The NBA and fantasy trade deadlines are likely both fast approaching. Your league may be customized into any date, but the real-life deadline comes on Feb. 7. That means plenty of shakeups could be coming in the next week.
Be sure to keep an eye on the news. Turn on your Twitter notifications and be ready. You do not want to miss out on a hot pickup that could propel your squad to fantasy glory. The big names in the deals are often not the fantasy winners. It is players that see increases in minutes and touches that secure the fantasy glory. With that said, here are four players managers should consider trading in their fantasy leagues.
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Buy
A look at two targets that fantasy managers should buy because their value is likely to only increase for the remainder of the season.
Darren Collison (PG/SG – IND)
Standard league players may be surprised Collison’s name is the first one on the list today. He had ADP of 99 and is not blowing you away with surprising statistical production this season. Until you look further and realize Collison ranks 68th on the Player Rater for the year.
That number should only climb after the season-ending injury to Victor Oladipo. Oladipo has missed 14 games so far this season. Collison’s numbers in those are games are 10.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 2.7 three-pointers made, and 1.6 steals. The Pacers point guard will see that increased ball-handling role meaning standout production in assists, threes, and steals.
Given his draft day price, Collison can likely be had at below market value. The 31-year-old should find his way into the top 60 for the rest of the year, but can likely be had for a player outside the top 75. Enjoy the profit on the underrated Pacer.
DeMar DeRozan (SG/SF – SAS)
DeRozan had a shooting slump before missing three consecutive games with knee soreness. The injury does not appear serious, but poor shooting has caused DeRozan’s value to take a slight dip. The positive news is that the rebounds, assists, and steals remain strong.
For the season, the Spurs wing is shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 82.2 percent of his free throws. Both are highly sustainable numbers. DeRozan is averaging 21.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. Take out the shooting slump, and he could close the year averaging closer to 23 points a night.
DeRozan currently sits 28th on the Player Rater, nearly matching his ADP of 24. He was being drafted outside the top 30 in Yahoo Leagues, though. Moving a player outside the top 30 for DeRozan seems like a winning move for a contending squad.
Sell
Here are two players to trade away because their value has likely already reached its apex.
Pascal Siakam (PF – TOR)
Siakam may be the top out of nowhere player this season. He literally does not have an ADP. FantasyPros ranks 242 people on their ADP chart, and Siakam did not make the list. Fast forward and after 51 games, he is 25th on the Player Rater. From undrafted, that is quite the climb.
Siakam is producing well in nearly every category. He averages 15.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steal, 0.7 three-pointers made, and 0.7 blocks in 31.3 minutes a night. The Raptors forward is also shooting 55.9 percent from the field and 79.9 percent on his free throws. Fantasy managers literally could not ask for more production from a waiver wire target.
The 24-year-old cannot sustain his field goal percentage, though. He is 52.9 percent shooter for his career and is increasing his three-point attempts (a lower efficiency shot). For December, Siakam made 49.4 percent from the field. That ticked up in January, but to 52.4 percent. Shooting over 50 percent is still a positive value, but will ding his overall rating slightly.
Trading Siakam for a top-50 player right now is some wise business. It is still significant value for a player acquired off the waiver wire, but protects you in case the bottom falls out a bit in the second half. Sell the opposition on his superb numbers and that his age means he is taking a step forward.
Marc Gasol (C – MEM)
Gasol is having another outstanding season. The 34-year-old is producing 15.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.5 three-pointers made, and 1.2 blocks in 33.7 minutes a night. He is shooting 44.2 percent from the field and 76.0 percent on his free throws.
Gasol is taking less shot attempts this season from both the field and free throw line. That has led to his points dropping to his lowest total since 2014. Gasol has more than made up for it with his increases in assists, rebounds, and steals. He is currently 23rd on the Player Rater, well ahead of his ADP of 35.
The steal numbers are likely to regress, though. Gasol has never had more than 1.0 steal per game in his career. Betting on a player in his 11th season to make a leap seems unwise.
The Grizzlies have reportedly made Gasol and Conley available for trade as well. I doubt either player gets moved before the deadline, but that could have ramifications down the stretch. The Grizz could be more inclined to sit them out as they tank in an effort to keep their draft pick. Making each take a game off here and there seems like a wise plan.
Gasol likely never advances past 23rd on the Player Rater. Trade him now for a top-30 talent and enjoy the stretch run.
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Tyler Watts is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Tyler, follow him @tylerpwatts.
