Monta Ellis Dealt To Bucks - 03/14/2012
BY Steve Alexander The first big trade of the season went down on Tuesday night, as the Warriors sent G Monta Ellis, F/C Ekpe Udoh and C Kwame Brown to the Bucks in exchange for C Andrew Bogut and G/F Stephen Jackson. Here are some potential impacts from the deal. For the Warriors, this should clear the way for Klay Thompson to start at shooting guard, who looks like the best fantasy pickup in the trade fallout. He started on Tuesday and had 14 points, four rebounds and five assists on 6-of-19 shooting, but also played 43 minutes. Sure, Jackson could cut into his flow, as could Brandon Rush, who had 17 points and eight rebounds, but my guess is the Warriors, who will probably tank the rest of the season in order to protect their draft pick and develop their youth, will roll with Thompson the rest of the way. With five games next week, Thompson is a “run, don’t walk” add off the waiver wire right now. Rush is also a solid addition if games played matter in your league. Stephen Curry missed yet another game with a bum ankle/foot and is now a real candidate to simply be shut down for the season. I doubt he has played his last game, but the Warriors are going to be very careful with him, and now that Ellis is gone, need him healthy going forward – especially next season. Don’t do anything crazy and drop him, but owners should prepare themselves for a possible nightmare with Curry the rest of the way – which is just more of the same, I guess. With Curry’s Doritos ankles, it’s possible that Nate Robinson and Charles Jenkins could be in for some big minutes going forward. Robinson had 17 points in a start for Curry last night, while Jenkins hit 7-of-10 shots for 15 points off the bench. With five games next week and Curry’s status in limbo, both players at least deserve some fantasy consideration right now. Andris Biedrins started in place of Udoh last night and had six points, three boards, three steals and two blocks. He’s worth a look, but I just don’t trust him. David Lee could find himself playing heavy minutes at center going forward, and is an auto-start next week with five games. Bogut is likely done for the season with a broken ankle, meaning Lee and Biedrins are going to have to hold it down in the middle without Udoh. As for Jackson, he’s still dealing with a hamstring injury and has to learn Mark Jackson’s system. Dorell Wright had 14 points, 10 rebounds and four 3-pointers last night, and had 20 points, five boards and four 3-pointers on Sunday. Maybe the loss of Monta will get Wright going, and he is an automatic pickup with five games in the coming week. Jackson could eventually steal his job at some point, but I’d rather own a healthy and hot Wright for now. Just keep in mind that Wright isn't happy he wasn't dealt by the Warriors, but at least he is playing better. For the Bucks, my guess is Drew Gooden and Ersan Ilyasova will keep their starting gigs, meaning Udoh will come off the bench in Milwaukee. Udoh is also iffy for Wednesday, as he still needs to get to Milwaukee and pass a physical. I dropped him for Klay Thompson in a league where I was deep at center, and I suspect his fantasy value is going to take a real hit under Scott Skiles – especially with Gooden and Ersanity running wild for the Bucks. Ellis will immediately start at shooting guard, which should push Carlos Delfino back to small forward, and Tobias Harris to the bench, with Mike Dunleavy as the sixth man. Ellis, like Udoh, is very iffy for Wednesday night, so watch for more news on their status in the news blurbs. A backcourt of Brandon Jennings and Monta could be dangerous for the Bucks, but we’ll have to see how their on-court chemistry is, as both guys need the ball in their hands and love to shoot. Other Trade Winds Dwight Howard seems very likely to be moved to the Nets, although he’s also asked the Magic to roll the dice on him and keep him, taking a chance that they can re-sign him over the summer. They’d likely have to make some big deals to make it happen, but Jason Richardson’s name is the only one really popping up in rumors. If J-Rich goes, J.J. Redick will likely become a must-own player, if he’s not already. He had 17 points and three 3-pointers on Tuesday in another start for J-Rich, who is out with a sprained ankle. If Howard’s last game in Orlando was last night, he went out with a b! ang, hitting the Heat with 24 points, 25 boards, three steals and two blocks. Rajon Rondo isn’t going to be moved by the Celtics unless they simply get an insane offer they can’t refuse, which I don’t see happening. For more trade rumors, keep an eye on news blurbs on Wednesday and Thursday. Injury Report Derrick Rose PG Bulls – Rose was rear-ended in a car accident on Tuesday but it didn’t sound too bad. However, he’s dealing with a sore groin and is iffy for Wednesday’s game. The Bulls also re-signed Mike James, adding fuel to the fire that Rose might have to miss a game or two. Watch for updates on Wednesday. Andrew Bynum C Lakers – Bynum powered through a bruised right knee for a season-high 37 points on 15-of-18 shooting, and kicked in 16 rebounds and a block for good measure. It looks like he managed to avoid disaster yet again. Rudy Gay SF Grizzlies – Gay didn’t pass his concussion tests and missed Tuesday’s game, leaving him iffy for his final two games this week. Hopefully you listened to us and benched him this week. Al Jefferson C Jazz – Jefferson is expected to miss Saturday and Sunday’s games due to the death of his grandmother, as our worst fears came true. His five-game week is now a three-game week, but that’s better than a three-game week turning into a one-gamer, right? Marcus Camby C Blazers – Camby left Tuesday’s game with a bruised right shoulder and didn’t return. It’s anyone’s guess how much time he’ll miss, and Kurt Thomas doesn’t exactly require a trip to the waiver wire. Consider Camby day-to-day for now. Jose Calderon PG Raptors – Calderon was out again with a sprained ankle and Jerryd Bayless had 20 points and seven assists. Until you get a report that Calderon will play, Bayless is basically a must-start player. Leandro Barbosa added 17 points for the Raptors, and is also a sneaky play with Calderon out, and there’s not a specific timetable on a possible return date for JC. Kevin Martin SG Rockets – Martin was out again with a strained right shoulder, while Courtney Lee (21 points, three steals, four 3-pointers) started in his place. Chandler Parsons also went off for a career-high 21 points, seven boards, six assists, a steal and three 3-pointers on 9-of-16 shooting. Martin’s injury could keep him out a few more, while he’s also a serious trade candidate, meaning both Lee and Parsons are worth grabbing in many leagues right now. Ty Lawson PG Nuggets – Lawson played through a foot injury last night and had 21 points, six boards and seven assists, so keep him in your lineup going forward. Injury News Continued Goran Dragic PG Rockets – Dragic rolled his right ankle last night, but played through it, finishing with 12 points, six boards, seven assists, two steals and a 3-pointer. He’s a must-start player for the next several weeks with Kyle Lowry out with a groin/infection injury. Luol Deng SF Bulls – Deng practiced on Tuesday and is hoping to return from his sore wrist on Wednesday, likely replacing Kyle Korver in the starting lineup. Corey Maggette SF Bobcats – Maggette says his tweaked back isn’t a big deal and he’ll likely be a game-time decision for Wednesday. I cut Maggette for Klay Thompson in one league, and am holding him another (because I’m out of moves for the week). Here’s hoping he plays tonight against the Rockets. Manu Ginobili SG Spurs – Ginobili is dealing with a hip flexor injury and you know Gregg Popovich is going to play it cool with Manu. As I wrote in Tuesday’s Dose, the Spurs have an incredibly high number of back-to-back situations coming up, so Manu’s going to be a roller coaster ride going forward. Consider him iffy for Wednesday against the Magic. Michael Beasley F Timberwolves – Beasley’s toe injury sounds very painful and he could miss several games. With Ricky Rubio also out, Derrick Williams is now a must-own player. Ray Allen SG Celtics – Ray Allen’s sprained ankle doesn’t appear to be a big deal and he should play tonight against the Warriors. Emeka Okafor C Hornets – Emeka Okafor’s knee injury could keep out for the foreseeable future and he said recently that he’d “rather not get into the specifics of what happened” regarding his knee. Chris Kaman (if not traded) and Gustavo Ayon should continue to see heavy minutes for the Hornets. Josh Howard G/F Jazz – Howard is dealing with an Achilles injury, but it sounds like he should play on Wednesday. He’s another guy I dropped in a few leagues to pick up Klay Thompson, and I think you should do the same. Marvin Williams SF Hawks – Marvin left Tuesday’s game with a hip injury and Kirk Hinrich started again, with Joe Johnson going at small forward. Hinrich could stick as the starting SG the rest of the way and had 22 points, four assists and three 3-pointers on 7-of-8 shooting, and is worth a look in many leagues if you have someone to cut. Spencer Hawes C Sixers – Hawes is targeting a return on Wednesday from an Achilles injury, but will be on a strict minute-count initially. I’m not racing to pick him up. Timofey Mozgov C Nuggets – Mozgov returned on Tuesday but had zero points and one board off the bench. Kenneth Faried might just stick in the starting unit the rest of the way and had eight points, nine boards and a block in 25 minutes. Rudy Fernandez G/F Nuggets – Rudy returned to action from a back injury and had five points in 16 minutes. He has no fantasy value as long as Arron Afflalo and Danilo Gallinari are healthy. Afflalo cooled off last night, but Gallinari went for 19 points and a 3-pointer in 37 minutes, and is very close to returning to form. Hedo Turkoglu F Magic – Turkoglu returned from a one-game suspension and had seven points, six boards, five dimes and two steals, and is a guy worth hanging onto until we see what trades the Magic make. If Ryan Anderson happens to be dealt, Turk could become a force. George Hill G Pacers – Hill returned from a shoulder injury and had 11 points and three assists, while Darren Collison struggled mightily. The job is Collison’s for the foreseeable future, and I don’t see a point in holding Hill unless you’re in a very deep league. Game News and Notes Joe Johnson and Josh Smith went nuts for the Hawks last night, but Zaza Pachulia badly missed a layup in overtime to cost the Hawks a win. J.J. went off for a season-high 34 points and six 3-pointers, while Smoove dropped a season-high 33 points to go along with 13 rebounds, seven assists, a steal, two blocks and another 3-pointer. Smith is playing at a first-round pick value and is still ticked off at not making the All-Star team. He's also a guy who could be dealt by Thursday, although I'm not sure the Hawks want to go there. Trevor Booker had 20 points and 12 rebounds on 8-of-13 shooting for the Wizards and could be in line for a big five-game week. Andray Blatche had 11 points, but played just 18 minutes, and remains a serious trade candidate between now and Thursday night. Booker looks like a good bet to hold value the rest of the way, unless they trade Blatche for a stud PF (not likely). Marreese Speights scored a season-high 25 points to go along with seven rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, while Tony Allen caught fire for 18 points in a double-OT loss to the Lakers. Speights is about to take a real hit once Zach Randolph is back from his knee injury, although we don’t know when that will be. Allen and O.J. Mayo are going to be hot pickups near the end of the season when the Grizzlies play back-to-back five-game weeks, but aren’t worth using before then in most instances. Alonzo Gee had 16 points, six rebounds and four steals, and continues to be a popular pickup off waiver wires. Ramon Sessions had 16 points, four rebounds, six assists and a steal, and is another serious trade candidate. It all depends on where he lands, but he could be a nice player to own if he ends up as Kobe Bryant’s point guard. Andrea Bargnani had 19 points, eight rebounds, zero 3-pointers and a block for the Raps last night, and it’s time to get him back in all lineups. Jameer Nelson exploded for 25 points, four assists and two steals on 10-of-16 shooting for the Magic, and is finally playing better. Make sure he’s not available in your league. Isaiah Thomas hit 4-of-5 shots and 3-of-3 3-pointers for 15 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal, but still played just 29 minutes for Kings coach Mark Jackson. He’s still playing well enough to be owned in most leagues, but is not an automatic starter right now. But for the 60th pick in last year’s draft, he’s making a name for himself. Nicolas Batum had just nine points, a steal and 3-pointer on 3-of-11 shooting in 30 minutes for the Blazers on Tuesday, and has scored between nine and 11 points in each of his last four games, collecting only one steal over that stretch. I have no idea what happened, but if he doesn’t bounce back soon, he’s no longer must-start quality. Brendan Haywood returned from a sprained ankle and had six points and eight rebounds in 25 minutes. He doesn’t have much fantasy value, but is always worth keeping an eye on in two-center leagues. Roddy Beaubois got hot in a romp over the Wizards and had 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block on 8-of-14 shooting. Jason Kidd didn’t do or play much tonight, so Roddy Buckets got some nice run. It’s just too bad he didn’t have a game like this last week when he had five games. Lou Amundson had a career-high 21 points on 10-of-11 shooting for the Pacers, and also added eight rebounds in an easy win over the Blazers. Consider this a fluke, and ignore him for now. | 
