Tracy McGrady(notes) and Kevin Martin(notes) headlined the final day of NBA trades, while Amar’e Stoudemire(notes) stayed put.
• New York receives Tracy McGrady and Sergio Rodriguez(notes); Houston
receives Kevin Martin, Jordan Hill(notes), Hilton Armstrong(notes), and Jared
Jeffries(notes); Kings receive Carl Landry(notes), Joey Dorsey(notes), and Larry Hughes(notes)
So the Knicks get McGrady, the crowning achievement in their quest to not pay as many players as possible after the current season. He’ll play and may even start ahead of Wilson Chandler(notes) or Danilo Gallinari(notes), even though he most certainly should not if the Knicks’ focus is truly on the future. I’d expect McGrady, Chandler, and Gallinari to eventually end up with similar minutes – T-Mac should be able to put together some counting stats with the Knicks, but poor percentages and plenty of turnovers will keep his fantasy impact in check. With Jeffries gone, Al Harrington(notes) could return to the starting five at power forward, and that would certainly qualify as an upgrade for his fantasy prospects.
Rodriguez is an intriguing player in New York. Chris Duhon(notes) may be a pure point guard, but he’s an ineffective one. Rodriguez has skills but hasn’t had many chances to put them to use – that could change, and there is plenty of fantasy potential currently being wasted on Duhon. Deep-leaguers should be all over Rodriguez, and standard-leaguers in a speculative mood shouldn’t hesitate to grab him, as well.
Let’s take a look at Houston’s new depth chart:
PG: Aaron Brooks(notes), Kyle Lowry(notes)
SG: Kevin Martin, Chase Budinger(notes), Garrett Temple(notes)
SF: Trevor Ariza(notes), Shane Battier(notes), Chase Budinger,
PF: Luis Scola(notes), Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries, Brian Cook(notes)
C: Chuck Hayes(notes), David Andersen(notes), Hilton Armstrong
Martin’s high-usage ways may take some getting used to by the other Rockets, and it’s a fairly safe bet that Brooks and Ariza stand to lose at least a few touches. Battier is the obvious option to return to the bench and he’ll lose a few minutes in the exchange. Landry’s departure opens up some minutes, and Hill and Andersen should effectively share those. Hill is raw and Andersen is low-ceiling, but those initial box scores will be worth monitoring.
How things break down in Sac-town is up in the air. Beno Udrih(notes) could return to the starting five at point guard, where he’s been effective this season, with Tyreke Evans(notes) taking over shooting guard for good. Francisco Garcia(notes) stands to gain more minutes in any scenario and would likely start at shooting guard if the team decides to stick with Evans at the point. Garcia is the immediate add here, as he’s got across-the-board potential and will be very solid with around 30 minutes per game. If Udrih does get the nod as the starter, he’s back on most radars, but he’s a fringe option as a reserve. Greene’s role and numbers have been volatile and that’s not likely to change any time soon. Landry joining the fray is a downgrade for him and for Jason Thompson(notes) – can you say platoon?
• Bucks send Hakim Warrick(notes) and Joe Alexander(notes) to the Bulls for John Salmons(notes)
The deal became official Thursday, with Alexander replacing the previously speculated Francisco Elson(notes). Salmons should replace Charlie Bell(notes) as the starter at shooting guard and is clearly upgraded with the move. Warrick will see some reserve minutes at power forward for the Bulls, but there’s only so much production to be had here, as Taj Gibson(notes) now has complete ownership of the position for the Bulls.
• Bulls trade Tyrus Thomas(notes) to Charlotte for Flip Murray(notes), Acie Law(notes), and draft pick
Thomas gets a change of scenery but not much of a positive change of expected production. He’ll be behind Boris Diaw(notes) (35 minutes per game) at power forward and Gerald Wallace(notes) (42 minutes per game) at small forward. The counter-argument to pointing out how ineffective Diaw has been to this point is that he’s been asked to do so little since Stephen Jackson(notes) arrived. Deep-leaguers take note: Flip Murray’s departure should free up a reasonable amount of minutes for D.J. Augustin(notes).
• Knicks trade Nate Robinson(notes) and Marcus Landry(notes) to Boston for Eddie House(notes), J.R. Giddens(notes), and Bill Walker(notes)
Nate’s role won’t change much in Boston, although his 20-25 minutes should at least be allotted more consistently. Eddie House can hit threes, and that’s never a bad thing when you play for the Knicks, but he’s not going to crack the rotation to a point of mattering for fantasy.
• Memphis acquires Ronnie Brewer(notes) for a draft pick
Brewer goes from being a marginal starter in Utah to being a marginal reserve in Memphis. Feel free to purge him from any and all fantasy rosters. Wesley Matthews(notes) will likely return to the starting five for the Jazz, and he’s managed just 9.5 points in 29 minutes in his 19 starts to this point of the season.
• Bucks send Jodie Meeks(notes) and Francisco Elson to Philadelphia for Royal Ivey(notes), Primoz Brezec(notes), and draft pick
Meeks has some offensive skills but will be well down the depth chart in Philly.
More fallout: Caron Butler for Josh Howard | Antawn Jamison to CLE | Marcus Camby to POR
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