Any time you get a trade that involves as many players as the Rudy Gay-centered Raptors-Grizzlies-Pistons deal you are going to see a lot of fantasy value changes among the rosters involved. And not just the traded players, everyone on the three teams is affected. Let’s take a look at who is moving, who is staying, and what fantasy owners can expect in the second half of the season.
Buy:
Rudy Gay (TOR): He was already the man in Memphis but a move to one of the worst teams in the league figures to give Gay even more opportunities to score. On the season he is averaging 17 PPG, six RPG, and 1.3 SPG but could see upticks in all of those stats now that he doesn’t have Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph around him.
Kyle Lowry (TOR): With Jose Calderon headed to Detroit, Lowry is once again the top point guard in Toronto. His minutes and production have declined consistently over the season but his value is much higher now that he is back in the lineup. In his first start since December 10 on Wednesday, Lowry played 30 minutes and put up 14 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and a steal. Look for him to look like the 18 PPG, six RPG, six APG, 1.5 SPG Lowry that we saw earlier this season.
Amir Johnson (TOR): With Ed Davis off to Memphis, Johnson will start every game and get plenty of minutes. Over his last five games he is averaging 34 MPG, 11.5 shot attempts per game, 14 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2 BPG, and one SPG so he is already worthy of a pickup and figures to pick up even further.
Andrea Bargnani (TOR): With Davis gone, the plans for Bargnani’s return from injury become clearer, though there is a good chance he gets traded himself. Bargnani is expected back in the lineup by next week and will return to his starting job. Prior to his elbow injury he was averaging 16 PPG and 4.3 RPG and is a must-own in most leagues.
Tayshaun Prince (MEM): Prince has been solid for Detroit but will be tasked with taking over Rudy Gay’s spot in the Grizzlies lineup moving forward. Obviously he won’t be able to replicate Gay’s numbers but he could definitely produce enough to be relevant with 34+ minutes per game.
Jonas Jerebko (DET): Tayshaun Prince’s departure to Memphis gives Jerebko, a guy who hasn’t played much all season, the chance to step into a real fantasy-relevant role. He played 19 minutes in the Pistons’ first Prince-less game and is worth keeping an eye on if his role continues to expand in the Detroit frontcourt.
Jose Calderon (DET): Although Brandon Knight remains the starting point guard, Calderon figures to get plenty of assists out of the Pistons’ young backcourt going forward. Over his last six games he is averaging 28 MPG, 14 PPG and six APG and could improve his fantasy production depending on what his role ends up being the rest of the way.
Sell:
Ed Davis (MEM): Davis was just really breaking out in Toronto but returns to a bench role behind Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph in Memphis. Over his last 11 games he is averaging 14.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and one BPG but I don’t envision those kinds of numbers off the Memphis bench.
Alan Anderson (TOR): Gay is going to be the starting small forward in Toronto which doesn’t bode well for Anderson who has been averaging 32 MPG of late. Over his last eight games he is putting up 17 PPG with a few rebounds, assists, and steals but figures to return to a 25 MPG or less role with the Raptors reshuffle.
Will Bynum (DET): Bynum has been pretty inconsistent off the Pistons bench but is still averaging a decent 12.3 PPG and 4.1 APG over his last nine games. With Calderon coming over, it’s hard to see where Bynum is going to find minutes the rest of the season.
