fBasketballBlog

In light of the NBA lockout, here's a photo of some salmon. (Flickr/Andrea Pokrzywinski)

Though that horrible “L” word has finally slammed the NBA’s doors shut, fantasy basketball fans can rest assured that this young (and abruptly suspended) offseason has already offered morsels of activity to chew on. Old faces have landed in new places, which means there’s some fantasy analysis to be had.

Here’s a look at how these early-summer trades will impact fantasy basketball once this real-life mess gets sorted out. (continue reading…)

This season is all about Yao for the Rockets. (Keith Allison/Flickr)

Depth chart:
PG: Aaron Brooks, Kyle Lowry, Ishmael Smith
SG: Kevin Martin, Courtney Lee, Jermaine Taylor
SF: Shane Battier, Chase Budinger, Jared Jeffries
PF: Luis Scola, Chuck Hayes, Patrick Patterson, Alexander Johnson, Jordan Hill
C: Yao Ming, Brad Miller

Relevant fantasy players and projected draft positions/per-game stats:
Kevin Martin – SG (Rd. 4-5): 22 Pts, 2 threes, 3 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl
Aaron Brooks – PG (Rd. 4-5): 20 Pts, 2.5 threes, 2 Reb, 6 Ast, 1 Stl
Luis Scola – F/C (Rd. 7-8): 14.5 Pts, 8.5 Reb, 2 Ast
Yao Ming – C (Rd. 8-10): 13.5 Pts, 8 Reb, 2 Ast, 2 Blk
Shane Battier – SF (Rd. 12+): 7 Pts, 1.5 threes, 4 Reb, 2.5 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk
Chase Budinger – G/F (Rd. 13+): 9 Pts, 1 three, 3.5 Reb
Kyle Lowry – PG (Rd. 13+): 7 Pts, 3 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Stl
Brad Miller – C (Rd. 13+): 6 Pts, 3 Reb
Courtney Lee – G/F (Rd. 13+): 7 Pts, 2.5 Reb (continue reading…)

Studs: Derrick Rose, John Salmons

Duds: None

A healthy Deng could be a valuable sleeper this season. (Flickr/Keith Allison)

The Bulls clearly lost a valuable asset in Ben Gordon this offseason, but this young team has plenty of players who are set to benefit from the extra minutes and touches.

We all know Rose is primed to make a solid second-year jump after posting great numbers in his rookie campaign, but his lack of threes holds him back from being considered one of the elite fantasy point guards. Salmons and Luol Deng probably stand to benefit most from Gordon’s absence. Consider Deng a slightly risky sleeper in your drafts.

(continue reading…)