Although it’s expected that Gooden will come off the bench, there’s definitely a chance for him to carve out a substantial role. Next to Tim Duncan, the Spurs have only a selection of questionably talented role players.

In terms of fantasy basketball, Gooden will only truly hold value if he starts. As a starter and playing thirty minutes per night, Gooden could average somewhere around ten points and eight boards per game for San Antonio.

The players this news could negatively affect are Matt Bonner and Kurt Thomas. Bonner has been a very good source for three-pointers from the bigman positions in both the NBA and the fantasy world. If he finds himself coming off the bench, his stock would plummet.

Thomas doesn’t have much of a fantasy stock as it stands and this news lowers his status to a penny stock.

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A number of championship contending teams are said to be interested in Gooden. The three teams most linked to Gooden are the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers.

If Gooden ends up with the Spurs, he very well could start next to Tim Duncan. The Spurs have been shopping for help next to Duncan and Gooden has enough skill to be able to step in and produce right away.

In Dallas, Gooden could conceivably start next to Dirk Nowitzki. Although that would form a small front line, Gooden and Nowitzki would be a difficult pair of players to defend. Gooden isn’t nearly as skilled as Nowitzki but he has range on his jumper and can finish around the rim.

The Cavs and Gooden know each other very well. Gooden played for Cleveland for three and a half seasons. However, the Cavs are said to be more interested in signing fellow free agent Joe Smith.

In the fantasy world, Gooden is a decent bigman who can put up stats in a hurry. Keep an eye on where he ends up and if he can work his way into the starting lineup. If he can, Gooden will once again become a fantasy viable option.

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How does this impact the fantasy worth of these players? Let’s take a look:

Brad Miller
The Bulls have been looking for a legit center and may have found a solution in Miller. If he starts, his passing ability would be a great asset next to the athletes on the roster. His points and rebounding should stay about the same.

John Salmons
With Salmons, it’s all about whether or not he starts. In the last few seasons, Salmons has been very good as a starter. Off the bench, he hasn’t been nearly as impressive. Keep an eye on what Vinny Del Negro decides to do with him but he’ll probably start.

Andres Nocioni
The Kings could use a player like Nocioni. After losing Artest, the Kings were missing a physical player on the perimeter who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. Nocioni should see plenty of time in Sacramento and his stats should increase.

Drew Gooden
Gooden is another player who will live or die depending on if he’s starting. Things for Gooden might be a bit dicey because the Kings have a lot of young bigs plus Gooden is gimpy right now. But if he can get healthy, he could give the Kings somewhat of a post presence.

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Andrew Bynum
Everything points to Bynum being out for the rest of the regular season. He may return for the playoffs but that is looking less and less likely.

Drew Gooden
Gooden is battling an abdominal strain and the Bulls have announced he’s out for the season.

Gerald Wallace
Wallace has been slow to recover from his latest injury and all indications point to him shutting it down.

Chris Kaman
Due to a sprained ankle, Kaman will not again play this season for the Clippers.

Tony Battie
Battie thought about coming back from his shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined all season – but decided against returning.

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Gooden’s stats have been much better since he joined the Bulls. His points (14), rebounds (9.3), assists (1.7) and blocks (1.3) are all up as a member of the Bulls. His field goal percentage and free throw percentage are also both up, while his turnovers are down. All of this while his minutes have remained pretty much the same.

However, this injury could end Gooden’s season prematurely. There is no word of when Gooden could return and with the season’s end about two weeks away, the Bulls may opt to just rest him. Heading into the 2008-09 NBA season, Gooden’s fantasy stock should rise after seeing what he did as a member of the Bulls.

If Gooden does miss the rest of the season, that’s great news for Tyrus Thomas owners. Thomas, the inconsistent and young power forward on the Bulls, has actually played well as a starter in each of the games that Gooden missed. Picking up Thomas and starting him at this point is a solid option.

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In the fantasy basketball world, this trade will make a big splash. All four of the players the Cavs received should see at least a short-term raise in their value. Wallace should start at power forward. Szczerbiak has a good chance at starting at a guard position. West has a chance to start at point guard. Smith likely won’t start but he’ll play a lot.

The biggest winner of those four players is likely Szczerbiak who seems to be the perfect piece next to LeBron James. He’ll get tons of open shots in that system. West could also be a big winner if he becomes the full-time starting point guard. Wallace could possibly start producing more now that he’s on a winner. Smith’s production should close to his previous levels.

Of the new Bulls, Larry Hughes is the player to watch. He could never play well next to LeBron, however he was a fantasy stud back before he went to Cleveland. Now that he’s on a new team, there’s a chance he could flourish. Gooden’s production should be about the same, while Simmons and Brown likely won’t make a dent.

In Seattle, none of those three players will be fantasy relevant. Marshall might intrigue some with his three-point shooting, but he’d need to play big minutes to become worthwhile in the fantasy world.

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