RADIO
Adam King discusses what to do with several NBA players in Fantasy Basketball Leagues this week. (November 24)
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 punt 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 6 of the fantasy basketball season.
Jrue Holiday - G, Boston Celtics
Baller Move: Buy Low
Moving from Milwaukee to Boston during the offseason was always going to result in Holiday's numbers taking a hit. As expected, he quickly slid down the offensive pecking order, landing as the fourth or arguably fifth option. For this reason, many tempered their expectations coming into the season, resulting in him typically being drafted outside the top 50 in nine-category leagues.
What we didn't expect was that he would be averaging just 12.3 points per game, the fewest he has averaged since his rookie season back in 2009-10. His assist numbers are also under 5.0 per game for the first time since 2012, while his steals are below 1.0 per game for the first time in his career.
Moving forward, it's relatively safe to assume he can't get any worse. He is shooting a career-low 42.0 percent from the floor, despite the fact he is getting a lot of good looks at the basket. Given what we have seen from him throughout his career, it does feel as though he will get things turned around at some point soon.
If he can get his efficiency back up to at least 45.0 percent while increasing his defensive contributions, he should be able to flirt with top-60 value ROS. He is barely inside the top 100 at this stage, meaning the buy-low window remains firmly ajar. If you could secure him for any top 80 assets, I would make that move in a heartbeat.
Ausar Thompson - G, Detroit Pistons
Baller Move: Buy Low
After a red-hot start to his rookie campaign, Thompson has slowed of late, sitting just inside the top 150 over the past two weeks. Across the season, he is the 77th-ranked player in standard formats, averaging 11.3 points per game to go with 10.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks.
As expected, efficiency has been an issue, as has been his ability to score with any consistency. Over his past three games, Thompson has exceeded 24 minutes only once, while contributing just four combined steals and blocks. He has also failed to score double-digits in all three games, perhaps causing his managers some sleepless nights.
While his ROS outlook remains a little clouded due to the fact he has only played a handful of games in his career, his role is secure. Percentages are going to continue to be a source of frustration but should come as no surprise to anyone who drafted him.
As a player who can be a nightly double-double threat with the ability to contribute upwards of 3.0 combined steals and blocks, he should be a lock to finish inside the top 80. While he could be hard to pry away from any manager with an ounce of fantasy smarts, it doesn't hurt to at least try. If you could convince someone to give him up for a top-80 player, I would certainly consider it given his upside and clear path to minutes.
Jonas Valanciunas - C, New Orleans Pelicans
Baller Move: Sell High
Coming off his worst season in recent memory, Valanciunas was someone who was slept on in many drafts. Typically available in the ninth or even 10th rounds, he has proven to be a nice value play to this point. He currently sits as the 42nd-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 13.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.
While the points and rebounds are basically what we have come to expect from Valanciunas, production on the defensive end is not. Prior to this season, he had not averaged more than 1.1 blocks per game since the 2015-16 season. It's hard to pinpoint exactly why he has been more impactful on the defensive end, although it could simply be an outlier of sorts.
The Pelicans have already dealt with injuries to multiple players, affording Valanciunas some additional responsibility. Last season, we saw his role reduced as the coaching staff opted to go with Larry Nance Jr. alongside Zion Williamson. They also lent into a lot of small-ball lineups, relating Valanciunas to fewer than 25.0 minutes per night.
If and when his role reverts back to what it was last season, his value could subsequently take a hit. While he has been a consistent top-50 asset in the past, it's hard to see him maintaining that value, especially if the Pelicans can stay relatively healthy. If you are concerned about his long-term value, offloading him for any top-50 player would be a worthwhile strategy.
Spencer Dinwiddie - G, Brooklyn Nets
Baller Move: Sell High
Despite the fact he is barely inside the top 200 this season, Dinwiddie has been a solid contributor over the past week. During that time, he has averaged 16.0 points, adding 5.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.0 three-pointers. He is coming off his first double-double of the season, during which he put up 26 points and 12 assists.
He has scored double-digits in six consecutive games, making the most of the fact both Cam Thomas and Ben Simmons are injured. Anyone who is even remotely familiar with fantasy basketball would know that Dinwiddie can be wildly inconsistent from one game to the next, so his production thus far should come as no surprise.
For that reason, it might be tough to convince anyone of his upside. Should he string together even a couple of solid performances, managers would be advised to try and make the move. Although we have no word on when Thomas and Simmons will return, it does sound as though Thomas is at least close.
Simmons' timeline remains a mystery, which does give Dinwiddie a little wiggle room, especially when it comes to his assist numbers. If you could talk anyone into giving up a top-100 player for him, run don't walk to hit that accept button.
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