3 days in to Free Agency and the NBA landscape appears to be changing quite a bit. Of course, deals aren't official until July 8th, but there are plenty of verbal agreements already out there. Let's have a look at some of those moves and what they could mean.
Ben Gordon and Charlie Villenueva to Detroit - OK, these ones I don't really get. Don't the Pistons already have Rip Hamilton? So are you really gonna pay $11 million dollars a year for BG to come off the bench? I don't think so. So that means that Rip will likely be moved. I get the Charlie the signing from the point of need because Rasheed Wallace won't be back. But is he really the answer? Wouldn't you rather make a play for Millsap or David Lee? Nevertheless, both will be fantasy factors simply because they have to be. BG will lead them in scoring and CV will likely be the #2 guy. He can score better than Stuckey or Prince. CV will also have to lead this team in rebounding because the only other big guy (assuming McDyess doesn't come back) is Kwame Brown. So pencil CV in for 8-9 rebounds.
Ron Artest to the Lakers - Ron Ron wanted to be in LA a few years ago but it never happened. Now, with the Lakers World Champs he decides to take less money and come on board. He will replace Ariza in the starting lineup and play small forward. He isn't the lock-down defender he was a few years ago but he can play multiple positions and should be on his best behaviour for Coach Phil. My concern is how he will fit in on this team. This is Kobe and Pau's team. Can Ron accept being 3rd fiddle? And what is Lamar Odom comes back? Can Ron handle getting 10 shots a night? Can Pau Gasol handle being less of a focus on offense? Do you really want Pau taking less shots? And how will this affect Bynum's development? Personally, I would have rather kept Aiza (didn't him and Ron sign for the same money?). Isn't Ariza younger? And the biggest factor -didn't you just win the frikkin' NBA Championship??? Why mess with success? Does Artest make you better when you're already the best?
Ariza to the Rockets - On the one hand, I like it. On the other hand - I think he got the big day from his playoff performance. During the regular season, he averaged 9ppg and 4rpg. Those aren't superstar numbers - yet the Rockets gave him pretty big dollars. The Rockets problems stem from Yao Ming and his troubled foot. With only one year left on T-Mac's deal this could be a very different looking Rockets team this coming season if they can move him. They have the building blocks to be a good team - but without Yao they will struggle to make the playoffs. I like Brooks, Battier, Scola, and now Ariza - but that group will not compete for the playoffs out West.
Zach Randolph to the Grizzlies - I can't believe it, but the Grizzlies could be taking over for the Clippers as being the dumbest franchise out there. Do the Grizz not know anything about Zach? Have they seen him play? He's a black hole. He doesn't win. He pouts. He is not a good teammate. But maybe I get it, maybe Michael Heisley is trying to put a good fantasy team together and doesn't care about all those other things. Maybe he just sees 20 and 10 and thought why not. From a Fantasy perspective, Zach is still going to get his numbers and is worth drafting. For the Grizzlies, I can't way to see what sort of quality values Zach relays to youngsters Mayo, Conley, Thabeet, and Gasol.
For the Clippers, they did it. They got rid of the extra big man they had to open a spot for Blake Griffin. I expect Kaman to start at center and let Camby come off the bench. Great move for the Clippers to get rid of Zach. Well done Clips. I have never typed that before.
Turkoglu to the Blazers, no wait the Raptors - When I read at the beginning of Free Agency that Hedo's wife really like Toronto as a city I was surprised to learn he was heading to Portland for the day. I saw some video of Turkoglu arriving in PDX by HIMSELF - and I knew the deal wouldn't get done. The Blazers didn't have to convince Hedo to come to Portland - they needed to convince his wife! For the Blazers, my adopted team, I am a bit sad they didn't get him because of his experience and his ability to create his own shot. On the other hand, they do already have 3 younger options to play SF. I still think the Blazers need someone who can create their own shot - whether that's a PG or SF I don't think really matters. The best thing Turk would have brought to the Blazers was his ball-handling. In crunch time, Brandon Roy becomes their PG anyways so it would have been nice to use Turkoglu in the that role. Oh well, let's see who the Blazers go after now.
The Raptors are creating a little Euro team there in TO. Calderon, Bargnani and now Turkoglu in the starting lineup. And don't forget that Bosh guy. If they gel, they again are a playoff factor next season. Turkoglu is 3o years old and in his prime. Just a couple seasons ago he averaged close to 20ppg with 5 assists and 5 rebounds a game. If he can even come close to that the Raptors should be good enough to make the top 8 in the East. And for fantasy purposes, I like Turk in TO.
Shaq to the Cavaliers - The Big Cactus won't be sunny and warm in Cleveland. Lucky Shaq has played in Orlando, LA, Miami and Phoenix (not exactly 'cold' places) so this will be a big change for him. I can't wait for the those televised games where Shaq comes into the arena dress in a big parka and one of those crazy winter hats. Love it and I love this move for Cleveland. I mean, why not try Shaq for one season. That's all he has left on his contract. One year for 20 million. The Cavs still have some work to do though to make this work. Getting Shaq means Ilgauskas comes off the bench - will that work? Varejao opted out of his contract so his defense isn't around. Word is that Lebron could slide over to play power forward - but that still leaves a big hole on the wing for another slasher/shooter. They wanted Ariza. Didn't get him. They wanted Artest. Didn't get him. Where do they turn now?
There are lots of other minor moves rumored to be in the works...so else is out there??
Iverson - who really wants this guy? He wants to play for the Grizzlies - why? They have the most money to offer. I'd be surprised to see the Grizz sign him - but hey - they brought in Zach so maybe they'll bring in AI and have 2 black holes? The other rumor is that the Heat have talked to AI. I don't see a Wade/Iverson combo working.
Rasheed - The Celtics, Magic, Cavs, and Spurs all want him. The Celtics are making the strongest push so far - but why would Rasheed choose them? They already have a pretty big frontcourt. Dwight Howard doesn't really want Wallace (it would hurt his numbers) so I don't see the Magic getting him. What about the Spurs? Parker, Ginobili, RJ, Sheed, and Timmy D??? Come on!!! The Spurs need another big man in a bad way - maybe he goes there?
David Lee - sign and trade coming? Everyone wants him. I think his numbers were inflated because of the system he played in so I think he will be overpaid. I would rather have Millsap because of the shot-blocking ability. Lee will end up somewhere and he will get 10 rebounds a night.
Paul Millsap - I think the Thunder are preparing a big offer for him. That makes sense and it makes me cringe they are no longer my Sonics. Westbrook, Harden, Durant, Green, and Millsap with some decent bench guys in Sefolosha, Collison, Krstic, etc. Man, I would love to see it.
Shawn Marion - where will he end up? He was paid 18 million last season. Ugh. Shawn will go where the money is - but who has any? Could the Cavs pony up some dough? The Matrix's stats depend on who his PG is so fantasy buyer-beware.
Others like Bibby (Hawks?), Andre Miller, McDyess (Spurs?), and Nate Robinson (Magic?) all still need to find homes and then more trades will happen. It's getting exciting and the JBL draft is just a few months away....
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