RADIO
Adam King discusses what to do with several NBA players in Fantasy Basketball Leagues this week. (December 15)
G'day RotoBallers! After a two-game week, we return to normal with a loaded slate over the next seven days. As we start to think about the fantasy playoffs, now is the time to start looking at your strengths and weaknesses. Trading players is a great way to lean into what your team is good at, affording both managers a chance to walk away feeling validated.
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 8 of the fantasy basketball season.
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Jaren Jackson Jr., F - Memphis Grizzlies
Baller Move: Sell High
After a rough start to the season, Jackson has been on fire over the past two weeks, averaging 28.5 points per game, adding 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 three-pointers, and 3.0 combined blocks and steals. He has back-to-back games of at least 40 points, shooting at least 50 percent from the field in five consecutive outings. While this hasn't necessarily resulted in team success, it has been a welcome sight for managers after having endured an underwhelming few weeks. Now, of course, scoring like this is not sustainable. This would be true in any situation but with both Ja Morant and Marcus Smart on the verge of returning, it's even more relevant.
If we project forward two weeks, we could see Jackson sliding back into his role from last season. This could see his offensive output scale back, closer to 20.0 points per game. With that said, it should afford him more time to focus on his defensive production. Although his 3.0 defensive stats over the past two weeks are more than adequate, he is still only blocking 1.8 shots per game across the season.
There is certainly a world in which he gets back to 2.4 blocks per game, buoying his overall fantasy value. Taking all of that into account now is a great time to consider selling Jackson. If anyone gives you a first-round player in return, get on it quickly. He was the 16th-ranked player last season but as we know, his value was heavily reliant on blocks. With a lot more elite shot-blockers this season, he is unlikely to be a second-round player come April.
Terry Rozier, G - Charlotte Hornets
Baller Move: Sell High
If ever there was a time to sell Rozier, now is it. Over the past two weeks, he has been the seventh-ranked player in standard nine-category leagues, averaging 26.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 9.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 3.8 three-pointers. Another ankle injury to LaMelo Ball has presented Rozier with a golden opportunity and thus far, he is making the most of it. We saw this very situation last season with the primary difference being that he is shooting the ball at 50 percent from the floor as opposed to 41.5 percent. He is going to continue handling the ball a ton, at least until we get word that Ball is ready to return.
Once that happens, Rozier will go back to playing second fiddle behind Ball, limiting his overall upside. With no indication that Ball is close to getting back out there, managers have a bit of time on their hands. However, history would tell us that Rozier's efficiency could regress at any moment, meaning the sell-high window could slam shut.
If you are prepared to risk losing his production for a span, it might be worth your while to at least investigate whether someone in your league is seeking a short-term plug-and-play. If you could secure a top-30 player in return, it makes sense. If the best you can manage is a top-50 asset, holding on and enjoying the ride seems like a viable strategy.
Devin Vassell, G - San Antonio Spurs
Baller Move: Buy Low
Vassell came into the season with some lofty expectations despite the fact the team is entering a rebuild. Many saw him as a potential top-50 candidate, playing alongside a generational talent like Victor Wembanyama. Safe to say at this point it's been an underwhelming season. Averaging 17.6 points per game to go with 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.5 three-pointers, Vassell currently sits outside the top 100 in standard leagues.
Over the past two weeks, his production has fallen even further, a worrying sign for managers. He has shot under 34 percent from the field in three straight games, scoring 11, 14, and 13 points respectively. With very little to show on the defensive end, anyone rostering him is right to be a little concerned.
However, if we focus on the positives, he has played at least 30 minutes in four straight games, something he had not done all season before this recent stretch. He has at least four assists in three of the past seven games, perhaps an indication that the coaching staff is making a concerted effort to get the ball in hands a little more.
The Spurs are likely to struggle for wins all season but they are almost certainly looking to make improvements on what they have put up over the past five weeks, having lost 18 consecutive games. To do that, they are going to need Vassell to turn things around. If you get a sense that his manager is tired of the inconsistent production, it wouldn't hurt to throw out a top-80 player as a replacement.
Jalen Green, G - Houston Rockets
Baller Move: Buy Low
Barely inside the top 300 over the past two weeks, Green has been arguably the most disappointing player on the Houston roster this season. Coming into the 2023-24 campaign, he was seen as someone who despite a limited skill set, would still be a fantasy-relevant player. While that thought process likely hasn't changed, he is making it very hard to proclaim him a must-roster player.
If we look at his numbers over the past two weeks, efficiency is the obvious flaw. Shooting 33.3 percent from the floor just isn't going to get it done. The Rockets are a much-improved team this season, meaning they are no longer leaving Green on the floor when the situation calls for a more well-rounded and consistent option.
Saying all of that, if the Rockets hope to make any real noise this season, they are going to need Green to be more of a reliable scoring threat. A lack of defensive production coupled with little in the way of peripheral numbers means he is never going to be anything more than a top-130 player when looking at pure rankings.
However, he should be able to get back to putting up closer to 20.0 points per night with 2.5 triples, enough for him to be rostered everywhere. If you are looking for some scoring punch off your bench and your position in the standings allows you to take some risk, throw out one of your worst players in a trade offer, and see if his manager takes the bait.
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