NBA Fantasy Buy Lows and Sell Highs: Jan. 13
Fantasy basketball is currently approaching a pivotal point in the regular season. The trade deadline is approaching in most leagues and managers need to start making moves to contend come playoff time.
Here are key moves to make that may allow a fantasy team to get into the playoffs or compete for a league title.
Buy Low
Jarrett Allen
Allen has always been a player that can contribute to fantasy teams through rebounds and blocks. But his per-game stats in these categories have been low due to an illness he has been playing through.
Over the last seven days, he is averaging 7.8 rebounds per game and 0.8 blocks per game. His season average is 9.8 and 1.2 in each category.
Allen already seems to be bouncing back from this illness with 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists on Thursday night.
With that being said, this is a player to trade for now as his stock is already trending back up, especially if he can keep his assist numbers up.
Tyrese Haliburton
When looking at most improved players fantasy wise, Haliburton is in the conversation.
But the Pacers guard has suffered a sprained elbow and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. The best-case scenario is that he returns after the two weeks and there is a possibility that he misses more time if the sprain is bad.
Haliburton is averaging a 20-point double-double on the season and is averaging close to two steals a game to go with it.
He still won’t be the cheapest option on the market, but now will be when his trade value is lowest.
A team that is comfortably in playoff position could make a potential deal with a team fighting to make the playoffs and needs to make up for the time Haliburton will miss.
Sell High
CJ McCollum
McCollum has been a huge contributor to the Pelicans and fantasy teams this season. There is no doubt that he’ll be a valuable asset come playoff time.
But his stock is high right now because of the injuries to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. These players shouldn’t be out much longer and will make it so McCollum isn’t the go-to weapon on this team.
He is averaging 29.4 points per game over the last 15 days and that will certainly take a hit, as well as other stats, when his teammates return. Now is the perfect time to get the most out of him in a trade.
Russell Westbrook
Although he isn’t the stat sheet stuffer that he was earlier in his career, Westbrook can still be a key piece to a fantasy playoff run.
With Anthony’s Davis’s injury and LeBron James missing some games due to load management, Westbrook has been overperforming.
Almost all his stats are inflated as he has been the second and sometimes the first option recently. There’s no doubt that when the Lakers are healthy, he becomes more of a role player.
The Lakers will be looking to sneak into a play-in spot so James will start to worry less about load management.
Plus, if Anthony Davis can remain healthy it is almost certain that Westbrook’s stats will regress to their usual rates.
Jayson O’Connell is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jbo5216@psu.edu.
