Cameron

Bairstow

The Spurs declined to match the three-year, $21M offer sheet Detroit presented to Marjanovic, so the 7'3" giant will continue his NBA career in the Motor City. Under Stan Van Gundy, the big man will serve as a backup behind both Andre Drummond and Aron Baynes, so there’s not a lot to get excited about regarding his fantasy potential. At least Detroit’s garbage time minutes just got a whole lot more interesting. In a related move, the Pistons have waived both Cameron Bairstow and Joel Anthony.

Bairstow, acquired this summer from the Bulls in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, was let go to make room for Boban Marjanovic.

Bairstow will likely need to prove his worth to another NBA squad via training camp, but even if he does wind up somewhere, his fantasy value will be nil.

This obviously isn’t a blockbuster deal, but Dinwiddie could be the backup point guard in Chicago next season if he impresses at training camp. Dinwiddie is just 23 years old, but he couldn’t crack the rotation in Detroit and averaged 4.8 points, 1.8 assists and 1.4 boards in 12 appearances this season. It’s worth noting that Derrick Rose is on the last year of his deal, so this is a great opportunity for Dinwiddie.

Bairstow was basically just emergency depth for the Bulls this season and it’s hard to imagine his role growing in Detroit. The 25-year-old big man averaged 1.9 points and 1.6 boards in 18 appearances.

Bairstow is going to really struggle getting off the bench in Chicago, playing behind guys like Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic, Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah. He didn’t average more than 3.6 minutes per game last season, and that’s likely where his minutes will be next year. He has no fantasy value playing in Chicago’s crowded rotation.

He put up some decent numbers in his five games in Las Vegas, averaging 10.2 points, 7.0 boards, 1.4 assists and 0.6 blocks. Bairstow got to the line 13 times in the July 17 game and he will be able to build his game in the D-League next year.

He’s going to be invisible behind Taj Gibson, but if Carlos Boozer is amnestied (or traded), Bairstow could find a role off the bench in Chicago.

With Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson all ahead of him on the depth chart, it’s going to be hard for Bairstow to earn meaningful minutes. “For me to be able to stretch the floor, I think, will really increase my value in the league,” he said.

He’s actually started a game while the Bulls missed Joakim Noah, so this does have some fantasy implications. Expect more minutes going to Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic to get more run.