Fantasy basketball managers need to take a hard look at their squad this week. The stats are quickly going from a small sample size to real. That means managers have to make decisions on struggling players, what weaknesses their team has, and how to maximize their roster going forward.
A fantastic way to grab an advantage is by making trades. The old adage of buying low and selling high comes into play. Today, we will look at five players that should be moved in fantasy leagues this week.
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Buy
A look at three men that fantasy managers should go out and acquire for the remainder of the year.
Julius Randle (NYK – PF/C)
Randle was a top 40 pick in consensus ADP this season. He is in his first season with the Knicks and it is not off to a fantastic start. The minutes are up, but the field goal attempts and percentage are down. That has him averaging 16.3 points per game after netting 21.4 last season. The struggles have Randle at 138 on the FantasyPros Player Rater. Managers should not worry, though. The points are going to come back as he settles in. He should easily be an 18 and nine guy. Now is the perfect time to try to acquire Randle on the cheap. He should finish in the top 60 this season, but you should try to acquire him for any player ranked outside the top 75. His slow start will have some running away from Randle.
Lauri Markkanen (CHI – PF)
Markkanen is in his third NBA season. Some pegged the former lottery pick as a breakout candidate to begin the season. That has not happened thus far. Markkanen’s numbers are down virtually across the board including his shooting, rebounds, and points. He had an ADP of 45 to begin the year but currently ranks 95th on the Player Rater. The decrease in minutes to under 30 has been a bit concerning. There is no reason to run away from Markkanen, though. It has been a poor start but bet on a rebound from the 22-year-old. Try to acquire Markkanen for any player outside the top 75 right now. That could give you a nice boost in value going forward.
Jayson Tatum (BOS – SG/SF)
Tatum is having a strong year despite slightly underperforming his ADP. He is averaging 20.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.3 3-pointers made per game this season. The percentages are down, but he is about to take off. Tatum has made a shift this season. He has dropped the long twos for 3-pointers and shots at the rim. Consider this 28.2 percent of his shots come from zero to three feet from the basket. He is hitting those at just 53.0 percent this season despite hit 63.7 percent for his career. Expect Tatum’s field goal and 3-point percentage to improve significantly pushing him right back up the rankings. The Celtics star is currently 58th on the Player Rater. He was drafted in the top 35. I’d trade away any player ranked outside the top 40 to acquire Tatum right now.
Sell
Here are two players that fantasy managers should trade off their roster while their value is at its peak.
Jimmy Butler (MIA – SG/SF)
Butler missed the Heat’s first three games, but he has been on fire since returning. He is averaging 18.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 2.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 33.7 minutes per game. Now is the perfect opportunity to trade Butler. He is an elite steals contributor, but he is going to swipe 2.6 per game. That likely finishes at closer to 2.0. Butler also averages 0.5 blocks for his career. The injuries have held him back in recent season too. He has played over 70 games twice in his eight full NBA seasons. Butler is performing right at his second-round ADP. Managers should look to trade him for another top 20 talent or package him in a larger deal to get a massive haul. Make the move now before Butler goes down again.
DeMar DeRozan (SAS – SG/SF)
DeRozan is shooting 53.3 percent from the field this season. That has boosted his points per game back over 22 a night. DeRozan has eliminated the 3-point shot from his back and is focusing on his strengths. The shooting is about to fall back to earth. It would not be surprising to see him shot 49 percent from the field if he does not attempt any 3-pointers, but over 50 is too high. DeRozan is currently 13th on the FantasyPros Player Rater. I argued in the preseason his ADP of 31 was too high. I’ll stand by it. Trade DeMar DeRozan straight up for any top 30 and reap the rewards of the move as the season progresses.
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Tyler Watts is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Tyler, follow him @tylerpwatts.
