fBasketballBlog

Childress is back in the NBA. Let's hope the hair and badass scar come back with him. (Aitor Arrizabalaga/Flickr)

A ton has happened so far this summer, which could go down as one of the most active and significant ever. For solid overviews of all that’s happened recently, check out Fantasy Basketball Daily and RotoWorld.

Here’s a quick take on some of the major moves that have taken place in the past few days (using our blog’s trademark color system):

• Al Jefferson dealt to the Utah Jazz: he’ll finally get to play with an elite point guard in Deron Williams, and could move Mehmet Okur to the bench while popping much of the juicy potential Paul Millsap had; Kevin Love now has command over the Timberwolves’ frontcourt
• Josh Childress will make his NBA comeback in Phoenix, which is where Hedo Turkoglu was traded to: this certainly puts a damper on Hakim Warrick’s value heading into the season, Turkoglu immediately becomes an appealing fantasy option again and Leandro Barbosa might be set to bounce back in Toronto (continue reading…)

Love it or hate it, the King has made his decision -- and it's a doozy. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Estabrook Group)

Unless you’ve locked yourself in a soundproof vault in Stan Van Gundy’s basement, you know by now that LeBron James just announced his decision on ESPN: he’s joining the Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.

First off: wow.

This is a potentially epic, landscape-shifting decision that has so many threads to follow. Among them are: the foundation for a possible long-term powerhouse in the NBA; the against-the-grain, true-to-their-word decisions made by James/Wade/Bosh to turn their backs on big dollars in favor of something more; the shattered hearts in New York, Chicago and, most of all, Cleveland; and the exponentially hotter spotlight that is immediately drawn to Miami. (continue reading…)

Will we be seeing a lot more of this in 2010-11? (The Canadian Press)

With “sources” pointing to the Miami Heat as the favorite to land LeBron James, and “sources” saying the King will celebrate his decision in South Beach this weekend, it seems all but official that James will join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Florida next season.

But we have already bitten on media-driven head fakes many times this summer, and it wouldn’t be surprising to find out that this is yet another one.

I, for one, am quite excited for the announcement tonight — in a shameful way. A giddiness is building up in me, akin to what I’ve felt for past season finales of guilty pleasures like “American Idol.” (continue reading…)

Wade is staying in Miami and he'll have a very capable sidekick in Bosh. Will the duo become a trio by Thursday evening? (Keith Allison/Flickr)

Two-thirds of the dream trio that has been the recipient of so much attention this summer have finally decided on their future.

Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh announced today that they plan to sign with the Miami Heat.

From a fantasy standpoint, it’s not all that exciting — yet. It’s too early to jump to concrete conclusions on Wade and Bosh’s values next season, since we don’t know who else will (or will not) sign with their squad. As it stands, the Heat only have Wade, Bosh, Mario Chalmers and Michael Beasley on its payroll. If they fill out that roster with a bunch of minor role players, Wade and Bosh remain fantasy studs, though their stats might take a slight baby step back.

If, however, Wade and Bosh are joined by LeBron James, all three dudes will see their values take a material hit. (continue reading…)

Stoudemire's wallet is now this big -- but his fantasy value has shrunk. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)

Amar’e Stoudemire is (almost officially) a New York Knick. The coveted big man is ready to put his signature on a five-year contract that will net him nearly $100 million. This clearly has implications for his fantasy value, which surged in the latter part of last season. While his wallet might have gotten a lot fatter, his fantasy value has done the opposite.

More in-depth analysis of this and other big free agency signings will come once contracts are made official after Thursday, but for now, here’s a quick rundown of why STAT will have a down fantasy season, with the current Knicks roster:

• he won’t have a point guard who plays anywhere near the level of Steve Nash
• he’ll have to adjust to playing with another point guard
• defenses will be able to hone in on shutting him down on a thinner team than his former Suns
• the clock continues to tick until his next serious injury
• the looming threat of post-contract blues

What do you think? Is Stoudemire guaranteed to take a step back for fantasy owners this season, or is he set to finally take off in an offense that’s more centered around him? Let us know in the poll below. (continue reading…)