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Happy Fourth of July!

Wishing al of you a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Check back on Monday when MVN Fantasy NBA starts it’s own fireworks show with a brand new series on the best Fantasy ready NBA teams.

Fantasy Analysis: Baron becomes a Clipper

Baron Davis plays hard every game, but he especially plays hard wen he has a chip on his shoulder. I am not sure if being spurned on a long term deal by Golden State will lead Davis to raise his game all season long, but I would definitely want to own Davis on the days that his new team, The Los Angeles Clippers, play the Warriors next year.

With this move Davis goes from the run-and-gun style of offense favored by Golden State head coach Don Nelson, to a slightly more subdued style run by the Clippers Mike Dunleavy. This might impact the scoring that Davis does in the upcoming season but not enough to hurt his value much. I think that Davis will raise his assists slightly as he will be running  more set offensive plays and will have Chris Kaman and, more than likely, Elton Brand on the interior.

Fantasy wise there is always a chance a switch impacts a player’s stats, positively or negatively, but I feel comfortable Davis will encounter only a slight drop, or bump, in his numbers next season. Feel free to use your upper round pick on him as usual.

Love/Mayo - Fantasy Trade Analysis

Just when I thought Kevin Love had found a perfect home in the NBA he gets moved but luckily his new home is just as accommodating. Late last night, after the draftniks had gone home, Memphis and Minnesota pulled off the biggest trade of the day by swapping a total of 8 players. Here’s how it went down:

Minnesota sends Antoine Walker, Marko Jaric, Greg Buckner and the rights to No. 3 pick O.J. Mayo to Memphis for Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal, Jason Collins and the rights to No. 5 pick Kevin Love.

So how does this shake up play Fantasy wise?

First off Mayo and Love are still draftable fantasy wise and shouldn’t drop from my draft day Rankings.

Analysis

Memphis: With this move Memphis almost guaranteed two things 1) O.J. Mayo will be playing the two guard position (SG) and 2) Memphis isn’t done dealing with four point guards, counting Mayo, on the roster. Memphis got a steal by trading for Darrell Wright to help out in the post but still needs front-court help.

Antoine Walker, Greg Buckner, Marko Jaric:  Backups in Minn. and will be backups in Memphis. If an injury occurs they might be worth a short term look but I don’t see them making a fantasy impact.

O.J. Mayo:  Many predicted that Mayo would be a better SG in the NBA and it appears we will find out sooner rather than later. With his skill set Mayo should step in and start right away, especially with the hole left by Mike Miller. I think Mayo will put up excellent points and have enough assists and steals to be a fantasy mainstay his first season. Don’t expect the moon from him just yet but don’t neglect him either.

Minnesota: The Timberwolves shored up a lot of holes with this trade and should make a significant improvement on te court next year. While much was made about getting Marko Jaric’s contract off the books they basically swapped it for Brian Cardinal’s so financially this as a was.

Brian Cardinal, Jason Collins: Same scenario as above, backups with limited fantasy value.

Kevin Love:  I think Memphis was a better fit for Love but the drop-off is minimal now that he will be playing up North. Kevin McHale has already indicated Al Jefferson is staying at C so Love can start right away so minutes wont be an issue. Love should put up very good numbers in Minn. and will be a pleasant source of assists as he has good vision and a very strong chest pass.

Mike Miller:  We know what he can do and that won’t change now that he is in Minnesota. Expect plenty of scoring and threes. He is worthy of a second or third round pck in most leagues.

MVN NBA Fantasy Draft Analysis: Round 1 Pick 30

Player: J.R. Giddens

Team: Boston Celtics

Analysis: Has all the tools to play in the NBA but will be allowed to develop in Boston. I don’t see him getting a lot of minutes right away.

Draft for Fantasy?: No

Fantasy Draft Round: None

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