The Trail Blazers started the season with the what seemed to be the deepest center rotation in the league... but Greg Oden is done for the year (again), Marcus Camby just has surgery and will be sidelined for a few weeks, and Joel Przybilla is reportedly considering retirement. If I was in Nate McMillan's shoes, I might consider joining Przybilla on the golf course... these guys are just snakebit.
It seems Przybilla is going to get the starting nod for now, backed by Dante Cunningham. But Cunningham could be an interesting play in some formats, and he's there for the taking in just about every Yahoo! league (2|PERCENT| owned).
Portland is also getting increased buzz as a potential destination for Anthony Randolph (36|PERCENT| owned) -- clearly, they could use a little frontcourt help. But Randolph could be worth stashing on your bench even if he isn't traded - some of the Knicks beat writers have suggested that New York isn't playing Randolph (or Eddy Curry) right now because Donnie Walsh doesn't want to risk having one of them get hurt before the deadline. If Randolph isn't traded, the theory goes, he'll become part of D'Antoni's rotation for the stretch drive.
In other news...
- The Knicks are in the midst of a four-game slide going into tonight's game against the Spurs. Mike D'Antoni is responding with a change to his starting five - Ronny Turiaf is back as the starting center, with Amar'e Stoudemire shifting back to the power forward spot and Wilson Chandler coming off the bench. The change probably doesn't impact Chandler's value much - he's still a good bet to play 30-plus minutes - but Turiaf (11|PERCENT| owned) could get a boost to his numbers.
- Peja Stojakovic (3|PERCENT| owned) is going to sign with the Mavericks as soon as he clears waivers, and could have some value there. The Mavs need a deep threat after losing Caron Butler. The Raptors might be getting Alexis Ajinca from Dallas in a "separate" deal that no one really believes is separate -- don't be surprised if that one is struck down by the league. If that happens, Dallas will need to waive someone to clear a roster spot for Peja.
- Carlos Delfino (17|PERCENT| owned) has been cleared to play for the first time since his early November concussion.
- Donte Greene (2|PERCENT| owned) is starting for the Kings in place of Francisco Garcia - but Garcia's injury sounds minor; this could be a short-term situation.
- In my regular column this week, I wrote about a number of rookies who could be worth a play in the second half. I left out Toronto's Ed Davis (8|PERCENT| owned), but that is looking like an oversight. The ex-Tar Heel has played 27 or more minutes in three straight games and produced pretty decent scoring/rebounding numbers in that stretch.