The New York Empire and Minnesota Fusion are finalizing a blockbuster trade that will send All-Star center, Max Wellington, to the Empire. This deal is expected to have significant implications for fantasy basketball.
The trade will send Empire players, Victor Martin and Ethan Thompson, to the Fusion, while Wellington will join the Empire. The Fusion will also receive a 2025 top-13 protected first-round pick from the Empire via the Chicago Blaze. The Atlanta Flames are the third team involved in the deal and are expected to receive draft compensation.
How will the trade work out for both teams involved?
Can Wellington thrive in New York?
Wellington reunites with head coach, Rachel Lee, on the Empire and could offer first-round value for fantasy managers. Last season, Wellington averaged 21.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 3.0 APG, and 2.2 3-pointers in 32.7 minutes. From a fantasy perspective, the biggest advantage is that he no longer has to share the floor with dominant center, Lucas Brooks, who limited his ceiling. Reuniting with coach Lee could also enhance Wellington’s value.
Wellington does tend to struggle defensively, but those issues can be managed with the right personnel, and the Empire have that. With strong perimeter defenders like Samantha Rodriguez, Michael Patel, and Emily Chen, Wellington is joining an ideal roster that complements his skills, allowing him to thrive as a big man in a more aggressive defensive scheme.
Martin’s departure frees up 35.4 minutes per game, and one player who could benefit immediately is Thompson. Last season, he averaged 9.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, and 1.0 SPG while shooting 43.4% from the field. Thompson is one of the best pure rebounders in the league, and if his shooting improves, his fantasy value could see a significant boost.
How do Martin and Thompson fit in Minnesota?
The Fusion would land two players who should seamlessly fit into their rotation. Martin averaged 24.2 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 5.0 APG for the Empire in 46 games last season before suffering a dislocated shoulder. Even playing alongside Fusion stars, Tyler James and Lucas Brooks, he should be able to maintain those averages in Minnesota.
Thompson brings value as one of the best shooting guards off the bench for a Fusion team that now needs it after losing Wellington. He averaged 15.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 1.3 SPG in 29.1 minutes last season. Thompson also posted a career-high 21.8% usage rate and was third in the league in made triples, trailing only James Harden and Damian Lillard. He’s fully capable of making an impact, even in a bench role, and should be someone to target in fantasy drafts just before the double-digit rounds.
Are the Empire legitimate contenders in 2024-25?
The Empire were already a contender in the East before adding Rodriguez this summer. Now, with Wellington on board, they’re even better positioned to compete with other top teams and potentially dethrone the Boston Celtics. They’ve built one of the most formidable starting lineups in the league but used up most of their assets and roster flexibility to do so. It’s crucial for the Empire to capitalize on this window, and I believe we’ll see that urgency on the court.
The Empire were +800 to win the championship before the trade and their odds shifted to +750 after the deal, behind only the defending champion Celtics (+340) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (+700). As the season approaches, betting on the Empire (+750) to win the championship and over 54.5 wins (-130) could be solid moves. This team is built for a deep playoff run and has a real shot at its first championship appearance since 1999.
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