There have been some significant trades and free agent acquisitions made by NBA General Managers thus far this off-season. Each roster addition brings new hope to a team, as fans and players alike get excited about the possibilities. Not all new arrivals bring immediate success to their teams.
Such is the case in Orlando, where a large influx of new players will not translate into wins on the court. Aside from the Magic’s on-going garage sale of players, we stay in the Eastern Conference and look at the impact of these new faces in new places. Just how will these five players impact your fantasy roster and will their addition equate to an increase in wins for their teams.
Andrew Bynum – Philadelphia 76ers
Bynum represents the single biggest roster addition this off-season. The Sixers amnestied Elton Brand as a cost saving measure and then included Andre Igoudala in a trade for Bynum; all setting the stage for this big man, to be the man in Philadelphia. From a fantasy perspective, Bynum is poised for a tremendous year. He is surrounded by young and athletic players, none of whom demand the basketball like Kobe Bryant does.
Watch for this change of scenery to be the catalyst behind Andrew Bynum’s rise to dominance in the NBA. No longer playing in the shadows of Bryant and feeling the pressure to perform under the lights of Hollywood; Bynum will grow into his superstar potential and become the face of this franchise for years to come.
Joe Johnson – Brooklyn Nets
This Arkansas product has started in every game he has played in for the previous eight seasons. Although this 11 year pro has seen a decline in his scoring, rebounding and assist averages, Nets ownership and fans are hoping that a change of scenery will help to turn that trend around.
Paired with Deron Williams in the back court; Johnson will be looked upon to score more from the perimeter. Johnson has maintained a solid field goal percentage and he will benefit from Williams' ability to penetrate the lane and kick out to him for easier looks. I project season averages of 21 ppg to go along with 4.1 apg and 3.9 rpg. As for the success of the Nets, I have them slated for a playoff spot.
Ray Allen – Miami Heat
No longer sporting the Celtic green, Allen is bringing his sharpshooting to South beach. How Allen fares in Miami will depend on his ability to come off the bench with limited minutes and still be able to get into a shooting rhythm. Don’t expect any kind of rebounding or assist numbers out of Allen, but quite frankly that is not his job.
When you shoot the same percentage from the field as you do from beyond the arc, you get the green light to let them fly. As is Ray Allen’s case; he is a classic spot-up shooter with an incredibly quick release that allows for shots just about anytime from anywhere. Having said that, I don’t expect Ray Allen to be much of a fantasy contributor.
It is just as likely that he will get spot starts and play predominantly bench minutes. Eric Spoelstra would like to save Allen’s legs for the playoffs which will damper Allen’s fantasy value, but benefit the Heat during their title run.
Jason Terry – Boston Celtics
This former Dallas Maverick, and NBA Sixth man of the year award recipient is chasing down another NBA title, this time with the Boston Celtics. Terry is accustomed to coming off the bench, and is content to get his 25-30 minutes in a reserve role. Downfall for the Celtics, is that Terry doesn’t shoot the three-ball as well as Ray Allen did, and that may come back to hurt them down the stretch. Like Allen, Terry is not called upon to distribute or rebound the ball, his job is to get open, get hot and shoot the ball.
Similarly to the man he is replacing, I also limit Terry’s fantasy value. As shooting guards go, draft a number one, not a bench player. I see the Celtics making a run to the Conference final on the back of Rajon Rondo, but once again losing out to the Miami Heat for a chance to play for a Championship.
Kyle Lowry – Toronto Raptors
The new floor general for the Toronto Raptors will have his work cut out for him as he leads a young Raptors squad into the upcoming season. Lowry will be up for the challenge as looks to push the Raptors towards a playoff berth. I’m anticipating a big season for Lowry and see fantastic fantasy potential for this young point guard.
Each season has brought increased productivity and I’m expecting the 2012 season to be a breakout year for Lowry. In salary cap leagues, I like Lowry as a cheaper alternative to Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans and Ty Lawson. The Raptors fall short once again in their playoff quest; however, another solid lottery draft pick might just propel this Raptors squad into playoff contention for the 2013 campaign.
Up next we switch focus to the Western Conference, where we see many new faces in new places. Check out the top five impact acquisitions of the off-season and read how these players are projected to perform from a fantasy perspective.