Hey guys, and thanks for joining me in the latest edition of the trade value chart. We’re a quarter of the way through the NBA season already, if you can believe it! It’s been a great couple of weeks if you’re a fan of quality play, as we witnessed Anthony Davis go off for 50 points, Nemanja Bjelica play hero ball for Sacramento, Hassan Whiteside log some monster minutes, and Jonas Valanciunas dominate opposing defenses. Unexpected fantasy studs cropped up over the last 14 days in Devonte’ Graham, Joe Harris, Jakob Poeltl, and Ben McLemore, showing that fantasy greatness is fleeting in the Association. Deandre Ayton and John Collins are nearing their returns from suspension, while Marvin Bagley III made his season debut last night. Jimmy Buckets has been doing work, leading a remarkably-cohesive Heat unit to huge success in South Beach, while Graham and the Hornets have provided plenty of fantasy-relevant players in 2019-20:
Kendrick Nunn (career-high 36 PTS) and the @MiamiHEAT use a late 22-0 run to defeat ATL in OT!
Duncan Robinson: 34 PTS, 10 3PM (career-highs)
Bam Adebayo: 30 PTS (career-high), 11 REB, 11 AST (career-high)
Jimmy Butler: 20 PTS, 18 REB (career-high), 10 AST pic.twitter.com/JatTEkrvDq— NBA (@NBA) December 11, 2019
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 Kemba Walker (40) for Bam Adebayo (40) is dead even. If you want to make a two-for-two deal, simply add the players’ values together. A package of Zach LaVine (30) and Devonte’ Graham (31) could be swapped for Giannis Antetokounmpo (50) and Brook Lopez (12) as the combined value of both packages is nearly 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 8 of the NBA season:
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Guard
Change in locale has done wonders for Markelle Fultz, who should no longer be considered a “bust,” as he rises significantly in value this week. Orlando has played well this season — especially as of late — and Fultz is a quality fantasy play in any format. Ja Morant returned from injury to do things like this, and he should be treated as an elite point guard option as long as he’s on the court:
That Ja Morant fake. Filthy. pic.twitter.com/jDAxnvWgnD
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) December 10, 2019
Mike Conley (hamstring) has missed four straight, though he’s expected back soon. D’Angelo Russell is back and playing well, raising his value while dropping Ky Bowman’s. Kyrie Irving (shoulder) has missed 13 in a row, and there’s no timetable for his return. His value drops while Spencer Dinwiddie’s value continues to ascend. He’s been an elite play over the last three weeks and deserves recognition for his high caliber of play. Isaiah Thomas is dealing with an injury of his own (surprise), and Ish Smith is a near must-play in his absence, boosting his trade value in Week 8. Kendrick Nunn gets a boost thanks to some great play over the last couple of weeks, and three-point specialist Duncan Robinson lands on the list as he continues to make it rain for Miami. Jamal Murray injured his back Tuesday, so his value dips until the severity of the injury is known, while Monte Morris should be acquired if you have the available roster spot.
Forward
Davis Bertans has been stroking it as one of the NBA’s most elite long-range threats, while Rui Hachimura has taken on a bigger role in the absence of Thomas Bryant (foot). Marvin Bagley III made his return, so Nemanja Bjelica‘s recent heroics are soon to be a thing of the past.
BIG SHOT BJELICA FTW pic.twitter.com/LSSMCgyxxd
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 10, 2019
Zion Williamson isn’t likely to be back until January, and the plan — according to GM David Griffin — is to hold him out of back-to-backs for the remainder of the season. John Collins will be back on Dec. 23 against Cleveland, and Jabari Parker’s value gets cut in half as he’ll immediately head back to the bench. Jimmy Butler has been playing out of his mind as of late, going for three triple-doubles in the last week. Domantas Sabonis has played like an All-Star all season, turning it up in December for averages of 18.0 points, 15.4 boards, and 4.2 dimes. Aaron Gordon has been balling out sans Nikola Vucevic, and it looks like he’s finally found his footing in 2019-20. Kevin Love (back) has been out of the lineup a lot, struggling to post meaningful stat lines when on the court, so his value slides this week. Danuel House Jr. is back in action, though fill-in Ben McLemore has been huge in his stead and has played well with House on the court. McLemore lands on the chart here, though he’s still an unpredictable option despite his scoring upside.
Center
| Player | Current Value | Previous Value | +/- |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 50 | 50 | – |
| Andre Drummond | 48 | 47 | +1 |
| Joel Embiid | 45 | 45 | – |
| Nikola Jokic | 41 | 45 | -4 |
| Bam Adebayo | 40 | 38 | +2 |
| Clint Capela | 37 | 35 | +2 |
| Montrezl Harrell | 32 | 30 | +2 |
| Rudy Gobert | 28 | 30 | -2 |
| Jonas Valanciunas | 28 | 17 | +11 |
| Deandre Ayton | 26 | 12 | +14 |
| Hassan Whiteside | 25 | 21 | +4 |
| Nikola Vucevic | 24 | 22 | +2 |
| Tristan Thompson | 22 | 22 | – |
| Mitchell Robinson | 21 | 20 | +1 |
| Richaun Holmes | 18 | N/A | N/A |
| Wendell Carter Jr. | 17 | 17 | – |
| Jarrett Allen | 17 | 12 | +5 |
| Brook Lopez | 16 | 13 | +3 |
| Myles Turner | 14 | 15 | -1 |
| Nerlens Noel | 13 | N/A | N/A |
| Thomas Bryant | 12 | 21 | -9 |
| Willie Cauley-Stein | 10 | N/A | N/A |
| Dwight Howard | 8 | 10 | -2 |
| Bobby Portis | 8 | 10 | -2 |
| DeAndre Jordan | 6 | 6 | – |
| Marc Gasol | 6 | 6 | – |
| Jahlil Okafor | 5 | 10 | -5 |
| Jaxson Hayes | 5 | 7 | -2 |
| Cody Zeller | 5 | 5 | – |
| Bismack Biyombo | 5 | N/A | N/A |
The top names here remain the same for another edition of the trade value chart, but there is some notable movement throughout the group of centers. Deandre Ayton makes his return from suspension on Dec. 17, and his value instantly vaults up as one of the best centers in fantasy basketball. It’s entirely possible his value rises again in two weeks, but a conservative number will be applied until we see him back in action. Jonas Valanciunas has been a one-man wrecking crew for Memphis, averaging 20.2 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks over his last six outings. He’s rounded into a dependable option with plenty of upside, and his value is boosted as a result. Thomas Bryant (foot) is out for several weeks, while Myles Turner continues to underachieve.
Richaun Holmes has been a breath of fresh air in the Kings’ frontcourt, and the return of Marvin Bagley shouldn’t dull his luster too much. Bam Adebayo continues to play well-rounded basketball, while Clint Capela has become a nightly bet for 20 boards. Nikola Vucevic will be back by the end of the week, knocking the value of Khem Birch and Mo Bamba down to virtually nothing. Jarrett Allen has been big for Brooklyn, while Nerlens Noel has been solid off the Thunder bench. He could be in for a monster role if Steven Adams is traded.
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Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.
