The end of the season is just over the horizon and now comes the tricky part of the season.  It will be increasingly important to monitor a player's circumstance when deciding whether or not to keep him or drop him.  For instance, many young players will likely get the opportunity to emerge as many of the star players sit out to rest for the playoffs.  That does not mean to waive your star players (if your league even allows it), but it does mean to pay attention to which players might be getting such opportunities.
 

• Rajon Rondo - Boston Celtics
  With Sebastian Telfair moved to the dog house, the door is open for Delonte West and Rondo to claim the bulk of the minutes at point guard. Rondo can't shoot, but he's quick and should get some steals as well as assists and decent boards for a guard.
   
• Delonte West - Boston Celtics
  See "Rajon Rondo".
   
• Raymond Felton - Charlotte Bobcats
  He's ice cold right now, but Felton heated up late last season and there's no reason why he can't do that again. 
   
• Sean May - Charlotte Bobcats
  Emeka Okafor's been battling injury and if May can stay healthy, he'll be the top inside option for the Bobcats toward the end of the year.
   
• Tyrus Thomas - Chicago Bulls
  Give him some time, but once the Bulls clinch the playoffs and are out of the running to move up or down in the standings, my hunch is that Thomas will get significant minutes to rest the starters.  His energy and athleticism make him very capable of putting up great fantasy numbers.
   
• Sasha Pavlovic - Cleveland Cavaliers
  Lebron James is playing great and will probably continue to play great as the playoffs approach.  That means that the team's best spot shooter will get plenty of open looks. Pavlovic's already starting to respond.
   
• Any healthy player on the Miami Heat
  They've really been inspired lately and are clawing their way to the top of the Southeast Division.  I suspect they'll be clawing to the very end, so watch for who has the hot hand.  One player who hasn't done much in their 9-1 streak is Dorell Wright.  However, he has the athletic ability to turn that around at any time.
   
• Richard Jefferson - New Jersey Nets
  He's back and he seems determined to help his team make something out of this season.  With Vince Carter struggling, look for a motivated Jefferson to help carry the scoring burden.
   
• Marcus Williams - New Jersey Nets
  If the Nets ever get locked into a playoff position, look for Williams to get all of the minutes. They won't want to risk Kidd's health for the playoffs, especially if they look to shop him again during the summer.
   
• Channing Frye - New York Knicks
  With Steve Francis getting the minutes and Jamal Crawford out for the rest of the season, Eddy Curry isn't getting the ball.  That's good news for Frye's stats. He's not a guy who'll fill the stats sheet, but he is capable of scoring with a few boards here and there. He'll also get more minutes with David Lee on the fritz.
   
• Rudy Gay - Memphis Grizzlies
  The Grizzlies are going nowhere, which means they'll want to develop their young prospects.  Gay has a world of talent and should get every opportunity to emerge late in the season.
   
• Randy Foye - Minnesota Timberwolves
  See "Rudy Gay".
   
• LaMarcus Aldridge - Portland Trail Blazers
  He's played well with Joel Przybilla out of action and it looks like Zach Randolph may be battling small injuries. As he continues to gain confidence, look for him to be more consistent in the upcoming months.
   
• Luke Ridnour - Seattle Supersonics
  It's been a tough year for Ridnour, but he's back after an injury kept him out. Look for him to make a late-season push to keep his starting point guard job.