Wed, Jan 15, 2014 at 2:01pm

3-TEAMER: GS BOOSTS BACKCOURT WITH JO. CRAWFORD

In a three-team trade, the Golden State Warriors acquired guards Jordan Crawford and MarShon Brooks from the Boston Celtics; the Celtics acquired center Joel Anthony and two draft picks (a conditional future first-rounder and a 2016 second-rounder) from the Miami Heat; and the Heat acquired combo guard Toney Douglas from the Warriors.

What does it give the Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have emerged as an exciting true contender this season, and Crawford can help them keep their excellent starters from getting overworked. Superstar starting point guard {P Stephen Curry} has a history of durability issues, so Crawford lets him play less (while serving as above-average insurance should Curry suffer another ankle injury). Crawford can also play shooting guard, so this is a nice upgrade all-round over the underachieving Douglas. Brooks is talented but underachieving, and changes addresses again here. He needs to turn things around with this new opportunity, but may be a steal.

What does it give the Boston Celtics
With All-Star point-man {P Rajon Rondo} finally ready to return from a serious knee injury, the Celtics can afford to let Crawford go. Boston is a young and rebuilding squad so moving salary here--while adding draft picks--makes a lot of sense. Crawford played well for them this season but would not have started anymore with Rondo back and {P Avery Bradley} at the 2-spot. A Yahoo! report says the first-round pick turns into a second-rounder if Philadelphia (which previously owned the pick) doesn't make the playoffs this season or next. Anthony is a veteran big man who can provide leadership and defense, but don't expect much else.

What does it give the Miami Heat
As a veteran team of loaded superstars the Heat is always looking for financial wiggle-room, and they get some here by moving Anthony's contract. It saves them several million dollars through to the end of next season, and could help them sign another center down the stretch who might help them more. Douglas doesn't appear likely to crack Miami's rotation but he's a solid veteran with an expiring and affordable contract.

Fantasy impact
Fantasy-wise, none of the players involved in this deal see any increase in value. Crawford is now significantly less valuable as a backup in Golden State, but he was slated to return to the bench in Boston as well (with Rondo's return). Rondo has fewer question marks around him now, but he's a big-minute star regardless. Meanwhile Brooks (now with the Warriors), Anthony (now with the Celtics), and Douglas (now with the Heat) all have new opportunties to step up, but none appears likely to be a regular anytime soon with his new club.