By The Answer Man

I know you are all wondering how the trades made at the deadline will increase/decrease the value of your players. Lets go:

Staying away from Payton and Allen because if you have them you should start them. What choice do you have? I think they will both be fine.

Biggest Gainer: Drew Gooden. Orlando needed an inside presence. Gooden isn't much of one, yet, but the Magic will feed him the ball because they have no other options. Plus, perimeter guys like TMac and Garrity will open up the inside for him to work. He will be able to hit 15 & 8 with regularity.

Biggest Loser: Sam Cassell. I love Sam Cassell because you can always get him in a middle round (6th) and he'll always give you solid pg numbers. Meaning you can build a team of big men in the early rounds and not worry because Cassell will be there at the end for you. Regardless of whether he keeps his starting spot - he will not have the ball anymore. GP will. Karl will make sure of that. Cassell's points may hold up (15+) but his assists will be cut in half (4-).

Biggest Prospect: Brent Barry. By default, BB will get the point in Seattle. I love that. Assuming his health remains (big assumptions) you will see his assists rise to 6+ and steals over 2+. Plus since he's not fighting with Mason for shots anymore, rather just distributing to Allen, his points may reach 15 per.

In summary - if Barry is available (he is in half my leagues) sign him to back up Cassell.

Best Move: Elden Campbell to Seattle. For those who forgot (and you forget every year) Elden is a scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker. His health is not what it was, but if you need a center (and you probably do) can count on 12, 8, and 1.5 blocks assuming regular minutes (yet another assumption, but a fair one). Please understand, his averages come with one game of 25 & 12 followed by a game of 8 & 3. It all balances out by week's end, but if you micro-manage hold off on Campbell.

Bad Team Watch: Shammond Williams to Denver. Shammond is a chucker. Didn't pan out in Boston because Pierce and Walker are chuckers (no offense Boston, but they like to shoot). However, in Denver, seems like everyone is afraid to shoot. Chuckers are welcome. I wouldn't start him quite yet, but if you need scoring, 3's and can handle a low fg%, go sign - and watch - Shammond.

Answer Man's confusion: Micheal Redd v. Desmond Mason - seem like the same player to me. Both are owned in some leagues, but not the majority. Both are "sparks off the bench" that have teams waiting on consistency. Both shoot and board, neither pass. How will they play together? Who will get minutes? Don't know...but I'm not starting either anytime soon.

Remember, if you have any fantasy questions, write Answerman@insidehoops.net


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