Eddy Curry, New York Knicks
Eddy Curry is a big, strong center who has had quality moments in the NBA. However, in the fantasy basketball world, he’s not worth much. He scores decently and shoots for a good percentage, but all of that is negated by poor free throw shooting, high turnovers and low numbers in rebounds, blocks, assists and steals.

Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix Suns
Although he may be one of the best players in NBA history, Shaquille O’Neal isn’t much of a fantasy basketball player. His horrendous free throw shooting can be deadly to just about any fantasy team in existence. Shaq also turns the ball over a lot and he has a lengthy injury history.

Jason Collins, Memphis Grizzlies
Jason Collins is one of the best post defenders in the NBA. He’s also a smart guy and a great teammate. The problem is that none of that matters in fantasy basketball. When it comes to stats, Collins doesn’t do much of anything. He has started a lot of games over the years but he’s basically worthless in fantasy basketball.

Quinton Ross, Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers use Quinton Ross as their perimeter stopper. Problem is Ross doesn’t do much of anything offensively. He doesn’t shoot for a high percentage or make three-pointers. Ross also doesn’t impact the game in any defensive statistic. Good NBA player. Bad fantasy player.

Photo: Newscom

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In the fantasy basketball world, this trade also has a huge impact. With Gasol on the Lakers, he’ll be surrounded by a lot of good scorers and rebounders, which will negatively affect his scoring and rebounding totals. However, he should also become a more efficient player because he won’t have to do anything he isn’t capable of doing.

Specifically, expect his scoring average to go from 18.9 to a number closer to 16. His rebounding should go from his current 8.6 to somewhere in the neighborhood of 7.5. However, his assists should go up, his field goal percentage should go up and even his blocks should go up as he’s able to concentrate more on defense. All in all, it should be a wash, fantasy wise.

Kwame Brown and Javaris Crittenton two first round draft picks were sent to the Lakers. Word is that Brown will be bought out and become a free agent. While it’s safe to say Brown is a bust, if a team signs him and gives him a starting spot – he could become serviceable in the fantasy world. Crittenton is a very good talent whose true worth is in dynasty fantasy leagues. At 20-years-old, Crittenton is a young prospect with a very bright future.

Once the Lakers get back Andrew Bynum from injury, they should become a force in the Western Conference. A starting lineup of Gasol, Bynum, Lamar Odom, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher is extremely formidable.

As for the Grizzlies, expect them to struggle even more now. Rudy Gay and Mike Miller will become the go-to players on a nightly basis, which is good news for fantasy owners of Gay and Miller. In a separate trade, the Grizzlies dealt Stromile Swift for Jason Collins to the Nets in a move that will offer even more flexibility. With both Gasol and Swift gone, expect more time for Darko Milicic and Hakim Warrick at the bigman positions.

Check out True Hoop, where Henry Abbott breaks down the trade and talks about The Memphis Side of the Story.

Also check out the Grizzlies and Lakers message boards, where fans are sounding off.

Kobe Bryant’s reaction to the trade …

Post from: Expert Fantasy