It's not even the All Star break and already the league has been hit by a number of big trades and signings. With the wild Western Conference anybody's grab, teams have made a concerted effort to fill in the missing pieces and grab the top spot. Meanwhile, the East is so pitiful that a positive trade could put a floundering team back in the running. Update! breaks down the recent movers, and those likely to move, and gives you the skinny on the fantasy impact of all these trades.
Comment: Gasol owners, REJOICE! Gasol is now on a real contender, playing alongside Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom. Not only is he happy, but he is going to be relied on heavily as the big man with Andrew Bynum out. When Bynum does return, expect him to get along great with the Lakers and put up big stats. He'll slide over to his natural power forward position, and the Lakers will be a scary, scary team. There's no reason he can't keep up the 19 points and nine rebounds he averaged with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Comment: Who saw this one coming? Although pundits everywhere are criticizing the trade, it was a smart move for both teams. Shawn Marion will opt out of his contract after this year, giving the Miami Heat massive free-agent power, and the Suns finally have the big-man a title contender so desperately needs. Don't expect wonders out of Shaq. He's out of shape and cant hang with the run-and-gun Suns. But he'll provide just enough to get them over the hump. As for Marion, he should see an increase in everything but percentages.
Comment: Coach Don Nelson made a huge bid to bring Webber back to his former team. But this isn't the same fresh-faced, explosive Webber as yesteryear. He's been through enough knee and back operations to morph his game from an explosive big-man to a stand-still, face-up shooter. If he can get back into basketball shape though, he should be a good source of rebounds. C-Webb should notch 10 point and eight rebounds if he gets 20-25 minutes a night. Matt Barnes' value drops accordingly.
Comment: Ok, call this one a long shot but it's a shot nonetheless. Knicks Coach Isiah Thomas has finally admitted the need for a point guard. Could Bibby be Stephon Marbury's replacement? If so, don't expect big numbers from Bibby, who was a stud just a few years back. Only Thomas can screw Bibby up enough to prevent him from coming back strong. Still, given Thomas' penchant for big-name trades right before the deadline, I wouldn't count this one out just yet — even if they have to give up Zach Randolph (a failed experiment) to get him.
Comment: The Nuggets could use a veteran guard to pair up with Allen Iverson and deliver the ball to stud Carmelo Anthony. If Cassell is to get traded to the Nuggets, expect some more points and assists from the alien man in the fast breaking offense of George Karl and the Nuggets. It's a shame the Nuggets gave up Andre Miller. Iverson isn't a true point-guard, and the team has sorely missed out on a proven ball handler.
Comment: Harris, who has been a major disappointment for the Mavs this season, had found himself in talks about a three-way deal with the New Jersey Nets and Blazers in which he would be sent to Portland. Although this deal never materialized, there's still an outside chance it could happen. He would fit in perfectly with the Blazers. His fast break ability and size suites the team and he will have landed a starting gig and the minutes that provides.
Comment: There was a three way trade proposed in which Kidd would be sent to Dallas. If Kidd indeed does go to Dallas, what would happen? Not only will the Mavs lock-down a veteran point guard, terrific defender and fast-break mastermind, but they will also complete the final piece of their roster puzzle. A happy superstar is a great fantasy player to own. Nothing indicates Kidd's game would improve to any extreme effect but he will certainly make Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard better by giving them open looks and delivering what is needed.
As for Kidd going to the Cavs, LeBron James promised a championship if the Cavs were to land him. It's clearly not that simple, but he would certainly improve the game of LeBron, whose ball handling duties would decrease, and Zydrunas Ilguaskas.
TRADING PLACES
PAU GASOL
Los Angeles Lakers, PF Comment: Gasol owners, REJOICE! Gasol is now on a real contender, playing alongside Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom. Not only is he happy, but he is going to be relied on heavily as the big man with Andrew Bynum out. When Bynum does return, expect him to get along great with the Lakers and put up big stats. He'll slide over to his natural power forward position, and the Lakers will be a scary, scary team. There's no reason he can't keep up the 19 points and nine rebounds he averaged with the Memphis Grizzlies.
SHAQUILLE O'NEAL
Phoenix Suns, C Comment: Who saw this one coming? Although pundits everywhere are criticizing the trade, it was a smart move for both teams. Shawn Marion will opt out of his contract after this year, giving the Miami Heat massive free-agent power, and the Suns finally have the big-man a title contender so desperately needs. Don't expect wonders out of Shaq. He's out of shape and cant hang with the run-and-gun Suns. But he'll provide just enough to get them over the hump. As for Marion, he should see an increase in everything but percentages.
CHRIS WEBBER
Golden State Warriors, PF Comment: Coach Don Nelson made a huge bid to bring Webber back to his former team. But this isn't the same fresh-faced, explosive Webber as yesteryear. He's been through enough knee and back operations to morph his game from an explosive big-man to a stand-still, face-up shooter. If he can get back into basketball shape though, he should be a good source of rebounds. C-Webb should notch 10 point and eight rebounds if he gets 20-25 minutes a night. Matt Barnes' value drops accordingly.
RUMOR MILL
MIKE BIBBY
To New York Knicks Comment: Ok, call this one a long shot but it's a shot nonetheless. Knicks Coach Isiah Thomas has finally admitted the need for a point guard. Could Bibby be Stephon Marbury's replacement? If so, don't expect big numbers from Bibby, who was a stud just a few years back. Only Thomas can screw Bibby up enough to prevent him from coming back strong. Still, given Thomas' penchant for big-name trades right before the deadline, I wouldn't count this one out just yet — even if they have to give up Zach Randolph (a failed experiment) to get him.
SAM CASSELL
To Denver NuggetsComment: The Nuggets could use a veteran guard to pair up with Allen Iverson and deliver the ball to stud Carmelo Anthony. If Cassell is to get traded to the Nuggets, expect some more points and assists from the alien man in the fast breaking offense of George Karl and the Nuggets. It's a shame the Nuggets gave up Andre Miller. Iverson isn't a true point-guard, and the team has sorely missed out on a proven ball handler.
DEVIN HARRIS
To Portland Trail Blazers Comment: Harris, who has been a major disappointment for the Mavs this season, had found himself in talks about a three-way deal with the New Jersey Nets and Blazers in which he would be sent to Portland. Although this deal never materialized, there's still an outside chance it could happen. He would fit in perfectly with the Blazers. His fast break ability and size suites the team and he will have landed a starting gig and the minutes that provides.
JASON KIDD
To Dallas Mavericks / Cleveland Cavaliers Comment: There was a three way trade proposed in which Kidd would be sent to Dallas. If Kidd indeed does go to Dallas, what would happen? Not only will the Mavs lock-down a veteran point guard, terrific defender and fast-break mastermind, but they will also complete the final piece of their roster puzzle. A happy superstar is a great fantasy player to own. Nothing indicates Kidd's game would improve to any extreme effect but he will certainly make Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard better by giving them open looks and delivering what is needed.
As for Kidd going to the Cavs, LeBron James promised a championship if the Cavs were to land him. It's clearly not that simple, but he would certainly improve the game of LeBron, whose ball handling duties would decrease, and Zydrunas Ilguaskas.
