Fantasy Basketball Trade Value Chart: Week 12 (2020)

If you’re anything like me, you love to trade – it’s the best part of playing fantasy sports. Trading really allows you to dig in as the general manager of your imaginary squad and improve your team. In my friends and family points league, it seems like there’s a trade at least every other day (if not every single day), and I can’t see either of my brothers-in-law without talking trade and trying to strike a deal. The trade market is a funny thing, though. It’s fluid and constantly changing, week-by-week and sometimes, game-by-game.

The values listed below come in a handy table that places a direct numerical value on each player so you can make trades simply by comparing values and without having to dig through a bunch of numbers. For example, a simple one-for-one trade of John Collins (35) for Kemba Walker (35) is dead even, and a multi-player deal of Devonte’ Graham (31) and De’Aaron Fox (31) for Hassan Whiteside (39) and Al Horford (23)  is righteous as the combined value of both packages is identical.

Obviously, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all list of trade values, as league size, available roster spots, and team needs all come into play when evaluating a potential trade. If you can fill a roster spot that needs attention or improve in some weak categories, then making the deal makes sense, even if you feel like you’re overpaying.

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s talk trade! Here are the current trade values as we make our way through Week 12 of the NBA season:

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Guard

 
De’Aaron Fox has been knicked up since coming back, but he hasn’t missed a step. The athletic point guard has produced some quality numbers since stepping back on the court, and he should be a top-40 guy as long as he’s healthy. Luka Doncic has quickly returned to the fold and has transitioned seamlessly back to his elite ways after a brief layoff. Bradley Beal has missed five of six games over the last two weeks due to a lower leg injury, but he should return to action this week. His value obviously takes a minor hit, but he’s still a highly-priced trade asset.

Kyrie Irving (shoulder) hasn’t played since Nov. 14, and surgery still remains an option. He was a first-round value at the beginning of the season, but there’s no timetable for his return. Spencer Dinwiddie is playing like an All-Star and remains a solid value at point guard. Luke Kennard (knee) has been out since Dec. 21 and has no timetable for return. D’Angelo Russell (shoulder) has missed five in a row dating to last week, and his health remains a nagging concern for fantasy owners. Malcolm Brogdon (back) has appeared in just one game across the Pacers’ last seven contests, logging eight minutes before exiting with an injury. Aaron Holiday and TJ McConnell are viable options in 12-team leagues moving forward. Marcus Smart has turned it on as of late with Kemba Walker dealing with an illness. The names at the top of the list here shouldn’t be surprising.

Forward

 
Both Blake Griffin (knee) and Jonathan Isaac (knee) have been removed from this chart, as Isaac won’t be back until mid-March at the earliest, while Griffin’s recent arthroscopic surgery leaves him a shut-down candidate. Kyle Kuzma has been turning it on recently, finally finding his rhythm as the season marches on. Giannis has been dealing with a back issue, and while still elite, he’s not a fantasy force quite like the new No. 1 in the forward values — Anthony Davis. Davis has been huge on both ends of the court this season, and you’ll need to really break the bank to poach him from a fellow league manager – good luck with that. The injury he sustained Tuesday shouldn’t detract from his value for now.

Marvin Bagley III (foot) has been dealing with yet another injury that’s kept him out of the lineup, so Nemanja Bjelica and Richaun Holmes get a boost here. Harry Giles has seen some more run as of late, and he’s worth a speculative add, though his value is next-to-nothing once Bagley III returns to action. Otto Porter is still out and targeting a return around All-Star Weekend, and he can be dropped most everywhere considering he’ll miss at least another month. Kevin Love has been dealing with injuries, rest, and his temper, as the writing seems to be on the wall for a departure from Cleveland. His value holds steady, as there’s no way to gauge his worth on another team without knowing which team it is. John Collins has played like a man possessed since returning from suspension, so he gets a significant bump in value here. He should be expected to return early-round value to fantasy owners from here on out. Paul George‘s recent play has earned him a drop in value, while Kristaps Porzingis’ injury has caused a similar downward movement.

Markieff Morris has no timetable to return from a foot injury, leaving Sekou Doumbouya as the Pistons’ starter at power forward. The talented and lanky 2019 lottery pick has averaged 12.3 points, 8.7 boards and 1.7 combined blocks/steals in his first three starts for Detroit, and it’s not outrageous to predict some serious value moving forward — I’m definitely bullish on him. Zion Williamson (knee)  seems poised to make his rookie debut between now and our Week 14 Trade Value Chart, so his value jumps here. The Pelicans will likely exercise caution with the No. 1 pick, so a minutes restriction seems almost certain. His talent warrants a much higher value, though opportunity when he returns, is unknown.

Center

 
KAT loses his top spot here due to a lingering knee issue that’s cost him 11 games and counting. Gorgui Dieng has been a beast while filling in at center, and he’s a mid-round value for as long as Towns is out of action. Nikola Jokic has finally returned to his 2018-19 form, and he moves into second place among centers in this week’s chart. Joel Embiid, Andre Drummond and Bam Adebayo round out the top-five, and those elite options have remained atop the chart once again. Wendell Carter Jr. has been playing solid basketball as of late, Thomas Bryant (foot) is expected to return soon, Richaun Holmes is a top-flight option with Marvin Bagley III out of commission, and Tristan Thompson has seen a decline in his play over the last two weeks.

Deandre Ayton has been a complete stud since returning from suspension, and he’s on pace for career highs in both rebounds and blocks in his second season. He vaults up this list and should push for early-round value for the rest of the season. He’s one of the biggest movers this week and for good reason. Mitchell Robinson has finally started to make good on some of the preseason hype that surrounded him, though his minutes are still too unpredictable to anoint him as an elite center just yet.

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Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.