trade analysis

Winners and Losers: 2008 NBA Trades and Signings

ff2715 other, trade analysis

So with the trade deadline passing at 3PM yesterday and a flurry of blockbuster trades and signings in 2008, it is time to look at the winners and the losers. First, here are the major moves made by the contenders in 2008:

February 21: In a 3-team deal, the Cavs get Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West, Joe Smith, and a future 2nd round pick, the Bulls get Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Shannon Brown, and Cedric Simmons, and the Sonics get Ira Newble, Donyell Marshall, and Adrian Griffin

February 21: In a 3-team deal, the Hornets acquire Bonzi Wells, the rights to Sergei Lishouk, a 2nd round pick, and Mike James, the Rockets acquire Adam Haluska, Bobby Jackson, and the Grizzlies acquire Marcus Vinicius and the rights to Malick Badiane

February 20: The Spurs receive Kurt Thomas from the Sonics for Brent Barry (who may be waived), Francisco Elson, and a future 1st round draft pick

February 19: The Mavs acquire Jason Kidd, Antoine Wright, and Malik Allen from the Nets for Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Trenton Hassell, the rights to Keith Van Horn, Maurice Ager, 2 first round draft picks, and cash

February 16: The Hawks get Mike Bibby from the Kings for Shelden Williams, Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, and Lorenzen Wright

February 6: The Suns receive Shaquille O’Neal from the Heat for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks
February 4: The Nets get Stromile Swift from the Grizzlies for Jason Collins and cash

Februrary 3: The Spurs sign Damon Stoudamire for the rest of the season

February 1: The Lakers acquire Pau Gasol from the Grizzlies for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the rights to Marc Gasol, and 2 first round picks

January 29: The Warriors signed Chris Webber for the rest of the season

December 29: The Utah Jazz receive Kyle Korver and a first round pick for Gordon Giricek and a first round pick

WINNERS:

Shaq: Now playing with a chip on his shoulder, not to mention moving from the worst team in the league to one of the best, Shaq is revitalized and should be a solid 2nd center in most leagues.

Wally’ World: Szczerbiak now becomes the premier 3-point shooter in Cleveland, at least until Daniel Gibson returns from injury in a little over a month. Anyone’s fantasy stats would increase with Lebron James

Big Ben: Hopefully a change in scenery will allow the big man to regain the passion he had in Detroit, not to mention the possibility of meeting his former teammates in the later rounds of the playoffs

Utah Jazz: With the addition of Kyle Korver, the Jazz have been unstoppable, and everyone’s fantasy stats have seen a rise due to the extra room Korver creates from being one of the most dangerous long-distance threats in the league

Los Angeles Lakers: The Pau Gasol deal was the biggest steal in recent memory, and Kobe doesn’t seem to mind having a new running mate in the big Spaniard. When Andrew Bynum returns from injury, watch out for the new Twin Towers

Mike Bibby: He was the last remnant of those great Kings (or as Shaq called them, the Queens) teams earlier in the decade, but it was definitely time to move on. He can hopefully bring the playoffs to a struggling franchise who needs the ball-handling and shooting ability Bibby provides

LOSERS:

Memphis Grizzlies: This team packed it in early and has decided to rebuild around Rudy Gay and Mike Conley, but can you really tell me that is the best package Pau Gasol could have brought back?

Shawn Marion: I personally think his stats will take a bit of a tumble in Miami without Steve Nash and that system. Not a good move, especially since he is looking for that big contract. Fantasy-owners who took him in the top 3 are now regretting their decision.

Dallas Mavericks: I just do not see the Jason Kidd deal working. I think that Devin Harris is on the verge of being just as good, and Kidd is 35 years old. It is true that playing with a true point guard will help Dirk and Josh Howard, but I think this is the FOURTH best team in the West

Western Conference Fringe Teams: If you are the Rockets, Warriors, Blazers, or Nuggets, you cannot like the fact that you essentially could not improve your teams while the top of the West got stronger.

Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons: Sure they can battle it out for the East, but Cleveland may be a bit stronger to contend and how can they expect to win a championship now?

Don’t forget to sign up for Fantasy Basketball Pros’ RSS feed!

Mike
Senior Writer

Kidd Traded to Dallas: Take Two

ff2715 mavericks, nets, trade analysis

So it looks like a different deal is now in the works between the Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets for Jason Kidd. With the announcement of the first deal and its subsequent fall-out, you knew it was just a matter of time before this deal would get done (trade deadline is this Thursday, by the way).

REVISED KIDD DEAL!

  • Dallas gets: Jason Kidd and Malik Allen

  • New Jersey gets: Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Maurice Ager, retired forward Keith Van Horn, Trenton Hassell, two first round picks, and $3 million

I always love it when they pay guys who are retired just so salaries match up. It really is a ridiculous notion. So Van Horn, who has been retired for a year and a half, will now either get a shot with the Nets (who actually drafted him) or will be paid to do nothing. How do I get that gig?

Seems like a better deal for the Mavs now that they can keep Stackhouse (although he was coming back in 30 days anyways) and basically lose Hassell. I still cannot believe they are giving up Harris for a 35-year-old guard, but Mark Cuban has been itching for a title ever since it was stolen from him by Dwayne Wade.

The fantasy implications are still the same since the major pieces did not change. You can read about them here.

Other Recent Trades and their Fantasy Impacts

As always, breaking trade analysis can be found here at FBP. Sign up for our RSS feed to receive updates in your favorite reader.

Mike
Senior Writer

Bibby Traded to the Hawks for 4 Players

ff2715 hawks, kings, trade analysis

Those perennial losers the Atlanta Hawks, currently tied with New Jersey and Philadelphia for the 7th spot in the East, have made a big acquisition, getting point guard Mike Bibby from the Sacramento Kings for Anthony Johnson, Shelden Williams, Tyronn Lue, Lorenzen Wright, and a 2008 second-round pick. The main part of the deal is Williams, who has been in the doghouse this year in Atlanta, but the Kings also gain a lot of payroll flexibility since the other players all have expiring contracts.


Any owners who have Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, Al Horford, Josh Childress, Acie Law, or Bibby are thrilled by the acquisition. The Hawks, besides becoming a legitimate contender for the playoffs in the East, now boast one of the best backcourts in basketball. Bibby, although predominantly a scorer, will bring another ball-handler and outside presence to the Hawks, which will open up the offense and allow Johnson, Williams, Smith, and the rest of the lineup more open looks. By trading away two point guards, the Hawks are also committing themselves to rookie Acie Law at backup point guard, and with Bibby’s injury history, will gain much more consistent playing time. It seems this move is great for the Hawks and anyone who owns their players.

On the other side, the current Kings will also benefit from more shots. Francisco Garcia and John Salmons, who received significant playing time due to early injuries to Bibby and Ron Artest, will receive more minutes and have proved themselves as consistent performers. Brad Miller has had a great year and should continue to do so without Bibby. However, the one player this seems to hurt mightily is Ron Artest, who will no doubt complain about this “white flag” trade (in parentheses since the Kings are definitely not in contention anyways, so they really gave up months ago) and demand his own exit out of Sacramento. While the other players may be able to play through this loss, it seems that fantasy-owners may have to deal with headaches until Artest is gone, too.

Although it may seem like the Kings got nothing substantial in the deal, in reality, this should be a win for both teams. The Hawks get their starting point guard and an outside presence (beyond Johnson) and the Kings get flexibility to rebuild. I don’t think Popovich will complain this time since Bibby is now in the East.

Also, for more NBA breaking news subscribe to FBP’s RSS feed.

Mike
Senior Writer

Devean George Blocks Kidd Deal With No-Trade Clause!?!

ff2715 mavericks, nets, trade analysis

According to ESPN, Devean George will exercise his rare no-trade clause to block a proposed blockbuster trade that would have sent Jason Kidd to the Dallas Mavericks. We chronicled the trade and its fantasy impact on FBP earlier today , but apparently it is NOT going to go through.

Summary of today’s events:

  1. New Jersey and Dallas agreed to the deal in principal earlier today
  2. They were set to take the trade to the league first thing tomorrow
  3. Devean George informed the Mavericks he wouldn’t accept the trade
  4. According to the Dallas Morning News, Mark Cuban was asked if he thought the trade would go through and he responded: “No, I don’t think so”
  5. Avery Johnson also had this to say about trades in general: “[many trades] get to the 20-yard line, inside the red zone, and don’t get into the end zone”

So it looks like this deal isn’t happening just yet. My belief is that some sort of deal gets done in the end, with or without George (talk about an important piece of puzzle <–sarcasm). Why the heck does George have a no-trade clause anyway? I mean sure he’s a veteran now and I know he “won” (more like sat around and was gifted) 3 championships while with the Lakers, but this is absurd.

I’d be interested to hear from our readers in the comments what they thing will happen with this situation–will Kidd eventually find his way to Dallas?–if so, for who?

Also, for more NBA breaking news subscribe to FBP’s RSS feed.

To hoops,
Farid

Jason Kidd Traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Harris, Stackhouse

ff2715 mavericks, nets, trade analysis

The Dallas Mavericks have apparently countered the trades for Pau Gasol and Shaquille O’Neal by acquiring future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd and Malik Allen from the New Jersey Nets for budding young guard Devin Harris, Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George, DeSagana Diop, Maurice Ager, two first-round picks, and $3 million. It was an extremely steep price to pay for Kidd, especially considering what the Lakers paid for Gasol (doesn’t look like Gregg Popovich will rip into this trade like he did with Pau’s).

The fantasy impact for the remaining Mavericks is all positive. Not only do they add one of the greatest pure point guards to play the game, Dallas has also gutted almost all of its depth, and Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, and Jason Terry will all see increased minutes and productivity. Erick Dampier becomes a definite pick-up with the dismissal of Diop, and Brandon Bass all of the sudden becomes one of the first guys off the bench. Expect this unit to mesh quickly and perform well.

On the New Jersey side, they got exactly what they have been looking for the past 2 years. It seems holding out on trading Kidd worked out since they gained the young heir-apparent in Devin Harris as well as two expiring contracts (George and Diop), which will give them financial flexibility. The future draft picks and Maurice Ager seem to just sweeten the pot. The only odd name in the deal seems to be Stackhouse, as he was the sixth man for Dallas and New Jersey
seems to have little need for him (although they still technically are right in the middle of a playoff race). Harris should return after the All-Star Break and will take the minutes that were supposed to go to Marcus Williams (so do not pick up Williams). Harris becomes one of the better options for the Nets, and Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter will take a few more looks, although losing a point guard like Kidd will hurt a lot. Diop gains minimal fantasy value, while the others in the deal have no fantasy impact.

Thus, it seems like another win today sacrifice tomorrow deal that may work out for Dallas. Fantasy-wise, it seems that the entire Dallas rotation will benefit, while Harris may gain more minutes and production while Carter and Jefferson, both adept at creating their own shot, will see very little change.

The Fantasy Basketball Blogsphere’s take
Did Dallas “purge their roster with a high cost?” ArmchairGM thinks so. FanIQ still thinks the Suns and Lakers are better than the Mavs. National Lampoon Splog! shows us an interesting picture of Kidd.

For more NBA breaking news and it’s fantasy impact, subscribe to FBP’s RSS feed.

Mike
Senior Writer

10 Players on the NBA Trading Block

ff2715 trade analysis

Courtesy of our friend John Hollinger over at The New York Sun, here are some of the players still on the NBA trading block. The NBA trade deadline is on February 22nd, 2008. What might be the fantasy impact of each of these guys being dealt?

  1. Andre Miller – good player on a bad team that is looking to rebuild, he’s in his prime, so look for him to be reinvigorated by a trade to a contender
  2. Mike Bibby – UPDATE: Bibby traded to the Atlanta Hawks for 4 Players, check here for FBP’s fantasy analysis — Feb 16, 2008
  3. Mike Miller – having the best shooting year of his career, Miller would lose fantasy value if he doesn’t stay in Memphis
  4. Ron Artest – has the potential to be a top 15 fantasy player if he’s healthy, focused and traded to a contender; if the latter happens, watch out
  5. Sam Cassell – will be 40 in 21 months and the Clippers don’t need him, fantasy impact of a trade would be contingent upon team and team’s needs
  6. Corey Maggette – apparently him and the coach haven’t been getting along, look for a positive fantasy impact to CM stock if he’s traded
  7. Jermaine O’Neal – injuries, injuries, injuries, who would really want this guy now?
  8. Tyrus Thomas
  9. Wally Szczerbiak
  10. Ricky Davis

To receive more posts like this, sign up for FBP’s RSS Feed.

To hoops,
Farid

Shaq to Phoenix Screws Over Fantasy Managers

ff2715 heat, suns, trade analysis

Another unbelievable blockbuster went down in the NBA last night. However, it seems that this one makes little sense for either team, except maybe that their star players were simply looking for a change of scenery. It has been reported that the Miami Heat have traded Shaquille O’Neal to the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.

Shaq Marion Trade NBA Heat SunsUnlike the Pau Gasol trade, it seems to me that the fantasy impact of all the players involved will be diminished. On the Phoenix side, it is tough to imagine how the injury-prone, old center will be able to fit in with the offense that Mike D’Antoni likes to run with Steve Nash. I can understand that Shaq is still a defensive presence inside and thtis allows Amare Stoudamire to move to his more natural four position, but I envision Shaq clogging up the lane while Steve Nash is trying to drive, demanding the ball go through him in the half-court offense, and then going to the bench every five minutes due to the pace of the game. This seemingly will hurt Shaq’s offensive numbers, but also damage those of Steve Nash and Amare Stoudamire, who will suffer from the slower pace. Another interesting thing is that even though Shawn Marion has always been a fantasy stud, he did not require the ball. He was just great in position and playing with Nash and Stoudamire. If you think that Shaq does not require the ball, you’re crazy, and this will also slow down the Suns offense.

On the Miami Heat side, the season has been over, so why not shed the big contract of the big man and gain payroll flexibility? Dwayne Wade and Shawn Marion should be able to co-exist, but this writer believes that Marion was a byproduct of that Phoenix system and the beneficiary of the amazing point guard play of Steve Nash. I believe that Wade may continue to struggle without a dominating big man in the middle and Marion’s stats will take a big hit without solid point guard play and a “spread” offense. Comparing Pat Riley’s system and Mike D’Antoni’s are like looking at night and day.

So it seems like for the time being that both teams were more willing to just trade their unhappy superstars for each other. For the Suns especially, I hope they see something that we do not, since I cannot see how this move benefits them and moves them up to par with the Spurs and Lakers in the West. Trades are usually done so that both teams benefit. In this case, it seems like this is one of those trades that does the opposite for both teams, especially in the fantasy category.

Other Shaq-Marion Trade Analysis Around the Blogosphere
Hoops Fantasy: Shaq Traded to Suns? Fantasy Impact
Fantasy Basketblog: Shaq Attack
Born and Raised: Shaq is not the answer

Don’t forget to add Fantasy Basketball Pros to your RSS Feed!

Mike
Senior Writer