Tuesday was a busy day with trade rumors, an actual trade, more trade rumors, a front office move in L.A. and some injury updates as the NBA prepares to get back to work on Thursday.
Lou Williams traded to Rockets
Lou Williams was traded to the Rockets for Corey Brewer and a first-round pick on Tuesday and the Lakers didn’t quite get as much as they were looking for in this one. Williams will have to deal with competition from James Harden, Eric Gordon and Patrick Beverley, so I think his fantasy value will take a hit. You can probably hang on and see how it goes, but I don’t love this trade for his value, while Gordon and Beverley might also lose some minutes with Williams in town. Obviously, Harden’s outlook is unchanged. Sam Dekker may also see a few more minutes going forward with Brewer out of the way.
For the Lakers, D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson both just got a fantasy boost, while Nick Young could also see a few more looks going forward - especially in the fourth quarter. And Corey Brewer shouldn’t have any impact in L.A., just like he didn’t have much of an impact in Houston.
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Trade Rumors
The Clippers are still trying to land Carmelo Anthony from the Knicks, but Melo has a no-trade clause and seems bent on sticking around in NYC to make Phil Jackson’s life more difficult. I don’t think he’s moving.
The Celtics seem to have an interest in everyone, including Blake Griffin, Paul George and Jimmy Butler, but it doesn’t sound like the Celtics will be able to land one of the superstars they covet. Speaking of George, the Pacers think they’ll be able to re-sign him this summer and really don’t want to let him go.
The Suns are said to be interested in Utah’s Derrick Favors, which is interesting because they have Marquese Chriss, while Favors’ knees might be shot. I doubt he ends up in Phoenix, but you never know.
The Timberwolves are said to be interested in Knicks’ point guard Derrick Rose, which is interesting since they have Ricky Rubio and Kris Dunn. If Rubio were included in the deal Rose wouldn’t lose much fantasy value, but if he has to compete with Rubio in Minnesota, Rose would take a hit. A three-way trade between the Knicks (Rose to Minnesota), Wolves (Rubio to Detroit) and Detroit (Reggie Jackson to New York) could happen in some form.
The Nets are all about moving center Brook Lopez and have lowered their asking price, but New Orleans, who just got DeMarcus Cousins, was one of the few teams that made the most sense for Bro-Lo. Therefore, it’s starting to look like Lopez may not be traded by the deadline. Swingman Bojan Bogdanovic, however, is getting a ton of attention from other teams and Brooklyn might be able to sit back and pick the best of the offers they get for him. If he goes I doubt his value would increase no matter where he lands, while his departure could open up some more minutes and opportunity for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
The Pistons appear to be fine with losing both Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond. The asking price for Drummond is going to be really high, but if he were to go, Jon Leuer could really start making some noise. And regardless of where Drummond goes, he’s still going to be a double-double machine. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is also generating a lot of calls, but Stan Van Gundy loves him, which means I doubt he’s leaving.
The Jazz are interested in bringing Dallas PG Deron Williams back to where it all began. I’m guessing they just want his expiring contract, but if Williams does go to Utah, George Hill is going to take a hit, assuming Williams plays for the Jazz, and Williams would lose almost all value coming off the bench. And for Dallas, Yogi Ferrell’s value would spike again, as he’d likely become the starting point guard for the Mavs.
The Pelicans are now in need of a guard and are said to be auditioning Mario Chalmers, Quinn Cook, Reggie Williams and Hollis Thompson. However, if they sign one of these guys I have a hard time believing any of them would make a fantasy impact.
The Pacers are said to be interested in the Sixers’ Jahlil Okafor, but a mid first-round pick probably isn’t going to be enough to get him.
There’s a random report out there that the Celtics might make a move for Andrew Bogut, but only after they make a bigger move. But if Al Horford and Kelly Olynyk are still Celtics near the deadline, I see no reason why this trade would ever see the light of day. Bogut’s expiring contract is appealing though, and the Celtics may be able to get it for no more than Tyler Zeller and a pick. We’ll see.
P.J. Tucker has been a hot topic in Phoenix with Toronto, Boston, Washington, the Clippers, Hawks and Jazz all interested. Tucker seems like a sure bet to be moved on Thursday, but where to is still anyone’s guess. If he goes it should help both T.J. Warren and Marquese Chriss.
The Wizards are said to be interested in Minnesota’s Shabazz Muhammad. Muhammad would actually take a value hit in Washington, in my opinion, because of the presence of Otto Porter and Kelly Oubre.
Contracts and Front-Office Moves
The Cavaliers are said to be interested in signing Langston Galloway if he’s waived by the Kings. We still don’t know if the Kings will waive the combo guard, but as of now, they still have him on the roster.
Chris Paul and the Clippers appear to be on track to sign a long-term deal this summer, which means the Clippers are ready to ride Paul until the prime of his career is over.
Jrue Holiday and the Pelicans could agree to a max deal this summer and a core of Holiday, Cousins and Anthony Davis should make them a contender in the West for years to come. And this also means that Holiday’s not likely to be traded on Thursday.
Magic Johnson is now the President of Basketball Operations in Los Angeles, while Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss are both reportedly out. Lakers fans may be rejoicing with this news, as I don’t know of anyone who thought Buss had a great basketball mind, or anything close to it. Rob Pelinka, a big-name NBA agent, looks like the front-runner to replace Kupchak as GM. And in fantasy news, Magic has said recently that he wants to see more of Ivica Zubac the rest of the way, which is enough for me to tell you to pick him up and see what happens.
Injury Updates
Patrick Beverley (groin) sounds like he’s good to go for Thursday’s game against the Pelicans. On a side note, James Harden missed his first practice of the year on Tuesday, but it was just a day of rest after the All-Star Game.
Terrence Ross (Magic) and Serge Ibaka (Raptors) are expected to make their debuts for their new teams on Thursday and Friday, respectively. We still don’t know what Ross’ role will be in Orlando, but it’s safe to say that Ibaka should give us more of the same in Toronto.
Courtney Lee (Knicks, illness) missed practice on Tuesday, leaving him iffy for Thursday’s game against the Cavaliers. If he’s out look for Brandon Jennings and Justin Holiday to see a boost, assuming they’re still with the Knicks. Joakim Noah (left hamstring) also missed practice and won’t play Thursday. Willy Hernangomez will start vs. the Cavs, making him a solid fantasy start in any format. In his three previous starts this season, Willy’s averaging 11.7 points, 11 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.7 steals. He should be owned across the board at this point.
Emmanuel Mudiay (back) will play for the Nuggets on Thursday. We’ll have to see if he gets his job back after Jameer Nelson filled in so admirably, but Mudiay’s return certainly isn’t going to do Nelson’s owners any favors. Danilo Gallinari (groin), Wilson Chandler (illness) and Kenneth Faried (ankle) also went through practice on Tuesday and it sounds like they will play, as well. I’m more worried about these guys getting traded than I am about them playing tomorrow night. Darrell Arthur (knee) also practiced and should resume his role off the bench in that one.
Ty Lawson (groin) and Arron Afflalo (hamstring) both practiced for the Kings and it sounds like they’ll be ready to go on Thursday. Darren Collison is still the starting point guard for the Kings, but has a chance to be moved. Stashing Lawson makes sense, not too mention the fact he’s outplayed Collison off the bench in a lot of games this season. In other Kings’ news, Ben McLemore could find himself playing some power forward for the trade-depleted Kings. B-Mac can basically play four positions for the Kings right now, making him worth owning in fantasy leagues.
