Best/Worst (My take)

So now that most of the major trading has taken place, and we are all sitting anxiously for the season to begin, I figure I give my thoughts on some of the winners and losers on some key transactions made thus far this offseason. (I'm not gonna include any of mine to not give any bias)

1.)Spain Conquest/El Dorado Dust Devils (7/17/2006)
SPA obtained: Tracy McGrady
ELD obtained: Richard Jefferson and Charlie Villanueva
My take: edge PUSH

TMac, when on and not hurt (which seems to be a big question mark these days) is a top 5 fantasy stud. RJeff seems to have hit his peak (~33-35 fppg at best) and Charlie V may even see a decrease in numbers this year as the result of being shipped to the Bucks. His numbers last year might have been a little inflated as a result of playing for one of the worst teams. This one would easily have gone to Conquest if it weren't for TMac's injury history.

2.)Phoenix Fusion/Spain Conquest (7/18/2006)
PHX obtained: Andrew Bogut, TJ Ford, 1st rounder and 2nd rounder (Conquest) in 07-08, filler
SPA obtained: Jermaine O'Neal
My take: edge PHX

This one should have sent fantasy "shivers" throughout the collective spines of almost all FBF ownership. JON was being actively shopped towards the end of last year and Fusion would have taken anyone for him. Kudos to him that he was able to use his schmoozing to get Conquest to part with not only 2 rising young stars at premium positions but also a 1st rounder. I understand Conquest's "win now" thinking, and if this deal helps propel him to a championship, than Conquest you will certainly deserve my deepest apologies. Deals like this are what may help to sustain a yearly chance at a championship (it also helps to have King James).

3.)LA Rush/Roseville Rage/Seatown Rebels (7/21/2006)
LAR obtained: Boris Diaw, 1st rounder Rush (06-07)
ROS obtained: Luol Deng
SEA obtained: Peja Stojakovic, Ike Diogu
My take: edge LAR

Diaw we all know was the find of the year last year. He came out of nowhere to put up some pretty fabulous fantasy numbers. It makes me think SEA could have gotten much more for Diaw than what he did. I am a big Deng fan, so giving up the pick for him was a good move.

4.)Danish T-Wolves/Whitbourne Falcons (7/22/2006)
DAN obtained: 07-08 1st and 2nd rounder Falcons
WHI obtained: Jamaal Magloire, Tony Allen, 06-07 1st round (T'Wolves), 06-07 2nd rounder (Conquest)
My take: slight edge DAN

This deal initially looked pretty even. Magloire subsequently went from the possible #1 C in Milwaukee to now splitting time with 2 young C's in Portland (Pryzbilla and Aldridge). Allen is having domestic violence issues and will be a virtual non-factor this year. Falcon's dealt the Twolves 1st rounder in a subsequent deal. The Falcon's 1st rounder may very well lead to Oden, but more recent moves by Falcons might have assured that if the T-Wolves are to get Oden via Falcons pick, it will be by luck of the ping pong balls. Edge to Danish only because the possibility still exists to get Oden.

5.)Roseville Rage/JAX Beach Waves (7/23/2006)
ROS obtained: Ben Gordon
JAX ontained: 1st rounder 06-07 (Rebels and Conquest)
My take: edge ROS

Another Bull, another player I love, Gordon put up some nice numbers when given the FT job at SG. The 1st rounders JAX obtained are not locks. Gordon is young and has a decent salary to boot (for now). High fives all around at Rage HQ's when this deal was consummated.

6.)JAx Beach Waves/Seatown Rebels (8/1/2006)
JAX obtained: Peja Stojakovic and Jason Kidd
SEA obtained: Drew Gooden, Eddie Jones, Trevor Ariza, 1st rounder 07-08 (JAX)
My take: edge JAX

Yes, Peja and JKidd are aging and may not be player they both once were collectively; yes, both also have very high cap numbers; BUT yes, they both still are capable of 30+ fppg and will be an upgrade for JAX this year. Another questionable move for SEA, but by this time, most teams were beginning to see what Rebels agenda was for this year (or actually next year).

7.)Wall Street Bulls/Phoenix Fusion (8/26/2006)
PHX obtained: basically JJ Reddick
WAL obtained: Warm bodies
My take: edge PHX

Not exactly an earth shattering move, but I decided to include this to prove that there are GM's out there that simply just don't care.

8.)Roseville Rage/Whitbourne Falcons (9/19/2006)
ROS obtained Rodney Carney
WHI obtained Brad Miller
My take: edge WHI

One of the aforementioned moves that might have propelled the Falcons out of the "worst team in the FBF" spot, this was a shrewd maneuver to acquire the still productive, yet aging and expensive Miller. Carney is young and inexperienced, however in the future may turn out to be another Scottie Pippen (I sure as heck would be giddy if that occurred being that he plays for my team the Sixers). As for currently, nice move Whitbourne. Now Falcons, figure out what to do with that 3 headed C monster you now have.

There you have it. I havent exactly tackled all the major deals, I just looked at ones that raised my eyebrow. I'm sure I'm gonna be hit with comments galore, so reply away FBF'ers....

Tarun (Gangstez)