Gilbert Arenas Traded for Rashard Lewis: Fantasy Implications

Gilbert Arenas Traded for Rashard Lewis: Fantasy Implications

Gilbert Arenas has been reunited with former Golden State Warriors G.M Otis Smith after the Orlando Magic agreed in principle to a deal that would send the enigmatic star to Orlando to join Dwight Howard and some new pieces acquired in a separate deal.

Arenas projects as the starting shooting guard once he gets acclimated to the Magic`s offense and will form a deadly but undersized back court with Jameer Nelson.

Arenas will be leaned on to provide 17+ ppg in a role as the Magic`s lead scorer by the time the season winds down.

Rashard Lewis heads to the Wizards and will split time at both the power forward and small forward positions. Rashard Lewis provides John Wall with a solid veteran sidekick who can knock down the open three. Lewis`three point range will help spread the floor and thus give Wall more room to create.

This is a definite win-win deal as the Magic were crippled by Lewis ugly contract and acquired a premier scorer. The Wizards got a solid return for someone who had become an outcast in Washington.

Fantasy Impact:

Gilbert Arenas’ value will stay relatively the same when he goes to Orlando as he is already averaging 17.3 points and 5.6 assists on the season.

John Wall stands to see a major boost with this news as we have all come to the conclusion that Wall appears to play better without Gilbert Arenas in uniform. His new weapon should help him maintain his lofty assist total for the remainder of the season.

Rashard Lewis gets a major boost in value as he will be relied upon to be the Wizards 1b option on offense behind John Wall. They should form instant chemistry and Rashard Lewis should enjoy a fantasy resurgence. When Lewis is one he is one of fantasy basketball`s top players.

Josh Howard’s potential fantasy value takes a hit with this trade as Lewis is expected to immediately step in as the starting small forward.

Al Thornton now looks like waiver wire material as he will see his minutes evaporate with the additions of both Rashard Lewis and Josh Howard to the lineup.

Kirk Hinrich has a clearer path to continued fantasy relevance and should be on rosters in 200 man player pool or deeper leagues.

Jameer Nelson is expected to remain the teams starting point guard but may be in line for for a minute decrease and will definitely see a decrease in assists with two new playmakers coming to join him in Gilbert Arenas and Hedo Turkoglu.

Nick Young seems to be another big winner of this trade as his path to playing time just got cleared. He has shown flashes of the ability to be a big-time scorer and the Wizards should try and give him as many minutes as possible to ascertain if he projects as a starter or backup going forward in his NBA career. Add wherever possible.