Fantasy Basketball: Buying Low

Jan 3, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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When buying low in fantasy basketball, many feel the best way to go about it is to take two of your least productive pieces and swap them for a stud who is not living up to expectations – yeah, that is not how this thing works at all. Aside from either insulting another owner, or making yourself seem nuts, there is not much good that can come out this play.

Buying low is not about fooling someone into giving you gold for coal, it is about making a play on someone who may be having a rough stretch, and attaining their value at somewhat of a discount from the price they are actually worth.

What Are Some Characteristics Of A Good Buy-Low Opportunity?

Under-performing- When owners draft a player, they assume every night their career or yearly averages are rule –  if a player slumps for one or two weeks you definitely have an open window to make a move for said player with someone who is of less value, but is maybe just on a hot streak (i.e. Jared Dudley in late December/early January) .

Injury- I will admit, when it comes to injuries, I am a complete worry wart –  making it the perfect time to take aim if you wanted to attain one of my players. Some injuries are worse than others, but to many, every injury is a red flag to get away from that player, if they can.

Doghouse- This is a perfect time to pounce at a premium because once a guy gets his minutes reduced, you can play that angle up till the cows come home (or until the situation is resolved) . It creates such an obscure scenario, owners are almost forced to make some kind of deal based on the fact they know the player’s value could drop further with every passing game.

Who Are Some Solid Buy-Low Candidates Right Now?

Mike Conley  If you own Ricky Rubio, Conley is the perfect guy to take a stab at. With his recent Wrist injury and the influx status of Rubio’s return, this is the ideal instance where you can get a stud for a guy on a losing team, with no chance at making the playoffs, who is coming back from injury.

Last five games (that Conley played):

10.8 PPG, 1.8 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.0 3PM.

Strike now, because you will probably never see such low production again on the season.

Enes Kanter — The emergence of one Rudy Gobert has put such a damper on the love for Kanter that he is barely owned in 50 percent of all ESPN leagues. Not only is Kanter playing 27 minutes per game, but the guy is producing 14 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest, with 11 double-doubles.

He’s also shooting 50 percent from the field, and an eye-popping 81 percent from the line on 2.4 attempts per game. Not every team needs blocks (0.4 on the year), so if you are in that boat, attaining Enes should not come at a hefty price at all.

Chris Bosh — This is a tough one considering Bosh has such a huge name, and even more so because the preseason predictions were extremely inflated. Be that as it may, the numbers have not been there, and that gives you every right to exploit that, and try to get him on your team down the stretch.

Stats for the month of January:

21.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 0.3 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 45 FG%

Unless you only drafted him for points, the across-the-board production leaves a lot to be desired. Feel free to use exactly this argument when stating your case to trade for him. With Dwyane Wade set to miss some time due to a hamstring injury, these numbers have a very high chance of increasing.

Remember, buying low is a strategy that can be extremely beneficial to success, but it’s not a maneuver that just falls into your lap, especially when it only takes one big game for the window of opportunity to slam shut!

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