FREE AGENTS THAT MAY
SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS
October 12, 1998
This time of
year there are normally quite a few NBA
transactions, many of which have an impact on the
fantasy value of the players involved. But if you
were to look at the NBA Transactions area your
favorite NBA web page, signings such as Shawn Igo
to the CBA Idaho Stampede is typical what is going
on in the professional basketball world today.
This off season
some of the more sought after free agents include
Isaac Austin, Tom Gugliotta, Scottie Pippen, Damon
Stoudamire, and Antonio McDyess. When the lockout
ends, where these players sign should stand out in
the flurry of transaction activity that is sure to
follow. But the fantasy value of these players
should not change very much as a result of where
they go.
There are some
lower profile players though that could have a
discrete yet substantial increase in fantasy value
if they sign with the right team.. These are the
type of players that the wise fantasy owner is
always looking for in the later rounds of fantasy
drafts to help propel their teams to first place. I
will identify two players who may experience this
increase in fantasy value.
1) Eric Murdock,
Miami Heat
- As a
free agent Eric Murdock can greatly increase his
fantasy value by signing somewhere other than Miami
where he backs up Tim Hardaway. Murdock was on
track to becoming a valuable fantasy player in
Milwaukee when he suffered an eye injury which
derailed his career.
In the 93/94
season Murdock averaged 15.3 ppg, 6.7 apg, and 2.4
spg with the Bucks. From these numbers it can be
seen he has good fantasy potential with particular
strengths in the assist and steal categories. But
after the eye injury, his play was off as he made
bad decisions with the basketball and played poor
defense. Eric Murdock became a player nobody wanted
and was traded to Vancouver, one of the worst teams
in the league, where he played behind Greg Anthony.
His rights were renounced by Vancouver and he
signed with Denver who eventually waived him after
he played only 12 games in the 96-97 season. Talk
about hitting rock bottom.
Last season
Murdock signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat
and appeared in all 82 games playing 17 mpg. He
averaged 6.2 ppg, 2.7 apg, and 1.3 spg. Not bad
considering he was probably never considered one of
the primary players on the court. Under Pat Riley
it appears as if Murdock has regained the
confidence he had during the 93/94 season. Reports
suggests it will be difficult for the Heat to
resign Murdock, thus setting the stage for him to
sign as a starter with another team.
2) Sherman Douglas,
New Jersey Nets - Like Eric Murdock, Sherman
Douglas suffered the indignity of being waived by
the Denver Nuggets seven days after being acquired
in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sherman
went on to be a solid backup for Sam Cassel and
played 21 mpg in 80 games. For the year he averaged
8 ppg, 4 apg, and shot 49.5%. In his 9 year NBA
career, Douglas has averaged an impressive 49% from
the field, largely to him wisely restraining
himself from bombing away from beyond the arc.
When Sam Cassel
gave Douglas a chance to play as he nursed an
injury (as Sammy does so often), Douglas produced.
In one week in January Sherman averaged 18 points
and 13 assists. But most noticeable was Douglas's
performance in the playoffs against the Chicago
Bulls. With Sam once again nursing an injury,
Douglas led the team in their valiant effort
against the Bulls by averaging 18 ppg, 6 apg, 2
spg, and shooting 52. The Nets will make a strong
pitch for Douglas, but with his strong playoff
performance still fresh in every GM's mind, another
team may be able to make a stronger pitch and
thereby give Douglas the starting role which would
dramatically increase his fantasy value.
So when you are
sifting through the lengthy post-lockout NBA
Transaction Reports, don't let the names Eric
Murdock and Sherman Douglas slip through the
cracks they may end up being that little extra
your fantasy team needs to finish first!
Hey, by the way,
did you know the La Crosse Bobcats signed center
Mark Blount last week!?