Some August Transactions with Fantasy Impacts
August 27, 2003

TRANSACTION: Denver signs Andre Miller and Miami signs Lamar Odom to an offer sheet.

IMPACTS: Miller and Odom join Michael Olowokandi in leaving the Clippers creating big openings for new players to earn starting assignments (Eric Piatkowski also left). After Elton Brand and Corey Magette, the other three starters are uncertain. Quentin Richardson probably has the best shot at the next starting position. Who ever ends up at the center position is a sleeper candidate. The leading candidate for center is Melvin Ely who had limited playing time last season. Rookie Chris Kaman could also get substantial playing time if he can handle the NBA. Candidates to play point guard are Marko Jaric and Keyon Dooling. Jaric so far has the better track record. The Clippers will be a team to watch in the preseason to see which players can emerge with starting roles. The addition of Odom to the Heat clouds the role of Heat rookie Dwayne Wade assuming veterans Caron Butler and Eddie Jones get their minutes. Without adding Odom to the mix Wade was guaranteed substantial minutes. Pat Riley though has indicated though that Grant, Odom, Butler, Wade, and Jones will start. This will put Odom at PF who has been bulking up in the offseason. Without a true point guard though, this starting lineup may need adjustments (i.e. - Wade goes to the bench).

TRANSACTION: Sacramento trades Keon Clark and two second-round picks to Utah for a second-round pick.

IMPACT: Utah has a lot of cap space to bring in free agents but so far has only brought in Keon Clark in a trade. With few other options, the shot blocking Clark could get a substantial increase in playing time at the power forward position. This would require Matt Harping to move to SG with Kirilenko at SF.

TRANSACTION: Washington signs Gilbert Arenas.

IMPACT: Gives the Wizards a starting PG to play alongside Jerry Stackhouse. Leaves the role of Larry Hughes uncertain without any backcourt spot for him.

TRANSACTION: Portland waives Arvydas Sabonis, who plans to retire.

IMPACT: Sabonis played 16 mpg in 78 games last season. Seems insignificant but hand those 16 mpg to Zach Randolph and the young stud has some fantasy value.

TRANSACTION: Dallas acquires Danny Fortson, Antawn Jamison, Chris Mills and Jiri Welsch from Golden State for Evan Eschmeyer, Nick Van Exel, Avery Johnson, Popeye Jones and Antoine Rigaudeau.

IMPACTS: Jamison's sees a big decrease in fantasy value with fewer touches on the Mavericks and Van Exel sees a lot more playing time with the Warriors than he would have had with the Mavs. The big rebounder Danny Fortson is put into a new environment that perhaps will be beneficial to his prospects.

TRANSACTION: Detroit trades Clifford Robinson and Pepe Sanchez to Golden State for Bob Sura.

IMPACT: Last season Robinson played 35 mpg in Detroit's front court. Robinson is listed as a center but really played like a small forward. The leading candidate to gobble up Robinson's minutes is Tayshaun Prince who came on in the playoffs. Corliss Williamson's name has been mentionned but he seems best suited to a sixth man role. Elden Campbell would like to show he can still start in the NBA but I doubt he has enough gas left in the tank. Other candidates to benefit from Robinson's departure are Mehmet Okur and rookie Darko Milicic although I think Milicic is a long shot particularly with Larry Brown as the coach.

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