Coming off of the only four day layoff of the NBA season, there will be a number of players returning from injury who targeted the All-Star Break as their date for return. This means there will be a drop in the value of waiver wire talent as temporary situations become more scarce. However, I was able to come across a few scenarios out there that have improved players’ prospects and a couple long-term deep league options to keep in mind for the long haul ahead.

Antonio McDyess (Owned in 33% of all Yahoo! leagues)

Dice hasn’t done much statistically to warrant putting him on this list, although averaging 10.7 rebounds in February isn’t bad. He’s here because according to Mlive.com, Coach Michael Curry announced that he is inserting Dice into the starting lineup “presumably for the rest of the season.” The 14-year vet started all 78 games last season and saw approximately four more minutes per game than the 26 he is currently averaging. His numbers weren’t much improved over this season’s, but this year has brought a new coach and a new philosophy and his numbers should reflect more favorably. Think Al Horford-lite (minus the blocks).

Yi Jianlian (Owned in 23% of all Yahoo! leagues)

He’s back and he should be pumped to go up against fellow countryman Yao Ming. The bad news is he’s got two fingers taped and he’s been out for five weeks. Yi, who has been the model of inconsistency throughout his career, may struggle a bit off the bat, but if he starts showing signs of life be ready to jump. Prior to breaking his pinkie, Yi was having his best month of the season. In five January games he was averaging 15.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.2 APG and a trey, along with a 46 FG% and 80 FT%. Patience is the key here.

Jason Kapono / Joey Graham (Owned in 8% and 4% of all Yahoo! leagues)

Well, unlike the situation in Miami, the Shawn Marion-Jermaine O’Neal deal will deliver increased burn to the reserves in Toronto. The Raptors are likely to play Marion at his more potent position of power forward and move Chris Bosh over to center. When they get Jose Calderon up and running at full speed they’re going to be one of the fastest up-tempo teams in the league. Jamario Moon’s vacant minutes at small forward will be gobbled up mostly by Graham and Kapono. Graham had seen a huge leap in minutes since February, averaging 29 a game and posting very well rounded numbers, highlighted by 12.9 PPG, 4.4 boards, one steal, a 57 FG% and an 88 FT%. Both have been playing well lately and could each garner value at different times down the road.

Antoine Wright (Owned in 2% of all Yahoo! leagues)

Wright, not J.J. Barea, has seen his minutes bumped in Jason Terry’s absence. I don’t know why, but my guess would be because of match-ups. Going up against Sacramento and Boston, Coach Rick Carlisle decided he would rather have Wright guarding Kevin Martin and Ray Allen than he would Jason Kidd. In the two games since Terry’s injury, Wright has averaged 16.5 points, 1.5 three-pointers and two steals. Overall in six February games he’s up to playing 26 minutes a game and averaging 9.3 PPG, 0.8 threes and 1.2 SPG. Respectable and at least worthy of a look for spot starts in deep leagues.

Roy Hibbert (Owned in 2% of all Yahoo! leagues)

I’m putting this out there not as a guy to go out and grab right away. I think no matter how hard I pushed him I couldn’t get people to do that. I just think his second half will be a big improvement over his first in which he saw less than 12 minutes a night and averaged six points, 2.7 blocks and 0.9 steals, while still managing to deal out 2.6 fouls per game. Staying out of foul trouble will be an important part of Hibbert’s second half production. I’m going to go out on a limb and say if he can play better, smarter defense, then him doubling those numbers isn’t out of the question.

Javaris Crittenton (Owned in 1% of all Yahoo! leagues)

Like Hibbert this is a pick to watch in the second half. Yahoo! has a blurb on him here in which they make some good points. To sum things up, it basically goes like this: the Wiz have no shot at doing anything this season, so Gilbert Arenas won’t suit up, Caron Butler might shut it down eventually and Mike James is playing like the 34-year-old he is. Although 6.3 PPG, 4.5 APG and 3.7 RPG isn’t necessarily pretty, Crittenton has averaged 26 minutes in those February contests and his floor time, I’m guessing, won’t go lower than that from here on out. As he gains more and more confidence that he belongs in this league look for his numbers to keep improving.