: Go Get Granger

One of the best parts about playing fantasy basketball is that we all get to play the role of Sam Presti, Daryl Morey or, for some of us, Isiah Thomas. It's fun to be able to pull of a trade with the kicker being that it has no real life implications.

So you traded away Carmelo Anthony last week for Kevin Martin. It happens. You wake up tomorrow, put your pants on one leg at a time, and go about your business. Hoops Heist, however, is here to help you target players in your league who will return value that will make you wake up and put your pants on two legs at a times. Imagine that.

We'll run through a few players whose current value might make them an easy target in the trade market. In other words, buy-low candidates. Don't worry, it's not stealing. It's more of a business transaction.

Danny Granger is the first guy I targeted on the trade market. He's currently rated No. 82 overall in fantasy hoops, but that ranking is a little deflated for a few reasons. First, the Pacers have only played in five games this season. In comparison, the No. 1 overall player, Chris Paul, and his team have played in eight games thus far. (Note: Granger's per-game ranking is No. 41.) That then says a little bit more about his on-court performance, which has been a bit disappointing to say the least. Granger is shooting 38.7-percent from the field, 29.4-percent from beyond the arc and 73.0-percent from the line. You might be able to find a frustrated Granger owner who may not have wanted to draft him in the first place. Of the Top 10 fantasy players heading into draft night, there is no question that Granger had the least sexy name of them all. What's the cost, though? Would fring first-rounders like Al Jefferson or Kevin Garnett get it done? How about Andre Iguodala, who is out-playing Granger at the moment? I'd take a shot at stealing Granger now, while you still can. The slow start from a shooting efficiency standpoint plus the fact that the Pacers have played the fewest games in the league might work in your favor. So would a little sweet talking.

Gerald Wallace is leading the league in rebounds per game as well as minutes per game. Too bad he's shooting just 32.1-percent from the floor and 11.1-percent from the three-point line. Well, that's too bad for his current owners. His field-goal percentage is actually starting to climb -- little by little. I don't think he'll lead the league in rebounding when all is said and done, but double-figures is not out of the question. Also, considering that Wallace is shooting just 5-of-33 from beyond 10-feet of the basket, I suspect that he'll start nailing his jumpers, pushing his FG% back up above 45-percent. Things are quite messy in Charlotte right now, so it might be a bit easier to convince his owner that they're better off letting you deal with Wallace's woes.

Derrick Rose's value is about as low as it's going to get all season. The problem is, most people drafted Rose for his name and potential. The key word is "potential." Rose will be a tough guy to pry, but he's bound to start turning it on. Especially as he starts to get closer to 100-percent healthy. Try and get creative and see if you can make a move, but don't over-pay for Rose. He's a potential superstar in the making, but he does have his fantasy shortcomings.

I'm not giving up on Charlie Villanueva. He did just have a nice breakout game last weekend against the Magic -- 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting, five rebounds and a trey. Chaz never really plays inspired basketball, but with his current ranking of 115 overall, I think it's time to strike on Villanueva while his value is still low. He has plenty of 20-plus scoring games ahead and his rebounding should start to pick up as well. Just don't expect much consistency from him on the defensive side of the ball.

Leandro Barbosa has a few things working agaisnt him. First, he's coming off an injury in which he's still not fully healed from. Then there's Jason Richardson and Steve Nash hogging all the minutes in the backcourt. Barbosa is typically good for nearly 1.5 threes and 1.5 steals when healthy. Currently his poor play has been mostly in part because of his injury. When healthy, Barbosa is one of the top bench players in the game. Make a low-ball offer and see if you can steal him away before he returns to full strength.

Kevin Love is targeting a retun in two weeks. Put a feeler out there an see what it might take to get him in a trade. Minnesota is desperate for any frontcourt help. I wouldn't get crazy and trade any value away, but if you can move a sell-high candidate for him -- I'm all for it.