Fantasy basketball values can shift quickly as the NBA season enters its most volatile stretch, the trade deadline. Identifying buy-low, sell-high and hold candidates can give fantasy managers a critical edge during the stretch run. If you're looking to climb the standings, think about making a move involving one of the players mentioned below.
Buy Low
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
It's not often that Brunson struggles to score. In two of his last four games, he has produced 13
or fewer points. Over that four-game span, he shot 37.5% from the field and 29.6% from behind
the arc. The silver lining was that he also averaged 6.0 assists during that span.
Brunson still averages 27.1 points per game for the season, while shooting 47.1% from the field
and 37.9% from deep. He has shot at least 47.0% from the field and 37.0% from three in each
of the last six seasons. This is nothing more than what should end up being a brief shooting
slump. This might be a rare opportunity to acquire Brunson at somewhat of a discount in
fantasy.
Tari Eason, Houston Rockets
Injuries have limited Eason to only 27 games this season. When he returned from his most
recent injury, he came off the bench in both of his first two games back. However, he has started
each of his last four games. He has the potential to remain in a starting role down the stretch
with Steven Adams (ankle) out for the remainder of the season.
Eason averages only 10.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 2.2 three-pointers coming off the
bench. As a starter, he averages 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 2.1 three-pointers.
The Rockets likely won't throw out as many double-big lineups anymore, which should keep
Eason locked into a starting role and playing additional minutes. Unlike Brunson, it likely wouldn't cost a ton to acquire him in a trade. Still, he comes with upside.
Sell Low
Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
Markkanen has played in four of the last five games for the Jazz. He was productive when on
the floor, averaging 22.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.0 three-
pointers. His scoring contributions could have been even better had he not shot just 42.3% from
the field. The Jazz made a big trade Tuesday, acquiring Jaren Jackson from the Grizzlies. In
a pivot for them, they gave up three first-round draft picks in the deal.
Despite Tuesday's trade, the Jazz could still be a tanking team. They are seven games back of
the 10th seed in the Western Conference and would need to pass three teams to get there. It's
unlikely they get there with only 31 games left to play. Markkanen could still get rest days down
the stretch and potentially be shut down completely as we approach April. With him at least
playing right now, it's time to trade him. Shoot for someone with a lower ceiling, but a higher floor.
Myles Turner, Milwaukee Bucks
The big news surrounding the Bucks is whether they will trade Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf). If he remains on the team through the deadline, the Bucks could then look to trade him in the offseason. Even if he remains with the Bucks, he could be sidelined into March with his current injury. Over the last four games without Giannis, Turner averaged 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 2.3 three-pointers.
If the Bucks trade Giannis, it would likely be for young players and/or draft picks to help take the
franchise into a rebuild. If he stays, the Bucks will likely continue to rack up losses without him,
putting them out of the playoff picture. Turner is stepping up his production right now, but his
role could fluctuate based on what the Bucks decide to do. It wouldn't be a bad idea to sell high on him right now for a player with a more stable outlook.
Hold
Peyton Watson, Denver Nuggets
Prior to this season, Watson had never averaged more than 24 minutes in his first three
seasons in the league. Injuries have forced the Nuggets to play him more during the current
campaign, and he has taken his fantasy value to the next level. In 31 minutes a night, he has
averaged 15.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 1.2 blocks and 1.5 three-pointers. Even with
more minutes and more shot attempts, he is having his most efficient season by shooting 50.1%
from the field and 42.5% from behind the arc.
Nikola Jokic is back from injury, but it's not all good news for the Nuggets right now. Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is out again and could be sidelined into March. That should leave Watson to
play at least 30 minutes a night regularly. This might seem like a sell-high moment for
him, but there's a clear path for him to continue with his current production.
Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
With his average of 10.7 points per game, Gobert is on pace to see his scoring average decline
for the second straight season. He has been especially disappointing in that department lately,
averaging 8.7 points over his last 12 games. It's not for a lack of efficiency, though, as he shot
61.3% from the field during that span.
While Gobert's scoring is down, he still averages 11.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks for the season.
He also shoots 70.0% from the field. He's not the player that he was in his prime, but he's still a
nightly double-double threat who can at least provide a lot of rebounds and blocks. His floor
remains high, so don't panic about his recent scoring decline and trade him at a discount.
