The Art of Trade

Trades are one of the best ways to take your fantasy basketball team from the basement to the top of the roof. Every year I play with a few owners who refuse to trade with anyone. I believe owners should look for opportunities to improve their team, with free agent and trades, throughout the season. The proper trading strategy is to trade a player who is on the decline for one who is just heating up. The goal is to have a better team at the end of the season than in the beginning of the season. Looking at factors such as injury risk, playing time, and upside will help determine who to target and who to trade.

Fantasy Basketball Players to Trade Away (Sell High)

Blake Griffin (PF/C) LAC – The arrival of Billups will mean less touches for Blake who is shooting only 61% from the “free” throw line this season.

Chris Kaman (PF/C) Dal – Kaman has some injury risk and will see decreased playing time when Dirk returns from injury.

Mo Williams (PG/SG) Uta – Mo Williams can hurt himself sneezing and his backup, Tinsley, has played well in his absence.

Andrei Kirilenko (SF/PF) Min – Since returning from The Mother Country, Kirlenko has been playing like it’s 2006, averaging 3.3 Ast, 1.5 Stl, and 1.8 Blk. The news of a bad back is bad news for the injury prone Russian who could be in and out the line-up all year.

Ryan Anderson (PF/C) NO – Anderson is leading the league in threes per game (3.3), but will see less minutes and production when Davis returns from injury.

Fantasy Basketball Advice - Fantasy Basketball Buy Low Sell High - Trade away Marcin Gortat (sell high)

Marcin Gortat (C) Pho – Gortat has seen is minutes and production plummet with the emergence of Jermain O’Neil. Gortat did have a good game recently so he still has decent trade value.

Jameer Nelson (PG) Orl – Nelson is a productive point guard when healthy (1.6 3PM, 1.5 stl, 5.6 ast), but has spent more time with the team doctor than on the court.

Fantasy Basketball Players to Trade For (Buy Low)

David Lee (PF/C) GS – Lee will continue to help initiate the offense in Golden State and has a good shooting touch for a big man, shooting 48.5% from the field and 78% at the line.

Kenneth Faried (PF) Den – Faried is only a second year player, is playing in an up tempo offense, and has the motor of a monster truck.

Grevis Vasquez (PG/SG) NO – Vasquez is only in his 3rd year, has tons of upside, loves to drop dimes, and will receive all the playing time he can handle.

Danillo Gallinari (SF) Den – Gallo started the year shooting well below 40%, but has started heating up in recent weeks and looks to be finding his game in Denver.

Fantasy Basketball Advice - Fantasy Basketball Buy Low Sell High - Trade for Anthony Davis (buy low)

Anthony Davis (PF/C) NO – This is for a team who is near the bottom of the league. Davis has Mount Everest type upside, but his injuries have left him available for the right price. Expect top ten numbers, with good percentages from Davis by seasons end.

Derrick Favors (PF/C) Uta – Favors has a ton of talent and recently sustained a minor foot injury, so he is ripe for the picking. With trade rumors surrounding both Jefferson and Millsap, Favors could become the man in Utah after the trade deadline.

Brandon Knight (PG/SG) Det – Knight is only in his second year and is just now starting to see the open passing lanes averaging 5.3 assists per game. Knight is already a solid scorer (13.3 points per game), and I expect his numbers to increase as the season progresses.

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