It’s trading season in the NBA! Expect players to be on the move. We already saw the Wizards and the Suns make a trade and there are more teams looking to make deals as we speak. If you start to see trade rumors on your players and you don’t like the potential landing spot for them, look to get a deal done before they are traded from their actual teams.
Cody Zeller PF, C CHA-32% Ownership: It’s not easy to find big men on the waiver wire who are getting 20-plus minutes per game, but Zeller is locked into the Hornets rotation. Zeller has boosted his scoring a bit lately hitting double figures in three of his last four games. Zeller is a low-block specific Center. He’ll get fed in the low-post and will score a lot of his points off of put backs. He fights hard for boards right under the basket. He’s been grabbing 5.9 boards per game this season and he’s been able to boost those numbers lately as well. He’s grabbed at least seven boards in his last four games. He has four multi-steal games in his last six and he’s blocked shots in four of his last five games. He’s been seeing minutes in the late 20’s a lot more and he’ll have games in which he surpasses 30 minutes.
Kevin Huerter SG ATL-21% Ownership: Huerter has been given a lot more love in the Hawks rotation lately. He’s played over 30 minutes in his last three games. He’s been helpful on both sides of the ball. On offense, he’s been getting fed at the arc a lot. He’s hit multiple three-pointers in four straight games. He’s scored in double figures in three of his last five games. Even though he’ll mainly shoot from the outside, don’t put it past him to take advantage of the open lane. Huerter has taken more and more contact in the lane as he continues to get more seasoned in the NBA. Huerter has dished at least three dimes in six of his last seven games. On the defensive side of the ball, Huerter has been blocking shots at the elbow and he’s swatted away shots in each of his last five games. Huerter has also earned more playing time because of his quick hands and ability to grab steals. Huerter has stolen the ball in five of his last five games. He just posted a three-steal game.
Alec Burks G CLE-14% Ownership: Burks is seeing steady minutes in the 20’s and 30’s and the Cavs need all of the help they can get on both sides of the ball. Burks has scored in double figures in three of his last five games. He’ll hit three’s and take mid-range jumpers. He’s also dished at least three dimes in three of his last five games. Burks will see minutes at both guard spots. Burks has been a good perimeter defender in Cleveland. He has stolen the ball in his last six games. The most impressive part of Burks in recent games has been his rebounding ability. He’s grabbed at least seven boards in four of his last five games. He’s been stepping inside the arc on defense and he fights for long rebounds. I often see Burks be one of the few Cavs who waits for the possession to end before running to the other side of the court. Expect him to continue to see a good amount of minutes in the Cavs rotation if the rebounding continues at this rate.
Marco Belinelli SG, SF SA-9% Ownership: Belinelli shoots a lot of three’s but that’s not what he’s all about. He’s hit multiple three-pointers in three of his last five games and just posted a game in which he hit five three-pointers. He’ll step inside the arc w/ the ball and look to cut to the basket. Belinelli has scored in double figures in his last five games. He grabbed at least three boards in four of those five games. Belinelli should see steady minutes in the mid-20’s and he’ll be a priority shooting option w/ the Spurs second unit. Belinelli has grabbed steals in two of his last four games. He often gives room to the player he’s defending before the entry screen is set. When he is on the court w/ DeMar DeRozan , he’s utilized more as a bailout shooting option. He’s scoring 9.8 points per game this season and that average will go up as the season continues.
Trey Lyles PF DEN-17% Ownership: Lyles minutes have been up and down this season, but with Paul Millsap hurt, he continue to see more playing time. Lyles has played 30 or more minutes in 2 of his last 3 games. He’s scoring 10 points per game and has scored 9 in his last 3 games. Lyles is reliable on the defensive side of the ball. He’s grabbed six or more bards in his last three games. Lyles grabbed steals in three of his last four games and he’s been good at defending the elbow and swiping balls from right under the basket. Lyles will also provide help w/ blocks. He’s improved at timing his jumps on shots and he’s blocked shots in four of his last five games. Lyles also has a long-range shooting game but it isn’t utilized that much. He’ll normally give fantasy owners one three-pointer, but it’s only when the Nuggets are unable to push the ball inside that he pops out and shoots the open trey.
T.J. McConnell PG PHI-5% Ownership: Markelle Fultz being out of the mix opens up more playing time for McConnell. McConnell’s hustle on the court along will keep him in the Sixers rotation. McConnell facilitates the Sixers offense w/ the second unit. He’s scored in double figures in three of his last four games and he’s even grabbed at least three boards in two of his last three games. McConnell will provide help w/ assists as he’s dished at least four in his last four games. McConnell is very scrappy and he swiped the ball multiple times in three of his last five games. McConnell does have the ability to shoot from long-range, but he’s more of a drive and dish type of PG. He has hit three-pointers in two of his last three games. Expect his minutes to stay in the mid-20’s for the most part. He’s logged at least 28 minutes in his last three games.
De’Anthony Melton SG PHX-20% Ownership: Even though Devin Booker is back in action, Melton should be able to continue to draw starts. The Suns just traded for Kelly Oubre Jr. and Austin Rivers and while Oubre shouldn’t impact Melton’s minutes, Rivers may force the Suns to put Booker back to the SG. We’ve seen the scoring potential from Melton as he continues to hit the 20-minute mark. Melton has scored in double figures in three of his last five games and while he will look to get open at the arc, Melton will attack the basket and take contact. The Suns haven’t been able to find consistency at their guard spot to share the backcourt, but Melton is making a good case to stick. Melton’s perimeter defense has stood out as he has four straight multi-steal games. Melton has also grabbed at least three boards in five of his last six games. He’s also dished at least four assists in six of his last seven games.
Ed Davis PF, C BKN-7% Ownership: The Nets don’t have a ton of frontcourt depth and Davis will get just enough playing time to stay in the rotation. He’ll mainly see 20 minutes per game. Davis has grabbed 8.3 rebounds per game. He’s grabbed double-digit boards in two of his last four games. Davis will mainly score off of put backs and he’s scored eight points in two of his last three games. Davis will provide help w/ steals inconsistently. Consider him a volume add and watch his minutes over the next few games. He’s hard to box out in the paint and the Nets will give him more minutes against bigger teams. Davis will take a lot of contact from right under the basket, but it’s the rebounds that you’re looking for. Davis is a short-term solution if you need the rebounding help.
Bryn Forbes PG SA-17% Ownership: Despite his lack of production in his previous game, Forbes still see’s consistent minutes in the 20’s and 30’s for the Spurs. Derrick White and Patty Mills do not impact Forbes playing time too much and Forbes has scored in double figures in four of his last five games. Forbes is a reliable defender and that will be where he earns the bulk of his minutes. He’s grabbed steals in three of his last five games. Forbes has been a bit sneaky with grabbing rebounds lately. He’s grabbed at least five boards in three of his last four games. Forbes is good at running the floor especially on transition. He’s hit multiple three-pointers in two of his last three games and he’s not afraid to drive the lane. As the season continues, Forbes minutes should stay consistently in the mid-20’s.
WILDCARD PICK UP: Derrick Jones Jr. SF MIS-5% Ownership: You can’t knock the hustle! Jones is a perfect example of what happens when you don’t give up on plays, are always moving on the court and when you actually play defense. White has grabbed multiple steals in two of his last three games. The Heat have been decimated by injuries all season long. Both Goran Dragic and Dwayne Wade have been in and out of the lineup and Jones has taken advantage of his playing time in his last four games. He’s grabbed double-digit rebounds in two of his last four games and he fights his way in the lane w/ the ball. He can hit shots from downtown, but he clearly prefers to drive and draw contact. Jones has also blocked multiple shots in three of his last four games and his minutes reflect the impact he has made on the court. He’s played at least 23 minutes in his last four games.