According to multiple rumors, the Charlotte Bobcats and the New Orleans Hornets are discussing a deal that would swap centers Emeka Okafor and Tyson Chandler. While the deal isn’t done yet, sources indicate that the two teams have been talking for at least a few days about such a move.
For fantasy basketball purposes, this would be very good news for Emeka Okafor. While he seems to have hit a production ceiling with the Bobcats, he could become a much more efficient player if put next to Chris Paul. As we’ve seen with Chandler, Paul is very good at setting up …read more

James Posey of the New Orleans Hornets will be sidelined for three more games – and possibly longer. The 32-year-old forward has a sprained elbow that he hurt in Friday’s game against the New York Knicks. Posey had already missed one game due to throwing a ball at a referee during the Knicks game. You can see a view of the incident below.
In the fantasy basketball world, Posey hasn’t been too valuable this season. He’s averaging 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 41.4% from the field and 37% from the three-point line. More than half of his …read more

In a three-team trade earlier in the week, the New Orleans Hornets acquired Antonio Daniels, the Washington Wizards acquired Mike James and Javaris Crittenton and the Memphis Grizzlies acquired a draft pick.

While none of the players involved in the trade are household fantasy basketball names, Antonio Daniels had been valuable in recent years and Mike James was viable not that long ago. Now with the Hornets, Daniels likely won’t have the playing time to be worth much fantasy-wise. The only way he’ll be valuable is if Chris Paul goes down for an extended period of time and he’s given …read more

Like the NBA, the best passers in fantasy basketball are the ones who rack up a lot of assists without turning the ball over a lot. Here’s a look at the top passers in fantasy basketball who can help you in the point guard statistics without hurting you in other aspects:

Chris Paul, New Orleans
Although he turns the ball over more than three times a game, he easily makes up for it by posting more than 11 assists per game. In fact, Paul is the only player in the NBA who is currently averaging double-digits in assists. At 11.8 assists per …read more

Greg Oden on Friday finally had the type of Greg Oden game we’ve all been waiting for. After missing his entire rookie season, getting hurt in the first game of his second rookie season and then playing a mostly invisible first game after his return from injury, we got to see Oden’s potential.
Against the New Orleans Hornets, the Portland Trail Blazers center had 11 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots in 24 minutes of action. All things considered, it was a great game by Oden and puts him right back on the fantasy basketball radar for 2008.
If you are …read more

1. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers won the West last season and appear to be even stronger this season.
2. New Orleans Hornets
For the second straight year, I expect the Hornets to finish with the second best record in the West.
3. Houston Rockets
There’s no denying the Rockets got better in the offseason — and they were already pretty darn good.
4. Utah Jazz
The Jazz may be the sleeper team in the Western Conference that is capable of finishing in the top two.
5. San Antonio Spurs
Without Manu Ginobili in the lineup, the Spurs will struggle to have their usual regular season success.
6. Phoenix Suns
It’ll …read more

1. Boston Celtics
With their Big Three returning and a championship ring under their belt, the Boston Celtics will be the team to beat until they prove they are no longer worthy.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant and company will once again try to win the Western Conference. Adding Andrew Bynum to a team that almost won it all without him is a scary thought.
3. San Antonio Spurs
It’s easy to forget about the San Antonio Spurs but when it is all said and done, the Spurs are seemingly always there in the end giving it their best shot.
4. New Orleans Hornets
The addition …read more

Although training camp hasn’t started yet, it is never too early to take a look at the MVP favorites. For the 2008-2009 season, five players have a really great shot at winning the MVP award. Here are the top five 2009 NBA MVP candidates:
5. Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets
If the Rockets can live up to their lofty expectation and Tracy McGrady can stay healthy all year, T-Mac has a chance to be in the MVP running. He’s an immensely talented player who could impress a lot of voters this season. Staying healthy will be a challenge, however.
4. Dwyane …read more

With the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games a thing of the past and training camp approximately one month away, let’s take a look at 2008 NBA power rankings:
1. Boston Celtics – The defending champs are the team to beat.
2. Los Angeles Lakers – The Lakers with Andrew Bynum will be tough.
3. San Antonio Spurs – The Spurs always seem to lurk near the top.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers – With the addition of Mo Williams, watch out.
5. New Orleans Hornets – James Posey will add a mean streak in NO.
6. Detroit Pistons – The Pistons should once again win a lot of …read more

PG Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
For the 2008-09 fantasy basketball season, Chris Paul was the best player in the world. He had an amazing season and was a godsend to all of his fantasy teams. Going forward, Paul should remain the best fantasy point guard for a long time to come.
SG Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
Manu Ginobili doesn’t play big minutes. Heck, Ginobili usually doesn’t even start. However, when he’s out there on the court, Ginobili just knows how to make things happen. While he can be a mistake prone player, he’s also capable of …read more