Fantasy Basketball Buy or Sell: Friday, November 22

November 22, 2024

Alex Burns discusses his favorite fantasy basketball players to buy low, sell high, and hold after a handful of games in the 2024-25 season. (November 22)

It’s Friday, and you know what that means: another edition of Buy, Sell, or Hold!

Yes, we’re far enough into the season to start forming some opinions -- but don’t get too comfortable! It’s still early, and the fantasy landscape can flip instantly. Just because Player A is off to a rough start doesn’t mean they’re doomed, and Player B lighting it up might just be riding an unsustainable wave.

In this weekly piece, I will mention a handful of guys I believe fit the following criteria: sell high, buy low, or hold. This list will be rooted in data and context, as opposed to emotional tilts or excitement over individual performances. So, let’s dive in -- this is where the real magic happens!

Tyrese Maxey, G - Philadelphia 76ers

Baller Move: Buy Low

If you used one of your first three picks on Tyrese Maxey this season, chances are you’re feeling underwhelmed. While his injury is out of his control, his inefficiency on the court before getting hurt didn’t help matters.

His return on Wednesday didn’t inspire much confidence, either, as he logged just eight points in 19 minutes. But here’s the kicker: just as Maxey made his comeback, Paul George went down with a bone bruise in the same knee he hyperextended during the preseason.

George is already ruled out for at least two games and will be reevaluated on Monday, though a longer absence seems likely. Meanwhile, Maxey’s minutes are set to ramp up as he gets back into game shape, putting him in prime position to shoulder a larger offensive load for the Sixers while George is sidelined.

If the Maxey manager in your league is frustrated or panicking after his slow start, this could be your window of opportunity to buy low.

Isaiah Hartenstein, C - Oklahoma City Thunder

Baller Move: Sell High

Let’s take a moment to celebrate: Isaiah Hartenstein is officially back! In Thursday’s win over the Blazers, he put on a show, stuffing the stat sheet with 13 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks. That’s the kind of performance fantasy managers dream of, and it’s a reminder of what Hartenstein can do when he has the paint to himself -- something he’ll enjoy for the foreseeable future with Chet Holmgren sidelined.

However, right now, Hartenstein’s fantasy value is likely at an all-time high. The buzz surrounding his return and the opportunity in front of him has probably inflated his perceived worth in some leagues. While he’s capable of delivering top 50 numbers as long as he’s healthy, this might be the perfect moment to sell high.

Consider packaging Hartenstein with another solid player and aiming for someone with a top-25 upside. Remember, Holmgren will eventually return, and when he does, Hartenstein’s value could take a slight hit.

Gradey Dick, F - Toronto Raptors

Baller Move: Sell High 

Gradey Dick has been a pleasant surprise to start the season, enjoying heavy minutes and plenty of offensive freedom alongside RJ Barrett. The early returns have been solid, with Dick showcasing his scoring prowess and earning fantasy relevance. However, his days as a top option in Toronto might be numbered.

Scottie Barnes returned to the lineup on Thursday, and Immanuel Quickley is expected back soon as well. Once the Raptors return to full strength, Dick could quickly slide down the pecking order, potentially becoming the fourth option on offense. That’s a tough spot for a player whose fantasy value leans heavily on volume scoring. Without significant usage, Dick’s game isn’t well-rounded enough to maintain standard-league value.

If I roster Dick in a category league, I’d be looking to sell high at the next opportunity. Use his early season spike as leverage to trade for a player with a more reliable rest-of-season outlook. When Toronto is healthy, there’s a very real chance Dick becomes droppable in standard formats.

De'Aaron Fox, G - Sacramento Kings

Baller Move: Sell High

Fox has been unstoppable lately, averaging a jaw-dropping 41.5 points over his last four games, highlighted by a career-best 60-point eruption. The Kings have leaned heavily on him during this stretch, with Fox hoisting at least 30 shots in two of his last three outings. It’s no coincidence this spike in usage has aligned with Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan both sidelined.

However, the landscape is shifting -- DeRozan has been cleared to return on Friday, and Sacramento is inching closer to full health. While Fox is still a lock to produce top-30 numbers even with a complete roster, it’s worth exploring what his red-hot streak might fetch you on the trade market. His current production screams top-5 value, but let’s be real: it’s not sustainable at this level.

If you can flip Fox for a player with rock-solid top-10 upside, now is the time to strike.

Joel Embiid, C - Philadelphia 76ers

Baller Move: Buy Low

It feels almost blasphemous to label someone like Joel Embiid a buy-low candidate, but here we are. The reigning MVP’s fantasy value is somehow being undercut, largely due to concerns about his injury history and the ongoing narrative about his availability.

Sure, there’s some risk with load management, but let’s not forget -- we’re talking about one of the most dominant players in the league, both in real life and fantasy hoops.

When Embiid is on the court, he has a top-3 upside, period. Players with that kind of ceiling don’t grow on trees, and it’s rare to see them available for anything less than a king’s ransom. Yet, there’s chatter out there suggesting that some managers are ready to move on, frustrated by perceived risk.

Just look at the sentiment online -- some managers think Embiid isn’t even worth rostering!

I really cannot believe how many of you have been telling me Joel Embiid is unrosterable. I get it, he's going to miss back-to-backs. But we're talking about a potential top-3 per-game guy that you can probably get in a trade for a 4th rounder.#FantasyBasketball

— Dan Besbris (@DanBesbris) November 21, 2024

If you can flip someone hovering around the top 50 for Embiid, do it. Heck, even someone on the fringe of the top 30 might be worth it if you’re swinging for the fences. Players of his caliber win leagues -- don’t let the noise deter you.