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By Chris Cates, www.TalentedMrRoto.com

Have your questions answered by a fantasy basketball expert

Now that Richard Jefferson is back, Cates expects big things out of him. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images)

If you ever make the move from a 20-something inch television to a 60-inch high-definition television, first of all congratulations. Secondly, know that whatever you thought the upgrade in experience would be, you were wrong: it’s infinitely better. Some things you might hear or say when watching something on the latter television after using the former television for the previous decade may include the following:

“Someone really needs to pick up that nickel in the end zone…”

“That woman’s eyes are yellow!”

“Oh, so that’s where he got that nickname…”

“I wasn’t aware ESPN’s John Clayton was a turtle…”

You get the picture. Let’s hit the files….

Q: Month into the season, trades are starting to happen, and I'd appreciate a discussion of the ethics of the veto. In a 14-team, 9-category league (start 3 G, 3 F, 2 C, 2 util), I put Camby up for sale. (I have Ilgauskas, Murphy and Biedrins also at Center). I was offered Rashard Lewis and Manu Ginobili for Camby and Grant Hill. I accepted. I am near the bottom in three pointers and FT%, and low-middle in points. The team getting Camby starts Channing Frye and Kurt Thomas, so he's hurting for a center. Both managers defended the trade, but it was vetoed because everyone thinks I got the better part of the deal and because Camby and Hill are injury prone.

Am I missing something that makes this trade so unfair that it should be vetoed? Is "injury prone" a valid reason for vetoing a trade?

Appreciate your articles. Kevin Brooklyn

A: Kevin, you’re missing nothing – this veto was just plain wrong. I am of the belief that unless there is evidence that collusion is involved, nothing should be vetoed, even if it is somewhat lopsided. I say let the owners run their own teams and don’t limit teams from doing what they can do to win by vetoing trades that shouldn’t be vetoed. In this case it’s simply a joke: Injury-risk or not, Marcus Camby is averaging 11.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game – that’s some serious production. Rashard Lewis has been a beast too, even more so than Camby, but taking everything (players involved, needs of teams, etc.) into account, this is a fair trade. Yeah, you get a better deal, but both teams improve.

I don’t see how anybody could argue in favor of the veto here with a straight face. The fact that players in the trade are injury-prone should have no impact on the veto process, especially given that both parties improve and similar talent changes hands. I could go on and on about how wrong this is, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, but I’m sure you get it; talk some sense into your league mates and explain to them that each team should be able to improve via trade. Tell them that just because something doesn’t look completely fair on paper doesn’t mean both teams don’t improve equally and surely shouldn’t be the cause for a veto.

Q: Hey Chris,

I am in an eight category league, with the 8th category being FT made not the usual F/T%. I am trying to decide if I should trade Josh Smith and K. Korver for R. Jefferson and Rip Hamilton. I am currently in 2nd place have a lot of depth at 3's and need help in F/T's. I am just concerned about trading away Smiths POTENTIAL.

James McDermott

A: I love me some potential, but I love me some good old fashioned talent more. In this case, you’re giving a potential-filled Josh Smith and a not-too-versatile Kyle Korver for a super-talented but underperforming Richard Jefferson and a very productive and helpful Rip Hamilton. That’s a deal I want a piece of if I’m you.

Strictly speaking in terms of the free throw situation, you improve greatly. Not only do Rip and Jefferson make most of their free throws, they get to the line a ton too. Both guys will get to the line well at least six times a game, while the two you’re giving up would be lucky to get there anything more than three or four times a game. That’s a huge difference in a week, let alone a full season.

I realize that you’re concerned about trading away Smith’s potential, but you improve in different areas at shooting guard by acquiring Rip, and there’s just no comparison between a healthy and rolling Jefferson (which I expect to see soon) and Kyle Korver. The fact that you have a lot of depth in threes makes the already-very-expendable Korver that much easier to part with. Make this trade and you’re in better shape to contend for first.

Q: Chris,

To me, the Knicks seem like a plague. I dropped Eddy Curry, I also have Marbury, Richardson, and David Lee. I'm going to keep Lee (who I picked up) but what do I do with Marbury and Richardson? I don't have the patience to wait around for "Starbury" and I've thought about moving Q-Rich who can be solid at times. Is there any possible trades I can make? Willie Green and Marcus Williams seem like nice pickups, I'm last in FT% and second-to-last in assists. I also have Corey Maggette to work with..

Thanks,

Nick

A: One thing is for sure, if you are going to have a lot of players from one team, the New York Knicks aren’t exactly the first place I’d look. But this is your dilemma, and you are – of course – the New York Nick, so look there I shall.

At the time you wrote this e-mail, dropping Eddy Curry was a very acceptable option. However, four games (all of which were 20+ points, five-plus board performances) later, things have changed. Curry averaged well over 30 minutes per game in the aforementioned stretch, and his production increased accordingly; if he keeps getting the minutes – which, after a stretch like that, should be the case – a 15 points and six boards per game average is very attainable. If you have any lesser or expendable options on the bench, consider making a move as those numbers are well worth owning if they continue.

As for the other Knicks you own, you’re in a tough position. Stephon Marbury won’t fetch near fair value in a trade at this point, so do you hold on and hope for a turnaround, trade him for less than he’s really worth, or cut bait now? First, just test the trade waters. There may be a Knicks homer in your league or maybe just a fan of Marbury and his $15 shoes. If that doesn’t net the returns we’re hoping for, then you have to just wait it out. His minutes are seemingly at one end of the spectrum (very low) or the other (very high) every night, and I believe as his percentages begin to move back towards where they should be, his minutes and production will as well. It’s by no means a sure thing, but Marbury has the talent to explode at any time. In this case, an explosion – even if only for a short stretch – could pay big dividends as far as long-term value is concerned. Wait it out until things become clearer.

Some things in life are certain: death, taxes and that David Lee will not average nearly a double-double with amazing percentages all season long. Sell high, sell high. Try shipping him off for a correspondingly underperforming solid player, and you’ll reap the benefits by seasons end. For Quentin Richardson, I propose the same sell high strategy, especially given one alarming statistic: Richardson is shooting 44.3 percent from three point range so far this year. He hasn’t shot better than 35 percent since the 2001-02 season, when posted his only mark higher than that (38.1 percent). There’s no question that his three point field goal percentage will fall drastically, and along with that will go his threes made, points, and to a lesser extent, field goal percentage. Don’t get me wrong, he’ll still be helpful then, but it’s all about the value. By trading him at his current value for a player that will maintain this value as opposed to regressing would be a smart move.

So to recap, consider adding Eddy Curry again, hang on to Stephon Marbury and sell high on David Lee and Quentin Richardson. Good luck with your Knicks, New York Nick.

Just like the song says, it’s closing time. CatesFiles@TalentedMrRoto.com is where you can reach me, and where else can you have a very good shot at a column appearance and/or get your question answered? Nowhere, that’s where. Until next week, The Cates Files are officially closed….

Chris Cates is a fantasy expert for www.TalentedMrRoto.com, which features free advice, news, stats and analysis for all fantasy sports. It was nominated for four FSTA awards, including best site. Contact him at CatesFiles@TalentedMrRoto.com.

The views expressed by TalentedMrRoto.com represent only the views of the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA team.

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