When the Suns traded Raja Bell and Boris Diaw to the Bobcats in exchange for Jason Richardson, there is no doubt who the gem in that transaction was. While Richardson is the star player in this trade, Fantasy owners will want to pay attention to the other part of the deal.
Oh, and Sean Singletary went to Charlotte while Jared Dudley went to Phoenix along with a 2010 second-round draft pick. No need to pay attention there, though. Moving on.
Richardson is a stud and he will remain one in Phoenix. He is owned in 99 percent of leagues and is not really going to be gaining or losing much Fantasy value. Bell and Diaw, however, stand to see significant increases in playing time and thus their Fantasy appeal stands to get a big boost.
This season in Phoenix, both Bell and Diaw saw a reduction in minutes and shot attempts compared to previous seasons under former coach Mike D'Antoni. The team's philosophical shift from run-and-gun to a half-court style of play has been well chronicled and has led to a drop in production from several of the team's Fantasy options. They head to a team that is last in the NBA in scoring and is losing its top scoring option in Richardson.
The Bobcats could certainly use both players. Bell has averaged as much as 14.7 points twice in his career while Diaw's best season saw him average 13.3 points in 2005-06. Bell was averaging just 9.6 points per game this season in Phoenix while Diaw was averaging 8.3 points and 3.8 rebounds.
They are not old players who have lost a step. The only difference is the way they were being used under Terry Porter.
Bell was getting minutes, but just 8.0 shots per game. That is his lowest total since he averaged just 9.8 per game in 2003-04 with the Utah Jazz. The Bobcats should offer him around 10 shots per game and he will continue to get the minutes because his defensive prowess fits Larry Brown's system so well.
Diaw was stripped of his flexibility under Porter, pigeonholed as a power forward-only sub who was getting just 24.5 minutes and 6.4 field goals per game. Under D'Antoni, Diaw was allowed to free-style as a forward who could play just as well on the wing as he could in the low post. He fit the team's running style well. In Charlotte, he will give the team much-needed size and will certainly get more minutes than he was getting in Phoenix this season. That will lead to more shot attempts, points and rebounds, which will automatically lead to more Fantasy production.
In case you didn't notice ... Rodney Stuckey was moved into the starting lineup on Tuesday and responded with 10 points and 11 assists in 36 minutes. The move is not permanent, but it does allow Allen Iverson to play off the ball, which is his more comfortable position. Part of the reason the Pistons had been trying to move Chauncey Billups since this offseason was because they felt they had a legit point guard for the future in Stuckey, and perhaps that future begins now.
Add 'Em
Matt Bonner, F/C, Spurs
Owned: 20 percent of leagues
Analysis: Somehow, Bonner has managed to get more productive as the team has gotten healthier around him. He has found a nice niche while starting at center for the Spurs. Along with Tim Duncan, Bonner has been the only truly consistent rebounder on the team lately with eight or more rebounds in three of five December games. That includes a 13-board effort against the Hawks Wednesday night. He has also made at least one three-pointer in each of his last five games, a real bonus for someone who is eligible at center in most leagues. He should continue to start and see around 25 minutes per game with few options at center for San Antonio.
Kendrick Perkins, C, Celtics
Owned: 67 percent of leagues
Analysis: Perkins is averaging 12.4 points and 10.8 rebounds over his last five games. Why is he still available in any league that requires starting a center -- nevermind in 33 percent of leagues? In most leagues, a center with a pulse and around 20 minutes per game commands considerable attention. Many Fantasy owners are understandably skeptical with Perkins, having been burned by him in the past. This year, though, the Celtics have gotten increased steady production from their young starters (Rajon Rondo being the other) around their big three and it seems to be by design. Perkins is producing enough to be starting in most leagues at the moment.
Larry Hughes, G, Bulls
Owned: 51 percent of leagues
Analysis: Hughes played well in a limited role off the bench for the Bulls. He missed the first eight games of the season due to injury, but has since averaged 13.2 points per game. A lot of that has to do with the absence of Kirk Hinrich, clearing up a very cloudy back court situation. There are more shots to go around than anticipated for Hughes and he is averaging around 10.7 per game in 26.9 minutes. Hinrich is not expected back until at least February, meaning this production is out there for Hughes for at least the next couple of months. Surely there are people that can use a 13-3-2 line among the 49 percent of leagues where he is available.
Avoid' Em
Jose Juan Barea, G, Mavericks
Owned: 38 percent of leagues
Analysis: Barea is on fire right now. He's scored at least 15 points in four straight games with around five assists in that span. He is coming off back-to-back 20-point games and it is understandable why his ownership has peaked. However, Fantasy owners must understand that Josh Howard has been out of the lineup and this type of production will not continue once he returns. Howard still has his ankle in a walking boot and could be out for another week or so while the swelling goes down, but Fantasy owners should not drop a player who has better long-term appeal just to add Barea because of his current hot streak. Be careful who you drop to pick up Barea.
Carl Landry, F, Rockets
Owned: 18 percent of leagues
Analysis: Landry has seen his ownership peak over the last couple of weeks, mostly because of increased playing time off the bench. He plays solid defense and injuries have practically forced the Rockets to stick him in the starting lineup. As Shane Battier gets his conditioning back and the team gets healthier with Ron Artest and Tracy McGrady expected back within the next few games, Landry's role will go back to being too erratic to rely upon in Fantasy.
Stash 'Em
Monta Ellis, G, Warriors
Owned: 64 percent of leagues
Analysis: He's back in practice and while he is still limited, the countdown to his 2008-09 debut has officially begun. He likely will not return until the end of a Warriors road trip that ends on Dec. 23. That puts his first real chance at returning from his injury (and concurrent suspension) as Dec. 26 against Boston. Don Nelson thinks it could take him aout a month to get back to full strength and has even said he may not get back to 100 percent at all this season, but a guy who averaged a 20-5-3 line a season ago should not be available in 36 percent of leagues this close to his returning to action. Go get him if he's available in your league. Right now.
Mike James, Wizards
Owned: 10 percent of leagues
Analysis: James has already gone from being owned in zero percent of CBSSports.com leagues to 10 percent following the trade. He is expected to take over as starting point guard for the Wizards while Gilbert Arenas remains out, which could be until mid-January or later. James had been buried on the Hornets' bench behind Chris Paul and others, but will get around 25-30 minutes per night once he gets back into game shape. He's proved in the past that he can be quite productive when getting that sort of playing time. He averaged 20.3 points and 5.8 assists back in the 2005-06 season with the Raptors and while nobody is expecting that type of production from him now, double-digit scoring and a handful of assists is certainly possible.
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