I’m going to try for all the news that fits in this edition, as I will be traveling and offline through the weekend. That also means that you won’t see the typical “Weekly Rundown” post this Sunday. With that said, if major news breaks – that seems an appropriate term, given the recent rash of injuries – I will try to find a way to get to a computer and post something about it. Either way, I hope you all have a great weekend.
• Elton Brand‘s season has come to an end. The man with the average draft position of 7.5 in Yahoo! leagues managed 13.8 points on 45 percent shooting, 8.8 boards, and 1.6 blocks in 29 games for the Sixers and struggled to fit in from the outset. Philly was 13-16 when he played and 11-8 when he hasn’t, including Thursday’s win over the Pacers. I’ll save the 2009-10 speculation for later, but what is a near-certainty is that he’ll be available at a heavy discount.
What does it mean for the Sixers’ fantasy fortunes? First, expect Andre Iguodala to have a fantastic second half. Thaddeus Young and Samuel Dalembert (18 points, 20 boards on Thursday) should be a bit more viable, although Sammy D’s issues to this point haven’t been due to a lack of responsibilities. Deeper-league owners will also now want to take a closer look at Louis Williams and Marreese Speights. What remains to be seen is if this affects Andre Miller‘s status at the trading deadline, as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season – if he does stay, his numbers should be solid and consistent.
• Amar’e Stoudemire on the trade block? Before you think it’s too far-fetched, read this:
With dysfunction and dissension reigning within the Suns, rival front-office executives believe general manager Steve Kerr is determined to move Stoudemire and others before the Feb. 19 trade deadline … If Kerr and assistant GM David Griffin do trade Stoudemire, a four-time All-Star, they want a combination of expiring contracts, a talented young player – preferably a forward – and draft picks. Stoudemire is expected to opt out of his contract for the historic free-agent summer of 2010. He makes $15 million this season and $16.3 million next season. His relationship with Suns management has steadily deteriorated and few expect that either side is interested in a contract extension.
The column calls the Eastern Conference – New York and Toronto more specifically – the logical destination if a trade were to take place. If he were to be traded, it would take a substantial package just to match his salary. If you are feeling frisky, head over and see what you can get to work in the trade machine.
• The Magic traded Keith Bogans (and cash) to the Bucks for Tyronn Lue on Thursday, a move that signifies that they are comfortable with veteran Anthony Johnson as their starter moving forward. Johnson’s 25-point effort on Wednesday aside, neither offers significant fantasy upside, particularly if we eventually see a platoon-like situation. With that said, both are a reasonable fit in the team’s offense in that they can shoot the three. Deep leaguers should already have made a move on Johnson but, given the 34-year-old’s track record, it’s unlikely that he’s going to warrant standard league interest.
• The Bucks went from three point guards to one in a matter of minutes on Thursday, as Luke Ridnour broke his thumb in practice at roughly the same time the Lue/Bogans deal was reached. Ridnour could be out up to a month, during which time Ramon Sessions figures to be very productive. Charlie Bell will now see time at both guard spots, and you have to imagine that the newly-acquired Bogans will be thrown into the fire at the two immediately.
• Andrew Bogut had this to say about his back injury:
“It might be longer than (eight weeks), it might be shorter. Who knows? There’s no sense in rushing back at the moment. It’s caused problems three separate times and there’s a lot of pain to deal with, so we just have to kind of nurse it back slowly. I won’t be doing anything for the next couple weeks and then start rehabbing after all-star weekend. I told the trainer I want to feel 110% before I come back because I came back three times now and it hasn’t felt 100% and I tried to push through it and be a hero and do all those things and it was just very stupid.” Asked about the pain, Bogut said, “It’s kind of like someone sticking a knife in your back when you don’t even expect it.”
Unfortunately, there’s no clear beneficiary in terms of playing time here, as the team will go with a committee approach involving Francisco Elson, Dan Gadzuric, and Malik Allen. Of the three, Gadzuric does have the most fantasy potential (21 minutes, 7.1 boards, 1.2 blocks in 139 career starts).
• Hey, Agent Zero, how about an update?
• A few status updates for Friday’s Raptors-Hornets game: Chris Bosh is doubtful with his right knee sprain, Jose Calderon (hamstring) is probable after being a late scratch on Wednesday, Tyson Chandler (ankle) remains out and Chris Paul is out because of his groin injury. Byron Scott has this to say regarding Paul’s eventual return: “The best case scenario is Sunday and the worst case would be to see him after the All-Star break.”
• Deep leaguers (do I use that term too much?) take note. With Calderon out, Joey Graham started and scored 24 points on Wednesday and his recent play (12.3 points on 59 percent shooting, 5.4 boards, 1.1 steals over the past seven games) is starting to generate some noise that he should start over Jamario Moon.
• Danny Granger owners, just (continue to) keep your fingers crossed.
• There are some rumblings of lineup changes in Detroit (later) and Charlotte (sooner than later).
• Both Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko are eying a return to the lineup immediately after the All-Star break.
• Andray Blatche‘s left knee sprain was originally expected to sideline him for two to four weeks. However, this update seems to indicate that we’re looking at four weeks from right now.
• Chauncey Billups is questionable for Friday while D.J. Augustin is hoping that Friday marks his first game action since January 10.
I offered Granger for Rashard Lewis in my public league. I’d be surprised if he accepted… Doesn’t sound good for Granger.
I think everybody is overly panicking about Granger. His knee is sore, as far as we know there is no sprain, no tear, nothin like that. He needs to sit right now until after the all-star break and ice and rehab. There could be worse things than sitting a few games. Besides, everybody knows he’s lame right now so shopping him around is not a good idea. You will take a much lesser player in return – with the injury driving his stock down – and then he goes off and has a monster second half to the season. Injuries are part of players’ 82-game sked, sore body parts happens, so everybody should just relax.
Theres only one problem with him resting until after the break. He’s an all star for the first time and in the three point contest. He should rest, but you know he’s not gonna miss the all star game.
Well I think you’re down playing it. A sore knee is different than a sore muscle. It’s been bothering him since the summer. He’s been icing it during every timeout the past few weeks and he’s on a team that won’t make the playoffs.
So once the Pacers are officially eliminated from a playoff spot, why would they continue to play him?
Good news about AK — I hope he comes back a bit early, though I don’t really need him right now. I’m in 1st and I’m beating the 3rd place team 7-2 without him and Chris Paul. I actually haven’t lost a H-2-H match-up the entire year.
http://basketball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/nba/105831
And no, it doesn’t sound good for Granger. I would try to dump him if you can, but it’s going to be difficult now.
Also, what do you think about the Bucks situation? With Ridnour out for a month, do you think Bogans makes a decent play for a while? I would assume he will take on more of a role than Bell. And Sessions’ value goes way up for sure.
Wow never mind, I see you have already mentioned the Bucks thing, thanks. Disregard my last post.
Matt, what do you think about the Bulls moving Thomas, Gooden, and Gordon for Amare? Some expiring contracts with Thomas to boot. Phoenix could also move Barbosa like they were talking about. The Bulls on the other hand would have a nice compliment to Rose. Moving Hughes would be nice, but I don’t see the Sun’s taking that on.
Phoenix:
PG: Nash, Gordon
SG: Richardson, Gordon
SF: Hill, Barnes
PF: Thomas, Gooden
C: Shaq, Lopez
Bulls:
PG: Rose, Hinrich
SG: Hinrich, Sefolosha
SF: Deng, Nocioni
PF: Amare, Nocioni
C: Noah, Gray
As a Tyrus Thomas owner… I’d be very happy with a trade that sent him to Phoenix.
But it sounds like Portland.. They’re offering Aldridge and Raef Lafrentz for an expiring contract.
Phoenix is so stupid for doing this.
Trade Shaq to LA, get Odom or whatever. But don’t trade Amare. Maybe the Suns will notice that pretty much every GM in the NBA is drooling over the thought of getting Amare and they might decide that they’re idiots for even thinking about trading him.
No way is portland doing that trade. i live in portland and there is less than 1% chance. he’s definitely more likely to go to the east
and portland certainly didn’t offer that trade, phoenix wanted LA, a 1st, and Raef’s contract. Portland’s mngmt isn’t stupid
silentjim, the Bulls can’t trade Gordon unless he consents and waives his Bird rights (which he probably wouldn’t do).
I don’t think he wants to be a Bull anymore, so I think there’s a possibility he might. Phoenix could also want someone else instead as well, IE Noah, Hughes, etc.
Do you think that Calderon’s hamstring is going to continue to be an issue? I have already dealt with Bogut’s on again off again back spasms and may try to move Calderon with his high value. Plus now he has missed a free throw… (kidding).
Thoughts on moving Calderon? Am I being impatient?
matt, a friend of mine in a standard 9 cat roto league doesnt believe me when i said that marvin williams/haslem for brook lopez/chalmers isnt fair. its quite obvious that anyone would take the lopez/chalmers side. can you weigh in on the matter so that he can see it in print from a fantasy expert, thanks!
Dalembert comes through with 20 rebs last night, hopefully there are more games like this to come with Brand gone for the year.
I’m also a Calderon owner who is getting fed up with him taking games off just to be safe. Being so cautious has allowed the raptors to safely play themselves out of the playoffs
I can’t believe this Granger stuff. I drafted him OVER Wade in my 15 person league since I didn’t want to deal with knee issues, etc since losing a 1st rounder in deep leagues is much more serious. Oh well. If he goes down, I am going to be in some real trouble.
I’m glad i found this site! you were missing in action for a while there and yahoo sports suffered as a result.
Now I know fantasy basketball is about the big picture and a long and challenging road to finishing on top at seasons end but i had a day recently that I think was one of the best single day peformances by a team in my personal fantasy career.
case in point – http://basketball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/nba/99467/2?date=2009-01-31
does anyone else have any examples of ‘a good day at the office’?
Granger looked fine tonight.
Dowwwwnnn goes Biedrins!
Turiaf 11 pts, 9 reb, 3 blk tonight
Anderson 13 pts, 4 reb, 2 stl, 5 blk
Not too bad…
So it is safe for me pick up turiaf and anderson if needed blocks for h2h league this week due to only 4 days matchup in a week (long allstar break)
Yeah, you should pick them up anyways if you want blocks. The Biedrins injury looked really bad. He pretty much had to be carried to the x-rays.
So Turiaf is a great add. Anderson is also getting more playing time because he’s a great hustle player and Denver loves his energy. I can’t say anything bad about them, so if you want to win blocks.. You should definitely add them.
So what about this trade someone offered me I give up Josh Smith and get C. Bosh(standard league). Is bosh safe enough that he’ll play the rest of the season.
I wouldn’t do it
should i pick up vlad rad
Quick Question for Matt and all who wish to share their input:
Should I drop Hinrich for JJ Barea now that Terry is out? I’m hesitant to drop Hinrich because of the potential of him starting after the trade deadline. Thanks.
Berea is a great add. I have Terry on my team too, so I might have to find a place for him. Terry might be out for a while.
hey buser,
just wondering, why haven’t you won any of your leagues in the past few years?
forgot to update the teams?
whoops~!?
With Brand going down, I dropped him and picked up Jermaine O’Neal. Right now, Carlos Boozer is sitting in the FA pool with a return date seemingly set for after the all-star break. Is he worth stashing right now and dropping O’Neal (or Bargnani, although I do need 3′s), or should I just keep O’Neal and see how Boozer performs when he comes back? What do you guys think? Boozer was putting up some nice numbers before he got hurt, but who knows how healthy he will come back.
I would drop Bargnani and stash Boozer. He is a double-double stud when/if he gets healthy, with great percentages. Find some threes elsewhere. Bargnani has already started to fade a bit, and I just don’t trust him as much as O’Neal, even though he is an injury threat.
I can’t believe Boozer is available though.
i picked up vlad rad.
CB4 FOR RASHARD LEWIS
DEAL OR NO DEAL?
tempting…not sure though, depends on what you need
Looks like I lost Terry for a while, and I would like to stash him and pick up Augustin or Barea. The most likely drop candidate is JR Smith, or maybe Anthony Parker. What do you guys think?
Smith, felton is on fire
OK so this trade happened in my League
Kobe, Zydrunas, Villanueva for Nene, Amare, and Baron
who has the upper hand in that trade?
Kobe
Kobe
im getting a bit concerned with stuckey’s minutes and rips good production lately off the bench. i have the feeling ill be looking for a new guard soon.
I am starting to lose faith in foye too
hey MB, any suggestions on what to do with Drew Gooden? What kind of production are we looking at when he comes back?
I’m thinking about picking up Bynum, considering my league has 82 game maximums and my last spot is currently an injured Gooden anyway. Is that too optimistic?
i was sitting on Gooden as well. i finally had to give him up when i read how he was planning on seeing a specialist next week for a possible sports hernia. on return i think it would be safe to assume similar production. the problem is figuring out exactly when that might be
Roy hit his fourth game winner this season (I think the number is four) while lebron hit his very first this year so I was told. I was just wondering how many kobe has dropping over his entire career does anyone know
oops sorry i meant buzzer beaters (roy has two i think)