Cavs Acquire Baron Davis for Mo Williams & Jamario Moon: Fantasy Impact

Baron Davis has reportedly been sent to the woeful Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon. The L.A. Clippers will also be giving the Cavs their 2011 first round draft pick.

Considering that the Clippers owed ‘The Baron’ approximately $28 million over the next two years (plus $13 million for the remainder of this season), the motivation for the trade was a salary dump. Davis signed a five -year, $65 million deal back in 2008 with L.A. Perhaps a lack of motivation ensued once Elton Brand left the team the same year to sign with the 76ers, as Baron’s stats dropped significantly.

In his last year with Golden State Baron Davis averaged All-Star numbers:

21.8 points, 7.6 assists, 2.3 steals, and 2.1 three-pointers per game.

In his first year with L.A. in 2008, he averaged:

14.9 points, 7.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 three-pointers per game.

His field goal percentage also dropped from 43 to 37 percent. Over the next three years with the Clippers, Baron failed to exceed an average of 16 points per game.

With the emergence of Blake Griffin, Davis appeared to have a little ‘pep in his step’ for the first time since becoming a Clipper. But if you look at this year’s numbers, his scoring, assist, and steal averages have continued to drop. More importantly, the Clippers continued to lose like every other year.

Mo Williams was clearly not happy playing in Cleveland in the post-Lebron era, but his nagging injuries certainly didn’t help his trade value. Fortunately for the Cavs, the Clippers took the one-time All-Star off their hands. Mo is a downgrade for the Clippers but represents a cheaper and younger option for a team that is still building for the future.

Jamario Moon should be a reserve, playing behind Ryan Gomes and Al-Farouq Aminu at the small forward position.

Fantasy Impact:

Baron Davis will disappoint his fantasy owners as playing for the worst team in the league will result in the lack of motivation for the veteran. That being said, do not waive Baron, as he is still a fantasy asset. Overall his production will lower and expect those nagging injuries to occur. Consider trading him away as soon as possible.

Mo Williams gets a fantasy upgrade, as playing with Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin should re-energize the seven-year veteran. Mo had been averaging a career high 7.1 assists with the offensively-challenged Cavs. Although he is not a pass-first point guard, he should continue to provide assists in L.A. He has not averaged over a steal per game over the past three years, so his overall fantasy value is limited. Expect help in the point, assist, and three-point categories.

Jamario Moon is too far down to the depth chart to be fantasy-relevant at the moment.

Written by Win My Fantasy League Senior Writer Justin Hasan (J-Has)