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Fantasy Basketball Trade Tips: Early Season Buy Low, Sell High Guide

Early-season fantasy basketball trades separate contenders from pretenders. Shooting percentages haven't normalized, roles remain fluid, and league-mates overreact to hot starts or cold streaks. Smart managers target buy-low candidates with strong underlying metrics, cash in on unsustainable efficiency, and hold established players through shooting slumps. Understanding usage rates and minute trends reveals which performances are real versus noise. Act fast before the market catches up.

Buy

Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

As the top pick in the draft and one of the more highly regarded prospects in recent history, Flagg entered the league with significant fantasy expectations. He was going in the third or fourth round in many leagues, which means he's someone that fantasy managers intended to build their team around. The early returns have not been great, with him averaging 13.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 three-pointers. His biggest issue has been shooting only 38.8% from the field.

Since Kyrie Irving (knee) is out, the Mavericks have been deploying Flagg at point guard for stretches. That's a difficult assignment for any rookie, let alone one who is more suited to be a forward at 6'9". Despite the early growing pains, Flagg has massive upside. Once Irving comes back, Flagg can all settle back into a more suitable role playing the wing. Fantasy managers who drafted him early might be frustrated with their initial returns, so there is a possible buy-low window here.

Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls

Buzelis was widely regarded as one of the top breakout candidates this season. He didn't play much to begin his rookie season with the Bulls, but once they moved him into the starting lineup, his fantasy upside began to show. With a secure spot in the starting lineup entering this season, it looked like full-steam ahead for Buzelis when he recorded 21 points, six rebounds and three blocks in his season opener versus the Pistons. However, he has averaged a more modest 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks since.

Buzelis hasn't contributed a ton outside of points and three-pointers. It is encouraging to see him shooting 46.9% from the field and 42.4% from behind the arc. It's also good to see him logging 29 minutes per game. If not for a rough game against a very good Magic defensive team in which he fouled out in six minutes, his overall numbers for the season would look better. Big things could still be on the horizon.

Sell

RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors

The addition of Brandon Ingram figured to cut into Barrett's scoring opportunities. However, Barrett is still averaging 20.8 points per game, which is nearly in line with his average of 21.1 points last season. However, it's important to point out that Barrett is shooting 55.4% from the field. He has shot 44.3% for his career, so some significant regression could be coming. His usage rate has indeed dipped significantly, falling from 28.7% last season to 23.3% through eight games.

Barrett averaged 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists last season, but is down to 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season. If not for his significant increase in efficiency, his overall numbers would have taken a big step backward from last season. Trade him now before his shooting percentage begins to normalize.

Quentin Grimes, Philadelphia 76ers

Grimes helped many fantasy managers down the stretch last season. Over his final 25 games, he averaged 23.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 3.1 three-pointers. With the 76ers dealing with so many injuries, he logged 34 minutes per game during that span and was often their top scoring option. Despite Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid being back in the fold this season, Grimes has averaged 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.7 three-pointers over their first seven games.

Helping Grimes has been him playing 32 minutes per game. That type of workload might not be sustainable now that Jared McCain is back. Grimes played 30 minutes in McCain's first game of the season Tuesday against the Bulls, finishing with 10 points, three rebounds and four assists. Paul George (knee) should also return at some point down the road. It's possible that Grimes could be in the 25-to-28-minute range moving forward, so his fantasy value might have already peaked. 

Hold

Derrick White, Boston Celtics

White looked primed for an expanded role entering the season. Jayson Tatum (Achilles) is out, and the Celtics traded away Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Other than Anfernee Simons, the Celtics didn't make any noteworthy additions. That left White with the potential to set a new career high in points after he put up 16.4 points per game last season.

As many expected, the added shots have been there for White. His usage rate is 23.6%, which is up from 19.8% last season. The issue is, him shooting 31.0% from the field and 26.3% from behind the arc has limited him to 14.4 points per game. Entering this season, White had shot at least 38.1% from behind the arc in each of his first three full campaigns with the Celtics. As his three-point percentage improves, so should his scoring contributions. Don't panic about his slow start and trade him at a discount.

Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic

The Magic had a clear need in the offseason and it was to improve their three-point shooting. That made the acquisition of Bane seem like a perfect fit. He has averaged at least 2.4 three-pointers in each of the last four seasons, and he has shot 40.8% from behind the arc for his career. The surprise for the Magic and fantasy managers alike is that Bane is shooting 28.6% from deep across his first eight games. That has left him to average just 13.9 points per game.

If there is a bright side to Bane's slow start, it's that his usage rate is 22.7%. That's not too far off from his mark of 23.3% with the Grizzlies last season. It will be difficult for him to average at least 5.0 assists for the third straight season playing alongside good passers in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, but much better shooting production should be in the cards for Bane.

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Jon Scheyer challenged top recruit Cameron Boozer at half. The Duke freshman responded in a big way

Duke coach Jon Scheyer offered a challenge to star recruit Cameron Boozer at halftime of the Blue Devils' season opener Tuesday night against Texas, bluntly telling the 6-foot-9 freshman forward phenom that he was “playing soft.” Boozer got the message — and then proceeded to take over the game. After failing to score in the first half, Boozer rallied to finish with 15 points and 13 rebounds — 10 of those after halftime — as the sixth-ranked Blue Devils overcame a 33-32 halftime deficit to beat Texas 75-60 in the Dick Vitale Invitational at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.

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Loyer scores career-high 30 as No. 1 Purdue routs Evansville

Fletcher Loyer opened his final college season by scoring a career high 30 points and preseason All-American Braden Smith added 11 assists as Purdue protected its first preseason No. 1 ranking with a rousing 82-51 season-opening rout over Evansville on Tuesday night. Smith scored just six points but passed former Illinois star Bruce Douglas for third on the Big Ten’s career assists list. Smith increased his total to 769, four more than Douglas.

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Christian Anderson scores 34 as No. 10 Texas Tech routs Lindenwood 98-60 in opener

Christian Anderson had career highs with 34 points and 11 assists, leading No. 10 Texas Tech to a 98-60 victory over Lindenwood on Tuesday night as the Red Raiders extended their nonconference home winning streak to 39 games. Texas Tech, which has the highest preseason ranking in school history coming off the program's third Elite Eight appearance, was without preseason Big 12 player of the year JT Toppin and LeJuan Watts, a Washington State transfer who is the preseason newcomer of the year. Toppin and Watts were listed with lower-body injuries, as were two more transfers in Josiah Moseley (Villanova) and Luke Bamgboye (Virginia Commonwealth).

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Victor Wembanyama to go Coast 2 Coast with Spurs flexed into Nov. 11 game on NBC

Victor Wembanyama is about to go Coast 2 Coast.

We've seen him do it on the court, now Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs have been flexed into NBC and Peacock’s Coast 2 Coast Tuesday NBA coverage on Nov. 11, hosting Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. This will be the first game of the nationally broadcast doubleheader at 8 p.m. ET, with the late game featuring Phoenix at Portland (8 Pacific/11 Eastern).

The Detroit at Atlanta game will no longer be televised by NBC/Peacock and will now be available on League Pass, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Wembanyama has had such a hot start to the season that he has inserted himself into the early-season MVP conversation in just his third season in a way nobody has since Derrick Rose won the award in 2011. Wemby is averaging 26.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and a league-leading 4.7 blocked shots a game, sparking the Spurs to a fast 5-1 start. Wemby is getting support from reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle — 20 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists a game — but San Antonio will be without No. 2 pick Dylan Harper, who is out with a strained calf.

This will be the first-ever Grizzlies game on NBC. The last time the Spurs played on NBC was Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Semifinals on May 12, 2002, where they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, 87-85, a game where Hall of Famers Tim Duncan and Tony Parker led the team in scoring.

How to Watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones. Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

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Victor Wembanyama to go Coast 2 Coast with Spurs flexed into Nov. 18 game on NBC

Victor Wembanyama is about to go Coast 2 Coast.

We've seen him do it on the court, now Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs have been flexed into NBC and Peacock’s Coast 2 Coast Tuesday NBA coverage on Nov. 18, hosting Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. This will be the first game of the nationally broadcast doubleheader at 8 p.m. ET, with the late game featuring Phoenix at Portland (8 Pacific/11 Eastern).

The Detroit at Atlanta game will no longer be televised by NBC/Peacock and will now be available on League Pass, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Wembanyama has had such a hot start to the season that he has inserted himself into the early-season MVP conversation in just his third season in a way nobody has since Derrick Rose won the award in 2011. Wemby is averaging 26.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and a league-leading 4.7 blocked shots a game, sparking the Spurs to a fast 5-1 start. Wemby is getting support from reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle — 20 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists a game — but San Antonio will be without No. 2 pick Dylan Harper, who is out with a strained calf.

This will be the first-ever Grizzlies game on NBC. The last time the Spurs played on NBC was Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Semifinals on May 12, 2002, where they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, 87-85, a game where Hall of Famers Tim Duncan and Tony Parker led the team in scoring.

How to Watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones. Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

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No. 9 Kentucky controls the second half to beat Nicholls 77-51 in season opener

Collin Chandler scored a career-high 15 points to lead No. 9 Kentucky to a 77-51 win over Nicholls on Tuesday night in a season opener for both teams. Otega Oweh, the preseason Southeastern Conference player of the year, scored nine of his 13 points in the second half for Kentucky. Freshman Jasper Johnson added 11 points and Florida transfer Denzel Aberdeen scored 10.

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2025-26 NBA Power Rankings: Trail Blazers, Lakers, Bucks rise, while Clippers, Warriors fall!

The NBA gave us buzzer-beaters in Week 2, more OT games, and another season where the Oklahoma City Thunder start 7-0. Only one team dropped out of my top 10 and one team entered, but there was a ton of movement! All Championship odds are courtesy of DraftKings.

Vaughn Dalzell’s Week 3 NBA Power Rankings

Oklahoma City Thunder Primary Logo
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (7-0)
NBA Finals odds: +235
Points Leader: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33.6)
Rebound Leader: Isaiah Hartentstein (11.4)
Assist Leader: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5.9)

Oklahoma City became the third team ever to start a season 7-0 after winning a championship and back-to-back seasons. Without Jalen Williams, the Thunder have not skipped a beat with wins over Houston, Indiana, Atlanta, Dallas, Sacramento, Washington, and New Orleans.

Not to discredit the Thunder's start, but only a few of those teams will be playoff squads, so we will have to see how good Oklahoma City is when opponents begin to find their rhythm. For now and the foreseeable future, the Thunder are the undisputed No. 1 team in the NBA.

Los Angeles Lakers Primary Logo
2. Los Angeles Lakers (6-2)
NBA Finals odds: +1600
Points Leader: Luka Doncic (41.3)
Rebound Leader: Luka Doncic (11.5)
Assist Leader: Austin Reaves (9.3)

The Lakers have won four consecutive games and have played pretty much nothing but expected playoff teams through eight games. Los Angeles has played Portland and Minnesota each twice (3-1), plus Golden State (0-1), Sacramento (1-0), Memphis (1-0), and Miami (1-0).

If you would have told me that Luka Doncic will miss four games and LeBron James be out for the start of the season and the Lakers would be 6-2, I wouldn't have believed you. Los Angeles ranks seventh in offensive efficiency and second in effective field goal percentage, but 18th in defensive efficiency, so the Lakers will have to clean up that end of the floor to consistently be a top-five team.

Milwaukee Bucks Primary Logo
3. Milwaukee Bucks (5-2)
NBA Finals odds: +4500
Points Leader: Giannis Antetokounmpo (34.0)
Rebound Leader: Giannis Antetokounmpo (13.3)
Assist Leader: Giannis Antetokounmpo (6.8)

Milwaukee has been one of the hottest teams to start the season after most media members wrote them off this season, including me. The Bucks have shown that Myles Turner can space the floor for Giannis Antetokounmpo then Brook Lopez could with their fourth-rated offensive efficiency through seven games.

Antetokounmpo has been on a tear and leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists. Cole Anthony and Ryan Rollins have both averaged more than five assists per game and Antetokounmpo is posting a career-high in that department, so as long as they keep up this offensive flow, Milwaukee could win the East.

Denver Nuggets Primary Logo
4. Denver Nuggets (4-2)
NBA Finals odds: +550
Points Leader: Jamal Murray (24.2)
Rebound Leader: Nikola Jokic (13.2)
Assist Leader: Nikola Jokic (11.3)

In Denver's four wins, the offense has scored 133, 127, 122, and 130 points and have the sixth-rated offensive efficiency, but in the two losses, they are ranked second behind the Bucks. That is a good sign that the offense is strong. Last season was the same case with the fourth-ranked offense in losses and top-rated offense in wins.

Denver is in the middle of a four-game home stand that was kicked off with a 130-124 win over Sacramento. The Nuggets host the Heat, Warriors, and Pacers this week — all rank in the top-half of the league in defensive efficiency, so Denver will be put to the test.

New York Knicks Primary Logo
5. New York Knicks (4-3)
NBA Finals odds: +1300
Points Leader: Jalen Brunson (29.0)
Rebound Leader: Karl-Anthony Towns (13.1)
Assist Leader: Jalen Brunson (5.6)

After suffering a three-game losing streak on the road to the Heat, Bucks, and Bulls — the Knicks bounced back with two dominant home victories versus the Bulls and Wizards by 12 and 17 points. New York has five straight home games on deck as apart of this seven-game home stand.

New York takes on Minnesota, Brooklyn, Memphis, Orlando, and Miami as the final five games of the home stand. That's a schedule that could certainly move the Knicks up. I could see them go 5-2 or better during the seven-game home stand that already started 2-0.

Cleveland Cavaliers Primary Logo
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (4-3)
NBA Finals odds: +700
Points Leader: Donovan Mitchell (29.5)
Rebound Leader: Evan Mobley (8.9)
Assist Leader: Lonzo Ball (5.3)

Cleveland has struggled offensively despite averaging 114.1 points per game (23rd). The Cavs come in at 26th in offensive efficacy, ahead of only the Pelicans, Pacers, Wizards, and Mavericks.

Most of that is due to bench scoring. Cleveland is second-worst in that category as they didn't improve this offseason. The only addition was Lonzo Ball, who leads the team in assists per game (5.3). Defensively though, Cleveland ranks sixth in defensive efficiency to start the season, so that's been the Cavs bread and butter.

Golden State Warriors Primary Logo
7. Golden State Warriors (4-3)
NBA Finals odds: +1300
Points Leader: Steph Curry (26.6)
Rebound Leader: Jonathan Kuminga (7.1)
Assist Leader: Draymond Green (6.1)

Golden State dropped two consecutive games, so they have to drop back on my list. Milwaukee and Indiana slowed the Warriors roll as the Bucks were without Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Pacers riding a five-game losing streak. Not exactly quality losses.

Al Horford has missed two games for Golden State, Jimmy Butler is on the latest injury report, and De'Anthony Melton is still out. The last thing the Warriors can afford is injuries early in the season. Golden State is the second-oldest team in the NBA (27.53).

Portland Trail Blazers Primary Logo
8. Portland Trail Blazers (4-3)
NBA Finals odds: +40000
Points Leader: Deni Avidja (24.1)
Rebound Leader: Donovan Clingan (9.1)
Assist Leader: Jrue Holiday (8.3)

There is a youth movement going on in Portland and unlike Charlotte, Brooklyn, Washington, or any of those other youthful, lively and vibrant teams — Portland is winning. Eight out of 15 Trail Blazers are 25-years-old or younger, but they come in at 17th for average age. If you take a closer look at the rotation, only Jrue Holiday, Robert Williams, and Jerami Grant are veterans. There will be growing pains, but I see the vision in Portland.

San Antonio Spurs Primary Logo
9. San Antonio Spurs (5-1)
NBA Finals odds: +4000
Points Leader: Victor Wembanyama (26.7)
Rebound Leader: Victor Wembanyama (13.7)
Assist Leader: Stephon Castle (5.3)

I might be crazy having San Antonio this high, but the Spurs are hot! The Spurs opened the season at 5-0 for the first time in franchise history, which blew my mind. San Antonio did have that streak snapped against the Suns and while the stretch has been awesome to witness, the competition has been lackluster to say the least.

The five teams that San Antonio beat, Dallas, New Orleans, Brooklyn, Toronto, and Miami are a combined 12-25 to start the season. Half the league could go at least 4-1 to start the season with that schedule, so I will hold the horses at little longer.

Philadelphia 76ers Primary Logo
10. Philadelphia 76ers (5-1)
NBA Finals odds: +2500
Points Leader: Tyrese Maxey (33.7)
Rebound Leader: Andre Drummond (6.7)
Assist Leader: Tyrese Maxey (9.0)

Philadelphia was one of the biggest surprises to start the season at 5-0 before dropping their first game to Boston in the second meeting between them this year. The 76ers bounced back with a win to move to 5-1, tying the Bulls for the second-best record in the NBA, who are next on the schedule.

If Chicago wins, then I probably should have had the Bulls here, but if the 76ers win, then I guess I got this right. For me, it's simple that a mixture of Tyrese Maxey,Joel Embiid, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe are enough most nights over Chicago and a good amount of teams in the NBA.

Out of the Top 10

Los Angeles Clippers Primary Logo
Los Angeles Clippers (3-3)
NBA Finals odds: +3000
Points Leader: Kawhi Leonard (23.8)
Rebound Leader: Ivica Zubac (8.6)
Assist Leader: James Harden (9.2)

The start to the Clippers season is not turning out as expected with a 3-3 record through six games and a date versus the Thunder on Peacock next. Kawhi Leonard and Bradley Beal were both ruled out in the second night of a back-to-back for that meeting with Oklahoma City, so it's clear Los Angeles will be managing both players all season long for a playoff run.

The Clippers narrowly escaped New Orleans (0-6) in their last win, and lost to Miami by one point in their previous game, so this squad is trending down.

New to the Top 10:

Portland Trail Blazers Primary Logo
Portland Trail Blazers (4-3)
NBA Finals odds: +40000
Points Leader: Deni Avidja (24.1)
Rebound Leader: Donovan Clingan (9.1)
Assist Leader: Jrue Holiday (8.3)

The Trail Blazers have beaten the Warriors, Lakers, Jazz, and Nuggets this season and lost to the Clippers, Lakers, and Timberwolves — so that's five potential playoff teams in seven games. Portland has proved they are ready to make a jump and be a sleeper to make the play-in tournament this year in a crowed West.

How to Watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones. Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.