Fantasy Basketball Buy, Sell, or Hold: Russell Westbrook, Derrick White, and Aaron Gordon

February 20, 2023

Aaron Phung looks at Russell Westbrook, Derrick White, and Aaron Gordon to determine if they are buy, sell, or hold candidates going forward in fantasy basketball.

Trading in fantasy basketball can help you improve your team in the short, as well as in the long term. More than that, it's just plain fun. Negotiating with your mate, going back and forth with offers, and hopefully, reaching a mutually beneficial agreement in the end.

It's not always easy to find the right deal that both parties could agree upon, so using the current form to your advantage could be helpful for you to get a deal done, and perhaps even get the most out of it.

Here are our current Sell High and Buy Low candidates for the NBA season, right here at RotoBaller.

Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook’s current situation is confusing, to say the least. After a rough 1.5 years with the Lakers, he has been traded to the Utah Jazz. However, there is no guarantee that he will play again this season. In fact, the most likely scenario is that he gets bought out, making him eligible to sign with any team willing to pay him. 

So, the biggest question about the point guard from a fantasy perspective is: Will he be able to return to the court this year? Considering that he has still put up respectable stats on the Lakers as a sixth man behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, teams will certainly have some interest in bringing him to their squad. This past year, he still averaged 15.9 PTS, 7.5 AST, and 6.2 REB. And although his efficiency is low, the experience and skills he brings justify him being on an NBA roster.

However, many fantasy managers still doubt him. Even if he gets on a roster, would he get substantial playing time? It’s hard to tell, but we can make some projections based on the teams interested in him. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, he’s been in contact with the Bulls, Clippers, Wizards, and Heat in regards to playing with them after a possible buyout.

These possible destinations are very similar, as they will make Westbrook a third or fourth option on offense. However, they are all lacking in the point guard position, which is a good sign because Westbrook will not have to compete with another player for a role on the team, and he will most likely be a solidified starter. Don’t expect his usage to rise back to his days on the Rockets or Thunder, though.

Even though Russell Westbrook’s future is uncertain, I would buy low for him. Many managers are likely doubtful about whether he will even step on the court again this year and may want to give him away. This is a perfect chance to get your hands on a guard who can still put up good production if he’s in the right system.

Baller Move: Buy Low/ Hold

Derrick White

Derrick White has been on a tear as of late. Over his past seven games, he has been averaging 22.1 PTS and 7.0 AST. This hot streak has come out of nowhere, as his season averages are 11.8 PTS and 3.9 AST. His increased production is most likely due to Marcus Smart’s absence. Throughout the season, he’s only been playing 27.7 MIN, but while Smart was sidelined, he averaged 35.2 MIN. As a result, his usage has also gone up.

While White has had an amazing run, it appears that it will come to an end soon. Smart returned to the lineup in the Celtics’ last game before the All-Star break, and in that game, White only scored 11 points and dished out six assists. He did record two steals and one block, but that is a very rare occurrence. These stats are a significant dip from his averages over his past seven games, and it should be no surprise if this pattern continues after the break. 

White’s situation makes him a definite sell-high. If there are managers in your league who are unaware of Smart’s return, offer them a deal with Derrick White. You will most likely be able to get a higher-value fantasy asset in return.

Baller Move: Sell High

Aaron Gordon

Aaron Gordon has been an integral piece of the Nuggets' roster this year. He needed some time adjusting to the new system after being traded from the Orlando Magic in the 2020-2021 season, but this year, he’s putting up near career highs in all aspects of scoring. The Nuggets' offense, led by a great passer in Nikola Jokic, has made scoring a much easier job for Gordon. This year, he’s been averaging 17.3 PTS, his second-highest scoring average since 2018, on an incredible 58.7 FG% and 39.7 3PT%. Just for reference, Gordon’s highest shooting percentages prior to this year were 52.0 FG% and 34.9 3PT%. 

In the final stretch before the All-Star Game, Gordon has taken his scoring to another level. Even though he’s missed five of his past 11 games, his stats have all shot up during that time, boasting an impressive 22.5 PTS on 64.3 FG%. His peripheral stats have also improved. He’s grabbing an average of 7.8 REB (season average of 6.9) and dishing out 4.7 AST (season average of 2.9 AST) over this period of time. 

Part of the reason for Gordon’s stellar play as of late could be attributed to Jamal Murray’s absence due to right knee soreness. In the two games that Gordon played while Murray has been out, he scored an average of 30.5 PTS on 72.0 FG%. So while Murray remains out, Gordon should continue his increased scoring, although his efficiency will definitely drop. For Gordon's fantasy owners, though, it's worth noting Murray’s injury does not seem serious, as it is reported as a “sore knee," and he may return as soon as the first game after the All-Star break. 

Provided all this information, you should try to sell high on Aaron Gordon before the end of the All-Star break. He will still be a great source of points and rebounds even after Murray returns, but there are players of higher value you can try to gain while Gordon is on a hot streak.

Baller Move: Sell High