| Jackson dealt | Tuesday 7/29, 8:43 PM CT |
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Bobby Jackson was sent to the Sacramento Kings as part of the Ron Artest trade, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Our View: Jackson spent five years with the Kings from 2000-2005, and was successful there, once averaging over 15 points-per-game. He won't do that anymore, but he can still give the team quality minutes. |
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| Rockets acquire Artest | Tuesday 7/29, 8:35 PM CT |
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The Houston Rockets will acquire Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, along with their number one draft choice next season and another player that has yet to be named. The trade is not allowed to be officially announced until August 14 due to contract considerations.
Our View: The Rockets just made themselves serious contenders in the West, as Artest will be part of a talented trio that includes Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. It goes without saying that Artest is a valuable fantasy contributor, and this move does nothing to change that. |
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| Deng to get $70 million deal | Tuesday 7/29, 8:08 PM CT |
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The Chicago Bulls are close to signing forward Luol Deng to a six-year deal worth $70 million, according to ESPN.com.
Our View: Deng gave the team until Friday to complete negotiations or he said he was going to bolt in unrestricted free agency next season. The Bulls promptly got things moving, and Deng has become a rich man. You have to think his numbers will improve next year after an overall forgettable season in Chicago. He should be a top option in fantasy basketball leagues. |
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| Jones waived | Tuesday 7/29, 5:16 PM CT |
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Bobby Jones was waived by the Knicks one day after being traded for Renaldo Balkman, according to the AP.
Our View: Jones has bounced from team to team in his career, and now must find another one. |
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| Green waived by Knicks | Tuesday 7/29, 5:13 PM CT |
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Taurean Green was waived by the New York Knicks one day after being dealt to them, according to the AP.
Our View: Green came over from Denver as part of the Renaldo Balkman trade, but his one-day Knicks career is now over. |
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| Augustine waived | Tuesday 7/29, 4:35 PM CT |
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James Augustine was waived from the Orlando Magic today, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Our View: Augustine provided very little for the Magic and fantasy owners, playing in only 25 games last season, averaging under two points per game. |
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| Billups says keep the Pistons together | Tuesday 7/29, 10:21 AM CT |
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Chauncey Billups feels like the Pistons core needs yet another chance to bring home a title as they did in 2004, according to the Boston Herald. He said general manager Joe Dumars should do nothing more to change the roster. "I’ve been to the top of the mountain with these guys, and I know what that feels like...And I think change to a few of those pieces - it changes things...and it takes a while to get back to that level. And I’m not saying it can’t happen...but I’ve never seen it happen." Billups also said he believes new coach Michael Curry deserves a shot with this group.
Our View: With the emergence of Rodney Stuckey, it appeared earlier this offseason that Billups was expendable. He was rumored in trades to Golden State, Denver and Houston among others but is still in place as the starting point guard in Detroit. The Pistons are a very deep team and their new coach must find the right mix of minutes and combinations of veterans and youth to contend for another title next season. If no moves are made, expect to see the minutes shared more evenly next season, thus bringing down the fantasy value of some of the starters. |
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| Yao scores 21 in Olympic tune up | Tuesday 7/29, 10:13 AM CT |
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The AP reports that Yao Ming shot 8-for-10 on his way to tallying 21 points, five rebounds and two blocks over 28 minutes in a China win over Angola on Tuesday night.
Our View: Yao is recovering from surgery on his foot last March. It appears he is coming around as scheduled, though we still find it hard to believe that a 7-foot-6 giant can only grab five rebounds in a game featuring players from China and Angola. |
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| Okafor inks six-year, $72 million deal | Tuesday 7/29, 9:06 AM CT |
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The Bobcats have signed Emeka Okafor to a six-year, $72 million deal, according to ESPN. Okafor averaged 13.8 points and 10.7 rebounds last year.
Our View: There had been reports that the Bobcats were looking to deal Okafor, but obviously that's not going to happen. |
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