Mario Chalmers (PG/SG, MEM) - NBA Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Short Term Add

OWNED: 30% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues

Throughout his 8 year career, Mario Chalmers has been the type of player that both NBA teams and fantasy owners have classified as “useful” but not necessarily “reliable”. After being drafted towards the top of the second round back in 2008 by the Heat, they finally decided it was time to move on from Chalmers, and dealt him to Memphis back in early November. Many owners have picked Chalmers up in the past for a short-term purpose, and usually end up dropping him after several games of decent, but underwhelming performances. His trade to the Grizzlies, where he was the obvious backup to Mike Conley, seemed to diminish his value even further, perhaps wiping him off fantasy radars for good.

From a fantasy perspective, we have continued to see inconsistencies from Chalmers, but overall the change of scenery has done him well. Chalmers is playing less with the Grizzlies (22 mpg) than he averaged in seven full seasons with the Heat (about 28 mpg), but is producing numbers that are as good, if not better for his new team. His 10.6 ppg are a career high, and his 3.8 apg/2.6 rpg/1.4 spg are all near towards the top of his career numbers as well. His last five games have been particularly impressive and certainly warrant a temporary waiver wire add: 26 mpg/14.0 ppg/3.2 apg/2.0 rpg/3.0 spg (!). He is stuffing the stat sheet as best as he ever has right now.

Chalmers’ recent boost in play and overall value should continue, as it is due in large part to a February knee injury sustained to defensive stalwart Tony Allen, which has opened up more time on the court and thus, more opportunity for Chalmers to thrive. Allen did not play Sunday, and is considered questionable for at least the early half of the Grizzlies’ four-game upcoming week -- and even when he does return, his minutes will be limited at first.

Bottom Line: Chalmers will most likely only hold short-term value while Allen remains hobbled, then go back to his more inconsistent ways. Given his recent surge in production and schedule ahead for the upcoming week, Chalmers could provide a nice boost to the bottom of fantasy rosters, particularly those in need of a guard or those who have an obvious cut candidate.