Jeff Green to miss entire season – The Celtics announced Saturday that Green will undergo surgery in January for a heart condition and will miss the entire 2011-2012 season. Green is expected to be able to resume his basketball career next season. This is a major blow to the Celtics, who were counting on Green playing a key role after they were unable to sign David West this offseason. The Celtics lack depth on the bench, with only Brandon Bass as a really capable backup at the four and Marquis Daniels, albeit slightly less capable, will probably have to play some small forward off the bench. The Celtics certainly weren't counting on Sasha Pavlovic playing significant minutes this year. Bass might have a slight increase in fantasy value as a result of Green's absence, but he was going to play significant minutes regardless. The team will probably look to try to add someone, but a lot of the big names have already found teams. It will be interesting to see how the whole situation plays out, but it's hard to see anyone on the current Celtics roster being a fantasy revelation this year as a result of the loss of Green.
Pistons reach three-year deal with Rodney Stuckey – Detroit agreed to a three-year deal with Stuckey worth $25 million. Stuckey averaged 15.5 points, 5.2 assists and 1.1 steals, while shooting 44 percent from the field last year. It's fairly safe to bank on similar numbers from Stuckey this year, but it really hurts the value of Brandon Knight for owners who might have hoped the rookie would get the starting job. With Stuckey back in the fold, he should start alongside Ben Gordon in the Pistons backcourt, and Knight will come off the bench. Knight should probably only be drafted in deep leagues at this point.
Lakers and Troy Murphy agree to a one-year deal – Murphy and Josh McRoberts will have a chance to start at the four for the Lakers while Andrew Bynum serves his five game suspension to start the season and Pau Gasol moves to center. Once Bynum returns, Murphy and McRoberts will be the only other bigs who get time in the Lakers' rotation. McRoberts had the better year last year averaging 7.4 points and 5.3 boards per game. Murphy injured his back two weeks before the start of the season last year and averaged only 3.1 points and 3.2 rebounds, splitting time with the Nets and Celtics. Before last year, the idea that McRoberts might provide more fantasy value than Murphy would have been laughable. In his last two years with the Pacers, before signing with the Nets, Murphy averaged 14.4 points, 11 rebounds and shot 41.8 percent from three. Murphy doesn't warrant a draft selection, but if he were able to return to the production levels he had with the Pacers, Murphy would definitely be worth a look on the waiver wire.
Kings claim Travis Outlaw off waivers – The Kings' bid of $12 million over four years was enough to nab Outlaw off amnesty waivers. He will compete with John Salmons, Donte Green, Francisco Garcia and rookie Tyler Honeycutt for playing time at the three. Outlaw is still recovering from a hand injury and will be out for another two weeks. Outlaw shot horribly last year for the Nets (38 percent from the field, 30 percent from three). Strictly based on last year's performance, Outlaw might be fortunate to be a key part of the Kings rotation this year.
Baron Davis clears waivers – The Knicks, Lakers and Heat are all rumored to be interested in Davis. The common theme here is that all three of those teams are very talented but are currently in line to start below average point guards. Even when Davis was perceived to be uninterested last year with the Clippers and Cavaliers, he still averaged 13.1 points, 6.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Davis will be out for several weeks with a bulging disk in his back, but if he's healthy and motivated, Davis definitely offers fantasy value when he returns.