RADIO
There were 17 trades on February 8, and you can argue all of them have fantasy basketball implications.
You can't talk fantasy sports without mentioning RotoBaller, so it's only fitting we break down the NBA trade deadline.
As the league inches closer to the playoffs, the 2024 NBA trade deadline represents the final frontier for fantasy owners looking to bolster their roster before their postseason begins. To save time, we will limit our analysis to the five significant trades.
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Five Significant NBA Trade Deadline Transactions
P.J. Washington to the Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks arguably won the NBA trade deadline off activity alone. Their last official move saw two recent signings sent to the Charlotte Hornets for a young, defensively imposing forward in P.J. Washington.
The Charlotte Hornets are finalizing a trade to send F PJ Washington to the Dallas Mavericks for Grant Williams, Seth Curry and a first-round draft pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/LpaQ4HvfL2
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2024
Following weeks of rumors involving the Mavericks and Washington, Thursday's busiest General Manager, Nico Harrison, finally received his target player. Dallas traded Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and a "lightly protected"2027 first-round pick for the former Hornets forward.
Any athletic forward should have Luka Doncic on their teammate's wishlist. Doncic has one of the better eyes in the game, and if you go to the rim, he'll throw it your way. The fantasy impact is simple: Washinton's shooting efficiency stats will improve. Furthermore, Washington will see an increase in attempts at the rim, with Doncic primed to throw lasers to any player eager to make cuts toward the rim.
For the skeptics who peek at Washington's three-point shooting and instantly think he wouldn't work with Dereck Lively II, it's not as bad as you think. Although Washington is experiencing a career-low 32 percent from the three-point area, his career average is 35.9, and playing alongside Doncic will improve your three-point shooting; ask Dorian Finney-Smith.
Philadelphia 76ers Trade for Buddy Hield
The Philadelphia 76ers finally granted Furkhan Korkmaz's trade request years later. Seriously, though, Philadelphia's acquisition of Buddy Hield adds an elite three-point shooting threat. Although the 76ers technically have the better team, without Joel Embiid, the Indiana Pacers have a legitimate shot at dethroning them in the standings. Hield adds to an otherwise bottom-tier three-point shooting team, as the 76ers rank 27th in three-point shots converted, 26th in three-point attempts, and 19th in three-point shooting percentage.
get 🆙 Buddy
Buddy Hield rises up and throws down 💥 pic.twitter.com/RwSMVbZlFe
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 7, 2024
I envision Hield getting even easier looks as Tyrese Maxey leads the way while Embiid recovers from his meniscus procedure.
Oklahoma City Thunder Trade for Gordon Hayward
Finally, we can see Gordon Hayward play meaningful minutes. Although he currently doesn't have an apparent role in the Oklahoma City Thunder depth chart, the one-time All-Star will fit like a glove regardless of the lineup. Currently averaging 14.7 points on the season, Hayward provides decent fantasy production, at least when he plays. Hayward is recovering from a right calf injury, which cost him the last 17 games. Once Hayward returns, though, I expect his efficiency numbers to ascend while his counting stats descend in a smaller role for a better team.
Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks to the Big Apple
The New York Knicks, understanding their current success, doubled down by solidifying a championship-contending roster before the dust settled on Thursday's trade deadline. New York reduced two veterans, Bojan Bogdanovic and Alex Burks, from the destitute Detroit Pistons. Despite reports of Detroit seeking multiple first-round picks to net Bogdanovic, all it took was Evan Fournier's expiring contract, Malachi Flynn, prospect Quentin Grimes, Ryan Arcidiacono, two second-round picks, and cash consideration. Everything considered, I'd say the Knicks rival the Mavericks for best trade deadline haul.
However, we aren't here to grade the move, as this is a fantasy sports website, after all. As Jalen Brunson continues his All-NBA level performance and OG Anunoby recovers from elbow surgery, there is plenty of space for both veterans to produce regarding fantasy production. Both players will maximize their possessions, as the spacing will be as good as they've seen, considering they've played for a roster void of much shooting since landing in Detroit.
Dallas Mavericks Finally Nab a Starting-Quality Veteran Center
The days of Dwight Powell playing meaningful minutes in Dallas are either finished or near the end following the Mavericks' acquisition of veteran center Daniel Gafford. To his credit, Mavericks GM Harrison pulled off some creative maneuvers to acquire the coveted Gafford. To finalize the trade, Dallas traded a 2028 first-round pick swap for the Thunder's 2024 first-round pick, which Dallas then used along with Richaun Holmes to net a center worthy of bumping Dwight Powell out of the rotation.
Daniel Gafford is having a block party. pic.twitter.com/bXP0LSRkx7
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) November 11, 2023
Averaging 10.9 points, 8 rebounds, and an impressive 2.2 blocks per contest, such a stat line will work wonders for Gafford with elite point guard Luka Doncic at the helm. Without a doubt, Gafford's points will increase if he plays the alley-oop game properly, and considering the Mavericks frontcourt depth chart, there is no reason for him to dip in minutes logged. Look for Gafford to see a higher field goal percentage and an increase in free throw attempts. Considering the attention he'll get from Doncic or Kyrie Irving getting double-teamed, I envision his rostered percentage also going up.
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