Big Baby could be useful in fantasy games this year.
With less than four full days separating us from a new NBA season, we continue to prepare for fantasy basketball and the onslaught of NBA games we will have bestowed upon us on Christmas Day.
Until we get to that point, we will keep the advice columns coming. We touched on some NBA Rookies to monitor on Tuesday, and today we’re taking a look at some major trades and roster moves that could have some fantasy implications.
Here’s a look at the top five moves of the off-season that we all should be paying attention to in accordance with daily fantasy basketball:
1. Chris Paul Traded to L.A. Clippers
Obviously this is the biggest move so far, as Chris Paul’s numbers should rise in L.A. by playing with Blake Griffin, Chauncey Billups, Caron Butler, and DeAndre Jordan.
However, it’s in New Orleans where fantasy gamers where want to truly set their sights, as Chris Kaman, Eric Gordon, and Jarrett Jack should see their fantasy value change dramatically. Jack will start for the Hornets and should see his numbers rise across the board, while Gordon and Kaman will share the scoring load from the outside and inside.
2. Glen Davis Traded to Orland Magic
This move could be nothing, but it could also mean a huge improvement across the board for “Big Baby” who will now be starting in Orlando. If a trade ever goes down that ships Dwight Howard out of town, his value could potentially increase even more, as well.
3. Portland Trail Blazers Sign Jamal Crawford/Brandon Roy Retires
With Brandon Roy out of the NBA for at least the 2011-12 season, the signing of scoring combo guard Crawford is pretty big for the Blazers. They do have the versatile and fundamentally-sound Wesley Matthews as their current starter, but Crawford excels as the 6th man and could easily pour in 15-16 points per night in that role.
4. Lamar Odom Shipped to Dallas Mavericks
Odom was always under-utilized with the Lakers, so in Dallas he’ll likely continue his 6th man role, but see even more minutes and production than usual. With Caron Butler and Tyson Chandler gone, the Mavs will need more help in their rotation at small forward and deep down inside the post. Odom has the size, versatility, and skill-set to do it all for the defending champs, and it could easily equate to a solid fantasy season.
5. Richard Hamilton Signs With Chicago Bulls
He’s aging and can’t do a ton else other than stroke the ball, but he still has one of the purest set shots in the game. Hamilton was falling out of love with Detroit, and a new scene with an elite point guard like Derrick Rose could revive his career for another year or two. Hamilton could approach 16 points per game as the starting shooting guard, and still helps out enough elsewhere to make him an interesting matchup pick on a daily basis.
Other trades/moves worth noting:
Tyson Chandler to the Knicks
Mike Bibby and Baron Davis to the Knicks
Nene Hilario sticking with Nuggets
Marcus Thornton sticking with Kings
Be sure to keep coming back daily for more NBA and fantasy basketball prep, as we get closer to daily fantasy basketball action, set to go off on Christmas Day!
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