Fantasy basketball managers should not be panicking. The shortened regular season is not even 10 percent as of this writing. Avoid selling low on a struggling player or buying someone going off because you are certain this is his new level. The sample size is still too small.
You should be looking to take advantage of someone else’s panic or thinking they are selling high. Here are five players to trade during Week 3.
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Buy
Here are three players to acquire right now.
Donovan Mitchell (UTH – PG/SG)
Mitchell has struggled with his shot early on, including shooting under 40 percent from the field in each of his four games. The 24-year-old All-Star is still averaging 20.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.0 steal in 33.8 minutes per game. The 3-point attempts are up, and the free throws are down, but that trend is unlikely to continue.
Mitchell was picked 26th overall in FantasyPros consensus ADP, but he currently ranks 93rd on the Player Rater. Mitchell won’t be shooting 37.1 percent from the field for long. Acquiring him now for any player outside the top 40 and consider it a massive steal.
John Wall (HOU – PG)
Wall had seven straight top 30 seasons in 8-cat per game fantasy value before suffering back-to-back season-ending injuries. He may be the best shot-blocking guard in the NBA, plus he offers an outstanding mix of stats.
Wall looks fantastic in the early going, which could create a buying opportunity. The injury risk is real. Wall has played 75 games total over the last four seasons combined. That could cause his owner to want to sell high. Wall was selected 50th overall in ADP. His managers could be looking for top 40 value, but the 30-year-old point guard could provide more than that.
Trading for Wall is a risk, but one that could pay off. If your team needs a point guard that provides outstanding defensive stats, trade for John Wall, and hope he stays healthy.
Jimmy Butler (MIA – SG/SF)
Butler has been battling an injury, which caused him to be taken out after just 16 minutes of play against the Pelicans on Christmas Day. The early exit, coupled with poor shooting his return has Butler’s numbers looking scary. He currently ranks 210th on the Player Rater.
Now is the time to offer a top 40 player and try to acquire Butler. He remains firmly in my second round if players were drafting today, but his slow start could have him going at a discount. Expect him to be producing 20 points, six rebounds, and six assists per game again in no time.
Sell
Here are two options that fantasy managers should look to trade away after two weeks.
CJ McCollum (POR – PG/SG)
Fans have seen this movie before. McCollum is red hot, and his numbers look outstanding. He is averaging 28.0 points, thanks to shooting more threes and getting to the line more. McCollum has added 4.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in the early going. The outstanding stat line puts McCollum 12th on Player Rater.
The 29-year-old guard has done this in the past. He gets hot and produces incredible numbers for a short stretch early in the season before returning to his usual level. Expect that to happen again here. McCollum went 48th in ADP, but I would be looking to sell for a top 36 player while his numbers are still inflated.
Julius Randle (NYK – PF/C)
Randle is enjoying playing under new head coach Tom Thibodeau. He is averaging 21.2 points through six games, 10.5 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.8 3-pointers made on solid percentages. The assists are the shock as Randle has never averaged more than 3.6 per game for an entire season. Yes, he could set a new career-high, but it seems unlikely he will double it.
Randle currently sits 22nd on Player Rater after being the 63rd overall pick. Sell him for any top 50 player and reap the benefits all season. There is no way the 26-year-old keeps this up.
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Tyler Watts is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Tyler, follow him @tylerpwatts.