RADIO
Adam King discusses what to do with several NBA players in Fantasy Basketball Leagues this week. (December 29)
G'day RotoBallers! With 2024 just around the corner, fantasy managers are starting to think about the playoffs. Keeping that in mind, now is the time to start looking at your strengths and weaknesses, perhaps starting to lean into said strengths. Trading players is a great way to go about this, affording both managers a chance to walk away feeling validated.
However, executing a trade can be harder said than done. Not all managers love the idea of a trade, especially if they believe they will be the attempted target of a fantasy heist. Ensure you know your league and who might be willing to consider a player swap. While the option does exist, I recommend not having a league veto system. Ensure your commissioner is knowledgeable and transparent, and allow them to dictate trade decisions.
With all that out of the way, here are our current sell-high and buy-low candidates as you prepare for Week 10 of the fantasy basketball season.
Jarrett Allen, C - Cleveland Cavaliers
Baller Move: Sell High
With Evan Mobley sidelined due to a knee injury, Allen has been able to put up some gaudy numbers of late. He has been the 34th-ranked player over the past two weeks, averaging 18.2 points to go with 12.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.0 combined steals and blocks. He has pulled down a total of 40 rebounds in his past two games, adding 13 assists. He has also shot at least 60 percent from the field in six of the past nine games, fueling his uptick in points per game.
We have seen Allen go through stretches like this in the past, often bookended by periods of passive play on both ends of the floor. His rebound and block numbers, paired with efficient scoring, should keep him in the top 50 discussion moving forward. However, as long as Mobley is out, Allen should continue to see more of the ball on the offensive end, while gobbling up every rebound available.
Selling high on someone who has a clear path to production is a tough call to make, especially given the Cavaliers are pushing hard for as many victories as possible. This should ensure Allen features prominently on a nightly basis, something else to factor in when deciding on whether to part ways. As soon as Mobley is cleared to return, Allen's production will likely take a hit. That is not going to happen for at least another couple of weeks, meaning Allen's window remains firmly ajar. However, it's always best to get ahead of the curve when it comes to fantasy basketball, meaning the time to trade is now.
Tyus Jones, G - Washington Wizards
Baller Move: Sell High
Jones has been on one hell of a tear over the past two weeks, putting up first-round value in standard nine-category leagues. After a slow start to the season, it appears as though he has figured things out in Washington, cobbling together the best stretch of his career. During that span, he is averaging 17.4 points per game on 62.5 percent shooting from the field, adding 4.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 2.0 steals, and 2.7 three-pointers. If ever there was a massive sell-high opportunity, this is it.
Despite his production, the Wizards continue to struggle, having won just two of their past 13 games. The efficient shooting is bound to regress at some point, impacting both his scoring and three-point production. He has always been an above-average defender, meaning the steals are likely to feature on most nights. Likewise, his ability to control the offense should stick, allowing him to maintain strong assist numbers.
On the surface, this looks like a situation in which managers could simply stay the course with Jones. The Wizards are going nowhere fast, but would like to at least be competitive moving forward. To do that, Jones will need to continue his recent form on both ends of the floor. However, it does feel as though Jones is on the outside looking in when it comes to projecting their long-term future.
For that reason, there is a very real chance he will be traded before the end of the season. It is unlikely he will move to a team that is looking for a starting point guard. Playing as a backup is something we have seen him do well in the past; however, it does not lend itself to elite fantasy production. If you could get any top-50 player back in a trade, I would grab it with both hands.
Walker Kessler, C - Utah Jazz
Baller Move: Buy Low
Kessler's season has been a roller coaster to this point, providing managers with more than a few headaches. He has been a top -80 player across the season, averaging 8.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. However, the minutes have been less than ideal, averaging 24.8 per game to this point. If we narrow in on the past two weeks, his numbers look much the same despite the fact he has recently moved back into the starting lineup.
Taking everything into account, it's easy to see why managers have been banging their heads against the wall. Over the past four games, his playing time has ranged from 18 minutes against the Spurs to 29 minutes against the Pelicans. Knowing what his role is going to look like from one night to the next is anyone's guess.
A big hurdle for managers to overcome is the fact he was likely taken with a top-50 pick in most drafts. Given what we have seen thus far, the top 50 does seem somewhat out of reach. If we disregard his rank, his numbers have been adequate after his rough start to the campaign. If he can get closer to 10.0 rebounds and points per game, he should be able to alleviate many of the concerns. If you get the sense that his manager might be frustrated, it makes sense to throw out another top-70 player as bait. While this wouldn't be a 'win' specifically, Kessler's ability to dominate one category does make him a potential difference-maker come the fantasy playoffs.
Coby White, G - Chicago Bulls
Baller Move: Buy Low
White has been one of the feel-good stories to come out of this season, putting up career-high numbers across the board. He has been a top-50 player over the past month, averaging 23.1 points per game to go with 5.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 0.5 steals, and 3.5 three-pointers. However, the past two weeks have seen a dip in his production, falling outside the top 130 in that time. He has failed to record a steal in each of the past six games, connecting on more than two three-pointers only once.
There was always going to be a regression of sorts, given what we know about his fantasy skill set. A drop in efficiency quickly impacts his overall appeal, cutting into both points scored and three-pointers made. With very little to fall back on in terms of defensive contributions, his value is likely to fluctuate from time to time. However, he has almost doubled his assist numbers when compared to each of his two previous campaigns, providing him with a somewhat solid fantasy floor.
The sample size we have from this season may not be enough proof for some managers, meaning his recent downtick could result in some hitting the panic button. The potential return of Zach LaVine could also be a contributing factor when trying to project his value ROS. Now might be a good time to try and test the waters by floating out a top-100 player in a trade offer. The Bulls appear as though they have turned the corner in terms of trusting White, meaning his role should remain secure, even if LaVine does return. Any player who can average close to 20.0 points and 5.0 assists is going to have value, even if it does come with some bumps in the road.
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