Fantasy Analysis: Shareef and Marko Jaric Transactions
August 14, 2005

Sacramento signed 28-year old Shareef Abdur-Rahim to a 5 year, $29.3 million contract.  Shareef had been bound for the Nets but they insulted him by rescinding an initial offer after discovering some scar tissue in his knee that had apparently been there since he entered the NBA.  In New Jersey he would have played heavy minutes at the PF position alongside Jason Kidd.  Instead the Nets ended up trading for Marc Jackson who now has some sleeper potential as he does not have heavy competition to play PF for the Nets.  The Nets have Nenad Kristic and Jason Collins, but Kristic will likely start at center with Collins as a backup.  On a per minute basis Jackson is a good offensive player who gets to the line often and shoots over 80%.  He can also contribute rebounds but is weak in assists, blocks, and steals.  He has more potential in fantasy points leagues than in roto leagues due to his PAR weakness.   

The role Shareef will have with the Kings is not entirely clear yet.  Kenny Thomas did a nice job when he got to the Kings last season averaging 14.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg, and 49% FG.  The unexpected addition of Shareef will be a blow to Thomas’ fantasy value.  At the same time Thomas should be good enough to put doubt on whether Abdur-Rahim will see over 30 mpg.  Training camp will provide good evidence of the Kings intentions. 

The LA Clippers re-signed 26-year old Marko Jaric to a 6 year, $38 million contract and then traded Jaric and Lionel Chalmers to Minnesota for Sam Cassell and a 2006 1st round draft pick (lottery protected).  Jaric was not the long term PG for the Clippers who have second year player Shaun Livingston for that role.  With the Timberwolves, Jaric is the leading candidate over Troy Hudson to be the starting point guard due to his 6’-6” size.  Also the contract he got is ‘starters money’.  This gives Jaric fantasy sleeper potential but he will need to remain healthy to realize that potential.  Jaric’s strong fantasy potential lies in his ability to provide assists, steals, and threes. 

The Clippers now have Cuttino Mobley and Sam Cassell on their roster.  Cassell does present some risk to the fantasy potential of Shaun Livingston.  The Clippers were happy with Livingston last season despite some injuries that prevented him from playing the full season.  News from the Clippers will be monitored to determine what role they intend to use each player.  I would guess that Livingston should still see 30+ minutes despite the presence of Cassell and Cassell should not be counted on to have much fantasy value considering his age and his poor performance last season.