The clock for the NBA front offices is ticking as we quickly approach Thursday’s trade deadline. For fantasy basketball managers, this means uncertainty about who will join the new team and what impact such a move could have. NBA teams are scrambling to make the final moves to improve their playoff chances, reduce their tax burden, or break through a ticket to the Victor Vembanyama lottery, this is an exciting time for everyone involved.
The trade deadline for this year is already approaching an EPIC start with several players on the move, from deals leading to blockbusters to minor bench swaps. Keeping up to date with all the news can be tricky, but don’t worry; we’ll give you everything you need to know about the fantastic implications of this year’s NBA trade deadline.
The Suns acquired Kevin Durant and TJ Warren in exchange for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Jay Crowder, as well as four first-round picks.
While you were probably asleep, new Suns owner Mat Ishbia wasted no time adjusting to his new role as he and James Jones closed one of the biggest deals in league history on time. It’s right; Kevin Durant will now play together Chris Paul, Devin Booker And Deandre Aytonthe first big four since Durant played with the Golden State Warriors.
Fantasy Impact: I don’t see much of an impact on the Suns, but hell, they’re going to be a big problem going forward.
The Nets acquired one of the best young 3&D wings in Mikal Bridges. His fantastic value remains intact as he is now arguably the best player on the Nets. However, I am concerned about the prospect of Cam Johnson, as well as Dorian Finney-SmithWith. The Nets have a pool of hitters with a similar skill set. I’d wait to see how this roster fares after the deadline, but Finney-Smith was in the top 50 in the last two weeks before he was sent to Brooklyn, and 36% of the Sportzshala leagues.
The Mavericks acquired Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, an undefended 2029 first-round pick and two future second-round picks.
The first major NBA trade domino to really set off the annual mid-season fireworks is from the Mavericks, who acquired Kyrie Irving days after he requested a trade from the Nets.
Fantasy Impact: Cam Thomas was the clear winner of this exchange, posting three 40-point performances in a row (youngest in NBA history, surpassing Allen Iverson) for networks. He’s now 75% in Sportzshala leagues, so hopefully you were able to get your hands on him before he went nuclear. This guy has the potential to win the league.
Josh Green (29% of the roster) – a player that I would also buy after this trade. Luka Doncic (heel) missed the previous three games for the Mavs, but Greene is picking up momentum, averaging 18.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 triples and 1.0 steals on 56% shooting from the field and 79% from the line for this period. . If you have Green, I would hold him back after Luka returns because he has entered Jason Kidd’s circle of trust.
The Raptors acquired Jacob Poeltle in exchange for Khem Birch and a protected first-round pick in the 2024 draft, as well as two future second-round picks.
A good deal for both sides as the Spurs build their draft capital and the Raptors fill a gaping hole in their frontcourt with Poeltl. Poeltl praised by Raptors HC Nick NurseAnd he’d fit in perfectly with the Raptors. Maybe really aim to compete for a place in the playoffs.
Fantasy Impact: I called Poeltl a good deal a couple of weeks ago, but it’s worth holding on to. Four Raptors starters are in the top 30 in minutes played this season (sorry pascal leading the league and Fred VanVliet ranked third), so Poeltl should play a healthy dose of minutes in his second stint in Season 6 after being reduced to 26 minutes per game in San Antonio. He is familiar with the system, so he should have no problem adapting to his role as a rim guard, rebounder and competent block passer. He will be fine and should move up to 91st this season.
But Poeltl’s departure makes it possible Zach Collins (21% of participants). He won’t see each other for 30 minutes a night because the Spurs will interfere too. Charles Bassey in the center, but Collins has been more productive since Poeltl this season. He is averaging 10.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 54% from the field in 26.6 minutes per game in seven games without Poeltl this year. It should be added to all 12+ team leagues.
Lakers acquired in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt, including Mike Conley, Nickel Alexander-Walker and picks to the Timberwolves and Russell Westbrook, as well as a lightly defended Lakers 2027 first-round pick in favor of Jazz.
Fantasy Impact: Another big deal, but it was fair for all parties. D’Angelo Russell is replacing Russell Westbrook and should provide more consistent shooting from the perimeter along with Malik Beasley. Beasley (43% of the players) could be exempt from the rules because he’s been struggling lately, shooting 35% from the field in the last month. However, he is predicted to start at shooting guard, so he might be worth holding on to if you need points and triples and can handle the low shooting percentage in tier 9 leagues.
Russell flourished without Karl-Anthony Towns, rising to 60th place in terms of cost per game. But as a third option in Los Angeles, we might see a slight drop in transmissions from LeBron James being the main ball carrier. However, he is posting a career-best 39% out of three and will be the third choice in Los Angeles, which shouldn’t detract too much from his value. Jarred Vanderbilt will likely miss out here because his time is up in Utah and while he will have a backup role in Los Angeles, the acquisition Rui Hachimura confuses his worldview along with Thomas Bryant.
I slander Rudy Goberta play most of the season, but the Timberwolves’ decision to sign Mike Conley should bode well for the French. According to PBPStats, Conley provided more assists to Rudy Gobert than any other Jazz player in the three seasons they played together. So, by a strange coincidence, I can’t believe I’m in favor of buying a cheap Gobert (if you’re in playoff contention). Veteran Conley, IQ and ability to help will benefit all Timberwolves players, so Conley’s value should also be good at this point. Just be careful what Bones of the Highland the name has recently been associated with the Timberwolves.
Also, remember Jaylen Nowell (8% claimed). On Wednesday night, he scored a career-high 30 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 6 triples and 2 steals without Russell. He was a beast of a minute when he hit over 20 minutes and Mike Conley is not a spring chick so I would also keep an eye on him.
And then there’s Russell Westbrook. Clippers and Bulls have expressed interest in signing him to a contract if the Jazz decide to buy him out, but that decision has yet to be made. I don’t think Russ is a good fit for the Jazz after they are clearly selling their veterans for future draft assets. He just doesn’t fit into their current situation. His poor shooting and high turnover will always reduce his fantasy appeal, but for now, fantasy managers will have to put up with it.
Colleen Sexton (63% of the roster) played well in a loss to the Timberwolves on Wednesday, scoring 22 points (6-10 from the field, 4-5 from the field, 6-8 from the field) with five rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes. He started in place of Conley, so in the unlikely scenario that he’s available, he’s worth looking into. In deeper leagues Talen Horton-Tucker (1% on the list) and Broken black (2% in the list) should also increase in minutes.
The Knicks acquired Josh Hart in place of Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Swee Mikhailuk and a future first-round pick.
Fantasy Impact: Hart reunites with his college teammate Jalen Brunsonand apparently Brunson’s reaction: He’s happy that Hart will play in New York.. Hart has been on the block for some time, and the Knicks have been actively looking for a hitter who can defend multiple positions and knock down 3-pointers. Hart can certainly fulfill this role, but it will be in Quentin Grimes‘ expense. Grimes was confident in the starting lineup, but with Hart playing in a similar position and the draft capital they spent to take him out of Portland, something has to give way. I would dump Grimes and wait and see in the deeper leagues, but his outlook for the rest of the season looks suspicious.
As for the Reddish, I won’t touch on him unless HC Blazers Chauncey Billups says he’ll replace Hart, but I don’t think that’s the case. The Blazers have a lot of wings in their roster so we’ll see if Reddish can show up but I’m not counting on it given his history of underperformance.
Other deals that do not affect fantasy:
-Spurs purchased Duane Dedmon in exchange for a second round pick
-Kings got the rights to Kessler Edwards in exchange for project rights to David Mishino and cash
Keep it locked up here as we’ll be updating this column with more fantasy deals before the trade-in deadline!
Source: sports.yahoo.com
