It’s a slow week in the NBA, but if you want to spice things up with your fantasy team, how about making a big trade (cue Jimmy Butler rumors)? Below I’ve identified some buy-low and sell-high trade targets, as well as some players to consider adding in ultra-deep leagues.
Buy Low — Players to target via trade
Anthony Edwards, MIN
Minnesota is currently seeded for the play-in tournament, and they’ll need their star player to elevate his game if they want to move up the standings. Ant’s outside shooting has been excellent this year — 4.5 treys per game on nearly 43% 3-point (3P) shooting. But his 48% shooting on 2-pointers is simply unacceptable (among the 245 players who’ve attempted 50-plus 2-pointers this season, Edwards ranks 203rd). Look for Ant to start scoring more efficiently, especially if the Timberwolves can trade away Julius Randle.
Devin Booker, PHO
Since his 44-point outburst in mid-November, Booker has shot just 43% from field goal (FG) range, including a lowly 30% from 3-point range, over his past nine games. His season marks are similar (43% FG and 34% 3P). Given Booker shot 48% FG and 37% 3P over his previous three seasons combined, there’s no reason to think Booker won’t snap out of this cold spell soon. And the Suns really need him to start playing like a superstar. Kevin Durant is sidelined, and they’ve been falling in the standings. Look to buy low before his next 40-point game.
Bam Adebayo, MIA
There has been a detrimental effect to Bam attempting more 3-pointers this season. One would expect a slight drop in field goal percentage (FG%), but Bam has plummeted from 52% FG last year to just 44% FG. That’s because his accuracy from all areas has fallen — close-up, mid-range and even the free-throw line. But he’s been better lately — 48% FG, 11 rebounds, six assists per game over his past 13 contests — which tells me he’s too talented not to figure things out on his own.
Paul George, PHI
Over 12 games played, George is averaging a pedestrian (by his standards) 16 points and two 3s per game on 41% FG and 31% 3P shooting. But we’re starting to see some encouraging signs, such as George playing 35-plus minutes in three straight games, scoring 20.7 points with 2.7 3s per game on 50% FG and 38% 3P over that span.
Zion Williamson, NOR
If you don’t mind being a risk-taker, I like the idea of going after Zion right now. He hasn’t played in over a month, and there’s a decent chance his manager will be willing to trade him at a discount since it’s starting to seem like Zion will never be able to shake his constant injury issues. Risk it for the biscuit?
Josh Giddey, CHI
Giddey has been a disappointment this season, especially with his 11.7 points in 27.2 minutes per game and poor 44% FG shooting. But his recent triple-double against the Nets (20 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists) was a reminder of Giddey’s upside. Yes, he got a nice stat boost from playing the Nets, but his other boost came from Coby White sitting out due to injury. While White is healthy now, remember Zach LaVine and others could be on their way out of Chicago, which would help Giddey get his season back on track.
Keegan Murray, SAC
It’s not a surprise Murray isn’t getting tons of shots, given he has three teammates averaging over 20 points. However, it is surprising Murray is shooting just 29% from deep, resulting in just 1.6 3s per game. But he also got off to a slow start last year, shooting just 30% from 3-point range over his first 16 games before heating up to make 2.4 3s per game on 37.5% 3P shooting over his final 61 games. You can probably get him for cheap, too!
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Sell High — Players to consider trading away
Nikola Vucevic, CHI
Not only is Vucevic the only player in the league currently averaging over 20 points per game while shooting over 58% FG and 85% FT, but if he can maintain that over the entire season, he would become the first player in NBA history to do so — Adrian Dantley came awfully close in 1979-80 when he scored 28 points per game on 57.6% FG and 84.2% FT shooting. So, odds are Vooch’s shooting percentages will fall back to Earth a bit, and Chicago may also look to trade him, which would likely cause his value to take a hit.
Jordan Poole, WAS
Poole has definitely made a concerted effort to be more focused on the defensive end this year, but after grabbing 2.3 steals and 0.6 blocks per game over his first 11 games, he’s starting to show his true colors — 0.8 steals and 0.1 blocks per game since then. His minutes and scoring numbers have also fluctuated wildly lately, so you may want to try selling high after his next big game.
Josh Hart, NYK
Hart is currently posting career highs in minutes, rebounds, assists, steals and all of his shooting percentages, but can he maintain all of that? With Miles McBride looking healthy again and Precious Achiuwa back in action, Hart’s numbers may slide slightly.
Dennis Schroder, BKN
Schroder is one of only seven players this season averaging 18 points, six assists and two 3s per game while shooting over 88% from the foul line. The other six players are Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, James Harden, Devin Booker, Trae Young and Darius Garland, so that’s a pretty strong case for Schroder’s trade value. Consider trading him before Brooklyn trades him away to a playoff contender, where his role would diminish.
Norman Powell, LAC
Disclaimer: I don’t wish an injury upon Powell. But let’s say Powell were to suffer a season-ending injury tomorrow. If you drafted him, you really would have nothing to complain about. He’s already provided 23.6 points and 3.8 treys per game on a sparkling 49% FG and 84% FT shooting, so trading him now (before Kawhi Leonard makes his season debut) makes a whole lot of sense.
Collin Sexton, UTA
Sexton has been scoring consistently and efficiently for Utah — marks of 48% FG and 90% FT for the season. But that hasn’t helped much in the win column — Utah has the league’s third-worst record. There’s a good chance the Jazz will explore trading Sexton (and other veterans) to help pave the way for rookie Isaiah Collier to take on a bigger role.
Bennedict Mathurin, IND
Mathurin’s minutes and usage rate soared once Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith got hurt, and he was red-hot in November, scoring 19.4 points with 7.3 rebounds and 1.9 3s per game and shooting marks of 48% FG, 44% 3P and 86% FT. But his numbers are down in December, coinciding with Nembhard returning to game action. Target a team that needs to boost their free throw shooting and see what you can get for Mathurin.
Going Deep — Considerations in ultra-deep leagues
Anthony Black, ORL (6% rostered)
I expect his roster rate to rise after Black poured in a well-rounded line of 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block in 32 minutes off the bench on Tuesday. He gets a nice bump while both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are sidelined.
Noah Clowney, BKN (3%); Day’Ron Sharpe, BKN (1%); Jalen Wilson, BKN (1%)
As touched on above, the Nets will likely be sellers at the trade deadline, meaning there could be increased opportunities for some of their younger players. Clowney has shown very little thus far, but at 20 years old with solid length and athleticism, he’s one of Brooklyn’s better prospects.
Sharpe just turned 23 in November, with career averages of 14.3 boards and 1.7 blocks per 36 minutes. And Wilson is quietly averaging 9.5 points and 1.9 3s on 42% 3P shooting over his past 10 games while playing nearly 30 minutes per game. He would see a lot more shot attempts if Cam Johnson were to get traded.
Johnny Juzang, UTA (1%); Isaiah Collier, UTA (0%)
Besides the Nets, you’ll want to watch the Jazz closely as the NBA’s trade deadline nears. Juzang is proving he’s a serious sharpshooter, with 12.8 points and three treys per game on 43% 3P shooting over his past four games. And Collier broke out with 12 points, seven assists and three steals in 23 minutes last Friday versus Portland. He’s clearly too good for the G League. He blew up for 36 points on 15-of-18 shooting when Utah sent him down to their minor league club. Let’s see what the rookie can do!
(Top photo of Devin Booker: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
