Ladies and gentlemen, we have a trade to announce.

Not quite a blockbuster, but a trade relevant enough to create minor ripples in the NBA and the fantasy world happened Monday night, between the Cavaliers, the Knicks, and the Thunder. I'll talk about that, but if you want additional coverage, make sure you check out the latest episode of the RotoWire Fantasy Basketball Podcast with Kyle McKeown and Marc Roberts, as they break it down in detail as well.

TRADE WINDS

So, what actually happened on a busy Monday night in the NBA in respect to this trade.

New York Knicks receive - Alex Kirk, Lou Amundson, Lance Thomas, 2019 second-round draft choice from Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers receive - J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, 2015 first-round draft choice from Oklahoma
Oklahoma City Thunder receive - Dion Waiters

As fantasy hoops players, what can we glean from this deal. Well, straight off the bat, Waiters, Smith and Shumpert all take a hit in their long-term value.

Waiters joins a crowded backcourt, needing to now compete for minutes with Andre Roberson, Reggie Jackson, Anthony Morrow, and Jeremy Lamb, not to mention offensive touches with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The Thunder could have more trades/releases in them though, as there was a lot of chatter about Jackson moving on, and perhaps Lamb. But, even if both of those guys move on, Waiters is the fourth banana at best, similar to his situation in Cleveland, and he hasn't exactly thrived. Waiters is averaging 10.5 points, 0.7 three-pointers, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals in 24 minutes a game, a dip can be expected if the Thunder's roster composition remains the same. Standard league value for Waiters is a thing of the past, it seems.

The two former Knicks' guards, who are now in Cleveland, are in as bad, if not worse a position than what Waiters finds himself in. Smith and Shumpert will have to fit themselves into the minutes Waiters vacates, as well as taking some of Joe Harris, Matthew Dellavedova, James Jones,  and Mike Miller, but all in all, if either guy sees in excess of 27 minutes a night, I'd be surprised. For now, if you added Smith, I'd hold for a few more games, at least until LeBron James and Kyrie Irving return, but the value past that is tenuous at best. Shumpert is injured, wasn't standard league relevant in New York and has no shot at being relevant now in Cleveland.

Kirk, Thomas, Amundson and possibly, yet not confirmed, Samuel Dalembert will be waived by the Knicks, so their fantasy value lies somewhere between zero and naught. What these moves and the trades do in New York is open up time for a few players.

One, Tim Hardaway should be the unquestioned starter at the two, and has actually played the three today with Carmelo Anthony out. So his minutes appear set. Remember, Hardaway is a chucker of the highest order. His per-36 numbers offer a stark reminder of what sort of numbers you can expect from him in a starter's role. Hardaway is averaging, per 36 minutes, 17.4 points, 2.5 three-pointers, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.3 blocks, shooting an abominable 39 percent from the field. If you expect more than points and three-pointers from Hardaway, you will be sorely disappointed. In standard leagues, if you are seeking those stats, he's a fine add.

With the Melo shutdown looming, minutes at the three will likely open up. Shane Larkin starter today and played 31 minutes alongside Jose Calderon and Hardaway, while rookie Cleanthony Early got 29 minutes off the bench on the wing. These guys could develop into fantasy relevant players if this sort of playing time persists. As I like Early more as a three than Hardaway, I could see the rookie from Wichita State starting if Melo undergoes surgery. A reminder, he is just three games into his return from knee surgery, but as he ramps up his activity, we could strike fantasy gold in deeper formats. He's a watchlist guy in all leagues and worth an add in anything deeper than 12 team leagues for now. In his three games back, he has already racked up five steals and hit two three-pointers.

In the frontcourt, with Dalembert likely gone and Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani currently injured, more minutes and touches should be available for Quincy Acy and Cole Aldrich. Aldrich has been playing well enough to owned before this deal, averaging 11.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks in his last seven games. If he isn't owned, he definitely should be now.

Acy double-doubled Monday in additional playing time, scoring 19 points with 14 rebounds. This isn't something I'm buying into, and I'm only grabbing Acy in 14 team leagues, if that.

M.I.A.

These guys all sat out Monday's action, for one reason or another.

• Cavaliers
  • LeBron James (knee)
  • Kyrie Irving (back)
  • Dion Waiters (traded)
  • Lou Amundson (traded)
  • Alex Kirk (traded)
• Sixers
  • Luc Mbah a Moute (toe)
  • Hollis Thompson (illness)
• Hornets
  • Lance Stephenson (pelvis)
  • Al Jefferson (groin)
• Celtics
  • Jameer Nelson (ankle)
• Mavericks
  • Raymond Felton (DNP-CD)
  • Al-Farouq Aminu (DNP-CD)
• Nets
  • Kevin Garnett (rest)
  • Deron Williams (side)
• Nuggets
  • Randy Foye (quad)
  • Danilo Gallinari (knee)
• Timberwolves
  • Nikola Pekovic (ankle)
  • Ricky Rubio (ankle)
  • Kevin Martin (wrist)
• Rockets
  • Terrence Jones (leg)
• Bulls
  • Mike Dunleavy (ankle)
• Wizards
  • Martell Webster (DNP-CD)
• Knicks
  • Amar'e Stoudemire (knee)
  • Andrea Bargnani (calf)
  • Carmelo Anthony (knee)
  • J.R. Smith (traded)
  • Iman Shumpert (shoulder/traded)
• Grizzlies
  • Zach Randolph (knee)
• Pacers
  • George Hill (groin)
  • Ian Mahinmi (foot)
• Jazz
  • Enes Kanter (ankle)
  • Trey Burke (illness)
  • Rodney Hood (foot)
• Lakers
  • Kobe Bryant (rest)
  • Wes Johnson (hip)
• Trail Blazers
  • Robin Lopez (hand)
• Warriors
  • Andrew Bogut (knee)

FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT

In a closer than anticipated matchup with the Lakers, Damian Lillard was spectacular, scoring 39 points (12-21 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 11-13 FT) with six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block in his 39 minutes. While Lillard has been beastly offensively, averaging 26.7 points in his last six games, the increase in his steal numbers have been a cherry on top for his fantasy owners. After averaging just 0.8 steals per game last season, Lillard is nabbing 1.5 per game in 2014-15. He'll likely finish the season as a top 10 fantasy player.

ROTATION NOTES AND QUIRKS

Joe Harris got the start when the Waiters deal went down and he was productive, hitting four triples for 16 points, but will likely cede the job to Smith when he arrives.

Cody Zeller finally got a big chunk of minutes, playing 33 minutes in the Hornets win over the Celtics, scoring 20 points, a season-high. Zeller has been limited by Steve Clifford's reluctance to play him decent minutes, even as a starter, but with no Al Jefferson, maybe we see 30 minutes as a more regular occurrence. If that happens, I like Zeller's potential over both Marvin Williams and Bismack Biyombo for fantasy owners in 12 team leagues.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist played just 18 minutes, but that was due to the five fouls he racked up. His play was still strong as he continues to edge toward standard league ownership, getting six points and seven rebounds in those 18 minutes.

If anyone claims to know what is happening with the Celtics' rotations, they are a liar. At this point, no-one is a reliable standard league play. Jared Sullinger got the minutes and was productive, scoring 22 points with eight rebounds and four blocks, but we are only two weeks removed from Sullinger playing nine minutes against the Magic. Even Jeff Green, a fantasy star at the start of the season has been reduced to a borderline must-own, with Stevens giving Jae Crowder more minutes against the Hornets. Roster any Celtics at your peril.

Brook Lopez started for the resting Kevin Garnett, and dominated, scoring 22 points with 13 rebounds and four blocks. This is a stark reminder of Lopez's immense talent. This restricted Mason Plumlee to seven points and seven rebounds in his 32 minutes and the incendiary hot streak Plumlee was on is now over. Let's see what Lionel Hollins does when Garnett returns for the next game. Jarrett Jack played 44 minutes in an overtime game with no Deron Williams, but the point guard spot remains as confusing as the frontcourt when Williams is healthy, limiting all four players' values. At some stage soon, it feels like the Nets will have to go back to Williams and Lopez as the starters.

Jusuf Nurkic played 22 minutes, scoring another 14 points with six rebounds, two steals and four blocks and at this point, with Timofey Mozgov rumored to be on his way out, Nurkic is a solid add in most leagues. Mozgov played just 17 foul-riddled minutes and he can likely be dropped for Nurkic in leagues where you own the big Russian. In true Brian Shaw style, J.J. Hickson played 32 minutes, while Kenneth Faried stayed on the court for just 24 minutes, still productive with 15 points and seven rebounds, but frustrating nonetheless.

Mo Williams replaced Zach LaVine as the starter in Minnesota, posting a solid 17 points and seven assists, but with Ricky Rubio's return coming soon, his long-term value is miniscule.

Josh Smith remained in a bench role, but had his most productive night as a member of the Rockets, scoring 21 points and adding three steals. In a head-to-head league, if he's on the waiver-wire, there is some value to be had.

Jimmy Butler returned, but Mike Dunleavy didn't, so Nikola Mirotic got extended run playing small and power forward. Mirotic played 27 minutes for 17 points with eight rebounds and two blocks, and if Tom Thibodeau likes what he's seeing for the rookie at the three, it wouldn't surprise me to see him starting over Dunleavy later this month. I'd add him in some 12 team leagues where you can afford to wait it out or a bit.

Eric Gordon returned for the Pelicans and moved straight back into the starting lineup, sending Tyreke Evans to the bench. It didn't effect Evans' minutes as he still got 34 of them, compared with starter Luke Babbitt's five minutes and it certainly didn't effect his production, with Evans having the equal game-high in points with 21. Gordon, on the other hand, did what we saw from him early on this season, scoring six points with four rebounds and five assists in 33 minutes. I don't trust Gordon's production enough to add him outside of 14 team leagues.

Jarnell Stokes started for Zach Randolph, but was largely ineffective, scoring just three points in 17 minutes. There is no value from anyone in Randolph's absence unless we are talking really deep leagues, then Jon Leuer has been the best option.

C.J. Watson returned from a one-game absence to start at point guard for the Pacers, pushing Donald Sloan to the bench. Assuming Watson remains good-to-go, he'll start until George Hill returns, but his value isn't great enough to add in standard leagues for such a short time frame.

The Jazz were missing Enes Kanter and Trey Burke, along with Rodney Hood, so Rudy Gobert,  and Australian rookies Dante Exum and Joe Ingles got the starts in their place. All three guys were solid, but unspectacular, with Gobert adding three blocks in his 29 minutes. He should be owned just about everywhere, but don't say you weren't warned when his production drops off when Kanter returns. Exum scored 13 points with three three-pointers, but he's not an add in most leagues and neither is Ingles, despite his almost triple-double line of eight points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Wayne Ellington and Ryan Kelly replaced Kobe Bryant and Wes Johnson in the Lakers' starting lineup, but neither has any long-term value. Jordan Hill played 32 minutes, the most he's played since December 21st. Because of this, Hill has been dropped in a number of leagues, but I still have faith in his ability to be standard league center, after his 23 point, 14 rebound performance.

Chris Kaman got the start with Joel Freeland sidelined for the next two weeks at least, scoring eight points, with 11 rebounds and three blocks in 27 minutes. Kaman has cooled off since his hot start, but if he keeps playing 27 minutes, he's worth a short term add, just don't expect big nights like this often. Meyers Leonard hit three triples for 12 points and 12 rebounds in 19 minutes, but he's not someone to add n most leagues.

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

We got Minnesota Kevin Love back, for at least one night, scoring 28 points with 19 rebounds, making daily fantasy players and owners in seasonal leagues very happy. Don't expect it too many more times.

Michael Carter-Williams returned, shot poorly, filled up the box score. Just another night in Philadelphia as they got their first home victory of the season, against the Cavs.

Kemba Walker scored another 33 points, making it back to back 30 point games for the first time this season. In the last nine days, Walker has gone over 30 points three times, and had done it just once for the rest of the season. He is taking full advantage of Jefferson's absence.

Rajon Rondo double-doubled with only two points, as only Rajon Rondo can. That, amazingly, is the second time he's done that this season.

Arron Afflalo scored a season-high 34 points, and is averaging 21.8 points in his last four. If you can capitalise on this hot streak, try and trade Afflalo, as all of his value comes from points and threes and is not a great overall fantasy player.

If Gorgui Dieng isn't owned in your league, you need to grab him. He had another 22 points with 12 rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. This is not a fluke. He must be owned.

Joakim Noah blocked six shots, the second time he has blocked that many this season. While his production is down, he has now grabbed at least 10 rebounds in four straight games, accumulating 11 blocks in those games. The points and assists are way down on last season, predictably, but Noah is still helping.

Tony Allen nabbed seven steals, and now has at least two steals in seven straight games and 14 of his last 15 games. If you need to win steals in a weekly matchup, there is no-one better than Allen.

Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward both scored over 20 points to carry the undermanned Jazz and if Burke and Kanter remain out, the value of Favors and Hayward will rise as they take on extra responsibility.

Jeff Teague, fresh off being named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, was great again in the Hawks' upset of the Clippers on the road, scoring 20 points with nine assists and four steals. This is a career season for Teague and looks set to continue.

Both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook struggled in the blowout against the Warriors. Let's not worry too much about that though as both guys will have better nights.

Once again, Draymond Green was fantastic, filling the box score with 11 points, three three-pointers, 13 rebounds, five assists, one steal, and three blocks in 29 minutes. Any concern about David Lee cutting his value has been thoroughly squashed.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. Damian Lillard, G, POR, 39 points
2. Arron Afflalo, G, DEN, 34 points
3. Kemba Walker, G, CHA, 33 points

Rebounds

1. Kevin Love, F, CLE, 19 rebounds
2. DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC, 16 rebounds
3. Pau Gasol, F, CHI, 14 rebounds
4. Jordan Hill, C, LAL, 14 rebounds
5. Quincy Acy, F, NYK, 14 rebounds
6. Dwight Howard, C, 14 rebounds

Assists

1. Rajon Rondo, G, DAL, 14 assists
2. Michael Carter-Williams, G, PHI, 13 assists
3. John Wall, G, WAS, 12 assists
4. Ty Lawson, G, DEN, 12 assists

Steals

1. Tony Allen, G, MEM, 7 steals
2. Steph Curry, G, GSW, 4 steals
3. Jeff Teague, G, ATL, 4 steals
4. John Wall, G, WAS, 4 steals
5. Jrue Holiday, G, NOP, 4 steals

Blocks

1. Joakim Noah, C, CHI, 6 blocks
2. Brook Lopez, C, BKN, 4 blocks
3. Jared Sullinger, F, BOS, 4 blocks
4. Jusuf Nurkic, C, DEN, 4 blocks

Three-Pointers

1. Harrison Barnes, F, GSW, 5-5 3Pt
2. Damian Lillard, G, POR, 4-8 3Pt
3. Arron Afflalo, G, DEN, 4-6 3Pt
4. Robert Covington, F, PHI, 4-7 3Pt
5. Joe Harris, G, CLE, 4-8 3Pt

Minutes

1. Joe Johnson, G, BKN, 45 minutes
2. Jarrett Jack, G, BKN, 44 minutes
3. Derrick Favors, F, UTA, 43 minutes