WIZARDS BRING IN BLAIR BY SIGN-AND-TRADE
In a sign-and-trade deal, the Washington Wizards acquired power forward-center DeJuan Blair from the Dallas Mavericks for the draft rights to point-forward Emir Preldzic.
What does it give the Washington Wizards
The Wizards appear intent on beefing up their frontcourt in the undersized Eastern Conference, a la the Indiana Pacers. On the heels of re-upping with centers {P Marcin Gortat} and {P Drew Gooden}--and then acquiring big {P Kris Humphries} from Boston--they continue the trend by bringing in bruising, feisty Blair. Washington's impressive playoff run this past spring has clearly emboldened them to contend next season, and it certainly won't be easy to push them around in the paint.
What does it give the Dallas Mavericks
This off-season has been impressive for the Mavs but also expensive, and it seems they didn't have room to retain Blair. With star center {P Tyson Chandler} back in the fold along with {P Dirk Nowitzki} and veteran signees {P Rashard Lewis} and {P Richard Jefferson}, Blair was the odd man out (especially with {P Jae Crowder}, {P Brandan Wright}, and {P Greg Smith} also around). Talented playmaker Preldzic is fairly young at 26, so there's probably still a chance Dallas can eventually lure him into coming over from Europe.
Fantasy impact
On the Wizards it'll be a dogfight for post rotation minutes off the pine behind starting bigs Gortat and {P Nene Hilario}, but Washington now has one of the bigger, stronger, more formidable frontcourts in the game. Expect Blair's production and minutes to stay roughly the same as they were with Dallas, with {P Drew Gooden}'s playing time possibly lessened a little and the limited role of young big man {P Kevin Seraphin} shrinking even more. As for Preldzic, he remains in Europe but is radar-worthy in deep keeper leagues as a sleeper who might eventually arrive stateside and possibly one day run the Mavericks offense.
