| Sonics to make offer to Swift | Friday 6/27, 8:32 PM CT |
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The Sonics are expected to make a qualifying offer to Robert Swift, hence allowing the team to match any offers for the restricted free agent center, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Our View: Swift has played in only eight games over the past two seasons because of two knee surgeries, and has averaged 4.6 points and 4.0 rebounds over 71 games over the past three seasons. He was Seattle's 12th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft.
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| Horry to return for 17th campaign | Friday 6/27, 7:56 PM CT |
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Robert Horry has decided to return for a 17th NBA campaign, according to the AP. Horry said, "I don’t want to retire, especially after a year like I had last year. I know I could have had a better year. My last game I want to walk off the court sweating."
Our View: The 37-year old Horry played in just 45 games for the Spurs last season, averaging a career-low 2.5 points. He wants to either re-sign with the Spurs or return to play with the Rockets. He will likely hold little to no fantasy value, regardless of where he ends up playing. |
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| Rose could help Thomas blossom | Friday 6/27, 5:46 PM CT |
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Chicago Bulls general manager John Paxson thinks the addition of Derrick Rose will be a great benefit to Tyrus Thomas, reports the Associated Press. "I think Tyrus Thomas is going to be a better player because of Derrick Rose. If we can get Tyrus in a position to use the athletic skills that he has, with a guard like Derrick ... as the season goes along, I think that's going to be a huge thing for us," said Paxson.
Our View: At this point, it would be hard for Thomas to get worse. He's not been terrible, but most people expected much greater things from the fourth overall pick. He has shown flashes of what he could become, especially last April, when he scored more than 20 points on three different occasions. |
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| No truth to Felton rumor? | Friday 6/27, 5:13 PM CT |
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Bobcats' GM Rod Higgins stated there is no truth to the rumor that the club is going to trade Raymond Felton to the Knicks, according to the Charlotte Observer. Higgins said he expects Felton to be Charlotte's starting point guard heading into training camp.
Our View: The rumor started following their selection of DJ Augustin in the first-round of Thursday's draft. Higgins does not anticipate Augustin unseating Felton from his starting role at point guard in 2008-09. |
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| Isiah recommended Gallinari | Friday 6/27, 4:54 PM CT |
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Apparently, Isiah Thomas has some sway in New York after all. After scouting Danilo Gallinari in Europe, Thomas gave his recommendation of the Italian to the Knicks, according to SI.com.
Our View: This certainly won't make Gallinari any more popular in New York, and he was already roundly booed when his name was called during the draft. Had the fans known Thomas gave a recommendation, he may have had to dodge flying objects being thrown at him. Still, he's a talented kid who should develop into a good player for the talent-challenged Knicks. |
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| Gordon to play shooting guard | Friday 6/27, 4:09 PM CT |
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The Los Angeles Clippers plan on using Eric Gordon at shooting guard, reports the Los Angeles Daily News. Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy said any time at point guard Gordon gets will simply be a bonus.
Our View: There is clearly a spot open at shooting guard for Gordon, who figures to start right away. If point guard Shaun Livingston could ever make it through a whole season without hurting himself, L.A. could boast a young but very athletic back court. |
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| Krstic receives qualifying offer | Friday 6/27, 1:11 PM CT |
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The New Jersey Nets have made a qualifying offer to Nenad Krstic, making him a restricted free agent, which means they can match any offer he receives, reports the Miami Herald.
Our View: Krstic started 38 games for New Jersey last season, after rebounding from a torn ACL he suffered in January of 2007. Before that, he was having a good season, putting up 16.4 points, nearly seven rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot per game. He is certainly somebody to keep an eye on for fantasy purposes. |
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| Smith gets qualifying offer | Friday 6/27, 1:05 PM CT |
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The Denver Nuggets gave J.R. Smith a qualifying offer, which means he is a restricted free agent, and the team has the right to match any offer he receives, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
Our View: The 22-year-old Smith has loads of potential, and the Nuggets say they will match any offer he receives, which is a smart thing to do. Smith has really improved as a shooter, as his field goal percentage and three-point percentage has gone up every year he has been in the league. |
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| Nesterovic traded to Indiana | Friday 6/27, 12:55 PM CT |
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Rasho Nesterovic and his $7.8 million salary was traded from the Toronto Raptors to the Indiana Pacers as part of the T.J. Ford, Jermaine O'Neal swap, according to ESPN.com.
Our View: Nesterovic gets a bad rap, mostly because he is ESPN analyst Steven A. Smith's least favorite player, but he is a decent player who can contribute valuable minutes to a team. He may even have use on some fantasy teams, but Indiana has a logjam at center, so it depends on the minutes he receives. |
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| Ford joins Indiana | Friday 6/27, 12:49 PM CT |
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T.J. Ford will be moved from Toronto to Indiana as the main cog in the Jermaine O'Neal trade, reports ESPN.com.
Our View: Ford assumes the starting point guard position, and he has value in fantasy basketball when healthy. He isn't a great shooter, but if he can put together a complete season, it isn't unfathomable to believe he can average 10 assists per game this year. |
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| Hibbert moved to Pacers | Friday 6/27, 12:45 PM CT |
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Roy Hibbert will be moved to Indiana in the deal that sent T.J. Ford and Rasho Nesterovic from Toronto to the Pacers for Jermaine O'Neal, reports ESPN.com.
Our View: Hibbert will most likely be a backup for the Pacers. He joins Jeff Foster, David Harrison and Nesterovic in competition for playing time at the position. |
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| Jack traded to the Pacers | Friday 6/27, 12:38 PM CT |
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Jarrett Jack was part of a draft day deal that sent himself, Josh McRoberts and the rights to Brandon Rush from Portland to Indiana for Ike Diogu and the rights to Jarryd Bayless.
Our View: Jack lost his starting job to Steve Blake in Portland last year, and with the presumed addition of T.J. Ford to the Pacers, he will likely remain in a backup role at point guard. |
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| Collins traded to Minnesota | Friday 6/27, 12:30 PM CT |
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Jason Collins was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in part of a draft day deal, according to ESPN.com.
Our View: Despite his $6.1 million dollar salary, Collins does not put up any kind of fantasy-worthy numbers, and moving to Minnesota will certainly not change things any. |
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| Cardinal to Timberwolves | Friday 6/27, 12:25 PM CT |
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Brian Cardinal was traded to Minnesota as part of the Kevin Love, O.J. Mayo package, according to ESPN.com.
Our View: Cardinal will continue to serve in a backup capacity, and does not warrant a spot anywhere near a fantasy basketball team. |
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| Buckner heads to Grizzlies | Friday 6/27, 12:22 PM CT |
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Greg Buckner was traded to Memphis as part of the eight player swap between the Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves, reports ESPN.com.
Our View: Buckner averaged just four points, two rebounds and one assist in 31 games for Minnesota in a backup role last season, and is not worthy of fantasy consideration. |
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| Walker walking to Memphis | Friday 6/27, 12:18 PM CT |
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Antoine Walker was traded to Memphis as part of the O.J. Mayo, Kevin Love swap, according to ESPN.com.
Our View: Despite making over $8 million, Walker was a role player in the 46 games he played for the T-Wolves last season, and will likely be nothing more than that in Memphis. |
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| Jaric heads to Memphis | Friday 6/27, 12:13 PM CT |
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Marko Jaric has been traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Memphis Grizzlies in the trade that sent O.J. Mayo to the Grizzlies and Kevin Love to the Timberwolves, reports ESPN.com.
Our View: Jaric will have a chance to get some playing time in Memphis, though likely as a backup to O.J. Mayo. He is a useful bench player, but won't give Memphis or fantasy owners big numbers. |
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| Love heads to Minnesota | Friday 6/27, 12:04 PM CT |
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Kevin Love has been traded to Minnesota for O.J. Mayo and other parts in a huge deal, according to ESPN.com.
Our View: Love will certainly have a chance to start at power forward next to Al Jefferson, as Minnesota completely retools their roster. |
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| Miller traded to Minnesota | Friday 6/27, 12:00 PM CT |
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Mike Miller was part of a draft day deal that sent him to the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN.com.
Our View: Miller is a useful fantasy option who does a little bit of everything, as he averaged over 16 points, six boards and three assists last season. It also helps that his field goal percentage was .502 overall, and .432 on three-point shots. |
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| Arthur traded three times in one evening | Friday 6/27, 11:40 AM CT |
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It was not an easy night for former Kansas forward Darrell Arthur. After being selected by New Orleans, he was traded to Portland. From there, he was traded to Houston, who wound up moving him to Memphis, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Does anybody want this kid? He has loads of talent, but a possible kidney condition meant he had to wait until pick 27 to be drafted, then the madness ensued. Hopefully for his sake, Memphis decides to keep him around for awhile, as he and O.J. Mayo make an athletic tandem with good scoring ability. |
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| O'Neal excited to be in Toronto | Friday 6/27, 10:34 AM CT |
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Jermaine O'Neal is pumped about heading to the Toronto Raptors, according to the Toronto Star. "I think playing alongside Chris Bosh gives us a different dynamic," he commented.
Our View: It will be interesting to see if O'Neal can get his career back on track after his 2007 season was hampered by injuries and limited production. O'Neal put up his lowest rebounding and scoring numbers since the 2000-2001 season. |
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| Nets keeping their eye on LeBron | Friday 6/27, 10:27 AM CT |
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The New York Knicks have long been the rumored destination for LeBron James when he becomes a free agent in 2010, but the New Jersey Nets may have put themselves in a better position to sign him by acquiring contracts that expire that summer, according to the Miami Sun-Sentinel.
Our View: Acquiring Bobby Simmons and his contract that expires in 2010 will free up enough cap space for the Nets to go after James. His friendship with Jay-Z, a part owner of the team, certainly won't hurt when the team tries to acquire him. |
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| Hinrich may be moved | Friday 6/27, 10:12 AM CT |
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Kirk Hinrich may be moved, but it will not happen until restricted free agents Luol Deng and Ben Gordon have their contract terms worked out, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Our View: Hinrich really regressed last season, and with Derrick Rose now in the mix, it will be tough for the Bulls to keep a backup point guard who will make over $11 million next season. A change of scenery may do the former Jayhawk some good as he tries to rebound from his poor 2007 season. |
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| Hairston obtained by Spurs | Friday 6/27, 8:17 AM CT |
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The Sports Network is reporting that the San Antonio Spurs acquired the draft rights to forward Malik Hairston, Golden State's 2009 second-round pick.
Our View: Golden State traded the second-rounder for cash considerations from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the draft rights to guard Goran Dragic.
Hairston, a shooting guard from Oregon, was taken 48th overall in the draft Thursday night. Dragic, a point guard from Europe, was chosen three picks before Hairston. |
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| Mayo-for-Love Trade done, awaiting approval | Friday 6/27, 1:10 AM CT |
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Major news coming hours after the completion of the NBA DRAFT: The Minnesota Timberwovles and Memphis Grizzlies have agreed in principle to a trade that will send newly-drafted guard OJ Mayo , guard Marko Jaric, forward Antoine Walker, and guard Greg Buckner to Memphis while Minnesota would receive the newly-drafted forward Kevin Love, guard/forward Mike Miller, forward Brian Cardinal, and center Jason Collins, according to ESPN.
Our View: This is being reported hours after the draft was completed, and it's a rather large trade including two of the top names in the draft. It is pending league approval, and then the deal is done. |
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