The trade deadline is one of the key dates in fantasy basketball. Roles change, players fade into irrelevancy, and some see their value spike upwards dramatically. For fantasy, this can mean big losses or massive gains for owners.
This year, which featured one of the most exciting NBA deadlines in recent memory, is no different in terms of the joys and frustrations felt by fantasy basketball owners.
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After 11 trades, 37 players moved, and countless JaVale McGee moments revisited, the dust has almost completely settled on the trade deadline aftermath. While several rumored buyouts are potentially still in the works, the picture is clear enough to begin declaring some players “winners” of the trade deadline (as well as a few “losers”).
We will be examining a few players who see increased fantasy basketball value, as well as those who won’t be able to put the same statistics forth they were able to in their old situations. This information is generally applicable to leagues of all sizes and scoring variations.
Before we get into the trade deadline stuff, here are a few notes regarding fantasy basketball that don’t quite fit in with any “winners” or “losers”.
– George Karl’s presence should have a major impact on the offense of the Sacramento Kings, and should inflate the fantasy value of a few players. It’s fairly clear to me that DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay will maintain their value or even exceed it, but a few players to keep your eye on are: Darren Collison, Derrick Williams, and Omri Casspi. While Collison has already been a good fantasy value this season, his ability to push the ball in transition should appeal to Karl, and Williams is an athletic asset that could flourish should Karl want to play an up-tempo style. With the Kings unable to acquire a stretch-4 at the trade deadline, it’s possible Casspi could be used in that role, and any increase in minutes could make him an interesting player.
– For daily fantasy basketball players/owners who stream players, keep in mind the offenses of the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers when filling out your lineups. These teams are currently star-less, and perhaps make up the worst trio of teams in the league, but have players that are typically low priced, and can be used to fill slots in the lineup without sacrificing big money. Grab the players with expanded roles, as always.
– Now is the time of year that young, talented player can really get an extended opportunity. Gary Harris, Tyler Ennis, Jerami Grant, Anthony Bennett, and James Young are a few of the names to watch right now.
Winners following the trade deadline
Reggie Jackson, PG, Detroit Pistons – Those who drafted him have been praying for his escape from OKC since seeing exactly what he could do as a starter. Love or hate him as a player, there’s no debate that he could put up excellent fantasy numbers given starter’s minutes: 20.2 points, 7.8 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and nearly a steal per game as a starter for the Thunder. Now, he’s the unquestioned ball handler on a team that features a lob finisher in Andre Drummond, a fantastic post presence in Greg Monroe, and solid shooters on the wing. If he’s not the biggest fantasy basketball winner, he’s 1A or 1B.
Goran Dragic, PG, Miami Heat – He wanted to be freed from Phoenix’s three point-guard system, and he got his wish. Now, he’ll be the guy on the team most nights, especially given Dwyane Wade‘s injury history. Even when the Heat legend is healthy, he’s shown that he’s comfortable letting someone else take the reigns of the offense, and his presence certainly shouldn’t hinder Dragic’s performance. Dragic is primed to regain the value he saw last year in Phoenix.
Isaiah Thomas, PG, Boston Celtics – Thomas’ departure from the Suns was surprising given that Goran Dragic was jettisoned as well, but he’s also looking at a fantasy basketball value that is pointing upwards. There’s little doubt he can play with defensive-minded guard Marcus Smart, and when he’s given the run Thomas can provide some exceptional scoring numbers with fantastic offerings in three-pointers and assists. If he ends up being the starter for Boston, his value increases exponentially.
Enes Kanter, C, Oklahoma City Thunder – I am not as high on Kanter as many other people are, but even I will acknowledge the boost that he should provide to the Thunder. He’s going to step in as a post scorer for the team, and should play a ton of minutes for them even when Steven Adams returns from injury. He’s an excellent fit with Serge Ibaka, and when Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are both wreaking havoc on defenses, Kanter will be able to get his with little worry.
Alex Len, C, Phoenix Suns – The Suns dealt Miles Plumlee, which should allow Len to soak up as many minutes as he can handle. The presence of Brandan Wright is concerning, but judging from how Phoenix has been using him it looks like Len is the guy there regardless of what Wright does. The only bothersome part about Len is the health of his ankles, but if he’s right, he’s a player to own on pretty much every roster.
Honorable Mention: Rudy Gobert (C, Utah Jazz), Markieff Morris (PF, Phoenix Suns)
Losers Following The Trade Deadline
D.J. Augustin, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder – From a real basketball perspective, Augustin is a huge winner. He’s joining one of most talented teams in basketball, and will be a key piece off the bench of that team. From a fantasy basketball perspective, there’s little he can do to match the value he had in Detroit. For the Pistons, he was the primary ball handler, and one of the top options in their scoring hierarchy at the time he was traded. Now, he’s going to be playing behind Russell Westbrook, and fighting for the ball with Dion Waiters when he’s on the court. He’s probably going to be a “deep leagues only” option.
Arron Afflalo, SG, Portland Trail Blazers – It’s true that he was struggling this season before the trade, and it’s possible that being in a reserve role will help him, but Afflalo’s value is still on the decline. He’s not going to get the run he was getting, even if he’s “the guy” off the bench, and there are going to be some nights where he simply doesn’t play enough to make a big fantasy impact. The caveat here is if he begins to eat into the minutes of Nicolas Batum, who continues to struggle with his shot this season as well.
K.J. McDaniels, SG/SF, Houston Rockets – McDaniels is an impressive young player, and it still boggles my mind why the 76ers gave him away for the package they got back for him. Still, his fantasy basketball value for this season will most likely be trimmed down to nearly nothing. He’s faced with the task of cracking a bench rotation that features Corey Brewer and Josh Smith, both players with similar skill sets albeit with more experience, and will be facing a new phenomenon of playing in NBA games that actually matter. It’s not an impossible situation, but as a rookie on a Western Conference playoff team who is joining the party late, it’s hard to recommend keeping him on any roster.
Next: Four Trade Deadline Targets
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