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Adam King discusses what to do with several NBA players in Fantasy Basketball Leagues this week. (December 1)
G'day RotoBallers! Trading and fantasy basketball go hand in hand. So many players. So many teams. So many weeks. Whether getting the upper hand on your mate, leaning into a punting strategy, or simply planning for the future, trading can have more than one winner.
However, executing a trade can be harder said than done. Not all managers love the idea of a trade, especially if they believe they will be the attempted target of a fantasy heist. Ensure you know your league and who might be willing to consider a player swap. While the option does exist, I recommend not having a league veto system. Ensure your commissioner is knowledgeable and transparent, and allow them to dictate trade decisions.
With all that out of the way, here are our current sell-high and buy-low candidates as you prepare for Week 7 of the fantasy basketball season.
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OG Anunoby - F, Toronto Raptors
Baller Move: Buy Low
First things first. Anunoby has been terrible to begin the season. After nearly six weeks of action, he sits outside the top 100 in standard leagues, averaging 14.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.6 three-pointers. His efficiency from the field has been fine (47.5 percent), but at the line, it's a different story (58.6 percent). Over the past two weeks, he has fallen even further down the ranks, delivering borderline top-150 value.
The Raptors, as a whole, are in a lot of trouble given the vibes coming out of Toronto. Anunoby is certainly not alone when it comes to mediocre production. However, that doesn't make it any easier for anyone rostering him. With a 9-and-10 record, they are currently out of the play-in picture, and honestly, that record is flattering given their struggles.
Thankfully, there are a couple of areas that Anunoby should be able to improve based on what we have seen from him throughout his career. He has averaged at least 1.5 steals per game in each of the past four seasons, indicating that he should get things figured out on the defensive end. He has shot at least 75.0 percent from the charity stripe in three straight campaigns, indicating this could simply be a confidence issue. Managers are fed up with his underwhelming play thus far, meaning now is the time to strike. If you could secure him for any top 70 player, I'd probably consider it.
Tobias Harris, F, Philadelphia 76ers
Baller Move: Buy Low
Much like last season, Harris started on fire, putting up top-30 value for the first few weeks. Although he is still inside the top 60 in standard formats, he is outside the top 120 over the past two weeks. His production has fallen across the board, frustrating managers who for a moment, thought they had secured an amazing value pick in drafts.
Efficiency has been the catalyst for his decline, causing his points and threes to fall. With that said, he is still contributing across all major categories, outside of blocks of course. Now aged 31, he is past the prime of his career, something that will put doubt in the minds of anyone rostering him.
However, his basketball IQ is very high, making him a key piece for the 76ers. While he no longer can provide superstar-level production, his importance to this team cannot be understated. Despite the loss of James Harden, it does appear as though Philadelphia are going to make some noise this season. To do that, they need Harris to be playing at his best. And that is music to the ears of fantasy managers. If you suspect his manager might be getting a little frustrated, it might be worth throwing a top-100 player out in a trade.
Michael Porter Jr., F, Denver Nuggets
Baller Move: Sell High
Coming off his first 30-point outing of the season, Porter continues to put together a strong start to this, his fifth campaign. With averages of 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.2 three-pointers, Porter has taken advantage of the fact Jamal Murray has missed significant time with a hamstring injury.
After a total of three games with double-digit rebounds during the 2022-23 season, he already has seven such games across the first six weeks this season. While nothing he is doing feels wildly unsustainable, the threat of injury looms large when it comes to projecting what Porter might be doing come March.
Murray returned in the last game and while he was limited, he looked fully healthy and ready to roll. Porter's role is not going to change despite the return of Murray, although he does slide down to become the third option on offense behind Murray and Nikola Jokic. There is a chance he ends the season inside the top 60, at least on a per-game basis. However, if you are concerned about his long-term health, it might be worth trying to shop him around for a more proven alternative.
Jusuf Nurkic, C, Phoenix Suns
Baller Move: Sell High
After being traded to Phoenix in the offseason, Nurkic has had some ups and downs to begin the season. His scoring typically fluctuates from one game to the next, as does his rebounding. However, his assist numbers have been fantastic, as have his defensive contributions. He is the 30th-ranked player in nine-category leagues over the past two weeks, averaging 13.3 points and 10.0 rebounds, adding 3.1 assists and 2.9 combined steals and blocks.
For the season he is averaging 4.0 assists per game, his highest total since he averaged 4.2 across eight games during the 2019-20 season. He is also averaging 2.5 combined steals and blocks, a number that would be a career-high, outside of his eight-game season.
After failing to play more than 56 games in each of the past four years, managers are right to be skeptical when it comes to his health. If you are one of those people, now is the time to try and make a swap. Given what he has been able to do on both ends of the floor, and the fact he does not require usage to put up fantasy value, I'd be looking for a top-60 player in return. If no one seems interested, you simply hold him and cross your fingers that he can stay on the floor.
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