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Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors Friday 6/26, 9:12 PM CT
Coach Don Nelson stated that point guard Stephen Curry will not be traded to the Suns (for Amare Stoudemire) or any other team, according to the Contra Costa Times.
Our View: Nelson shot down the rumor by noting that Curry was drafted to play for the Warriors, and not somebody else. Nelson added that Curry can unpack his bags. He was viewed as the most polished shooter in the 2009 draft class.
Ricky Rubio, PG, Minnesota Timberwolves Friday 6/26, 3:31 PM CT
Timberwolves GM David Kahn insisted in a letter to T-Wolves fans on Friday that the team has no plans to trade Ricky Rubio, even if he goes back to Europe for a year or two, and that he and Jonny Flynn can share the backcourt together.
Our View: Put simply, this is pure lunacy on the T-Wolves part. Besides the fact that they drafted point guards back-to-back on Thursday night, is the fact they passed up on the draft's best pure shooter and scorer (a team need), Stephen Curry to do so. Did Kahn not think Rubio, a natural passer, and Curry, a natural scorer, could share the floor together, but that Rubio and Flynn could? None of it adds up. So despite Kahn's cute letter, this likely is far from the last we will hear on the subject.
Ricky Rubio, PG, Minnesota Timberwolves Friday 6/26, 2:24 PM CT
The New York Knicks still plan on making a play for Ricky Rubio, according to the New York Post.
Our View: It's no secret that Rubio is displeased with Minnesota's selection of him, nor has it been hidden that the Knicks are highly interested in him. New York GM Donnie Walsh says he is going to contact the T-Wolves in the next few days and discuss his availability. The Knicks have many potential pieces they could offer Minnesota, including Jordan Hill, Nate Robinson and David Lee.
Hedo Turkoglu, G, Orlando Magic Friday 6/26, 9:35 AM CT
As expected, Hedo Turkoglu has opted out of his contract and is now a free agent, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: The Magic were the favorites to resign Turkoglu until their deal to acquire Vince Carter yesterday. There is still a chance they might, but the kind of deal Turkoglu is seeking, believe to be about $10 million a year, would put them way over the luxury tax threshold. Start looking for other teams to get seriously in the mix now.
Ricky Rubio, PG, Minnesota Timberwolves Friday 6/26, 9:21 AM CT
Ricky Rubio does not want to play in Minnesota, according to ESPN.
Our View: After being selected by the Timberwolves with the fifth pick in yesterday's draft, he spoke of his dislike of cold weather and insinuated he may stay in Europe another season or two. It is likely just a ploy to try to force the T-Wolves to trade him, but they are currently adamant that they won't. Rubio's strategy didn't work for Yi Jianlian, so we will just have to see.
Nate Robinson, G, New York Knicks Friday 6/26, 9:01 AM CT
The New York Post says the man the Lakers acquired for the Knicks with the 29th pick in yesterday's draft, Florida State guard Toney Douglas, is likely a replacement for restricted free agent Nate Robinson.
Our View: Sadly for fantasy basketball players everywhere, it looks as if Robinson's Knicks days are numbered. The diminutive guard is highly unlikely to average the career high 17.2 PPG he did in Mike D'Antoni's system last season for another coach, and will return to being a fringe fantasy option, useful mostly only for his scoring.
David Lee, F, New York Knicks Friday 6/26, 8:54 AM CT
The New York Post says the Knicks are unlikely to keep restricted free agent David Lee after drafting Jordan Hill and trading for Darko Milicic.
Our View: He could still be used for a sign-and-trade, but it looks like Lee's Mike D'Antoni days are over. While he may not average the 16.7 PPG he did last season playing for another coach in 2009-10, he should still grab more than enough rebounds to be a solid fantasy option at power forward or center.
Rajon Rondo, G, Boston Celtics Friday 6/26, 8:49 AM CT
Celtics GM Danny Ainge emphatically stated on Thursday that the team has no plans to trade point guard Rajon Rondo, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View: Ainge specifically said Rondo is not a "Manny situation," and that while the team believes he needs to work on his leadership skills, they do not feel compelled to move him.
Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors Friday 6/26, 8:45 AM CT
Stephen Curry could be traded to the Suns as part of a deal for Amare Stoudemire, according to the Arizona Republic.
Our View: Different rumors have also had Curry going to New York. Wherever he plays in 2009-10, the draft's most polished shooter promises to be one of the league's better rookies, and more likely to earn a fantasy roster spot than many.
Lester Hudson, SG, Boston Celtics Thursday 6/25, 11:15 PM CT
The Celtics took Lester Hudson with the 58th pick of the 2009 NBA Draft.
Our View: Hudson is 24, but he's averaged over 26 points per game over the past two seasons. He is a very good basketball player who certainly knows how to score, but it will be difficult to stick on the Celtics roster.
