It’s hard to imagine a better Christmas Day slate than what we were given this year. The day featured two nail-biters, an all-time performance by Nikola Jokic, multiple great outings by future Hall of Famers and another chapter written in the budding Spurs-Thunder rivalry.
Hopefully, these games go a long way in helping you win your fantasy matchup this week. If you feel your team could use a change, though, our fantasy basketball trade advice is here to give you some ideas.
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Fantasy Basketball Trade Advice (Week 10)
Trade For
Chet Holmgren (PF, C – OKC)
The rationale in trading for Chet Holmgren — preferably as soon as possible — can be simplified by pointing out that four members of the 76ers’ frontcourt are outscoring Holmgren in fantasy points per game over the last two weeks. Yes, even Dominick Barlow‘s 27.11 figure bests Holmgren’s 26.66. Buy-low, anyone?
Holmgren’s fantasy points are down because Oklahoma City is simply in an all-around funk. The Thunder remain second in the NBA in points per game (PPG) with 121.3, but they haven’t met that mark since December 18th. Which isn’t long ago at all, but it seems important to mention that they played five games from December 18th through Christmas Day.
It wasn’t unreasonable to think that the NBA’s best team would hit a week-long bump in the road at some point this season. That bump just so happens to be right now. Holmgren and his teammates will get back on track very soon.
Players Ranked Higher to Trade Him For:
Trade Away
Anthony Davis (PF, C – DAL)
Anthony Davis suffered a groin strain on Christmas Day that’s set to keep him out “for a few games, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. That now makes three different muscle strain injuries for Davis since he arrived in Dallas. The injury comes at a particularly painful time as the big man was posting 26.3 points, 13.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 stocks (steals plus blocks) in the four games prior.
Davis is as difficult to trust in fantasy as any player. He’s played in half of Dallas’ 32 games this season. If you roster Davis and you’re in immediate need of wins, you may be better off trading him.
Players Ranked Lower to Trade Him For:
Trade For
Nic Claxton (C – BKN)
Nic Claxton is very quietly anchoring the NBA’s most efficient defense over the last 10 games, per Kirk Goldsberry.
The seventh-year center pairs his defensive ceiling (two stocks per game) with heavy involvement in Brooklyn’s offense. Among Nets, Claxton ranks first in assists and rebounds, second in minutes and field-goal rate and third in shot attempts (not including Cam Thomas, who’s played just eight games).
Claxton checks plenty of boxes as an under-the-radar, versatile trade candidate who could quickly pay huge dividends.
Players Ranked Higher to Trade Him For:
Trade Away
Kel’el Ware (C, PF – MIA)
Kel’el Ware has been incredibly difficult to get a read on as of late. The Indiana product has more games with two or fewer made field goals than games with double-digit points in December.
Ware had a career night on December 21st — 28 points, 19 rebounds and five three-pointers made. Two nights later, he scored five points in 21 minutes. While an extreme example, a glance at Ware’s game log only shows his inconsistency more so.
Consistency in fantasy basketball isn’t everything, but it is important. Put out feelers on Ware, as his numbers over the last week are solid.
Players Ranked Lower to Trade Him For: