Brook Lopez out, Nets trade for Mehmet Okur - After being rumored to acquire Carmelo Anthony last season, one of the hot rumors this offseason was that the Nets were going to make a push for Dwight Howard. One of the main trade chips they were offering to get Howard was Brook Lopez. The Nets? hopes of making a deal for Howard may have ended with the news that Lopez has a stress fracture in his right foot that will require surgery. Reports are that he could be out until February, dealing the Nets a significant blow. Although Lopez?s fantasy value took a dip last season due to his lack of rebounding, he did average 20.4 points and 1.5 blocks per game to go along with a 49.2 field goal percentage. With the shortened season, his fantasy value is dealt a huge blow given how long it?s likely to take for him to get back onto the court.
The Nets reacted to Lopez?s injury by trading a 2015 second-round pick to the Jazz for Mehmet Okur. This is an interesting trade for fantasy owners as Okur was stuck behind Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors in Utah, leaving him with limited value. He should step right into the starting lineup for the Nets and see significant minutes if he can stay healthy. He has played with Deron Williams before in Utah, so their familiarity with each other may make this a smooth transition for Okur. He?s not going to provide the same scoring and shot-blocking ability as Lopez, but he should put up similar rebounding numbers while providing owners with three-point value that is not usually seen out of a center.
Kobe Bryant likely to play in season opener - Bryant (wrist) is reportedly going to play in the Lakers? season opener against the Bulls despite having a torn ligament in his wrist. Bryant has played through a lot of injuries during his career and usually plays well. He?s clearly a valuable fantasy option, but fantasy owners should keep an eye on the situation as the Lakers play a lot of games right out of the gate, and Kobe may have to rest more than expected if this injury hinders him.
Stephen Curry may play in season opener - Curry (ankle) is listed as day-to-day with a sprained ankle, but he appears optimistic that he will play in the team?s opener against the Clippers. Curry is an elite fantasy option when he?s healthy, but the key is that he has to stay healthy. He had ankle problems last season, which limited him to 74 games played and his minutes-per-game dropping from 36.2 in 2009-10 to 33.6 last season. Curry was rushed back at times last year and then would have to miss some time once the injury flared back up. While fantasy owners would love to have Curry ready for the season opener, it may help his value more in the long run if he misses a game or two to start the season and gets fully healthy rather than have the injury linger on throughout the season.
Brendan Haywood to start for Dallas - With Tyson Chandler in New York, Haywood is going to be given every opportunity to become a starting center once again. He?s not going to provide fantasy owners with much offense, as he has only averaged 10 points or more a game once in his career. He will provide owners with blocks, as he has averaged at least one block per game in every season of his career. Haywood also shoots for a high percentage as he is a 53.5 percent shooter from the field for his career. He?s not a flashy fantasy option, but he will provide owners with value.