During the 2009 playoffs, Yao has averaged 17.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 assists per game in 35.8 minutes. Earlier in the season, the Rockets lost Tracy McGrady due to microfracture knee surgery. Earlier in these playoffs, center Dikembe Mutombo was lost for the rest of the playoffs due to a knee injury.

If you have Yao on your fantasy basketball team, this is obviously devastating news. He was playing well and was undoubtedly helping your team.

For those looking for a sleeper to emerge due to this Yao injury news, the most likely player is Carl Landry. In the last two games against the Lakers, Landry has scored in double figures — including a 21-point and 10-rebound performance in Game 2. Pick up Landry off the waiver wire if he’s available and hope he can put up Yao-like numbers the rest of the way.

Yao Ming Injury Update - Fantasy Basketball (Image: Newscom)

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Marreese Speights, Philadelphia 76ers, 20.68 PER
Throughout the season, Speights has had a high PER. The fact that he’s consistently led all rookies means that he’s probably the real thing. For every 40 minutes he plays, he’s putting up 40 points and 10 rebounds. Keep an eye on any spike in minutes played because he has shown star potential.

Brandan Wright, Golden State Warriors, 19.14 PER
Wright had a high PER last year as a rookie and now as a sophomore has an even higher PER. He’s recently been starting for the Warriors, which is very good for his fantasy basketball potential this season. If he can consistently get 30 minutes per game he could become a very solid fantasy option.

Carl Landry, Houston Rockets, 18.34 PER
A lot like Wright, Landry is a sophomore who is once again putting up a high PER. Showing that his rookie year was no fluke, Landry has been doing a lot on a per minute basis. If the Carl Landry trade rumors have any legs, he could bust out onto the scene once given ample playing time.

Leon Powe, Boston Celtics, 17.17 PER
With the Celtics stumbling down the Eastern Conference standings, they might have to re-work their rotations. One option is to give Leon Powe more playing time. Powe has done well but he’s only playing 15.2 minutes per game. If he can up that to 25 minutes, Powe could become fantasy viable.

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Obviously, the two biggest names in this potential trade are Carl Landry and Charlie Villanueva. If Landry lands with the Bucks, he will probably get to play more minutes. In Houston, Landry was stuck behind a lot of players who play at the same position. According to Landry’s per minute numbers, he could do some major damage if given extended minutes. For fantasy basketball purposes, watch to see if Landry’s minutes increase following this potential trade.

Villanueva could also see his value rise. He isn’t a great fit with the Bucks and also has the problem of duplicate talent at his position. On the Rockets, he could see some minutes at power forward to help spread the court for Yao Ming.

All in all, this trade would be good for both of the big names involved. All the role players involved would likely remain irrelevant in the fantasy basketball world.

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C Erick Dampier, Dallas Mavericks
Since Jason Kidd has been brought onboard, perhaps no Dallas Maverick has seen his production rise as much as Erick Dampier. The Mavs’ starting center is shooting over 70% as of late and he’s becoming a nice fantasy option right now. Expect him to remain consistently good for the rest of the season.

PF Carl Landry, Houston Rockets
While Carl Landry is currently injured, this rookie for the Houston Rockets simply doesn’t miss too many shots. He usually an extremely athletic frame to score almost every time when he’s around the basket. When he does take a jumper, he usually knocks it down.

SF Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers
Lamar Odom isn’t exactly known for his consistency but he’s been consistently making baskets for the Lakers lately. When he shoots, the ball typically goes in the basket. Over the last month, Odom is shooting over 63% from the field. Combine that with his all-around play and he’s a fine fantasy option right now.

SG Ray Allen, Boston Celtics
Like Landry, Ray Allen is also currently banged up. However, Allen has been shooting lights out in recent weeks. His shooting is a bad sign for the rest of the NBA because the Celtics were winning without Allen shooting at his current pace. Now with Allen rarely missing, the Celtics will be even harder to be the rest of the season.

PG Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
After struggling for the middle portion of the season, Tony Parker’s shooting percentage has returned to its normal lofty state. In recent games, Parker has rarely missed from the floor. With his ability to get to the basket and finish at the rim, Parker is the rare point guard who can post a shooting percentage that would make a center blush.

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In the fantasy basketball world, this is also devastating news to anyone who owned Yao. You will have to figure out a way to survive without one of the better fantasy centers in the game. While Yao’s numbers were slightly down from last year, he was still a force both in the NBA and in the fantasy world.

On the Rockets, you may consider picking up Luis Scola or Carl Landry. Scola should see plenty of shot attempts now that Yao is out. He’ll be the team’s go-to low post scorer. Don’t be surprised if he averages around 15 points from here on out.

Landry is more of a wildcard but he’s supremely talented. His per minute numbers are off the charts. If he gets a big boost in minutes, he could be a fantasy steal. Pick him up if you want a low-risk, high-reward player.

Are you in a huge league? Perhaps you should consider Dikembe Mutombo. He has filled in for Yao well in the past. Mutombo might finally be too old to do anything but there’s always a chance he could again find the fountain of youth.

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Yi Jianlian, Miwaukee Bucks
There is a lot of hype surrounding Yi Jianlian but most of that hype is warranted. He has a pure jumper that extends all the way out to the three-point line. He can rebound and mix in some blocked shots. Everything about him points to him being a star at some point.

Glenn Davis, Boston Celtics
With Kevin Garnett currently injured, Glenn Davis has been a big part of the Celtics ability to stay competitive. Although he’s still a raw talent, he has impressive basketball IQ and knows where to be on the court. He appears to be quite the find for Boston.

Carl Landry, Houston Rockets
As of late Carl Landry has really come on strong for the Rockets. He seems to have replaced Chucky Hayes as the backup to Scola. Landry is very athletic, very aggressive and backs down from nobody. Although he doesn’t have great height, he does have very good potential.

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Acie Law, Atlanta Hawks
Law, like Landry, is a rookie. Law hasn’t shown much for the Hawks so far. His stats are underwhelming and he hasn’t gotten noticeably better since the season started. That said, the Hawks will continue to give him chances and he should see his playing time improve as the season progresses.

Gerald Green, Minnesota Timberwolves
Green has got little time for the Timberwolves this year. Once upon a team, he was a sought after talent. Now he’s a deep bench player on a horrible team. However, if the T’Wolves go into full on tank mode, Green could see big minutes at a guard position.

Nenad Krstic, New Jersey Nets
Krstic not too long ago was a solid fantasy player. Now, after a failed attempt at an injury comeback, Krstic is a forgotten man. The good news is that he is starting to play basketball again and shouldn’t be too far from returning to the court. Once he returns, he’s definitely worth a look.

JR Smith, Denver Nuggets
Smith seems to have run out of chances with George Karl in Denver. If he were to be traded, Smith is the type of player who could explode onto the scene. He’s a good shooter with extreme athleticism. The knock on him has been his poor work ethic and questionable behavior off the court. If he can straighten up, Smith has the talent to be a star at some point in his NBA career.

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