Returning favors

Injuries play a huge part throughout the NBA fantasy season. There are several players who tested fantasy owners’ patience with injuries and recently have returned or are expected to return in the coming weeks. What to expect from the return of these players and how it will affect their teams:

Gilbert Arenas
When Arenas went out in mid-November to have another knee surgery, prospects were looking grim. It’s funny what kind of motivation an impending contract can do to a man. Arenas is planning to opt out of the final year of his current contract to become an unrestricted free agent this off-season and  plans to return to action March 2. When he comes back, DeShawn Stevenson immediately becomes expendable, and you should plan to drop him then or before. Backup point guard Antonio Daniels also will take a big hit in value and will likely only warrant ownership in larger leagues. Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison should continue to be rock-solid despite Arenas’ return.

Elton Brand
It remains uncertain when Brand will return from the Achilles’ tendon injury that has caused him to miss the whole season, but it’s starting to sound more and more like he will be back. Brand also can opt out of the last year of his contract, so if he can come back and play at the level he did last season, he could be playing himself into a max contract this off-season. If he does return, it should be in early March. Chris Kaman has had a huge spike in production with Brand out all year and his rebounding numbers should come back to earth a little. He still should produce well, so it isn’t like you’ll want to cut him loose; just expect a dip. Also, some of Corey Maggette’s scoring could drop, but it should make him a more efficient player. Al Thornton would likely become expendable, but point guards Sam Cassell and Brevin Knight could see their assists numbers make a nice jump.

T.J. Ford
Ford had another scary incident involving his spine Dec. 11 when Al Horford knocked him to the ground on a fast break. He returned to action Monday after missing 23 games, and it’s uncertain what his role will be. Jose Calderon played like an All-Star in his   absence and has created quite a quandary for the Raptors. Calderon’s numbers on the season now easily trump Ford’s, so it is very possible that Calderon could remain the starter. Still, you can expect a small to moderate dip in Calderon’s numbers, but they still will be higher than they were before Ford was injured.   Anthony Parker could see a small dip in production, but Ford’s return will mostly impact Calderon.

-Scooter Hendon