NBA action returned on Thursday night and provided fans and fantasy managers with a glimpse of what’s to come down the stretch.
Stars shone bright, and trade deadline acquisitions made their presence felt. The Bulls, Pacers, Kings, Nets and Wizards tanked to their hearts’ desire. Just another night in The Association.
With fantasy basketball trade deadlines and playoffs quickly approaching, now is as good a time as any to position your squad for a run.
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Fantasy Basketball Trade Advice (Week 18)
Trade For
Amen Thompson (PF, PG, SF, SG – HOU)
It’s arguably less important to be a specifically versatile player than a consistent contributor to a winning team at this point in the fantasy season. While Amen Thompson is both, the latter of the two attributes makes him an especially intriguing trade candidate.
Now in his third season, Thompson is averaging 38.37 fantasy points per game to go along with 17.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.1 stocks (steals plus blocks) per game. Lately, though, his scoring volume has seen a dip. Compared to his numbers in January, Thompson is posting nearly five fewer attempts and two fewer free throws per game this month.
Looking at his numbers across the entire season, Thompson seems to be at his production floor at the moment. The Rockets guard has played in all of Houston’s games but one, and is one of the more well-rounded fantasy players at his position. Try to buy low here.
Players Ranked Higher to Trade For Him:
Trade Away
Jarrett Allen (C – CLE)
There is not a single bigger benefactor of a trade deadline deal than Jarrett Allen following Cleveland’s move for James Harden. The numbers are absurd.
In the five games that the tandem has played together, Allen is putting up 22.6 points and 11.2 rebounds on 11.8 attempts per game, of which he’s shooting 76.3%. Allen averaged 12.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.8 attempts across 14 games in January.
However, with Evan Mobley working his way back from injury, you can expect those otherworldly numbers to regress. Mobley missed Cleveland’s second half of a back-to-back on Friday, but returned from a calf injury and played next to Harden for the first time on Thursday. Allen went for 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Players Ranked Lower to Trade Him For:
- Stephon Castle (PG, SG – SAS)
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker (PG, SF, SG – ATL)
- Kevin Porter Jr. (PG, SG – MIL)
Trade For
Kevin Porter Jr. (PG, SG – MIL)
Kevin Porter Jr. is doing everything well but shooting threes this season. The 25-year-old guard is averaging 39.82 fantasy points, 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 2.2 steals in his first full campaign in Milwaukee.
While Porter doesn’t exactly fit the “consistent contributor to a winning team” mold, Milwaukee has won six of its last seven games and is just a half-game outside of the Eastern Conference’s final NBA Play-In Tournament spot.
Should Milwaukee continue to play to win, as per the wishes of their star player, Porter can serve as an under-the-radar addition to any fantasy squad.
Players Ranked Higher to Trade For Him:
Trade Away
Josh Hart (PF, SF, SG – NYK)
Josh Hart has become something of a trade-for darling thanks to his perpetual versatility, but now seems like the rare instance in which you should consider moving him.
Tom Thibodeau’s infamous short rotations frequently saw Hart total 35+ minutes per game in years past, but that figure has dropped by around 10% under Mike Brown. Pair that with Hart being the fifth option in the Knicks’ starting five, and his fantasy ceiling takes a hit.
Plus, the emergence of Landry Shamet off the bench, as well as the injured Miles McBride, who was effectively replaced by Jose Alvarado at the deadline, leaves even fewer opportunities for Hart to run the offense when Jalen Brunson is off the floor.
Players Ranked Lower to Trade Him For:
