Free Agency Fantasy Impact
Compared to other years, this wasn’t a huge summer for NBA transactions involving free agents switching teams. While there were a few big names, most of the top free agents re-signed with their own teams. However, here’s a look at three of the top free agents who switched teams and their updated fantasy value.
Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic
Lewis was paid a whole lot of money to leave the Seattle Supersonics and join the Magic. The Magic pegged Lewis as their number one offseason target and were successful in acquiring him. Although Lewis is a very good player, it’s difficult to label him as a great player. Actually, to be honest, he’s currently a borderline All-Star at best.
$110 million is a lot of money for a borderline All-Star. That said, fantasy basketball doesn’t care about how much money Lewis is being paid. On the court, Lewis should see plenty of shot attempts for the Magic. If he plays power forward as some reports indicate, his value in the fantasy world will increase. This season, expect numbers from Lewis similar to his career-highs. However, also know that he’s a risky pick due to the poor work ethic he has shown at times in his NBA career to date. It’s going to be tough for him to live up to that contract.
Darko Milicic, Memphis Grizzlies
Milicic is a player flying below the radar right now in the fantasy world. That could prove to be a mistake because Milicic is highly skilled. He’s a skilled shot blocker, has a nice touch around the basket and has shown to be a good rebounder at times. Playing next to Pau Gasol should help his development and he could easily have career-high numbers this year.
But much like with Lewis, Milicic is a fantasy risk. He’s never shown the hungry of an elite NBA player and his development has stalled at different points in his career. Milicic has skills and is still young (22-years-old) but if you draft him, the chances of him being a quality player are about the same as the chances of him becoming waiver wire fodder by December.
Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns
The Suns wanted another ballhandler to take some of the pressure off of Steve Nash. Enter Grant Hill. Hill is a former superstar whose ankle injuries have robbed him of what was at one point in time a surefire Hall of Fame career. While Hill has been and will always be a major injury risk as fantasy player, he definitely has upside.
First of all, virtually everyone who joins Nash and the run and gun Suns improve their fantasy stats. Second of all, Hill is going to play like he has something to prove. Don’t expect Hill to return to his previous greatness but you can expect him to put up very solid numbers as long as he is healthy.
Grant Hill in his prime …
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