Hornets receive: Courtney Lee
Grizzlies receive: P.J. Hairston, Chris Andersen, four 2nd round picks
Heat receives: Brian Roberts
Charlotte Hornets
Prior to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (shoulder) returning from a torn labrum, P.J. Hairston was the nominal starting shooting guard and Nicolas Batum started at small forward. Once Kidd-Gilchrist returned, Hairston was removed from the rotation and Batum slid down to starting shooting guard. Now that Kidd-Gilchrist will miss the rest of the season, Courtney Lee projects as the starting shooting guard, splitting minutes with Jeremy Lin and Jeremy Lamb in the backcourt.
Kemba Walker averages 35 minutes per game. That leaves 61 minutes at point guard and shooting guard for Lee, Lin, and Lamb to split. After experimenting in the preseason, coach Steve Clifford decided to bring Lin and Lamb off the bench, and all three will play sufficient minutes in the rotation. Lee and Lin will play significantly more than Lamb, but neither projects for more than 30 minutes per game on a healthy roster.
Lee offers the Hornets another three-point shooter and solid defense on the perimeter. His inability to create for teammates makes Lin a necessity in the second unit. Lee blossoms in nine-category rotisserie leagues because of his efficiency and lack of turnovers, but the rest of his statistical makeup is inconsequential. In the Hornets offense, Lee will benefit from open three-point shots and likely improve his efficiency and scoring. It's nothing to scoff at, but it's not must-own worthy in standard leagues, especially head-to-head formats.
Lin loses appeal because Lee becomes a more valuable member of the rotation than Hairston. When Hairston started, Lin played 27 minutes off the bench and Hairston played 20 minutes. Once Kidd-Gilchrist replaced Hairston in the rotation, Lin dropped to 23 minutes per game, a reasonable expectation given Lee's consistency on both sides of the court. That removes Lin from the standard league discussion. In totality, Lee and Lin will play fewer minutes and lose fantasy value unless Lamb is completely annexed from the rotation.
Memphis Grizzlies
Lee was the starting shooting guard and averaged 29.2 minutes per game. I think one of two scenarios plays out with the starting lineup: Tony Allen moves down to shooting guard and Matt Barnes replaces Lee or Mario Chalmers gets promoted alongside Mike Conley. If either scenario plays out, the Grizzlies' bench shrinks considerably.
Barnes, Chalmers, and Green are the fantasy winners in this trade of those players not widely owned. Lee's departure, combined with Marc Gasol's potentially season-ending injury, opens up playing time on the wing for all three, assuming they remain on the team past Thursday. Barnes is multifaceted in the categories he provides; Green has become an efficient scorer off the bench; Chalmers can help conduct more of the offense while getting to the line at will.
Chris Andersen could compete with Ryan Hollins for center minutes, but neither strikes me as a viable threat for more than 20 minutes a night. Brandan Wright (knee) is the frontrunner to nab the starting role eventually, reducing the need to keep Andersen or Hollins if you're streaming them until Wright joins the rotation.
Conley is the player I'm targeting. When Gasol missed significant time during the 2013-14 season with a sprained MCL, Conley played 35 minutes per game and averaged 17.2 points and a career-high 7.2 assists per game. The offensive responsibilities will now revolve around Conley, and I plan on taking advantage of that before people figure out how potent he can be when tasked with all of the playmaking duties.
Miami Heat
Brian Roberts will compete with Beno Udrih for reserve guard minutes, but neither requires fantasy consideration until Dwyane Wade suffers an injury.
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