Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis, Jimmy Butler, De’Aaron Fox, Zach LaVine, Brandon Ingram and Andrew Wiggins have headlined the most shocking trade deadline in NBA history. That’s not hyperbole, right?
The impact that this week has had on fantasy is so great it’s impossible to realize in the present. For now, we’re left only to question how these stars will perform on their new teams.
How will Doncic and LeBron James mesh? Will Davis and Kyrie Irving excel in the pick-and-roll together? Do Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green fight one another before the All-Star break?
After the craziest week of NBA trades ever, it’s time for Week 15 of trade advice.
Check out the latest fantasy basketball expert consensus rankings
Fantasy Basketball Trade Advice (Week 15)
Trade For
In 40 games, Kyrie Irving has a perfect 20-20 split in games played with and without Luka Doncic this season. While his stats hardly vary in those games, the Dallas offense now features Irving as the primary ball-handler.
To answer one of the questions above, yes, Anthony Davis and Irving will work in the pick-and-roll. Davis and LeBron James combined to make a deadly duo in Los Angeles, and while Irving isn’t the playmaker James is, he should still see an uptick in assists on his 4.8 per game mark.
Expect an all-around boost in Irving’s production playing with a new co-star who isn’t as ball-dominant as Doncic.
Players to Trade Him For Who Are Ranked Higher: Derrick White (G – BOS), Zach LaVine (G – SAC), RJ Barrett (F – TOR)
Trade Away
P.J. Washington Jr. (PF – DAL)
On the opposite end of Anthony Davis’ arrival is P.J. Washington, who’s performed very well in the absence of Doncic and Dereck Lively II. Try to sell high on Washington’s 18.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in his last 10 games.
It wouldn’t come as a shock if Washington is relegated to the bench when he returns to the Mavericks’ lineup. He’s been out for personal reasons.
Players to Trade Him For Who Are Ranked Lower: Trey Murphy III (G – NOP), Jimmy Butler (F – GSW), Mark Williams (C – LAL)
Trade For
Trey Murphy III (PF, SF, SG – NOP)
Trey Murphy is without question one of the NBA’s most underrated players. The fourth-year wing hasn’t played enough games to qualify for the leaderboard, but his 22.7 points per game (PPG) would rank 25th. That’s just behind Trae Young and Jaylen Brown and ahead of Steph Curry and Darius Garland.
Take Murphy’s stats from January 1st and he’d be tied for eighth in scoring with Jalen Brunson at 26.1 PPG. He’s also been averaging 5.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists in that time.
With Brandon Ingram out of the picture and Zion Williamson an inconsistent participant, Murphy is a surefire fantasy star.
Players to Trade Him For Who Are Ranked Higher: Jalen Green (G – HOU), Paul George (F – PHI), Fred VanVleet (G – HOU)
Trade Away
The Brandon Ingram-to-Toronto trade is confusing. The fifth-worst team in the NBA trading for a 27-year-old former All-Star doesn’t exactly add up.
Regardless, the deal is bad news for RJ Barrett’s – and Scottie Barnes‘ – fantasy prospects. Plus, Immanuel Quickley‘s return to the lineup has meant a serious drop in production for Barrett.
In 33 games without Quickley this season, Barrett averaged 22.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists compared to 17.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists in eight games with him.
Players to Trade Him For Who Are Ranked Lower: Josh Giddey (G – CHI), Amen Thompson (G – HOU), Austin Reaves (G – LAL)
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