NBA: Dull Trade Deadline Means Dull Fantasy Impact

The biggest name to be traded this year before the Feb. 19 deadline was Rafer Alston. 

Who?

You know, Rafer Alston, the “Skip to my Lou” guy from the "And 1 Mixtape" videos.

Oh, yeah.

With no blockbuster trades this February, the Fantasy Basketball landscape remains mostly unscathed.

The only team that made any major renovations was the Sacramento Kings.

Sacramento unloaded Brad Miller and John Salmons to the Bulls in exchange for Andres Nocioni and Drew Gooden.

WINNERS

Francisco Garcia (Sac - SG, SF)

Without Salmons competing and taking the majority of the minutes at the three-spot for the Kings, Garcia has received (and will continue receiving) an increase in minutes. 

Since the departure of Salmons, Garcia is not only playing more, but also playing more efficiently.  In 38 minutes a game, he’s averaging 15.8 points (49.6 percent from the floor), 1.6 threes (47 percent), while tallying 1.6 steals. 

Spencer Hawes (Sac – PF, C)

The Kings youth movement is in full effect.  More importantly, Drew Gooden re-injured his groin in his first game for Sacramento, eliminating Spencer Hawes’ only real competition at the center spot. 

Before Brad Miller was traded, Hawes had already accumulated a handful of starts because Miller was "injured."

Hawes has now started 11 consecutive games, averaging 11 points, 49 percent shooting from the field, eight rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 blocks a game. 

Hawes is a skilled big man, and his 2.6 assists are a luxury at the center spot. 

Furthermore, he’s hitting nearly one three a game since being rewarded with the starting gig.

Rafer Alston (Orl – PG)

The Orlando Magic have a plethora of offensive weapons and Alston comes in as the fourth option.

Playing alongside Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard, expect Alston’s overall scoring numbers to decrease.

In the same token, Alston has all those players at his disposal and should average anywhere from six to eight assists (currently 6.3 per contest) for his new Orlando squad.

Furthermore, Orlando loves to launch the three with a league-leading 10.5 makes a game from behind the line.

Look for Alston to increase that mark, as he’ll get plenty of wide-open looks due to the attention Dwight Howard garners in the paint.

Skip has only played four games with his new team and his overall numbers are average at best: 10 points, 6.3 assists, and 2.3 steals.

His percentages, however, are dreadful with 33 percent from the floor and 20 percent from beyond the arc.

Expect Alston’s numbers to improve as he grows comfortable running Orlando’s offense.

LOSERS

John Salmons (Chi - SG, SF)

With Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, and Kirk Hinrich, Salmons is going to have a tough time finding his way into the rotation. Just three games in, it’s apparent that Salmons playing time will decrease dramatically.

With the Kings, he averaged 37 minutes a game. As a Bull, Salmons has only tallied 28 minutes per contest. Barring injury, Salmons is done receiving 30-plus minutes on a consistent basis.

Joakim Noah (Chi – PF, C)

Not that Noah was ever a real fantasy force, but now, with the arrival of Brad Miller, he’s pretty much useless.

Even worse, Noah was finally starting to break out as Chicago’s starting center. Now, his minutes will decrease as the Bulls begin to incorporate Brad Miller as the season progresses.

At best, Noah will share time with Miller. At worst, he may see 15-18 minutes a game.