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. 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! The NBA trade deadline has passed and the fantasy basketball trade deadline is fast approaching, so this will be the final edition of the trade value chart. In this last trade article of the season, I’ll be naming one player at each position to target in trades and one player to move. Thanks so much for joining me this season to talk trade. Best of luck in your fantasy basketball playoff matches!
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Guard
Player to target: Ky Bowman
Bowman just signed a multi-year deal with the Warriors on Thursday, and with D’Angelo Russell headed to Minnesota, the former two-way player should be in line for a healthy dose of minutes as Golden State’s starting point guard for the rest of the season. He’s shined when given the opportunity this season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.6 assists, 4.6 boards and 1.6 swipes in eight games with at least 30 minutes of action.
Player to move: Chris Paul
It sounds ludicrous to move off Paul in crunch time, but it’s purely precautionary. The future Hall-of-Fame point guard has silenced his critics this season by putting together strong performances night after night while keeping the rebuilding Thunder in playoff contention. He’s put the team on his back, but all that hard work could be wearing CP3 down, and recent history has shown that Paul is unlikely to be available to end the season. He’s averaged 59 games per season over the last three years and currently sits at 49 games in 2019-20. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to move him for a player with a little less value and fewer question marks in terms of health.
Forward
Player to target: Christian Wood
Wood has impressed this season, though his playing time has been highly inconsistent. With the Pistons practically eliminated from the postseason already, the Pistons would be wise to see what Wood can do with a starter’s workload. Andre Drummond doesn’t seem to figure into the long-term plans of the organization, and Wood has a great shot to see his minutes (and his production) trend up after the All-Star Break. Now’s the time to add Wood, as the big man could be a difference-maker for the fantasy playoffs.
Player to move: Paul George
George has played well since returning from his lengthy absence, and his value likely won’t get much higher than what it is now. His health is just too much of a risk to keep around on your fantasy roster if you’re in playoff contention, and name value alone could net you a nice return. Try to unload PG13 for a couple of consistent, high-floor options to bolster your team for the home stretch, but don’t give him away for nothing.
Center
| Player | Current Value | Previous Value | +/- |
| Nikola Jokic | 49 | 48 | 1 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 48 | 45 | 3 |
| Hassan Whiteside | 46 | 44 | 2 |
| Andre Drummond | 43 | 47 | -4 |
| Joel Embiid | 42 | 42 | – |
| Bam Adebayo | 42 | 42 | – |
| Deandre Ayton | 40 | 35 | 5 |
| Rudy Gobert | 35 | 34 | 1 |
| Nikola Vucevic | 32 | 32 | – |
| Jonas Valanciunas | 30 | 30 | – |
| Clint Capela | 30 | 36 | -6 |
| Montrezl Harrell | 29 | 29 | – |
| Jarrett Allen | 22 | 20 | 2 |
| Brook Lopez | 21 | 21 | – |
| Steven Adams | 20 | 20 | – |
| Mitchell Robinson | 19 | 21 | -2 |
| Myles Turner | 18 | 20 | -2 |
| Richaun Holmes | 15 | 20 | -5 |
| Derrick Favors | 15 | 15 | – |
| JaVale McGee | 12 | 12 | – |
| Nerlens Noel | 12 | 12 | – |
| Cody Zeller | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| Jakob Poeltl | 11 | 11 | – |
| DeAndre Jordan | 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Thomas Bryant | 10 | 10 | – |
| Bobby Portis | 10 | 10 | – |
| Ian Mahinmi | 10 | N/A | N/A |
| Marc Gasol | 8 | 16 | -8 |
| Wendell Carter Jr. | 8 | 10 | -2 |
| Willie Cauley-Stein | 8 | 10 | -2 |
| Tristan Thompson | 6 | 20 | -14 |
Player to target: Thomas Bryant
Bryant’s recent injury problems give fantasy managers a great opportunity to acquire the big man at a discount. Bryant returned to the court following an extended absence and had just begun to hit his stride when he suffered a setback with his foot. It’s likely he’ll be out until after the All-Star Break, giving him plenty of time to get healthy for the fantasy playoffs. Adding Ian Mahinmi as insurance and a stop-gap until Bryant returns is a must.
Player to move: Clint Capela
Capela’s move to Atlanta will probably be better in real life than in fantasy, and if you can move the big-time rebounder for a respectable haul, now’s the time to do it. Playing alongside John Collins is likely to dull some of Capela’s shine, and it’s best to move him before he shows any sign of decline with his new squad.
Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.