As this NBA campaign continues in its fledgling stages, trade opportunities are arguably at their most abundant. Being willing to take on a struggling star or trade an over-performer may be the difference between a deep playoff run and the fantasy equivalent of Cancun (wherever that may be) come March.
In other words, it’s never too early to make a deal. Below is our Week 3 fantasy basketball trade advice.
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Fantasy Basketball Trade Advice (Week 3)
Trade For
Desmond Bane (SG, SF – ORL)
Not to be dramatic, but Orlando needs the Desmond Bane trade to work out, and the earlier the better.
Thankfully, Friday night was a step in the right direction as Bane went for 22 points, six rebounds and seven assists in a win over the Celtics. Though even after the solid showing, his early returns in Orlando have been poor. Bane’s counting stats are at their worst since his rookie year, and his percentages from the field and deep are both career lows.
Bank on the versatile vet meshing with his new team in time.
Players to Trade Him For Who Are Ranked Higher: Draymond Green (PF, C – GSW)
Trade Away
LaMelo Ball (PG, SG – CHA)
It took less than two weeks for LaMelo Ball’s often-injured ankle to pop up on the injury report. How often, you may ask? According to FOX Sports, Ball has appeared on the Hornets’ injury report a total of 17 times with ankle-related issues since he came into the league.
Ball, who currently ranks eighth in fantasy points per game (Yahoo! default scoring), has not played at least 50 games in a season since Carmelo Anthony was in the NBA.
Ball is an incredible fantasy player when active, but the ankle injury resurfacing this early in the season is a horrible sign.
Players to Trade Him For Who Are Ranked Lower: Donovan Mitchell (PG, SG – CLE), Jaylen Brown (SG, SF – BOS), Josh Giddey (PG, SG, SF – CHI)
Trade For
Cooper Flagg (PF, SF – DAL)
It’s no secret Cooper Flagg has underperformed relative to expectations to this point in his rookie year. Try to find a way to use that to your advantage in trade talks.
Flagg’s strengths at Duke included everything. His ability to impact all areas of the game is what makes him such an appealing fantasy asset. And, frankly, Flagg has been doing that for Dallas already. Even including the injured Anthony Davis, Flagg ranks third on the team in scoring, rebounds and assists.
Like many rookies, Flagg needs continued reps to improve his efficiency.
Players to Trade Him For Who Are Ranked Higher: Ausar Thompson (PF, SF – DET), Jalen Green (PG, SG – PHO)
Trade Away
Shaedon Sharpe (SG, SF – POR)
Perhaps it’s a bit premature to judge any Trail Blazer too harshly, considering the Chauncey Billups saga, but numbers don’t lie.
Between Deni Avdija taking a leap and Jrue Holiday entering the fold, Shaedon Sharpe’s minutes per game have decreased by nearly 15% from last season. Not to mention that Scoot Henderson is halfway through a 4-8 week return timetable following a hamstring injury.
Surprisingly, Sharpe’s volume is actually up from last year, but he’s shooting just 37% from the field and 26.3% from deep. Forgiveness for early-season shooting woes would be extended if his career percentages weren’t 44.4% from the field and 32.7% from deep.
Players to Trade Him For Who Are Ranked Lower: Jrue Holiday (PG, SG – POR), Jonathan Kuminga (PF, SF – GSW), Cooper Flagg (PF, SF – DAL)
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