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Buy, Sell or Hold: Nikola Jokic and Zach LaVine?

In addition to strategy on draft day, good eye for hidden talent and a little bit of luck a good basketball owner uses trends, slumps and surges to try and maximize his roster's potential. Offering a surging player with lower fantasy value for a slumping one with a higher ceiling at just the right time could prove vital, once their current form changes tides.

This week we will be talking about one of my favorite players in the NBA (that's no surprise since we come from the same little country) and an up-and-coming young player currently feeling under the weather. Below are my Week 13 fantasy basketball buy low and sell high candidates.

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Buy Low, Sell High Advice for Week 13

Are You for Real, Nikola Jokic?

First of all, let me kick this one off by saying how much I like Nikola Jokic. He comes from a small town of Sombor in Serbia. That's about 50 miles from my own small home town of Subotica. His rise to basketball greats came as fast as a fat kid at a cake buffet. As a matter of fact, a couple of years ago, believe it or not, Nikola might just have been that kid. His professional career started only a few years ago, in the season of 2012-2013, and he spent most of that season playing for the junior team. And today, four years later, we might be talking about a future NBA Hall-of-famer. But let's take it one step at a time, just like Jokic is.

To start the season off, Jokic wasn't in an ideal spot, fighting for minutes against his frontcourt teammates Kenneth Faried and Jusuf Nurkic. And for the first month or so not everything was coming up roses. In the first 15 games of the season Jokic had averaged 8.8 PTS with 0.3 3PM on 50.5 FG% and 74.1 FT%, 6.0 REB, 2.6 AST, 0.8 STL, 0.5 BLK and 1.3 TO in just 23 minutes a night. Not really worth his average pick of 32.8 in Yahoo leagues, is it?

But since then, a lot has changed. When I look at the current rank for the last 14 days on a per game average, Jokic comes up at the top of my list. That is in a Yahoo 10-cat head-2-head league which counts double-doubles as the 10th category though. Furthermore, Jokic did only play in four games in that time, so it's not a huge reference sample. But to hell with that, my bro is killing it!!!

Just take a look at the averages in those four games. Jokic scored 29.0 points with 1.5 threes on 61.3 FG% and 81.8 FT%, grabbed 12.0 boards, dished out 4.3 dimes, stole the ball 1.0 times, blocked 1.5 shots and turned the ball over 2.5 times in 34 minutes per outing while getting a double-double in all four of those games. those are some insane numbers. And he's turning 22 in a month.

Jokic is a hit currently in media and internet circles that follow the NBA, and deservedly so with his great overall game. But the focal point of the interest he is attracting lies in his unique vision and passing ability. He sure has picked some tricks up from his national team buddy and captain Milos Teodosic. If you're not familiar with this master of assists from Europe, you should type his name into YouTube. I promise you won't regret it.

To sum it up, in Jokic we have a smart, young player with great and efficient shooting, wonderful vision and passing skill. Moreover he is a great rebounder who does his part on the defensive end too. He is  well-rounded and contributes in every category without hurting his owners anywhere. In other words, fantasy gold. And with the way he has been developing in the past few years it's quite possible for him to become even better.

So why would you be looking to sell Nikola? Well if you're in a dynasty league, DON'T! His potential is just too great. But if you're not then you could consider it, for the right price. Don't get me wrong, I love this guy and I don't think his performance will take a significant hit at any time during this season. Especially if Faried or Nurkic get moved as is rumored, which would mean less competition and might open up even more minutes for Jokic.

The thing is, I just don't see him being the number one fantasy player just yet. A few years from now maybe. I certainly hope so! But right now is a bit too early. So if you can get a proven top-10 player in return you wouldn't be crazy to swap him. I doubt you can get James Harden, Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook, and depending on your team's strategy, you might not be looking to add any of them anyways. But if I could get for example Karl-Anthony Towns in return I would be tempted to part with one of the most talented players my country has seen. And it has seen some great talent.

Baller Move: Sell high

 

Time to Panic on Zach LaVine?

A big part of Zach LaVine's fantasy value has been in his efficiency. But he has been struggling lately with his shot. In his previous six games for the Timberwolves he has hit just 37.7% of his field goals. And even though he hasn't missed a free throw on 0.8 attempts per game some of his other averages are down as well. He is only scoring 12.5 points with 2.0 threes, 2.8 assists, 0.7 steals and no blocks in that period. His 5.8 rebounds and 0.8 turnovers in 35 minutes per game do salvage his value a bit, but he is still way off his seasonal averages in points (19.8), threes (2.8) and FG% (46.4%).

Now LaVine did suffer a hip injury in the middle of this six game slump and that might have slowed him down a bit too. And even though this is only his third season in the NBA, he is still a 44.6% career field goal shooter so that has got to improve soon.

Furthermore, it's rumored that Minnesota is looking to move Ricky Rubio and give more room to the rookie Kris Dunn. If that were to happen, it would probably mean that the ball will be in Zach's hands more and he would take on even more responsibility on the offensive end. His efficiency might take a bit of a hit (but not really 37.7 FG%) but his counting stats should be on the rise, especially the assists.

So if you're in the market for a three-point shooting PG/SG LaVine should be on your radar. He is around top-60 on the season and is well outside of top-100 in the past 14 days so you should be looking to offer someone in the top-75 to top-100 range for LaVine, not to overpay, but not to seem too cocky either. Someone like Lou Williams or Ersan Ilyasova could do the trick in an ideal scenario, but Eric Gordon or Danilo Gallinari would be a bit more realistic.

Baller Move: Hold or buy low




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jared McCain

Moves into Starting Five
Boston Celtics

Joe Mazzulla Wins Coach of the Year
Jalen Williams

is Ruled Out for Game 5 on Tuesday
Bucky Irving

is Expected to be Ready for Training Camp
Zion Williamson

to See More Versatile Role
Parker Washington

Jaguars Think Parker Washington Can Replicate Second-Half Production
Cleveland Cavaliers

Kenny Atkinson to Remain Cavaliers Head Coach Next Season
Josh Jacobs

Arrested on Five Charges, Booked Into Jail
Claude Giroux

Planning to Return for 20th NHL Campaign
Josh Sweat

Cardinals Receiving Trade Calls on Josh Sweat
Carter Hart

Aiming for Sixth Consecutive Win Tuesday
Tetairoa McMillan

Working With the Training Staff on Tuesday
Evgeni Malkin

Inks New One-Year Deal With Penguins
Mackenzie Blackwood

in Net for Game 4 Against Golden Knights
Valeri Nichushkin

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Nathan MacKinnon

Will Suit Up Tuesday
Jerome Ford

Is it Time for Dynasty Managers to Drop Jerome Ford?
John Metchie III

Poised for Breakout Season with New Team in 2026?
Jalen Milroe

Is Jalen Milroe Still Worth Stashing in Dynasty Formats Entering 2026?
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Is Kyle Pitts Sr. a Dynasty Sell-High Candidate Coming Off Breakout Season?
Nico Collins

Agrees to Contract Adjustment with Texans
Chris Brooks

Carries Buy-Low Dynasty Appeal into 2026
Ben Griffin

Looking to Repeat This Week at Colonial
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Player to Avoid at Charles Schwab Challenge
Hideki Matsuyama

Needs Solid Driving Week at Charles Schwab Challenge
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of Charles Schwab Challenge
Akshay Bhatia

Lacking Driving Prowess Needed at Colonial Country Club
NFL

NFL Unlikely to Expand to 18 Regular-Season Games by 2027
Sahith Theegala

Searching For Swing at Charles Schwab Challenge
Lamar Jackson

in Attendance at OTAs This Week
Bucky Irving

Expected Back in the Summer or Fall
CFB

DJ Lagway Looking to Rebound at Baylor
CFB

Josh Hoover Tasked With Leading Indiana Back to the Playoffs
CFB

Braylon Staley the Next 1,000-Yard Tennessee Receiver?
Jalen Tolbert

Does Jalen Tolbert Have Short-Term Dynasty Appeal?
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Return Timeline Remains Unclear
Travis Etienne Jr.

Is Travis Etienne Jr. Still a Dynasty RB1 Following Change of Scenery?
Breece Hall

Extension Solidifies His Dynasty Outlook
Devin Singletary

Faces a Difficult Path to Relevance
Jordan Whittington

Does Jordan Whittington Have Any Dynasty Value Left?
Caleb Williams

Bears Want Caleb Williams to "Do Less"
Xavier Worthy

Has Xavier Worthy Become a Post-Hype Dynasty Sleeper?
Evan Mobley

Finishes Season-Ending Loss With 15 Points
James Harden

Wants to Stay in Cleveland
Donovan Mitchell

Remains Committed to Cavaliers
Mikal Bridges

Cools Off in Game 4 Against Cavaliers
OG Anunoby

Active on Both Ends in Blowout Win
Karl-Anthony Towns

Leads Knicks in Scoring During Series-Clincher
Jalen Brunson

Named Eastern Conference Finals MVP
Ivan Demidov

Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort
Lane Hutson

Records Power-Play Goal in Game 3 Loss
Frederik Andersen

Enjoys Another Easy Night at the Office in Game 3
Shayne Gostisbehere

Scores First Postseason Goal
Taylor Hall

Ends Four-Game Goal Drought
Andrei Svechnikov

Scores Game 3 Winner in Overtime
Gage Jump

Athletics to Promote Top Pitching Prospect Gage Jump to Major Leagues
Tatsuya Imai

Two Relievers Combine to No-Hit the Rangers on Monday
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder is Ruled Out for Game 4 on Monday
Michael Porter Jr.

Nets Could Trade Michael Porter Jr.
Ajay Mitchell

is Ruled Out for Game 5
Jalen Williams

is Tagged as Questionable for Game 5
Valeri Nichushkin

Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin Uncertain for Game 4
Oliver Kapanen

Sitting as Healthy Scratch Monday
Max Domi

Out Indefinitely Due to Offseason Surgery Complications
Dylan Cease

Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Daniel Suarez

Wins at Charlotte in Rain-Shortened Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Finishes as the Runner-Up in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte
Denny Hamlin

Falls Short of Winning and Places Third at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

Places Fourth After Leading Laps at Charlotte
Kyle Larson

Strong and Consistent Day Ends in Fifth at Charlotte
Devon Toews

Logs Two Assists In Game 3 Defeat
Brett Howden

Nets 10th Postseason Goal
Mitchell Marner

Delivers Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Mark Stone

Returns With Multi-Point Effort
Valeri Nichushkin

Exits Early Sunday
Nathan MacKinnon

Hurt in Game 3 Loss
Isaiah Hartenstein

Provides Steady Production in Defeat
Chet Holmgren

Has a Quiet Offensive Night on Sunday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Held Under 20 Points in Game 4
Stephon Castle

Hands Out Six Assists in Game 4 Win
Devin Vassell

Tallies 13 Points in Game 4 Win
Dylan Cease

Removed From Sunday's Start With Hamstring Discomfort
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Exits Sunday's Game Early with Elbow Contusion
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Sunday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Place Edward Cabrera on the 15-Day Injured List
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Win at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

on Pole for Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Could Break Out of Slump
Kyle Larson

May have A Solid Day at Charlotte
Ryan Blaney

Is A DFS Risk for Charlotte Lineups
William Byron

Could have A Great DFS Performance at Charlotte
Chase Briscoe

Is A Solid Tournament Option for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Ty Gibbs

May not be Worth his Salary for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Chris Buescher

May be a Sneaky Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Has Favorable Upside for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Ross Chastain

Is A Strong Addition for DFS Lineups at Charlotte
Austin Dillon

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Austin Dillon for Charlotte DFS Lineups?
Chase Elliott

Should Be Strong at Charlotte
Carson Hocevar

Confident for Coca-Cola 600
Corey Heim

a Chalk DFS Pick at Charlotte
Michael McDowell

Is Michael McDowell A Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups?
MLB

Orioles-Tigers Game Postponed on Saturday
MLB

Rays-Yankees Postponed on Saturday
Mickey Moniak

Heads to Injured List With Ankle Sprain
Jackson Merrill

has Sore Ribs, Expected to Avoid Injured List
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Looking to Take Sophomore Leap
CFB

Jadan Baugh Primed to Lead Florida Offense in 2026
CFB

LSU Hires Ed Orgeron As Special Assistant
CFB

North Carolina and South Carolina Cancel Home-And-Home Series
CFB

Confidence High in Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Friday
Trevor Story

has Hernia Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-10 Weeks
Roman Anthony

Dealing With Sprained Ligament in his Finger
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Robby Snelling

Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF