Possible Trade Deadline Movers
The NBA trade deadline is less than a month away and a lot of teams are looking to create some cap space for this upcoming free agent frenzy. Some of you Cyber General Managers would like to shore up your respective fantasy teams for a late season or even playoff run, so here are a few players that might be available to get you that league title this year.
Tracy McGrady G/F Houston Rockets:
McGrady has been disgruntled since coming back sooner than expected from knee surgery in November and having his minutes limited to 8 per game. He possesses a league high $23 million dollar contract and the Rockets do not want to add on any significant dollars past this year, so a trade might not transpire. Still, if he does pack his toothbrush, a myriad of destinations are rumored (NY, NJ, PHI, DAL and Golden State have been included). And if he is truly healthy, T-Mac can provide a boost to many fantasy teams if he can find a place willing to get him 30 plus minutes a night.
Andrea Bargnani F/C Toronto Raptors:
With Toronto possibly on to the fact that Chris Bosh will bolt from Canada at the end of the season without anything to show for it, the Raptors have started to entertain inquiries for the all world power forward. This would leave Bargnani, the former number one pick, as the main post option for the Raptors. Even though he plays more of a perimeter game, he would receive an increase in touches with Bosh gone and a pick-and-pop combo of him and Hedo Turkoglu would be tough to stop. Bargnani just recently completed a seven game stretch that saw the 7 footer average 20 pts and 8.5 boards a game. Fantasy owners should look to make a move quickly if Bosh is shipped back stateside.
Danilo Gallinari F New York Knicks:
This young Italian is showing that he just might have what it takes to make it in the Big Apple. If the Knicks trade Al Harrington and/or Nate Robinson, which has been talked about, Gallo will inherit an increased scoring role on a team that likes to score in bunches. Already one of the more deadly shooting big men from the three point line (2.7 threes made per game, 2nd in the NBA), once he understands that he can also take it to the basket his fantasy value will increase. The previous trade talks would open up some serious minutes and shot attempts. If he gets the opportunity, he can contribute in a positive way for the second half of the season.
Nate Robinson G New York Knicks:
Nate has had a very unstable year, first dealing with an injury, then being shipped to Mike D'Antoni's doghouse for about a month, to now the inconsistent minutes he has recently received. Still, Robinson is one of the most talented players per inch in the league and if he gets traded to a team that gives him the 30 minutes a night he got last year, Nate can easily get back to last season's fantasy production. The 5'8" dynamo can carry a team on many nights and put up starter type digits. This is a classic case of buying low so fantasy owners can reap the rewards the last couple of months of the fantasy season.
Tracy McGrady G/F Houston Rockets:
McGrady has been disgruntled since coming back sooner than expected from knee surgery in November and having his minutes limited to 8 per game. He possesses a league high $23 million dollar contract and the Rockets do not want to add on any significant dollars past this year, so a trade might not transpire. Still, if he does pack his toothbrush, a myriad of destinations are rumored (NY, NJ, PHI, DAL and Golden State have been included). And if he is truly healthy, T-Mac can provide a boost to many fantasy teams if he can find a place willing to get him 30 plus minutes a night.
Andrea Bargnani F/C Toronto Raptors:
With Toronto possibly on to the fact that Chris Bosh will bolt from Canada at the end of the season without anything to show for it, the Raptors have started to entertain inquiries for the all world power forward. This would leave Bargnani, the former number one pick, as the main post option for the Raptors. Even though he plays more of a perimeter game, he would receive an increase in touches with Bosh gone and a pick-and-pop combo of him and Hedo Turkoglu would be tough to stop. Bargnani just recently completed a seven game stretch that saw the 7 footer average 20 pts and 8.5 boards a game. Fantasy owners should look to make a move quickly if Bosh is shipped back stateside.
Danilo Gallinari F New York Knicks:
This young Italian is showing that he just might have what it takes to make it in the Big Apple. If the Knicks trade Al Harrington and/or Nate Robinson, which has been talked about, Gallo will inherit an increased scoring role on a team that likes to score in bunches. Already one of the more deadly shooting big men from the three point line (2.7 threes made per game, 2nd in the NBA), once he understands that he can also take it to the basket his fantasy value will increase. The previous trade talks would open up some serious minutes and shot attempts. If he gets the opportunity, he can contribute in a positive way for the second half of the season.
Nate Robinson G New York Knicks:
Nate has had a very unstable year, first dealing with an injury, then being shipped to Mike D'Antoni's doghouse for about a month, to now the inconsistent minutes he has recently received. Still, Robinson is one of the most talented players per inch in the league and if he gets traded to a team that gives him the 30 minutes a night he got last year, Nate can easily get back to last season's fantasy production. The 5'8" dynamo can carry a team on many nights and put up starter type digits. This is a classic case of buying low so fantasy owners can reap the rewards the last couple of months of the fantasy season.
