Jerry Stackhouse

Stackhouse is Vinnie "The Microwave" Johnson without the cool nickname. He is a volume scorer, excels at that role, and does so without the benefit of a starting spot. Some games will see Stackhouse score 30 points, and others will see him score five. He's simply that maddeningly inconsistent. He will see time at both the 2 and the 3, and should average between 25 and 30 minutes per game. Do not count on Stackhouse for rebounds, assists or steals, but if your team needs scoring, Stackhouse is a viable option.

Stackhouse was once an explosive scorer, but knee injuries have taken much of the bounce out of his legs and made him an injury risk. He missed most of the ’03-’04 season, and another 26 games in ’04-’05 due to the injuries. In his return, he was a diminished player, though he showed an ability to score (14.9 ppg) in the crowded Mavericks swing positions. With Michael Finley gone, Stackhouse could take on a larger role in the Mavericks offense if his health allows. While he will never again approach the 30-point, five-rebound season averages of five years ago, he should be able to score in the teens with a few assists and rebounds unless his knees give out.

Stackhouse moved to Dallas in an offseason trade, but the change of location won’t help his fantasy value. Coach Don Nelson prefers to have a high profile scorer off the bench (see Antawn Jamison, 2003), so Stackhouse figures to have only erratic playing time for the majority of the season. Of course, the Mavericks are looking to move Stackhouse, and in the unlikely event that they find a taker, bump him up this list a few notches, but not too far.

Stackhouse, who averaged a team-high 21.5 points last season, could contend for the league's scoring title, and without Michael Jordan around will definitely be Washington's go-to guy and top fantasy player.